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“Soiled?” Kerik laughs. “I am no blushing maiden. Do you think I am concerned that you will tarnish my bride price on the Azurian wedding market?”

“I simply wanted to explain that I didn’t mean to take advantage of the situation.”

“So,” — from the way Kerik is smirking now, head tipped to one side, Perl is certain he will not like what Kerik says next — “Vane spoke to me. When your Queen was walking up onto the dais, just before the midnight bell. He seemed to be able to whisper in my ear without anyone else being able to hear or see what he was doing.”

“Oh.” says Perl. “That sounds like one of Vane’s tricks. What did he say? Did he tell you more terrible things about me?” Perl tries to sound resigned. He hopes Vane didn’t say what he thinks Vane would very much enjoy whispering to Kerik. But he cannot imagine what else Vane would use a hidden words spell to say. It shouldn’t matter so much if Vane does tell Kerik about Perl’s deviancies. Every fae here knows what he did. And what Vane is implying. But if Vane told Kerik…? Perl does not think he could stand it. Although he is unsure exactly why he ought to care what Kerik thinks of him more than any fae in Vylenor.

“No,” Kerik says.

“He said nothing about me?”

“Actually,” Kerik says, sounding quite pleased with himself, “he was mostly interested in talking about me.”

“What about you?” Perl says, quite curious.

“Oh, he wants me. We are quite popular at your faerie court, the two of us. The Queen wants you and the prince wants me.”

Perl swallows. He certainly does not want to explain his relationship with Exeinil to Kerik. He’d rather not think too much about it himself. So, he focuses elsewhere. “He does not want you,” Perl says. “He simply wants to undermine me.”

“Do you think so because he said right in front of you that he’d put me in a suck box, whatever that is.”

“It’s a box with a hole for⁠—”

Kerik interrupts. “I can imagine, actually. No need for you to soil your perfect mouth explaining.”

“So, he said nothing about me, really?” Perl finds it strange that Vane did not take the opportunity to further defame him. He wonders if Kerik is right and Vane does desire him. Although he knows it is impossible to unravel Vane’s motivations beyond making trouble and entertaining himself.

“Not in his secret whispering,” Kerik says sweetly, “Although I did hear everything he said to you right to your face. What is he tormenting you about? What did you do?”

“It was a long time ago,” is all Perl says. Hoping it will be left at that.

“Really,” says Kerik, with a smile on his face that suggests he thinks he already knows all he needs. “So, you didn’t enjoy kissing me?” he says.

Perl struggles to find an answer to this question that is truthful. “I was simply doing what had to be done.”

“Really,” says Kerik. “Would you like to do it again? Perhaps do it a little differently?”

Perl swallows; ice in his belly. He looks at Kerik. He is sure he knows what Kerik is implying. He twitches at the thought. As if he would do such a thing in Vylenor. “No,” he says. Surprised to hear the word come from his mouth. Surprised that is the truth.

“Very well, Master” Kerik says standing up with a playful wink, before tripping off, naked but for a few daubs of paint on his chest, through the bathing chamber door.

Perl watches him go without a care in the world. As if he is not about to be subject to the four tests of devotion.

His head aches.

He will have to tell Doroth Zain that he has made another mistake. And he remembers that he has still not informed Doroth Zain that he has brought Kerik here instead of sending him to Ceruleum as they had planned. It will not be pleasant to have to inform him that not only has he deviated from their plans, but that deviation has already resulted in complications.

He thinks of kissing Kerik before Exeinil. The intoxicating warmth of Kerik’s lips. He did all he could to keep the kiss chaste, but had not been able to resist sliding his tongue into Kerik’s mouth. It had felt like sliding his tongue into a volcano.

And his mind conjures a different kiss. One where Kerik snarls into his mouth. Holds him firm with his obvious strength. Kerik twisting his hands in Perl’s hair, pulling it out of its braid.

He shakes his head. He is here for a reason. He mustn’t get distracted. Least of all by thoughts like that.

Instead, Perl gets up from his chair. He goes into his dressing chamber and closes the door. Sitting cross-legged on the floor he takes a moment to centre himself, just a few breaths, and then he uses his will to bring his silvered glass from the Starlight Tower. It appears before him, shimmering into existence. A feeling rolls through him, sweetly pleasant and he notices again the ease of performing magic in Vylenor.

That aside, what he has to do now will not be pleasant. He draws a little more power to summon a candle and light it, then he looks into the flame and focuses his thoughts on Doroth Zain.

His hands are shaking so much it takes three attempts to make the connection.