I shook my head, trying to remain calm. Those two were bonded and possessive of each other. They did not share. But there was a fourth voice, one I didn’t recognize. If it was that asshole guard from before, there would be the possibility I would start a war dealing with him.
We came around the corner into the smaller garden, and my eyes immediately landed on Cedric. To my great relief, he looked untouched, and when Tavik greeted me, drawing Cedric’s attention my way, he swung around, beaming at me brightly.
“Orthorr! Come try this! These tarts are amazing!”
My gaze flicked to the table, where a platter of sweets rested, half-empty already. Saneth snagged another, groaning as he took a bite. That was the reason for their noises. Not sex. I worried over nothing.
Cedric, unaware of how violently angry I’d felt moments earlier, patted the pillow beside his, his smile unwavering as Imoved to sit beside him. He held his own treat in his hand, and instead of grabbing one for myself, I snagged his wrist, making him feed me his instead.
The treat was delicious, a good balance between sweet and tart, but it was the look on Cedric’s face that I enjoyed the most. His smile faltered, and his pupils grew large when I took another bite with my eyes locked on his, sucking lightly on his fingers as he withdrew. Having his full attention was better than any treat I could think of.
“Why do you never look at me like that?” Saneth complained.
“Because you would take it as a challenge, not flirtation. The last time I looked at you like that, you challenged me to hand-to-hand,” Tavik pointed out, popping another treat into his mouth. “Besides, I do look at you like that. You just don’t notice.”
I ignored their antics, watching the flush overtake Cedric’s cheeks. He let out an awkward little laugh, reaching for a cup off the table and taking a large drink to hide his embarrassment.
“That was hot,” a male voice I didn’t recognize chirped. The speaker leaned closer, eyes alight with eager mischief when he asked, “Will you tell me about barbarian cock? I’ve heard rumors but no one will confirm.”
Cedric choked on his drink, spluttering and pounding on his chest. I reached for him, patting his back, while Tavik gave the new face a light smack to the back of the head. “I saw. You did on purpose.”
The tiny man next to him smiled innocently. “I don’t know what you mean. I just asked a question.”
Saneth rolled his eyes, speaking to me in our own tongue. “Watch out for that one. He is a troublemaker with a cute face.”
Shaking my head, I gave my attention back to Cedric, who had cleared his throat and taken another drink of his cup to soothe the coughing. He leaned into my touch when I switchedto rubbing his back, smiling up at me with a pretty blush when he realized my attention was still on him.
“Jamal! What are you doing?” Hakim hissed, glaring at the smaller man. I’d almost forgotten he was there, too focused on getting to Cedric and ensuring his focus was fully on me. “I told you to take them to the queen’s garden! And speaking to our guests like that? Are you looking to be banished?”
Jamal jerked, like he hadn’t realized the steward had arrived with me. He shoved to his feet, using the table to help him, and accidentally pushed it, causing the platter on top to spill into Saneth’s lap. Jamal’s eyes widened, and he raced over to fix his mistake, but Tavik’s hand shot out to stop him, his smile gone and a glower on his face.
“Do not touch.”
The ridiculousness of the situation made me burst into laughter. Saneth was now covered in jam and crumbs, his entire focus on putting as many of the treats into his mouth as he could. Tavik looked ready to murder the smaller man for trying to assist with the mess on Saneth’s lap, and Cedric looked shellshocked by the whole interaction. He whipped around to look at me, a smile overtaking his face as he joined me in laughing. Soon, the whole table laughed, except Hakim, who still looked horrified. That only made me laugh harder, and I had to lean on Cedric to remain upright.
When the laughter died down a little, Hakim spoke, his voice tight with restraint. “I hope my son did not offend anyone in my absence. I have had rooms prepared for you and your companions to rest while we wait for Clan leader Idrull. A bath will also be prepared, should you wish to use it.”
It was the same treatment I always received when I visited the castle, but Cedric’s eyes lit up at the word bath, and I belatedly remembered him mentioning wishing he could experience the royal treatment the other night.
Pulling him up with me, I nodded to Hakim. “Thank you for your hospitality, as always.”
My acknowledgment of his efforts seemed to soothe some of his ruffled feathers, and he bowed lightly before spinning to show us the way to our rooms.
“We’ll speak again later?” Jamal called when we’d stepped into the castle, his voice innocently hopeful. I watched as Hakim visibly restrained himself from speaking, his back straight as he led us away from his troublemaking son.
Switching to my tongue to not be overheard by the steward, I leaned in closer to Cedric. “Do I want to know what that young man did to earn the troublemaker title so soon after meeting you all?”
Cedric snickered, shaking his head. “I’ll tell you later,” he whispered back. “Let’s just say he’s someone you have to experience yourself.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
CEDRIC
The room we were brought to was elegant, and I was so busy gaping that I didn’t even notice Orthorr sending the others away until he closed the door behind him. The sound made me turn, and when I realized we were alone, butterflies exploded in my belly. I crossed the distance between us, putting my hands on his chest and leaning into him when he dipped his head for a kiss.
“I saw the excitement on your face earlier,” he murmured against my lips, his hands exploring me over my clothes. I loved his touch and couldn’t get enough of it. He was the perfect combination of soft and rough, and I cursed any layers between us whenever he touched me.
He turned me with his hands on my hips, pulling me until I was flush against him and leaning in to whisper in my ear. “Do you want a bath, ravsol? There’s one waiting for us.”