Chapter Six

After dinner, Remus sat on his pallet with absolutely nothing to do, and while he was tired, he wasn't quite ready for sleep either. He wished he had a book since that would be mentally stimulating and relaxing at the same time, and he wondered if Sébastien had any in his trunk. He considered asking and decided no because he didn't feel like hearing it if Sébastien grew angry about someone wanting to borrow something he owned.

Lord Dubois's voice sounded outside of the tent entrance. Sébastien slipped outside to speak to him, and Remus crept over so he wouldn't miss anything. The Earl's attitude hadn't been good earlier, and he doubted that the lord had anything truly worth telling the Prince.

"I don't see the problem," Sébastien was saying. "He's my slave."

"He's not exactly meek. He could have his own tent or share with a man."

Remus squinted as he crouched outside the closed flap. Lord Dubois was trying to separate him from the Prince.

"He's a little extra protection," said Sébastien.

"Prince, you understand I'm older, and I know things, right?"

"You think I don't know anything?"

The Earl lowered his voice, and Remus leaned in to hear him better. "When I came inside at Arquous, he had you against a wall. You said he's not getting your, er, ass, but seeing you angry gets him fired up. If you like teasing someone, and that's how you get your kicks, fine. In general, I wouldn't give a shit what you do to entertain yourself in that manner, but he's not the sort to tease. A big man like him might put up with it for a while so you'll grow comfortable, and then one day, he'll snap. He might play loyal, and then…"

"What?" Sébastien asked in a bland tone.

"He'll do to you like his Father did to yours. He's much bigger than you, and you might wake up one night to find him on top of you with his hand over your mouth. How are you going to fight him off?"

"I have magic, in case you forgot. He doesn't-"

"Good luck with that. All he has to do is pin your wrists, and how are you going to throw your fire then? If you had lightning that tracks, you'd have a much better chance, but you don't. He also has a sword, so he could simply run you through in your sleep and be gone before anyone realizes what happened. Your Uncle never should have permitted such a barbarian to be your slave."

Remus's face grew hot. Of course, the barbarian Prince was a rapist in the Earl's eyes.

"That's why he needs to be elsewhere, and you shouldn't be left alone with him under any-"

"I have quite a bit hanging over his head, and he knows harming me in any way isn't going to go well for him. Since he's kept me alive after another attempted to assassinate me, I think he's proved his loyalty. It's best to not bite the hand that feeds you. As a past Prince, he understands that far better than any commoner."

"I would rest better at night if one of my men also slept in your tent if you insist on keeping your slave around to use. My man could step outside if you decide you'd prefer to fuck your slave after all-"

"I don't dip my dick in werewolf fuckers. At most, he's like an amusing pet, certainly not something to fuck-"

"Your Majesty-"

"Would you fuck your dog if you had one?" asked Sébastien.

"No, but-"

"I don't need someone else in my tent getting in the way and being a nuisance, especially when I'd prefer to rest and have some peace. I'm also quite capable of taking care of myself, and he knows it's much better to stay alive and remain obedient."

"Your Maj-"

"Don't overstep your boundaries again."

The finality of his tone said the conversation was over, and Remus hurried to get back behind the curtain and sit on his pallet. A couple of last sharp words from Sébastien made the lord mumble, and the flap rustled as the Prince entered and secured it.

"I know you were listening. Stay behind the curtain until I say."

"He wants one of his own with you," Remus said in a low voice.

"I'm aware, King Obvious. It's not happening."

"I'm not a dog."

"Should have I agreed with what he said?"

Remus rolled his eyes. The Prince could have left out that comparison.

"Get dressed," ordered Sébastien.

"Why?"

"Just do it. Did I say to question me?"

Where would he want to go? Town was a good six hours away by horse at an easy pace, and Remus couldn't think of any other reason he needed to get dressed. After he changed, he remained on his pallet until the Prince spoke again.

"Come out and do the laces on this."

Remus raised an eyebrow when he stepped around the curtain to find Sébastien in a sleeveless leather jerkin that he was holding shut in the back. "That's not really your style."

"It is tonight. Now do it up, and keep the laces straight."

"Are we doing something dangerous?" Remus would prefer they wear heavier armor if so. Seeing so much skin on Sébastien was also rather unsettling.

