Read Starlight(Pact Arcanum 4) for Free Online Page B

jacket pocket. “What’s up?”
    Padraic settled into another chair. “We have been friends for quite some time, almost since your relationship with Ruarc began.”
    “That’s true.”
    “While I disapprove of political marriages on principle, I must admit that you seem pleased with your arrangement.”
    Rory frowned slightly. “I am. Where is this going?”
    “Do you regret your decision to enter into a formal mating?”
    Rory’s frown deepened. “No, not at all. Why?”
    “You were troubled when we first met, but since then you have been happy and at peace, more so every year that I have known you.”
    “Is there a question in that, somewhere?”
    “Is your relationship with Ruarc still based on friendship, or has it become something more?”
    Rory froze where he sat, going inhumanly still. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
    “Ruarc is your partner, your friend, and your mate. Is he your lover?”
    Rory snarled and his eyes went red. “That’s none of your business, Padraic!”
    Padraic raised his hands placatingly. “I don’t mean physically. I want to know if you love him, in a romantic sense.”
    Rory’s eyes faded back to green, and he stared at the priest for a long moment. “I … I haven’t thought about it.”
    “I know you haven’t, which is why I asked. Perhaps you should think about it. Your answer may surprise you.”
     
    April 2091; Court of Shadows Council Chamber Complex, Alexandria, Egypt
    Lorcan dismissed the Assembly and made his way impatiently through the maze of corridors back to the House Diluthical Embassy. Inside, he walked to his office, and checked the large box on his desk. He smiled when the saw the intricate porcelain chess pieces. Unpainted, of course. Rory loved to paint, and he was developing a talent for the fine detail work required for miniatures.
    One of his Praetors knocked on the doorframe. “My lord, the Magister Daviroquir is here and wishes to speak to you.”
    Lorcan began closing up the box. “Send him in.”
    The Praetor left, and a few moments later William walked through the door. He knelt. “Master, my life is yours, I am your blade to wield.”
    Lorcan continued to pack the last of the porcelain pieces away. “I accept your honor, to defend as if it were my own. What can I do for you, William?”
    William stood. “My lord, I won’t keep you long. I know you’re eager to celebrate your anniversary. I merely wish to apologize.”
    Lorcan stiffened, then closed the lid of the box and latched it before turning around. “I don’t recall anything recently that you need to apologize for.”
    “It was not recent.” William straightened to his full height. “You told me once that you and the Redeemer were not lovers, and I refused to believe you. When you announced your mating, it merely reaffirmed my belief that you lied.”
    “And now?” asked Lorcan in a soft voice.
    “I have observed the two of you at length over the years. You were affectionate at times in the beginning, but there was never passion between you. Since then, I have noticed a rising tension when I have seen you together, a deepening of your relationship, like you were exploring those feelings for the first time. I think you were. I think my intransigence was typical of the reaction of the Daywalker community to the scandal, and you manufactured a relationship to appease us. Only now have I seen the love between you that should have been there in the beginning, and I apologize that I may have pressured you into a commitment too early.”
    Lorcan turned away and ran his fingers over the darkly stained mahogany of the gift box. “William, you are never to speak of this again.”
    William bowed. “As you wish, my lord.” He walked to the door.
    “William.”
    William paused in the process of turning the doorknob. “My lord?”
    “Apology accepted.”
    William froze for a moment, then gathered his thoughts. “Thank you, my lord.” He pulled the door open and walked