The Guildmaster by T S Cleveland

Author:T S Cleveland [Cleveland, T S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

16 -Advances

Merric stepped outside on his way back to the room, leaning against the wall to settle himself in the stillness and quiet of the cool night air. Scorch hadn't upset him with his remarks about "taking up" with Quinn. Not really. Scorch wouldn't be Scorch if he didn't look for threads to pull, and if one wasn't careful, they'd find themselves completely unraveled before he was done. What had upset Merric was witnessing how close he and Vivid had become, their depth of intimacy. It made his chest ache to see them so happy, and he flushed, remembering Scorch's mention of Felix, and how unprepared he'd been to hear that name in relation to himself.

It felt like a lifetime ago, when Felix had kissed him, when they'd touched and whispered and cuddled close in one another's arms. But the memories no longer carried the terrible pangs they once had, the pangs that made him gasp with overwhelming loss and sadness. His chest ached now from watching Scorch and Vivid, not because of Felix, but because they shared something he'd never had and might never have, and it was something he desperately wanted. He touched his mouth, searching for the memory of a single kiss, and shivered.

The door swung open and Merric heard Dumpling's bleat before he turned to see Quinn there, his body outlined in the lights from the corridor. He sat Dumpling on the ground with instructions to do her business, and then leaned beside Merric on the wall. "I sent a bird ahead," he said. "The Hadrian will be ready and waiting when we arrive." He dipped his head, and the lights from the street made his eyes sparkle. "I told Bongo to prepare sleeping space amongst the crew quarters for our new passengers." His smile was unmistakably wicked. "It's a shame I can't offer the Sun Guardian better accommodations."

"A better man would give up his quarters for guests," Merric informed him. "Or at least offer to have them share the space." He seriously didn't want---or expect---Quinn to do either, nor did he care to imagine the sights and sounds of the second scenario. But having paid good coin to keep from sharing so much as a wall with them overnight, Quinn wasn't about to offer the lovers a comfy pallet on his bedroom floor. And knowing this, Merric felt a certain wry satisfaction in suggesting it.

"Good thing, then, that I'm not a better man," Quinn replied. "I've never shared my private quarters with anyone other than yourself. And do correct me if I'm wrong, but I was under the impression you'd grown quite fond of sleeping in my bed and would hate to be parted from it."

Merric knocked his staff against Quinn's shin for the last remark, but didn't argue it, given that he'd spoken fact. The captain's bed was exceedingly comfortable. As for the bit about having never before shared his quarters, Merric wasn't at all sure he believed it.

Dumpling came bounding back from the bushes, begging to be held.

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