“Oh,” Boaz said.
“Is everything okay?” Manlius asked, loosening his grip on the wheel. He glanced at Boaz, then looked away again.
“I’m fine,” Boaz said, taking a steady breath. “Did Brett tell you what the tests showed?” he asked, changing the subject.
Manlius let out a short laugh. “It’s okay if you don’t want to talk about it. I just thought maybe talking would help you release some tension and make it easier on me.”
Boaz exhaled. “Fine. I’m worried about Alexander.”
“His Majesty?”
“Damn, I always forget he’s the king,” Boaz said.
“That’s because you two want to fuck each other,” Manlius said with a laugh.
Boaz coughed, heat rising up the back of his neck.
“Oh, it already happened,” Manlius added.
“Shut up.”
“When?” Manlius asked, glancing at him for a beat before turning back to the road. “And you’re possessive of him.”
“I’m not possessive of him,” Boaz mumbled.
“You can’t lie to me. I can feel what you feel, remember? And I’m picking up some very strong emotions right now.” Manliusturned his head slightly. “Something happened between the two of you.”
Boaz looked out the window and said nothing.
“I thought you hated him,” Manlius chuckled.
“Focus on the damn road,” Boaz said. “And tell me what Brett said.”
“Okay, fine, don’t tell me,” he said. “Brett didn’t say much. He just said we had to come and see for ourselves.”
“What could it possibly be?” Boaz asked.
Manlius shrugged, shifting in his seat as he focused on the road.
Boaz tried his best not to think about Alexander and whatever he was doing. Their relationship was still fairly new. He had no right to tell him what to do or who to be with. But that didn’t stop what he was feeling.
“Boaz,” Manlius said through clenched teeth.
“Fuck, sorry.” Boaz shifted in his seat.
“I told you to talk about it.”
“No,” he said firmly. His relationship with Alexander was private. He wasn’t going to go around telling people about it. “What happens, anyway, when you feel someone’s emotions?”
“Hmmm… it feels like taking your first hit of cocaine, especially when it’s someone like you,” Manlius said.
“Me? What am I like?”
“You are supernatural, and strong. Pure of heart. Your emotions are like ecstasy to me,” Manlius said. “And I cannot get high right now. I am driving.”
“Ugh, do not tell me that,” Boaz said.
“You asked,” Manlius chuckled.