"A whorehouse shouldn't be dangerous. Can you flirt and not look like a total fool?"

Without clothes covering every single inch, he could see the Prince did have muscle in his arms. Obviously, he had the strength to wield a sword so well as he'd heard, but the austere outfits he always wore smoothed everything out.

Remus could also see the moving tattoos Sébastien supposedly had. He'd heard it was feathers, and plenty of fairies were born with that, so he'd expected them to be the basic kind that drifted along the skin. Perhaps they'd vary a little in color and amount to a dozen or two at most.

Thick, bright, multicolored feathers graced every inch of his back that Remus could see as he approached. Several came down from his shoulders to his upper arms. The tattoos remained in place, forever trapped in an unseen wind that tickled the edges.

"Well?" snapped Sébastien.

"I guess."

"Get to work."

"I'm not a lady's maid."

"Just do it without complaining. I can't lace up the back so easily."

Remus forced himself to stop staring at the shimmering colors as he took the laces that started at the top. It took some self-control to not run a hand along the smooth skin and trace the image of a feather or two. It was also hard not to look at the way the bright design drew the eye down and right to his ass. That led Remus to wonder just how far down the tattoos ended past the waist of his trousers.

"I didn't know you were born with tattoos like that."

Sébastien, still holding the jerkin closed in the back to make it easier to lace, ignored that comment. "Don't tangle the laces, and keep them snug. I'm your companion, and since I'm sure someone will accost us the second we step in, be nice, flirt a bit if you need to, and say you need the Madam. When she comes, pretend you're friends, you're happy to see her, and you can't wait to spend the night with her. Pretend she hasn't met me, and introduce me."

"Uh, Redwin's a bit far."

"We're not going to Redwin. There's a small village if you leave the road, and the whorehouse on the edge is our goal. Madam Diamond is around forty-five, and she's a fairy now, but she used to be a human from a tribe in Gramoa on Earth. Wrakarian. Her brother is half-Zirrian."

Those names meant nothing to Remus since his knowledge of humans was a bit sparse beyond a few general things.

"Just pretend you're eager to head upstairs with her. And me. You wouldn't be the first man to like older women."

"I don't." Remus preferred men or women around his age. Mostly men.

"For tonight, you do," said Sébastien. "Act. Once we're in her room and away from other eyes, you can drop it."

Remus suppressed a sigh and tried to focus on the task at hand, not Sébastien's tattoos and the way the multiple colors looked so rich against his smooth skin.

"I'm Louis. You're David. Don't forget it."

"Okay."

"I mean it. Don't slip up and forget."

"I got it. Why do you need to see this woman?"

"Because I said so."

The strip of visible skin on his back was vanishing bit by bit. "If you need to meet someone, I'm sure it's not for tea and a chat to catch up on gossip. Shouldn't I know what's going on so we can work together?"

"We're already working together."

"No, you're doing what you want while I'm dragged along. How would you like it if I blindfolded you and led you around? Even if we got somewhere we need to be, I doubt you'd like it. That's what this feels like."

Sébastien turned his head a little, and some of his hair slipped back over his shoulders. Remus expected a lashing remark.

"Harder."

That single word made Remus think of a particular activity he could be doing where the other might say that. He liked control during sex, but he'd be more than happy to comply with that command. Sébastien drew in a breath, and Remus realized he was supposed to tighten the laces more.

He needed to get his mind out of the midden. Sébastien kept his head turned slightly as if expecting a sudden attack. Even though he kept Remus nearby at night, it didn't mean he trusted his slave. Remus was pretty sure that if he stayed awake one night and listened, he'd never hear the Prince's breathing deepen and even out with sleep. Or not for quite a while.

He'd probably stayed awake to make sure Remus slept first because he was afraid deep down even though he'd never admit it. Every little bit of trust had been destroyed, and right then, Remus almost wanted to ask to sleep somewhere else. Sébastien clearly preferred it, and someone shouldn't feel so uneasy at all times. Except that would mean leaving the Prince alone which wasn't a good idea in their current situation.

Sébastien stopped holding the jerkin in place once the strip of skin had shrunk to a couple of inches. Remus kept the laces as tight as possible and finally reached the end.

"Done." He tied them off and stepped back.

"Loop the ends up and tie them off again so they're not dangling down."

