That Irresistible Poison (Calluvia's Royalty, #2)

by Alessandra Hazard

He should have stayed away from Seyn when his mental faculties were so compromised. This conversation might have been necessary, but coming in person certainly wasn’t. He didn’t know what had made him come here in person. Liar, said a voice at the back of his mind. Ksar grimaced inwardly. Yes, he knew why he was here. It was just too shameful to admit even in the privacy of his own thoughts. He was here because he’d wanted to turn his brain off and stop thinking for a little while. And apparently it meant that he wanted Seyn. It really was quite pathetic.

Seyn’s jaw clenched. “Yes, I’ve already read about it in the gossip columns—as well as was informed about it by every well-wisher on the planet. It’s been a highly enlightening day.” His voice could have frozen fire. “I gave you advance notice six months ago,” Ksar said. “And I recall you started celebrating on that very day.” The look Seyn shot him was positively toxic. “It doesn’t mean you don’t have to warn me before you publicly jilt me, asshole. I’m asking for the last time: to what do I owe the dubious pleasure of your visit?” Seyn rubbed the back of his neck before crossing his arms over his chest. He averted his gaze, biting his bottom lip. “I thought the point was that I don’t have to see you again.”

But he’s my horrible person. Mine.

If Seyn married the man, he would move away—which shouldn’t be allowed. Seyn’s place was here, on Calluvia, where Ksar could see him and look at him even if he couldn’t have him.

But no matter what he told himself, making himself leave was still the hardest thing Ksar had ever done. His feet felt heavy, his body reluctant to cooperate, as if it was bound to the young man he was leaving behind with tight, invisible ropes. Mine, his body insisted. Mine, the feeling in his chest said.

“I didn’t believe that you could actually grow to need something that hurt you. It seemed really messed up, you know?” He laughed, the sound sharp as broken glass. “It is messed up.”

Slowly, Ksar dropped to one knee, and then the other, until he was kneeling in front of Seyn, who was staring at him, wide-eyed. Well aware that anyone spying on them could probably see him kneeling on the hard ground, Ksar took Seyn’s hand and brought their clasped hands to his right shoulder. Seyn took in a sharp breath, clearly recognizing the gesture: it had once been used by clan lords to swear fealty to their king. It had gone out of use thousands of years ago; it was considered too demeaning by modern standards.

Ksar didn’t resist when Seyn pushed him to lie on his back, but he did tense a little when Seyn laid his head on his shoulder and slung an arm around his middle. “I thought we were going to have sex,” Ksar said dryly. “We will,” Seyn said, pressing his lips against Ksar’s bare shoulder and breathing in his scent. Fuck, he’d missed him. It had been a long month. While he hadn’t exactly been wasting away, he’d felt…anchorless, as if he’d been suddenly thrown into a strange, deep sea he had no clue how to navigate. He’d hated it. “But I’m in need of a cuddle first. Indulge me.” “I don’t need a cuddle.” “Is there something wrong with your hearing? I said I needed a cuddle, not you. If this relationship is going to work, you’ll have to put up with it from time to time.”