Page 78 of The Empty Throne

"End of the month, if the weathercooperates," Sobeki said with a sigh, clearly unhappy he would beso long without her. With all the upheaval, and given he'd lovedher practically all their lives and never expected her to changeher mind after rejecting him, Cohea could only imagine. Hecertainly hadn't enjoyed being separated from Keris just hoursafter their Binding, and then forced by circumstance to wait a yearto see him again. "She's made more alliances in six weeks than pastmonarchs did in six reigns. My schedule is booked out clear throughmost of next year just with everything she is arranging."

"And yet you somehow look delighted," Kerisdrawled. "You always did like being bossed around by commandingwomen, though."

Sobeki cast him an amused look. "I think weboth likecommanding, don't we?"

"Well, I couldn't be the only one in thisgroup with any sense or taste. Statistically there was bound to beone more."

Cohea hid a smile in his cup of wine.Thisgroup. Coming from Keris, that was as good as sayingourfamily.

Kite rolled his eyes, not bothering to turnaround to face Keris as he replied, "Absolutely nothing about youcan be described as good."

"That's not true," Lysa said as he steppedinto the room. "Keris has impeccable taste in fashion and knives.He helped me with both today."

Cohea's eyes shot up and over to his lover."Youwhat."

"What?" Keris asked, looking mildly offended."I had to pace out supervising the prisoners. He's got teeth. Idohave impeccable fashion sense. He wanted some advice onknives to discreetly keep on one's person."

"You could have mentioned that to me," Coheadrawled. "Brat."

Keris's eyes flittered with satisfaction andsmug amusement. "Where's the fun in that?"

He was sorely tempted to make Keris come sitwith him, but he didn't want to push it. "How is your ramen?"

"Delicious, though never as good as the cheapstreet carts when I travel. Hope they'll return when all therepairs are made."

"That almost sounded like you were worriedabout them," Kite said. "Almost."

Keris grinned. "Did your little pretty boymention he also wants me to give him knife lessons?"

"Absolutely not!" Kite bellowed.

Lysa gave him a look that gave even Coheapause. "I'll do as I please."

"Of course, but whyhim." Kite jabbeda finger in Keris's direction, as though they didn't all know quiteclearly who he was referring to.

"Who else would I ask about knives?" Lysaasked, seeming genuinely baffled. "He knows knives like fish knowwater. I'll never be that good, and I don't need to be, but he'llensure I'm as good as I can be."

Kite pressed his hands together, fingertipspushed against his lips.

Keris snickered. "I think you broke him,pretty boy."

"I have ways of soothing ruffled fur, I'mfinding."

That, of all things, made Kite's cheeksflush. Cohea snickered. Before he could tease him, however, thedoor opened again—and Sobeki shot to his feet in shock. "Oskia!" Hebolted across the room and swept her up into a hug before kissingher cheeks and mouth. "What are you doing home already?"

"Thought I would surprise you," Oskia said,looking pleased with the results of her surprise. She kissed Sobekiagain, then took his arm as she swept her imperious gaze over theroom. "Greetings, everyone. Even you," she added, lookingscathingly at Keris.

He smirked in reply, but only sipped at thesaké he must have ordered when the ramen was delivered.

"They let you leave so soon?" Coheaasked.

Oskia tossed her head. "Let me, please."

Cohea laughed. "I mean, there was no reasonfor you to linger? What about all our people?"

"I saw them several times, bought and securedplenty to keep them and their hosts more than satisfied. Nobodywill miss me, and I wanted to be home to help with the rebuildingand everything. How has everything been here?"

She sat down next to Sobeki on the small sofaclose to the fire, and they all took it in turns, sometimesoverlapping and interrupting, to relate everything she hadmissed.

At some point, Cohea wandered over to sitcloser to Keris, sharing the saké a servant kept them well-suppliedin, amused and more pleased than he'd ever admit when Keris movedto sit with him on the settee, sprawling between his thighs, backto his chest, making it easy to pass the saké between them.

Later, when they'd rested and slept off thesaké, he would choose items from his wardrobe and have Keris everyway he could manage in the few hours of free time they had beforemorning and obligations called.

For now, though, this was everything hewanted: his lover in his arms, his friends around him, and lastingpeace.

End