Lord Mouse by Mason Thomas

Author:Mason Thomas [Thomas, Mason]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: gay romance
ISBN: 9781632160003
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: 2015-11-06T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

THE SUN had nearly crested the horizon when the three of them exited Nevon’s small apartment. The eastern sky had lightened to sapphire and was painted with streaks of pink clouds. Pale light filtered in through the occasional window, illuminating the eddy currents of dust and giving the corridors a strange, dreamlike air.

Mouse had Garron lead the way while he moved Nevon along with fingers lightly pinching the back of the lad’s neck. They moved at a deliberate pace, careful not to appear too hurried and draw attention. Mouse also made certain they did not run headlong into Nevon’s manservant en route. The lad pointed the direction Ashimnae would come, from his temporary residences, so Mouse led them along a different route but was cautious all the same in case he was lying.

The corridors were more occupied than Mouse liked. Unlike earlier, it was the dignitaries and aristocrats now roaming about, looking haughty and official. Most were either local luminaries or guests from neighboring duchies, but he spotted the livery of a well-connected family from the capital. Delgan was showing his ambitions, clearly attempting to expand his influence. As for the laborers and servants that Mouse encountered before, they had done what was expected of them when their masters were about; they disappeared from sight entirely.

No one paid them any mind, but Mouse caught himself tightening his thumb and forefinger on Nevon’s neck each time someone walked past.

“Ow! That’s not necessary, you know,” Nevon grumbled.

Despite his proclamations of willing cooperation, Mouse still didn’t trust him. “Just reminding you that I’m here.”

“Your odor is doing a superb job of that already. You realize if we were in Har Senestus, you would be drawn and quartered for just laying your hand upon me.”

“Just keep moving, little prince.”

The lad’s shoulders clenched under his hand, and he grinned in satisfaction. He needed to get them out of the corridors as quickly as possible, before someone recognized Nevon or started asking questions.

Still, no one about seemed in any particular hurry or on edge. That could all change quickly enough if the mage had managed to isolate Garron’s whereabouts before the ink was disrupted. At any moment, these corridors could be thick with guards.

Mouse herded them into a seldom-used stairwell toward the back of the manor. They descended two flights and hurried through another maze of corridors.

As they rounded a corner, Garron nearly collided with a cluster of three guardsmen. Mouse’s heart lurched into his throat, and on reflex he moved his hand close to where the dagger was hidden. But Garron offered a quick apology and a bow, and the three marched off without a backward glance. They may have been on the lookout for an escaped prisoner, but not two men and boy.

The lad might turn out to be a surprising asset, after all.

“There, to your right,” Mouse said to Garron. “Turn.”

They ducked down a short hall to a small unassuming door that would have been easy to overlook. “This will lead us to the lower levels.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.