I Swore to Kill the Prince I Guard novel · Chapter 4 of 24

Chapter 4: Across the Door

Evander lay on the cot across the prince's door with his boots still on.

The corridor lamp threw a bar of yellow light under the wood.

Past midnight, a voice said through the panel, "Sir Evander."

He was on his feet before he knew it.

"Your Highness."

"Come in.

"Bring the knife."

His mouth went dry.

He had kept Maren's dagger in the lining of his cloak since the night before.

He took it out and went in.

Florian sat up in bed against a mound of pillows, a candle lit, a book open and forgotten on his knees.

His shirt was unlaced to the breastbone, and his curls were damp.

"Shut the door," he said.

Evander shut it.

"Lock it."

Evander locked it.

"Put the knife on the nightstand where you can reach it."

Evander walked to the bed and laid the dagger beside the candle, with the bone handle toward him.

Then he stood there, a head taller than any man in the palace.

His fists hung at his sides.

"You think about it every night," said Florian.

"The knife."

"Yes."

"Do you think about me?"

"Yes."

"Which more?"

Evander didn't answer.

Florian closed the book and set it down.

"Take off your cloak."

Evander took it off.

"The rest."

"Florian."

"I like it when you say that," said the prince.

"Not 'Your Highness.'

"The rest, Sir Evander."

Evander unbuckled his pauldrons and set them on the floor.

He unlaced his wool shirt with clumsy fingers.

Florian watched every inch of skin as it was bared, with his chin on his fist.

By the time Evander stood bare to the waist, he could feel the look.

Old scars crossed his ribs, and there was the burn on his left shoulder from the legion.

"Come up here," said Florian.

Evander climbed onto the bed on his knees, and the frame creaked under him.

The prince laid both palms flat on his chest.

His hands were small and warm.

He traced a long scar down Evander's side, and Evander shivered.

"Tell me when you started," said Florian.

"Started what?"

"Wanting me."

Evander swallowed.

"The autumn hunt," said Evander.

"I missed a stag."

"You never miss."

"I never had before.

"I was watching you."

Florian smiled slowly.

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