Missed Connections (75 page)

"What does that mean?" Elvar demanded, turning on him with an offended air.

Jerel ignored him. "Ambassador Demas, this is not the first time Prince Elvar has met with you to discuss Kaeth's future, is it? Did he not consult you this morning, in your breakfast room, to make the same request?"

"He did, aye. King Scurlock had written me about securing a position for Kaeth in Elvar's court, and we planned to discuss the matter in person. 'Tis the normal way of hammering out the terms," Demas agreed.

"And when Prince Elvar came to you, did he appear surprised that Kaeth was not with you?"

"Indeed. He remarked on it specifically."

"And where was Creegan, his bodyguard?"

Demas shrugged. "Not with him."

"That does not strike anyone as odd?" Jerel scanned the group. "Are they not always together?"

"Now that you mention it, it does seem out of the ordinary," Chancellor Berthog noted.

"That is because Creegan was already hard at work this morning, sabotaging the archives. He followed me there when I began my work—most likely angry because his attempt at hiding in my room and then burning me to death had been unsuccessful the night before."

"This proves nothing!" Elvar shouted. "I cannot be expected to know what my servant is doing every moment of the day! No doubt there are many other residents of the Academy who would like to see Jerel dead just as much as I!" He stopped suddenly, apparently aware he had said too much.

"I am honored that my presence has made such an impression on you," Jerel said dryly. "Perhaps I, too, should consider going into diplomatic work."

Oddly enough, he had the impression that Elvar was not lying—at least not about everything. Had Creegan acted alone, in an attempt to gain favor by removing Elvar's rival on his behalf? Something about the note of pain in Elvar's voice suggested that he did, in fact, care for Kaeth and perhaps even regretted Jerel's near-death. He experienced a moment of pity for Elvar. It was a fleeting one. Elvar would have to live with his own missteps, however inadvertent they might have been.

"As it happens, I do not think absolute proof is necessary," Demas said, following the words with a heavy sigh. Jerel sensed how much Elvar's treachery had cost him—another triumphant agreement with an enemy kingdom he could present to the emperor, not to mention a prestigious post for Kaeth. "For now, I have merely been tendered an offer regarding the next leg of Kaeth's life journey. Though it is indeed a generous one, I confess I am beset with doubts. In addition, Kaeth is in no condition to travel or undertake such arduous duties. For aught we know, his recovery is bound to be a long one."

Lodan the healer nodded solemnly. "He may never be the same as he once was."

Jerel smiled inwardly, but he forced his face to remain neutral as Elvar cast a lingering look at Keath's still form on the bed. He did not think he imagined the flicker of nervousness that crossed his features. The thought of caring for a man with impaired wits had perhaps sounded suitably dramatic and even heroic to Elvar at first, but the reality did not seem to please him nearly as much.

"I hope you all realize the opportunity you are giving up," he grumbled, swinging around to grimace at Jerel, in particular. "My father will be most displeased that you have so casually tossed his offer aside."

"Your father may react in whatever way he wishes," Demas said. "He is bound by the treaty we just worked three long years to perfect—the treaty that my dear son gave up so much of his young life to produce."

Elvar turned a poisonous gaze on Chancellor Berthog next. She did not flinch. "When I stood outside anon, I detected a fair wind for sailing this morning. If I leave now, I can be back in my father's kingdom by the morrow. In truth, I am eager to return. The stench of this land is rapidly becoming more than I can bear."

"The emperor's knights are still quartered here, as it happens," Demas said. "My own men will join them and see you to your ship. You shall have a noble departure, even if certain actions during your stay here proved a bit less honorable. Those we will not dwell upon."

Elvar's mouth dropped open in fury, as though he were about to shout out something more. Then he snapped his jaw shut, wheeled around on the heel of his soft boot, and stomped out. Creegan paused to flash everyone a look at his thick, discolored teeth. Jerel folded his arms and made a show of planting his feet in the center of the floor.

The room fell silent as Demas, Berthog, and Lodan listened to his footsteps retreating down the stone corridor. They turned as a group when a complaint came from the bed in the corner.

"May I open my eyes now?" Kaeth demanded.

*~*~*

On the tower, alone at last, Kaeth and Jerel clung to one another and basked in the cool silver light of the stars. It had been a long and tiring day, but Kaeth had finally convinced Lodan to set him free from the sickroom.

"I think my father suspects that we were playing a jest all along," Kaeth said, stroking a strand of dark hair away from Jerel's ear. "Lodan is convinced his poultice brought about my miraculous recovery, so I thought it best not to disabuse him."

"May I never fall ill while he remains in control of the infirmary. I suppose he means well, but it seems he is as likely to kill as cure at times." Jerel shook his head in wonder. "Was Chancellor Berthog amenable to your remaining here to continue your studies?"

"Aye. She understood my desire to remain and study the stars and planets… among other things. My education was cut short, as you might remember."

Jerel paused to smother Kaeth's lips in warm kisses. "How could I forget?"

"Yet now both of us can begin again." Tilting his head back, Kaeth examined the night sky and the misty clouds drifting above them. He released Jerel to point up at the constellations splayed brilliantly out around them. "Look. The Dragon is out again. And this time the Eagle is facing him."

Jerel scowled. "Does that mean anything?"

"Sadly, I know not. You will have to be patient, my love. I have not learned their codes yet. A few more years and I will be better at it."

"Meanwhile, allow me to practice reading them on my own." Jerel made a great show of squinting, tilting his head, and stroking his chin like a philosopher lost in contemplation. "I think I am able to read them after all. They say we will be together a long time, and we will experience great happiness."

Kaeth laughed and opened his arms again. "I cannot find any fault with your reading. The stars, and I, say aye."

