Page 74 of Wanted: Rogues and Bards

“I’m sorry you had to.”

Lirion shrugged, but he couldn’t ignore the heaviness growing within his chest. “It was for the best. Exploring the continent gave me the wisdom and experience I need to live independently and help her.”

Except his wisdom and experience hadn’t done shit for Aria yet. She’d gotten kidnapped and stolen away before they could even meet up. Why the hell hadn’t he returned home to be there when she stepped on the long road north for the first time? He should have been there every step of the way, instead of lazily remaining up north and waiting for her to join him.

Because of him, she’d been trapped with evil fiends for almost two months now, desperate for rescue and suffering through the gods only knew what torment. How could he have done that to his beloved little sister?

Fenric’s arm around his shoulders tightened, pulling him in closer, nudging him out of his swirling dark thoughts. It was only then Lirion realized he’d stopped tracing his finger along Fen’s chest and was now gripping the man like a fucking security blanket, his body curled up against the rogue, as much in the fetal position as he could get.

Lirion forced his body to relax again while Fenric ran his free hand through his hair in a soothing caress.

After a couple of minutes of silence, Fenric inquired, “Why are you the only one going after your sister?”

“We’ve been exchanging letters since I left home. Most of hers were complaints about our mother and how she couldn’t wait to leave. When she officially left home, we set up a time and place to meet up. Our plan was to travel the world together, but she never showed at our rendezvous spot.” Lirion licked his lips and forced words past the lump in his throat. “I shouldn’t have let her travel alone. I should have gone home to meet her.”

A painful thump on the top of his head made Lirion glare up at Fenric to see his fist still hanging in the air from where he’d rapped his knuckle on Lirion’s skull. “Idiot. Didn’t you just get through telling me how your people are kicked out at a young age and expected to make their way in the world on their own?”

“Yes, but⁠—”

Fenric knocked on his head again, making Lirion wince. “No buts. That’s the way of your people. You couldn’t have known this mess would happen. Did she ask you to meet her closer to home?”

“No,” he mumbled against Fenric’s chest. “She wanted to travel on her own for a while. She was really excited about getting away from our mother constantly criticizing her.”

“There. You can’t blame yourself. Not unless you can see the future and just ignored it.” Fenric shifted and tilted his head so he could look Lirion in the face. He narrowed his eyes. “You can’t see the future, right?”

“No.”

Fenric flopped back down. “Then this isn’t your fault. You’re doing everything you can.” As he spoke, his hand smoothed over the top of Lirion’s head where he’d thumped him a couple of times. “You said you were supposed to meet her in Hundager, right?”

“Right. When she didn’t show, I backtracked through all the towns I thought she might pass through on her way to Hundager. It was only in Warón that I caught the first hint she’d been grabbed. I chased rumors for weeks, bouncing from town to town. The first real bit of information I got was in Pomor.”

“Where I caught you in bed with Mrs. What’s-Her-Face.” Fen snickered.

Lirion lifted his head and directed some stink eye at his companion. “Ursula Cartwright. She used to work at a brothel in Pomor, and word through the grapevine was she knew of a new shipment of girls who were bound for a highly exclusive brothel. Unfortunately, she was only willing to trade the information for sex. Since I hadn’t fed in a couple of days, I wasn’t in a position to turn her down.”

Fenric smirked and pinched Lirion’s chin between his thumb and forefinger, giving it a small shake. “Don’t give me looks. I’m teasing, not judging.”

Fen’s brief touch and his playful attitude did silly things to Lirion’s heart that he tried to ignore. But then, so did all of Fen’s questions.

The handsome rogue released Lirion’s chin and placed his hand behind his head with a sigh. “I’m surprised more incubi and succubi don’t open brothels, considering your unique appetite.”

“We do, actually. As I mentioned before, it’s boring, exhausting work. It’s extremely rare that you get to choose your clients. There are a few who can, but they’re the shining star of the place and can charge crazy amounts for just sitting in the same room together. The customers actually have to compete to win the incubi’s or succubi’s attention. Plus, we are grossly underpaid for our skills. There are some brothels run by incubi and succubi, but they are very exclusive and ridiculously expensive.”

“Ahhh…so you’re saying that a poor slob like me wouldn’t have gotten in the front door?”

Lirion grinned broadly at Fen. “Pretty much. Now, don’t you feel lucky to have me all to yourself?”

“A picky incubus who has selected me, just some poor slob, to be his meal provider for a very long voyage. Are you sure you don’t want to feast on my companions as well? Rain is more than happy to volunteer. Fuck, all of them would be happy to spend some private time with you.”

“Even Puppy?”

Fenric’s expression turned dark in a flash. “Not him. He’s too innocent for you.”

Lirion giggled until the man holding him finally huffed.

“Never mind. Stay away from all of them. This is the best arrangement,” Fen grumbled, making Lirion’s heart soar while he laughed even harder.

But he got his giggles under control. Too much and Fenric would climb out of bed. It was too soon for him to leave. Lirion was comfortable, and he was enjoying this conversation too much.