Read Online The Errant Prince by Sasha L. Miller - Free Book Online

him toward his bed. "No, no, forget I asked that."
    Myron considered it anyway; he'd instituted the 'no casual' rule after the third time he'd been approached for a novelty bedding. He didn't think Tamsen was after that—who would he brag to, for one, and he didn't seem the sort, for another.
    "How about this, your highness—"
    "Tamsen. You said it before, you can say it again," Tamsen said, sitting down heavily on the edge of his bed. He nearly toppled over, just barely staying upright.
    "Tamsen," Myron repeated. "How about, once you get your title and arranged marriage business sorted out, you come find me." Myron leaned in, adding in a lower tone, "and I'll show you what practical uses I put construct magics to." Tamsen's eyes widened slightly, and Myron sealed the promise with a kiss.
    Tamsen returned the kiss enthusiastically, tasting of whiskey. Myron dragged it out, debating again why he was resisting. Tamsen was so willing, so eager—and so drunk, Myron was reminded when Tamsen lost his balance and fell back to the bed.
    Myron stifled a laugh, licking his lips. They still tasted of Tamsen, and he forced himself to step back, to not join Tamsen. He focused instead on getting Tamsen properly to bed, instead of all the thoughts of what he could do with Tamsen in said bed.
    Tamsen protested a bit when Myron removed his boots and stuffed him under the covers. The protests faded quickly, however, and Tamsen was asleep before Myron was halfway across the cottage, his soft snores filling the room. Myron finished the whiskey in his cup, and then took a few minutes to tidy up their dishes before returning to his pallet in front of the fire. He settled into bed filled with a pleasant warmth that had little to do with the whiskey.
    *~*~*
    Myron woke first the next morning. He slipped outside, leaving Tamsen tangled in his blankets. He spent an hour doing practice drills, working up a sweat with his sword. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Tamsen watching at one point, but he'd disappeared by the end of the rotation.
    When he was finished, he cleaned up by the well, dumping a bucket of water over his head to cool off, and then headed inside. Tamsen was seated at the table, looking like he could use another full night's sleep.
    "Good morning, your highness," Myron greeted cheerfully. That earned him one of Tamsen's familiar scowls, and Myron would miss those.
    "Am I mistaken, or did I actually manage to get you to use my name last night?" Tamsen asked, curling his hands around his cup of tea.
    Myron laughed, sitting down and helping himself to the tea, pleased Tamsen had set out a second cup for him. "What else do you remember from last night, Tamsen?"
    Predictably, Tamsen flushed. "Enough."
    "Did you remember my offer?" Myron asked, mostly to see if he could get Tamsen's skin to turn a deeper red.
    "I do," Tamsen said, scowling at him. "Are you taking it back?"
    "No," Myron said. He shoved his damped hair from his forehead, giving Tamsen a slow smile. "Just making sure I don't have to repeat it."
    Tamsen smiled a little, looking down at his cup of tea. He was quiet for a moment before saying, "I don't really have much for you to do today."
    "I thought we were going into town?" Myron asked, confused. He'd been sure that was what Tamsen had said.
    " I'm going. You're staying here," Tamsen said. He sighed, crushing the heel of his hand against his forehead. He spoke up, the words slightly muffled. "I don't want to explain your presence, honestly. There's going to be enough gossip about me leaving, but leaving with a member of the King's Guard?"
    "Oh," Myron said. He hadn't thought of that, and Tamsen did intend to return, so he'd care what the villagers were saying about him.
    It could also be a ruse, with Tamsen angling to get a head start on running off. Given Tamsen's behavior the previous night, however, Myron doubted that was the case. Tamsen seemed set on returning to Rishaw, even if he wasn't happy about it.
    "Help