The Chronicles of Nir

11 | Plans of Action

Slanted sunbeams lanced through the open windows, bathing the suite in pale light. Morning glories bloomed on a trellis outside, their spade-shaped leaves glistening with raindrops like chips of broken glass. The sight of purple flowers embraced in green vines made Tallon's heart ache. He'd drifted off for an hour or so just before dawn, and woken to find Maisie already up, taking inventory and counting their coins, with breakfast ordered and on its way.

Scamp still slept, belly up on a silk cushion, but Twiggy sat on the windowsill, gazing out at the rain-washed city, sparkling in the morning sun. What the little creature thought or felt, or if it missed Ben, Tallon couldn't guess.

Rubbing gritty, sleep-deprived eyes, he turned away just in time to see Erianthus emerge from the bathing room.

The wood-elf was half naked, clad only in a pair of towels, one of which was wrapped about his long hair. The other encircled his waist, appearing in danger of slipping off his narrow hips and exposing what little remained hidden beneath. He stretched and yawned, displaying a trim, toned figure. Then, seemingly oblivious to his companion's stares, he fell into an upholstered chair.

"Good morning." He yawned, scratching at a patch of dark hair below his belly button. "I hope you both slept well. We've a day ahead of us, I think."

Tallon and Maisie exchanged baffled glances. A silent conversation passed between them as Maisie raised her eyebrows and Tallon shrugged before redirecting his attention back to Eri.

Eri had shown him kindness, and Tallon didn't have the energy to pick a fight this morning. But for Zetia's sake, this man had been out of polite company for too long.

He opened his mouth to speak but closed it again as a knock sounded at the door.

Before anyone could stop him, Eri jumped up and opened it, revealing a neatly dressed attendant wheeling a cart laden with covered trays. The young man's eyes widened as he took in the sight, before flicking to Tallon and Maisie in turn.

Leaping into action, Maisie snatched up a handful of the coins she'd been counting, strode to the door, shoved the money at the attendant and took control of the cart, wheeling it into the room.

Seemingly stunned, the attendant blinked. "Is there... a-anything else I—"

"No." Maisie shut the door in his face.

Still apparently oblivious to the scene he'd caused, Eri inspected the breakfast cart, lifting the cover on one of the steaming trays and revealing plates of smoked lox, eggs bathed in hollandaise sauce, little squares of buttered toast, and cups of fruit salad.

"Mmm! This looks delicious! And have either of you seen that tub? It's the size of a small pond, I swear. We might as well make use of the amenities, while we're here."

He wheeled the cart to the table and began unloading its bounty, setting out places for himself and his companions. Meanwhile, his towel slipped halfway down his ass, and he barely caught it with one hand.

"Do either of you have an idea for where we should begin?" he asked. "Who we meet first will determine how we ought to present ourselves, I think."

A blush reddened Maisie's cheeks, and she seemed caught between equal powers of amusement and mortification as she covered her mouth to stifle a laugh.

Grateful that it wasn't his own social ineptitude causing a spectacle, for once, Tallon straightened and drew a focused breath before speaking with a careful, deliberate tone. "Eri, I know you're accustomed to living alone, but there is a lady present. Perhaps you might put on some clothes before we eat?"

Please, for the love of the god and goddess, before I get myself in trouble.

Much as Eri annoyed him, he had a nice form, and Tallon grudgingly respected the definition of lines carving Eri's stomach into eight hard, symmetrical plates of solid muscle. He'd never purposely make Ben jealous, but Tallon didn't want to defend what he couldn't help. Call him a heel, but eye candy existed for a reason: a treat, but not the meal.