Remus complied. "So what exactly are we doing?"

Sébastien huffed as he stepped forward to kneel by his trunk and open it. "I need to speak to the owner of the whorehouse and her brother."

Whatever Sébastien had in mind, he'd planned this before they left. "I get that, but why? Can you cut the shit and tell me?"

"You'll learn more then." A coat came flying toward Remus's face, and he snatched it. "You'll wear that."

The coat was big enough for Remus so he wouldn't look like a sausage, and it was something a man with money would wear. This had definitely been planned before they left. Sébastien laid out a few other things on his bed for himself. A black shirt covered the jerkin, and a men's corset came next. He laced the front of it himself, threatening Remus's mind with dirty thoughts.

Remus could have taken or left the small ruffles on the shirt, but the corset and the snug trousers only enhanced his pretty boy look. More than anything, he suddenly wanted to undo all of the layers and see the tattoos in their entirety.

It had been a while since he'd touched another man or anyone in that way.

With the coat on, he sat and watched as Sébastien pushed up his sleeves and opened a velvet box.

"Where did you get those?"

Sébastien took one of the gold filigree cuffs from its bed of silk. "It was a gift from Uncle for my fifteenth birthday."

Remus couldn't help the slight face he made. "You kept them?"

"They'll block a sword. I don't care for the giver, but they have a use. They're not something I can buy so easily. Not like this anyway."

"South Sea?"

"Yes. King Elio of Finkin has a pair, although they're not quite the same." Sébastien had to use a little force to get it over his right hand, and it went from his wrist to the middle of his forearm.

The war hadn't started then, so the Regent likely hadn't considered getting the throne. Sébastien said the Regent had loved his brother. The temptation became too much once Corentin saw the path was there, and only one obstacle remained.

"We'll have to fight, won't we?" asked Remus. "Since you're not telling me everything, and you're putting on something for defense..."

"Likely not tonight. I doubt the whores will pull out weapons and try to assassinate us when we step in."

Which meant they'd go out again at some point.

"Since it's just us two, it's a precaution," said Sébastien. "You never know who else might be out at night and looking for a target to rob."

Sébastien covered the cuffs with his sleeves. The laces on them only started around his forearm, and he managed them one-handed with the ease that came from a lot of practice. After wrapping the excess around a button tucked inside, he glanced at Remus.

Thankfully, his coat was more in the Rowland style, so he hadn't driven himself insane with laces that started at the shoulder. The Prince's eyes went right to the edges as if to check that Remus hadn't made a fool of himself and let the ends hang free.

"You don't look like a country bumpkin who's put on a rich man's clothes. You'll pass."

"Oh, thanks," said Remus. "Did you forget I'm a Crown Prince too? I know how to dress myself. You're also not so bad-looking yourself."

Sébastien swept his hair into a tight bun that only emphasized the sharpness of his features, and he used pins to ensure the stray pieces stayed flat.

"You still look like you," Remus said as Sébastien put on a knitted cap to hide his hair.

"To you. Plenty of people haven't seen me, and there are others with my general features, although I'd rather hide at least one thing I'm known for. Their first thought when they look at me now won't be that I'm the Crown Prince."

They'd probably first think that he was damn good-looking. Remus pictured himself balls-deep in the Prince while admiring his beautiful back. Or Sébastien on his knees with Remus's entire length in his mouth and throat. There was something about a pretty man doing his best on all his own to get it down his throat even if it made him gag.

Damn it. Sébastien would be enraged if he knew those dirty thoughts even though Remus wasn't about to be crass and go tell anyone what he imagined like certain others did.

"Also, why would I be in a whorehouse?" added Sébastien.

After he had put on his boots, he pulled a sword in a plain scabbard from the bottom of his trunk. Unlike his, the hilt wasn't anything special. It was something a common man with a little money might carry to protect himself. Once it was on a sword belt and hung around his waist, he tapped the hanging crystal lantern, and it brightened. Another tap made the light vanish.

"We'll wait a bit since we're supposed to be sleeping."

The camp was pretty quiet already since everyone had been tired out. A few were likely still up and simply hadn't fallen asleep yet. Something rustled, and Remus couldn't see the Prince, but he imagined him sitting and watching Remus in the dark.

"Her name is Madam Diamond."

