“Are you sure you’re not in pain?” Caelan inquired.
Rayne’s head immediately came up, his eyes snapping open. “No, Your—Caelan. I promise I’m fine. Just a little tired. Apparently, I don’t sleep well on ships.”
Caelan nodded, though he didn’t believe him. At least, not entirely. There was more disturbing his advisor’s sleep than the ship at sea. “Get some rest.” Rayne didn’t get the chance to argue as he obviously wanted to. Caelan was already turning his attention to Eno. “Could you take Rayne to his cabin and make sure he sleeps?”
Eno shoved away from where he’d been leaning against the wall and walked toward the bed. “Got it.”
Rayne tried to bat Eno’s hands away as the broader man carefully helped his advisor to his feet. “I do not need a babysitter,” Rayne indignantly snapped.
“Maybe not a babysitter, but it definitely sounds like you could use a nap,” Drayce teased. Rayne threw a glare in Drayce’s direction over Eno’s shoulder, making it clear that his life was in peril if he dared to utter another word. Drayce wisely covered his mouth with his hand, keeping silent until Eno and Rayne were out of the room.
Caelan flopped down in the spot Rayne had just vacated and groaned. Drayce wandered over and sat on the edge of the bed near his feet, facing him.
“Worried?” Drayce inquired.
Caelan dropped an arm across his eyes. “About which? Rayne? Eno? Rayne and Eno? The Empire? The fucking gods? The danger we’re bringing to Caspagir and the royal family? Take your pick.”
Something tugged at Caelan’s boot and he lifted his arm enough to see that Drayce was plucking at his laces, untying his shoe. He lowered his arm as Drayce grabbed the heel and slid the boot off. “I don’t think you really need to worry about Rayne and Eno. They’ll work their shit out.” Drayce repeated the action and pulled off his other boot, dropping it on the floor with a dull thud. Strong fingers dug into the arch of one foot and Caelan moaned softly.
“Do you know what their problem is? I get that Rayne is pissed about Eno suggesting he remain in Stormbreak, but I figured they’d be past that by now.”
Drayce was suspiciously quiet, causing Caelan to lift his arm from his eyes again. His friend was staring at the foot he was massaging, his brows puckered together over his long, narrow nose.
“Did Rayne or Eno say something to you?”
Drayce’s head immediately jumped up, eyes wide. “When has Rayne or Eno ever told me anything?”
Caelan relaxed. There was that. “You know, I forgot to tell you in all the chaos—thanks for saving my life.”
“All part of my badass bodyguard service.” Drayce released his foot and scooted along the bed until their hips brushed. He leaned down and lightly kissed Caelan’s parted lips.
Calean’s heart skipped, and the butterflies in his stomach took flight as they always did when Drayce kissed him. They were taking things incredibly slow, and it wasn’t just because it was damn hard to steal a minute of privacy. With the nonstop insanity in their lives, it made sense, but part of Caelan also longed to pull Drayce on top of him while his hands explored all the naked skin he could reach.
When Drayce lifted up, Caelan’s eyes immediately went to the blood that still dotted his cheek and blond hair. “Are you okay?”
Drayce’s smile turned a little crooked, and his emerald eyes filled with sadness. “I’m fine. Not saying I won’t have a few nightmares in my future, but the only thing that matters to me is that you’re okay.”
Caelan nodded. It was the best he could expect. “Then why don’t you grab a shower and we can take a nap while Rayne has also been ordered to nap.”
The smirk returned in an instant. “At least we know we can grab a few z’s while he’s occupied.”
“Exactly.”
Drayce snagged one last quick kiss and hopped up. He locked the door and grabbed some fresh underwear before disappearing into the tiny, attached bathroom. Apparently, they’d all been given officer’s cabins with private bathrooms, which he appreciated beyond belief.
While his body was still buzzing with nervous energy over the attack, his brain was exhausted. He might not actually sleep, but he’d found simply lying with Drayce to be incredibly relaxing. If Drayce slept, he could use his connection with Tula to make sure his seasickness remained under control for the last bit of their journey.
He just prayed Eno had some luck when it came to getting Rayne to relax.
THREE
Eno Bevyn
Escorting Rayne to his room wasn’t difficult since he was healed for the most part and moving easily, though stiffly, as if he were trying hard to prove that he was just fine. No, Eno’s dilemma was what he was supposed to do with himself once he had Rayne settled in his cabin.