Read Online Land of Night by Kirby Crow - Free Book Online

open. After you feel better, you can come every other day, and so on."
    Scarlet looked doubtful. “I still don't see how plain light cures a headache."
    Liall kissed the top of Scarlet's head and drew his hand down his lover's face tenderly, regretting that he had spared so little time for Scarlet since they arrived. They were barely lovers, and already Liall was ignoring the most basic of duties he owed Scarlet. “You have much to learn here. I will ask Jochi about your education."
    That announcement did not have the desired effect. Scarlet scowled. “I ain't a fucking draft horse you can curry and primp into drawing a carriage,” he said crudely. “So stop trying. I don't need Jochi to teach me anything more than how to speak your damned gibberish."
    "That will take years."
    "Watch and see."
    All Liall had meant to do was show concern for him, but Scarlet had taken it to mean Liall wanted to change him. Liall wondered if he really did want to change Scarlet, and how much, and why.
    "I apologize,” Liall said, mentally shoving the tangle aside for later. “I do love you the way you are, Scarlet."
    That mollified Scarlet a little. He looked up at the shining arc of the dome. “So this helps?"
    "It will, if you follow my advice,” Liall said, careful not to frame it like an order. “There are certain foods and herbs that will help also. I will see to it."
    Scarlet sighed. “And I'll have to let you, for I don't know a thing about it."
    Liall's hand sought the soft nape of Scarlet's neck as they stood together. He caressed there, easing the tight, tense muscles. “You never had a need to learn before."
    Scarlet leaned back into Liall's touch, eyes closing. “But I do now.” He looked up at Liall. “Right?"
    Liall leaned over, bracing his arm on the back of the chair, and pressed soft, lingering kisses along the line of Scarlet's jaw and over his chin. “Remember when we first met, and you refused me a kiss?"
    Scarlet huffed a sound of amusement. “Wise of me, recalling the first time we did kiss. I bit you."
    "What about the second time?"
    Scarlet's wicked grin made Liall shiver. “Now that was a kiss, ugly mariners watching and all."
    Liall kissed the ink-black line of one eyebrow and then the other. “Now that I think on it, the kiss on the deck of the Ostre Sul was our third kiss. The second time, you were not even conscious.” Liall saw Scarlet did not understand him. “When I found you with Cadan, you had ceased to breathe,” Liall said softly.
    Dark eyes stared back at him, and Liall marveled again how much their color could hide, how many secrets could be contained in a look, a glance.
    "How did you...?"
    "Like this.” Liall blew a short, light breath against his lips. “A mariner's trick, for those drowned. You opened your eyes and said my name."
    "Liall."
    He nodded. “Your wolf of a Kasiri, as I will always be.” Liall fussed the edge of Scarlet's silk collar, slightly rumpled, back into place. “It is Scarlet of Lysia I love. Scarlet the pedlar, with a patched crimson coat. Learn all you wish here, or nothing. I will love you no matter what. But can you love a fool of a prince?"
    It seemed to be what Scarlet needed to hear. He gripped Liall's collar and pulled the prince down for a longer kiss, on the mouth this time. “I liked you well enough as a bastard of a bandit Kasiri,” he said, his dark eyes glittering mischievously. “I guess I can love a prince."
    "Rake,” Liall accused, stealing another sweet taste from his mouth.
    Scarlet pushed him away, laughing, and Liall followed his pointed look downwards. “I think we should stop."
    "Hm. Yes. It would not do to have the queen or her attendants walk in on us, although it might be fun."
    Scarlet pushed him away more firmly and tried to change the subject. “So, do I get a virca like yours for hunting?"
    Liall was already beginning to regret his reckless promise. “For your own sake, you might reconsider joining the hunt. It is very