"Got it," said Remus. "Is she going to try to slip a knife between my ribs?"

"No. I'm Louis, and you're David. Don't forget."

"I won't. You already told me."

"I'm making sure you don't forget later. It's easy to forget a fake name or not respond to it because you're not used to it."

Remus fumbled to think of something else to say. "You draw the eye."

"And?"

"It's not in a good way." Remus wanted to groan. That sounded like the Prince was ugly and shouldn't subject people to his image. "Not in a bad way. I mean, it's bad because you look great-excellent actually, and…pretty people in nice clothes draw attention, and shouldn't you not be doing that?"

Sébastien was silent for several moments. Enough to make Remus squirm in his seat because he'd sounded like a stupid teenage boy trying to compliment someone he liked.

"That's why you'll be doing most of the talking, and I'll seem like the one who obeys you. Not the other way around. It'll make you more of the focus."

"So…as if we're together?"

"I think that's obvious."

If they were "together," they'd choke each other to death by day two. The next few minutes passed in silence. Somehow, it was unsettling to sit in the dark with the Prince. He almost expected the Prince to lunge like a wild animal at any second for his bumbling words.

"As for my looks, did you expect me to wear a sackcloth and smear dirt all over my face? Maybe chop off my hair?"

Remus decided to change the subject. "Do you know how to use those cuffs? If some stupid bandit actually came after us with a sword, and you had no sword or-"

"I've practiced with them."

"So they've taken a beating?"

"Yes, and the force of a blade hitting the gold doesn't hurt my arm much. They're far better than a typical set of gauntlets or vambraces. I don't like junk from there, but these have a use at least."

Plenty of South Sea items had been taken and sold around. Some were ornamental, others were basic weapons, and others had basic spells and protection. Cloaks and cloth with protection woven in were still around if one looked hard enough and had money to spend.

Cuffs like that were probably magicked to not even take a scratch no matter what they were hit with, and the dispersed force wouldn't hurt the wearer. Melting them down would likely take a far hotter fire than normal. Pretty protection for a pretty Prince, and given by an Uncle who'd now happily see his nephew run through with a sword.

Remus didn't particularly like South Sea items being bought and sold since some said the ruins and things left behind should count as graves for the dead South Sea fairies. Not all of their bodies had been found and properly buried afterward. He never cared to own any trinkets from there.

Those who had been from South Sea had different magic compared to most fairies, which in some ways had also made them weaker, but they'd been good at protective magic woven into cloth and worked into metal. It was a pity it hadn't been enough to save them, and they were nearly extinct.

After a bit, Sébastien said they were going, and they slipped out.

The camp was silent, and after the long day, everyone was hopefully sleeping. Remus guessed it was nearly eleven or a little after, and the Prince led him around behind the tent. With the nearly full moon overhead, he could see enough as they headed south. Sébastien's dark shape hurried, and they hadn't gotten far before Whisper came up alongside them with a whicker since the Prince hadn't tethered him.

"You have to stay here." The Prince paused to pat his neck. "We'll be back soon, and you can't make a lot of noise."

Whisper let out a small sort.

"You're too noticeable, and that's why you have to stay here," Sébastien said in a low, firm voice. "We're coming back, so don't worry."

Whisper watched them go. They didn't get far before Sébastien broke into a jog. The grass muffled their boots as they went. Remus was used to running in armor to build stamina, and the pace wasn't too demanding. The Prince led him over the rolling land to the southeast. In the distance, Remus caught the sound of water, and they ran alongside the river as they continued east.

After a good half hour, the ground to one side changed. A fence blocked off flat farmland, and in the far distance, a light twinkled.

"The Ten Knights," Sébastien said over his shoulder as he slowed to a swift walk. "That's their farm."

"I thought they lived a bit farther north."

"No."

Remus had killed one in the war, and two others had died. Only seven brothers now worked the farm that kept them fed and in coin during peacetime when they weren't going after bounties or occasionally escorting people as guards.

Whatever they were doing that night, it had to be about those seven Knights who were said to be some of the best in Soleil. One could potentially argue that they were the best. Why else bring it up? Sébastien wasn't the sort who would want to point out interesting places and sights to Remus.

They continued with the fence on their left. Sébastien paused, and Remus almost walked into him.

