Ravenhearth by Lotus Oakes

Author:Lotus Oakes [Oakes, Lotus]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay romance, Fantasy, Fairy Tales
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2016-02-16T23:00:00+00:00

*~*~*

The week that followed was a peculiar one. Ash applied himself as diligently as possible to his studies with Giles, who remained a steady, patient presence every day. There were enforced breaks every hour, when he was sent to walk around the castle, deliberately encouraged to explore. It would help him learn more of his way around the place, Giles said. And while the twins were present at every meal, they acted as if Ash didn't even exist. Part of him was relieved by that—he had no idea what he might say if they attempted to engage him—but the rest of the time he felt awkward and off-balance by the whole thing, unsure of whether they meant to simply write him out of their small world, or if they were planning something bigger.

He might have considered that simple paranoia, if he hadn't caught one or the other of them following him around during his lesson breaks more than once. Whitney usually trailed him in the mornings and Courtney in the afternoons, and while they would make eye contact, they always kept their distance, even moving away when he tried to approach.

It was enough to add to his unease with the both of them, and four days in, Giles leaned back in his chair and sighed. His arms were crossed over his chest and his brows were drawn together. He wasn't frowning, though it was only about half a step away from that.

"You were doing so well for the first few days," he said. "What happened?"

"I'm sorry," Ash mumbled. He dropped his head and stared at his hands, the fingers laced tightly together. His ears felt hot.

"Is something troubling you?" Giles said. "Your concentration has only gotten worse."

Ash ducked his head further, grateful for the length of his hair dripping into his face and—he hoped—hiding his expression. "No," he said, and nearly winced at the tone of his voice; it was so obviously a lie he was embarrassed all over again.

"Ash," Giles said, his tone just short of stern. Ash sighed and scrubbed at his face, pressing his fingertips to his eyelids. He could feel the weight of Giles's stare, stern and heavy, and it took him a while longer before he was able to find his voice again.

"I had a bit of... trouble... the other night," he said. The strain was still clear in his voice; he sounded both young and unsure to his own ears. "It was a bit unexpected, but I handled it. I didn't think it was anything worth troubling you about..."

His voice trailed off to a mumble, and then rose in a surprised yelp when Giles leaned down and forward, reaching to catch his chin in long strong fingers. Ash struggled briefly, then let Giles tilt his head up so that their eyes could meet. At first, Giles just stared at him, his expression searching, and as much as Ash wanted to turn away, he was completely caught.

"Ash," Giles said. His voice was low and heavy;

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