Unsevered Ties

50. A Dog's Day

Chapter 50: A Dog's Day

A light knock sounded at the wooden door to a lavish room and blue eyes looked up from the book they were reading. Fine and straight brows bowed in confusion, looking at the clock on the wall. The hour was late and he didn't want to know who'd be visiting him. Still, he invited his visitor in, amused by who it was.

"Can I uh... can I sleep here tonight?"

Long lips quirked in amusement, head tilting in curiosity as hair piled in a bun tickled his neck. "You want to sleep here? With me? Out of all these endless rooms that you can go to. What is the matter? Is it too awkward for you to sleep over there?"

Tired eyes cast down, their equally tired owner sighing and heavily slouching against the door frame. "Let's just say the atmosphere was suffocating in there. If I stayed, I'm sure there would be something said that would put me more in the doghouse. How can I sleep with such a frigid attitude being thrown at me? I'm not used to being the bad guy."

Sega chuckled, closing his reading material, placing it aside, "that still doesn't answer the question of why here, you are a King, you can have any other room in the hall. Your options are vast and plenty."

Aiden still leaned against the door frame, taking up much of the opening. "What can I say? My bed has spoiled me from being warmed since I got here. If I don't sleep with someone, I'll just toss and turn all night and be useless tomorrow." Aiden held up a small cylinder-shaped object between two thick fingers, the brown coating barely catching the light. "I've brought an entrance fee."

Sega's mouth spread into a suppressed grin. "Aiden what... That cannot be what I think it is. The good and righteous Mountain King does not partake in such things."

Aiden twirled the herb-packed cigar in his fingers. "The Mountain King is in time out. Here I am, simply Aiden, a very stressed man with a lot of problems I never knew I had until today. I've become a conspirator, a target, a shitty mate... Well, that one didn't happen today, but I can still get high out of my mind to forget about it tonight." Gold eyes slid to the tall frame sitting in the vast bed. "Or is the notorious rake Sega permanently retired?"

"Burned by our fiery puppy and too ball less to face his ire head-on. I suppose in your place I would know when to tuck my tail and accept sleeping outside as well. Naki has to learn better though. No good will come of driving you to my bed."

Aiden smirked and shook his wild head. "I fully planned on sleeping on the floor. Don't flatter yourself. So? Can I come over for a sleepover or not?"

"Sleepover? Do I need to gather pillows from surrounding rooms and tack sheets to the wall for a fort, you giant child? Do as you please, just don't be annoying. I've had enough of that today." Sega eyed Aiden's hand, "but light that before you reach my bed, Sega the rake is immortal, so he still certainly partakes."

Aiden did as told, closing and locking the door before he crossed the room. Along the way, he grabbed a burning candle, placing the cigar to the flame, allowing it to heat and begin to billow smoke. He had not been into the fast life since he had first been introduced to the Royal life. He was not completely a good boy, not that many people got to witness the other side.

He gave Sega the first honors, sliding down beside the big bed on the plush floor. "About Valas..."

Sega exhaled a thick spiral of white smoke that curled around his beautiful face like a dancing spirit. Sharp eyes stared down at Aiden as Sega languidly slid to his stomach across the bed, partially dangling his arm over to give Aiden back the cigar. "Aiden, I do not want to discuss it right now. Beyond discovering things about my father, who is somebody hoping entity, who also wants to use me as his next skin, who also wants to milk my mate for offspring... Also wants me to kill you. I also have to figure out why my goddamn hair is turning black again and hide the fact that I know all this shit while still acting as if I am trying to convert you. While also trying to get the mate I fucked up to forgive me." *So I don't fucking die.