"I bet it's empty," Sébastien said as he caught his breath. "I wish I could see the house. Come on."

Remus was ready for bed after their nearly hour jog. A village lay ahead, and while it was mostly dark, a building on the edge was lit up with strings of Norian crystals tacked all over the walls. Festoons of them hung from the edge of the porch roofs, and swathes of colored silk drifted in the breeze. The pink stones said it was likely a whorehouse. When they were close enough to make out the sign, Remus was right because no other place would have such a name that got right to the point.

"Really? The Tight Hole? I guess that's better than calling it the Loose Hole."

Sébastien let out a barely perceptible sigh. "Come on."

Remus opened the front door. It wouldn't be his first choice for a whorehouse. The cloth carpet had seen better days, and everything from the tablecloths to the couches was dingy. While everything was likely clean for the most part, the age showed in the room, and he caught the faint odor of trapped cig smoke. The ladies looked better with their clean clothes, and a couple had silk.

As soon as they stepped in, a lady in a short skirt was at Remus's side. A silk scarf draped over her shoulders hung down and barely covered her breasts. Through the sheer fabric, he could tell her nipples were pierced.

"I'm looking for Madam Diamond." Remus's coat hid the gold collar and cuffs, and the woman let her eyes slide down his broad chest before she dipped her head to look up at him from under her lashes.

"She's quite busy, so perhaps we could pass the time," she purred. Her pink wings twitched, and whether by accident or on purpose, one side of the scarf moved to reveal a breast and the gold ring through the nipple. "I'm sure we could find many things to entertain ourselves with."

"That's quite tempting, but we'll wait," said Remus. "We-"

"I don't know if she wants me to go up and bother her. What if she gets mad? It could be a while before she comes down." The woman eyed Sébastien. "You could both tie me up and see how much you can make me squirm." She tilted her head and gave Remus a smile that had probably made many men follow her upstairs after paying.

"Er-" All he could picture was Sébastien squirming in his lap after all the tight layers had been stripped from him.

"I think David would prefer to save himself for Madam Diamond," Sébastien murmured, and he let his eyes drop to her breasts, although to Remus, he didn't appear very interested in them.

"And what do you plan to do while your friend is preoccupied?" she asked, checking out the other potential money source.

Sébastien lowered his lashes, leaned against Remus, and chuckled. "I'll be busy doing whatever he tells me, and I'm sure Madam Diamond won't be happy if I'm worn out beforehand."

Dear Elira.

He slipped a triangular coin into her hand. She immediately headed for the stairs in one corner while adjusting her scarf to cover her breasts. Apparently, the Madam growing annoyed at being bothered was worth a din. A man with only trousers on seemed to understand they weren't interested in picking anyone, and he gave Remus a nod that he returned. Sébastien strolled by and into a small side room. A couple of the women could barely tear their eyes from him. Remus followed him in.

The fireplace on one side crackled, and a few comfy armchairs were placed in front of it. It looked like a spot for a group of friends to drink and socialize before heading upstairs with whoever they picked. Sébastien sat on a small couch against the wall and crossed his legs.

"Sit by me," he said in a low voice since Remus nearly headed for an armchair.

Remus settled by him and made sure they weren't touching.

"We're supposed to look like we're together," whispered Sébastien.

Remus scanned the room and tried not to think about things they could do if they were together. Like that would ever happen. He also couldn't imagine Sébastien doing what he was told either.

The Prince had chosen the couch since he could see the main room. The bar was empty of customers, so it must have been a slow night. A man behind the bar wiped glasses, and a lady peeked over the top of a couch as if to check if they'd changed their mind about paying for anyone. She blew a kiss, although it was hard to tell who it was directed at before she sank out of sight.

Two more ladies sat and chatted where Remus could easily see them, and he heard something about the rents needing to be lowered in the area. All of the armchairs and couches were angled toward the front door so they could lounge at ease, pass the time by talking, and still be on display for anyone who walked in.

"I guess business isn't booming," Remus muttered.

"No. This village is declining in general."

A man with a lacy hip wrap that barely covered a thing came into the main room from the direction of the stairs. He peered in, looked them both over, seemed to decide against Remus, and immediately headed for Sébastien like a cat after a string.