Tan-ni currently lives in the Deep South. Charleston, South Carolina, to be exact. However, her actual origins are of far more mysterious locales. (Not really.) She loves m/m (or even m/m/m!) fiction, but has to admit, isn’t very good at writing it. In her free time, she enjoys beating people up, and getting beat up, in Krav Maga classes. She is fond of torturing (uhm, that is, PLAYING) with her silver tabby, Miss Sassy Cat.

No stranger to male/male stories, Diana Sheridan edited gay male sexzines for the better part of two decades under the nom de plume of “Dan Maxwell.” Though “Diana Sheridan” isn’t her true name either, it does reflect her true gender. In her own name, she has had numerous books published both in print and as e-books, is an accomplished editor of both books and magazines, and is comfortable switching gears to go from serious nonfiction to erotica in her work. Diana lives with her Significant Other, who is fully aware of and supportive of the many facets of her career.

Angel Propps is a very happy femme who lives with the butch of her dreams in North Carolina when she is not out on her endless travels. Angel is a former Riot Grrl musician who played bass in more bands than she can remember. She is also a multi-published writer of erotica, horror, poetry and literary tales that have a strong Southern Gothic bent. She is currently working on a novel of paranormal romance but her biggest goal right now is figuring out how to use all of the zucchini that grows in her garden without any care from her.

Born and raised in the Northeast of America, Jamie Sullivan now lives in the U.K., trying to adjust to looking the other way when she crosses the street. She teaches English Literature, and just wants to inspire people to love to read, whether in the classroom or on the internet.

A perfect day for Jamie involves nothing more than a free afternoon, a cup of coffee and a good book. When she isn’t reading, she’s writing the kinds of stories she wishes she could read. She believes firmly in the power of a happy ending.

Jamie writes what she considers ‘fantastical realism’, and thinks every story can benefit from a bit of magic.

Elena Alexandrescu is the type of person who likes some food with her salt, some coffee with her sugar and some tea with her lemon. After enduring the rough seas of Psychology, she is now engaged in an epic battle to conquer a Master’s Degree in Profiling. Fascination with human nature has always been first among the reasons that motivate her and, to further this purpose, she has begun to write. She hopes to show readers even a small glimpse of the beauty that she sees every time she looks at another person.

She waits with bated breath to hear your opinions, questions and comments. You could write to her at
[email protected]
or on her tumblr,
http://e-alexandrescu.tumblr.com/

Mina hails from la belle province where she lives with her husband, balancing a career and a love for queer media. She has been writing since she turned six, and simply can’t seem to stop. She is a geek at heart who loves everything from anime to books to Western TV to comics to video games to the comedic value of a well played run-on sentence. She has a thing for men in uniform who have a thing for men in uniform.

Mina can be contacted via twitter or tumblr, and you can also check out her website.

Twitter link:
http://twitter.com/minamacleod

Tumblr link:
http://minamacleod.tumblr.com

Website:
http://www.minamacleod.com/

Cassandra Pierce has been a fan of romance novels and Gothic literature for most of her life, even studying the origins of the genre in college and graduate school. Before long, she got the urge to create paranormal romances of her own. When she is not writing, she teaches English at a small New England college and is active in a charity that rescues and rehomes abandoned pets.

Cecil Wilde resides in Australia, accompanied by a cat who takes up most of the bed, a family of possums in the roof space, and more spiders than they’re entirely comfortable with. They write altogether cuter queer romance than their image as a grumpy cynic might suggest.

You can hang out with them on:

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/queerlyobscure

Tumblr:
http://queerlyobscure.tumblr.com/

Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/CecilWildeAuthor

Their Website:
http://www.cecilwilde.com/

Cari Z. is a Colorado girl who loves snow and sunshine. She has a wonderful relationship with her husband, a complex relationship with the characters in her head and a sadomasochistic relationship with her exercise routine. She feels like Halloween should be every day, and hopes that you enjoy reading her stories as much as she enjoyed writing them in the first place. Find out more about Cari and her books here:
www.carizerotica.blogspot.com
,
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2989189.Cari_Z_
, or on twitter as @author_cariz.

Caitlin was fortunate growing up to be surrounded by family and teachers that encouraged her love of reading. She has always been a voracious reader and that love of the written word easily morphed into a passion for writing. If she isn’t writing, she can usually be found studying as she works toward her counseling degree. She comes from a military family and the men and women of the armed forces are close to her heart. She also enjoys gardening, hiking, and horseback riding in the Colorado Rockies where she calls home with her wonderful fiancé and their two dogs. Her belief that there is no one true path to happily ever after runs deeply through all of her stories.

Website:
www.CaitlinRicci.com

Sara Fox is an information specialist and a ne’er-do-well whose global location changes every two years. Consistently in the wrong place at the wrong time, it’s not just her characters that survive by chance. Her lofty expectation that this time her story will include a perfect ‘happily ever after’ routinely ends in a mild sort of failure. Instead of fluff, she has a slightly macabre parade of spine-tingling ‘happy for now’s lining her bibliography. An equal opportunist in reading and writing, Sara’s characters and stories stumble all over the lgbtqa spectrum (and beyond).

Website/tumblr:
http://mssfox.com/

Twitter:
https://twitter.com/Mssrfox

C. J. Munoz mostly plays video games and sometimes writes. She gets too passionate about dumb things and annoys her friends over it. Every now and then this includes her characters. If you want to talk to her about anything at all go leave a message on
cjhere.tumblr.com
.

Valerie (aka Val) has been creating stories for a little over a decade and frightening her few readers just as long. While the dark and sometimes depressing nature of her words has greatly dimmed down, it still lies in wait, just biding its time until the appropriate moment to reappear comes about. Until then, she continues to push the boundaries and ensure that a little pain and angst still makes its way on paper along with that enticing happy ending.