The Villain Duke's Butler Served Him Too Well novel · Chapter 20 of 24

Chapter 20: The Cell

Leander came at midnight.

Corwin heard the key before the step, and then the heavy door swung inward on its hinges, and a lantern stood in the gap.

Behind it, the grey sergeant from the writ stood with his scarred face turned to the wall.

"Ten minutes," the sergeant said.

"I have a very poor memory, sir.

"It's one of my worst faults."

Leander walked in and the door closed.

He was in a plain dark coat with the collar turned up, bareheaded, and he looked as though he had not blinked since noon.

He set the lantern on the bench.

Corwin was sitting on the stone with his back against the wall and his arm across his knees.

"You shouldn't be here."

"No."

Leander crossed the cell in two steps and went down on his knees in the straw.

It was a clean, quick motion, the motion of a man who had never knelt to anyone but was suddenly very tired of standing.

He took Corwin's good hand in both of his and pressed his forehead to it.

"Master," said Leander.

Corwin's whole body went still.

"I'm not your..."

"I know.

"I want to say it."

Leander looked up.

His eyes were hollow, and glittering, and entirely sure.

"I've given orders since I was thirteen.

"I gave them in five lives and they got me killed in four.

"I'm tired, Corwin.

"I want one person in the world to tell me what to do, and I want it to be the man who wouldn't pour."

Corwin's throat closed.

"Say it again."

"Master."

"Again."

"Master, tell me what to do."

Corwin drew a breath that shook.

He had been afraid of this since the night in the bedroom with the counting.

He was afraid of how much he wanted it.

"Stand up," he said.

Leander stood.

"Take off your coat.

"Fold it.

"Put it on the bench."

Leander did.

His hands were quick and steady.

"Your cravat."

Leander unwound it from his neck.

Corwin took it and ran it through his fingers, white linen, damp from Leander's throat.

"You're going to be quiet," Corwin said.

"There's a sergeant on the other side of that door.

"I want you to put this in your mouth and not make one sound."

Leander took it.

He bit down on the linen, eyes fixed on Corwin's, and his chest went up and down fast.

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