"You're the prettiest thing I've seen in a while." He slid next to the Prince who automatically inched closer to Remus and stiffened. Their thighs were touching, but he probably preferred that to the stranger who was too close. "You can do whatever you like for an hour-"

"Find someone else to bother," said Sébastien.

The man leaned in, and his silver nipple piercings gleamed. "Would you prefer it if I did whatever I wanted for an hour? I like spanking pretty boys like you."

"Piss off."

"Come on-"

"He's not interested," said Remus. "Stop crowding him."

The whore's bright purple eyes flicked up to Remus with a hint of disdain before he looked at Sébastien.

"Are you shy? I like shy ones."

What the fuck was wrong with him? The answer was clearly no, and he still kept prodding? Sébastien went rigid as the man touched his arm, and anger flared in Remus's chest as he reached over to bat his hand away.

"He's not interested." Remus put his arm around Sébastien's shoulders and pulled him closer so the sides of their bodies were flush together.

"How about if you let him decide?" The whore barely kept his voice sweet, and the two talking women went silent as they looked over.

"He already said no, and nobody spanks him but me," Remus hissed. It was the first thing that came to mind, and he wished he could backtrack. It worked since the whore shifted away. "He's mine, so piss off unless you feel like picking your teeth up from the floor."

"Sorry. I didn't realize he was yours like that."

"What kind of whorehouse is this if no means to keep pushing? I think it's rather obvious we're waiting for someone."

The whore went pink as he stood. "I'm just trying to make money like everyone else."

"Really? I've got an idea. Perhaps later, I'll pay for you, but only so I can take you over my knee and spank you until your arse is redder than a cherry. Maybe that'll teach you to listen and to back the fuck off when you hear the word no."

The whore turned on his heel and flounced out. A couple of others in the main room giggled, and the one on the couch peeked over again. Feet pattered on the stairs as the man presumably went upstairs to hide from Remus and his big hands. Soon, everyone lost interest, although one of the women kept glancing over.

Remus debated whether or not to remove his arm. He'd claimed Sébastien in front of others, and they were still visible, so maybe he should keep it there since they were pretending. If they were truly together, Remus would continue to comfort him.

He wasn't sure what to say either. Why did he have to mention spanking the Prince? He'd reacted to protect him and didn't think before he opened his mouth.

He didn't like the tension in Sébastien's body, and the Prince didn't move or say anything. Maybe it was better to stay still, and he was simply dealing with it since that jackass had barged in and acted like a piece of shit.

If it had been someone else that he knew how to talk to, Remus would say something instead of sitting there like a lump with Sébastien practically plastered to his side.

A woman suddenly came into view. "Oh, how lovely to see you!"

Sébastien hastened to stand before Remus. The lady in a skirt made from gauzy layers of silk hurried over with a huge smile, and her wide sleeves fluttered. She was obviously the Madam since she had far more clothing than anyone else.

"I missed you," Remus said since the others were surely listening in while pretending they weren't. "You grow more beautiful every time I see you."

"You should come see me more until I'm the prettiest lady in the realm."

"But you already are."

"It's been too long." She pretended to smack his arm before hugging him. "I hope you're not leaving so soon like last time."

"I was hoping to spend the night," said Remus. "Anything to make it up to you."

"One night's hardly enough." She hooked her arm around his and peered at Sébastien. She had to know who he was, but her curious expression was perfect. "You brought a friend?"

"This is Louis, remember? I mentioned him in our last letter."

"Ohhhh! I do remember. You're cute. How are you?"

Sébastien smiled. "I'm good. It's nice to finally meet you. David told me a lot about you."

"Only good things, I hope." Madam Diamond looked at Remus. "How flexible is he? You know what I like."

Remus had no idea. "Er, it's no problem at all for him to put his ankles by his ears."

Somehow, Sébastien didn't deck him in the face.

"Lovely. Let's go upstairs and have some fun." She headed into the main room and told a woman that she was in charge for the rest of the night. "I'm not to be disturbed unless the building catches on fire or someone's bleeding from a main artery."

A lady in lavender silk leaned on the arm of her chair. "All right."

Remus waited until they went up the stairs and entered a hall. "One of your men was quite pushy."

Madam Diamond turned to him. "Which one?"

"The one with purple eyes and a hipwrap. He was rude to Louis and seems to think no means yes."

