King of the Dark: A dark MM high fantasy (Prince's Assassin Book 1) by Ariana Nash

Author:Ariana Nash [Nash, Ariana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Crazy Ace Publishing
Published: 2020-07-09T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 18

Niko saw Julian’s pace stutter as he entered the prince’s chamber. “Niko?” He made a valiant effort to hide all of the feelings from his face, and failed. His expression glowed, eyes wide. He was adorable. If Vasili hadn’t been looming like an executioner’s axe, Niko would have taken him into his arms and kissed him. “You’re back.”

“I sent him away on an errand.” So smooth, the prince’s lies.

“Julian,” Niko said in acknowledgment, tasting his heart in his throat. He’d had time to shave and clean up, donning a smart pair of trousers and jacket more befitting an advisor.

“Nikolas was initially here under the guise of my doulos, as you know.” Vasili explained, each word clipped for efficiency. “The ruse is over. He is to be treated with respect and decency befitting his station as my personal advisor.”

Julian blinked. “Advisor?”

“Is there a problem?”

Whenever Vasili asked that question, it usually meant someone was about to have their throat cut.

“No, of c-course not.” Julian stammered. “Just unexpected.”

“Yes,” Vasili said, with a half-hearted wave, “Nikolas is very good at deception. Make sure his status is well known among the staff and my family, especially Amir. He won’t take kindly to the news, so perhaps send a note so he can burn it instead of you.”

“Of course, yes,” Julian said again, stumbling over the words. His gaze bounced between the prince and Niko.

“Now leave. Both of you. I must take my seat at the council. Julian, I will require your presence this afternoon. Until then, you are dismissed.”

Julian walked beside Niko as they left the prince’s chambers, armor clanking. Tension made his strides long and sharp, and Niko wasn’t sure if it was anger or anticipation winding him up. He had every right to be angry. Niko had abandoned him for three weeks without a word.

Whatever he had with Vasili was none of his concern. Julian had never said Niko meant anything more than a convenient fuck. His relationship with Vasili was clearly complicated and enduring. Looking back, the signs were there. Julian’s wounds, his insistence they didn’t matter, his devotion to the prince. He loved Vasili. Niko wasn’t sure where he fit into all of that.

Julian passed through his chamber door, held it open for Niko, and lunged into a kiss the moment they were both inside. Desperation made his mouth clumsy. Julian’s gloved hands were on Niko’s face, then his ass. Niko’s back hit the wall with a thud and Julian pulled back.

“Gods… I missed you.”

“I gathered.” Niko grinned. He touched Julian’s face, committing to memory the brush of golden stubble and the softness of his lips. He drew him close, brushed his open mouth with his own, and teased his tongue in, gently this time. There was no need to rush.

Julian sighed, withdrew a little, and brushed his cheek against Niko’s. “Undress me?”

Pale blue eyes flicked over Niko’s face. Concern knotted Julian’s brows, like he truly believed Niko might not want to.

Niko eased his fingers around Julian’s waist and worked the buckles free.

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