Abyss - Book Five of the Alpha Series - MxM

Chapter 9

"We live in a brothel for months and you don't even glance at a woman, we are here for an hour and you're gawking at this woman as if she held the promised land on her chest." I only have one man to accuse, I'm not responsible for the other two. 

Tomas gropes his own chest absently as if he held the globes himself and imagined what they felt like.

Verando sighs at me, calculating his answer I'm sure. "Come now. That was a ridiculous amount of acreage that woman possessed."

Tomas nods, "Aye. Quite impressive, really. Wonder who she inherited from; if she's got a relative and if she's open to exploration." Reid is beat red from the two of them and frankly, I'm embarrassed as well. 

I hear Ana chuckle and I'm appalled at her. She composes herself, straightening though unable to wipe the smile off her face.

"I'm sorry Nic, they're men. It is kind of funny."

I excuse myself from the group of them, not quite in the mood to listen to the validations as to why I chose this particular dinner party to misbehave. Maybe it's Loan rubbing off on me or my own lack of enthusiasm with the situation that dulls me. I feel his presence before I see him and I pinch the bridge of my nose as I down another glass of wine and gratefully accept more.

 "Your Majesty." Haryek greets.

"Who let you in?" 

"Kymil." He smiles broadly, with such a snake in our immediate family I don't understand why we had any need for Mr.Balan. Haryek was plenty capable of making horrible decisions that only suited himself. "I see you're working with the mafia?"

 He gestures around us, defensively cradling his wine with his free hand. I can tell he's mildly intoxicated but truthfully, so am I. I really don't drink and I've been quite indulgent this evening on an empty stomach.

I shrug, a professionally as one can when you're dressed as heavily as I am. "Verando's idea. Mr.Balan really couldn't be allowed to stay at home anyways so he's here, I don't know how much protection the mafia offers."

Haryek snorts, allowing a small laugh. "Well, they've got this place under lock and key so yeah, I'd say a lot?" He gestures to my outfit. "Who dressed you?"

"Loan." I frown.

Haryek purses his lips, unimpressed. "You look like you've seen a ghost with these light colors." He casually touches my sleeve. "I mean, if you were an elf-" He gestures to his own 'beacon of light' outfit. "But it's not... sexy. A king should be sexy!" I try not to make a face as I greet a passing couple. Haryek watches me with a thoughtful expression. "Look at you. All grown up. Maybe you should drop Loan and let me take a crack at it tomorrow?"

I shake my head at him, the lack of loyalty is astounding. "Aren't you in a relationship with Loan?" 

The elf lord watches his drink, casually swirling it before taking a less than a regal gulp of the liquid. "I'm a bad person, Nic. No, I'm not in a relationship with him. I thought that was obvious when I arrived at the brothel you were staying at. Surprisingly enough, if you cheat on someone, they get upset with you." 

And just like that, I don't know how it happened, I felt bad for Haryek. There were times when I was a sympathizer, he did have his merits and his good points when he wasn't being generally awful but old habits die hard and it was hard to blame him for how his father did, or truly didn't, raise him. 

"Have you tried being a good person?" 

It's his turn to shrug. "That sounds awfully boring, doesn't it?" 

It is. It really is. I only get one life and it isn't even as long as his. I'm about to spend it running a country. We get called to dinner and I stick close to my elf companion who I can't help but fall back into step with. Haryek has actually been in this world where Loan has just wished and hoped, I find his truths to be more accurate than Loan's hopes for what my position will be.