She frowned. "I know who you're talking about. It's been slow lately, so he's always complaining that he's growing cobwebs between his legs."

"Charming," Sébastien said dryly.

"We don't allow that behavior here no matter how slow it is, and he knows better. I'll deal with him."

"How slow is it if he acts like that?" Sébastien asked in a nasty tone.

"Enough to where some are talking about leaving. He'll be on his arse in the street tomorrow morning for that."

She led them up to the top floor. Remus heard moaning from a room, and it sounded quite fake. The Madam had a large bedroom with a lot of cream and pale blue. Once the door was shut and locked, she turned to the Prince. "How are you really, Sébastien?"

"Alive."

"I'd certainly hoped for better than that."

"Don't we all?"

"You're a Duke now too."

"I'm curious as to how he knows a Madam all the way out here," said Remus.

She raised her eyebrows. "You didn't tell him?"

Sébastien shrugged and made himself comfortable at a table by the window. "Does it really matter?"

"He helped me out." She gestured to the table. "Sit. I was working at the Palace in Arquous and had some trouble with my husband back when the war had just started. He was nice when I met him on Earth and for a while after we got married here. You know how that is sometimes. People change and not always for the best. He'd turned into a drunk to start with."

"I'm sorry," said Remus.

"That's life sometimes. I said I was going to leave because I was done with his shit, so he took our son and tried to flee. I ran to the Palace and happened to catch Sébastien who was about to leave. He didn't waste time in sending men to look for him, and they brought my boy back."

Remus glanced at the Prince. "And you left after that?"

"I took our savings and bought this house here. The last Madam was old and more than ready to retire, so I got it quite cheap."

She must have left the name since the locals would be used to it. "You didn't want to go back to Earth?"

"The fairy world is a lot different compared to home, and I like it much better here," she said. "Unfortunately, this place isn't doing as well as I wanted."

Sébastien tilted his head. "How bad is the business?"

She sighed. "We won't be watering down the good wine yet. We won't be fixing up the place either. I've managed to save a decent amount, but we don't have income to renovate, which is what I've been wanting to do. Lately, the area has stagnated since a lot of the younger villagers went to Redwin to find higher wages, and some of those still here would rather go to that cheap shack down the road where the owner serves piss and calls it beer."

"I guess if you're drunk enough, you won't care what it tastes like."

"True. My brother works as a hunter and a furrier, and he's not pulling in bags of lans every month. Since he's got his own place out in the woods, he needs money for himself too. I can't depend on my little brother to take care of me. Maybe I'll take the risk and move the house to Redwin. It would cost a lot, but if we do well, it'll be better overall. I could likely hire new employees too."

Remus wasn't sure if he'd ever met a human who'd turned into a fairy since they were pretty much indistinguishable. Since marriage made a human a child of Elira, and the ceremony involved sharing a little blood, the human gained their spouse's powers. Beyond that, not much changed. He knew King Rhys of East Forest used to be a human before he married King Kalen. King Gabriel in Finkin, who was married to King Elio, also used to be human. Remus didn't know much about Gabriel except he was from a place known as "The North."

Madam Diamond's skin was a lighter brown compared to him, and her thick black hair was twisted up in an elegant knot. If he'd passed her in the street, he wouldn't guess she used to be a human. "And you're from…"

"I'm Native Gramoan. Wrakarians come from the north of Gredoria. My brother is part Zirrian, and they usually live further south. That probably doesn't mean much to you."

"No, sorry. I don't know much about countries on Earth."

She chuckled. "If you ever want to go see it, find a rifter. Don't ask me to spend hours describing what Earth or Gredoria is like. Were you both born with tattoos?"

"Yeah," said Remus, and Sébastien nodded.

"As long as you never showed them to anyone…" Madam Diamond squinted at Remus. "Your yellow eyes aren't right for a human. Still, I think you could pass if you fibbed and said it was a defect or something. Sébastien…" She tilted her head at him. "No one has bright silver eyes like that, your hair isn't natural to them either, and your fangs would scare people. You'd draw the wrong sort of attention."

"I have no plans to go, so I'm not concerned." Sébastien straightened up at the table. "Have the Knights left?"

She nodded. "I'll get my brother. He was the one watching."

"Watching what?" asked Remus.

Sébastien sighed. "Can you just wait?"