“It’s lovely,” Hamish murmured, turning the band over to examine the design. “But you shouldnae have bought it for me.” He held out his hand, trying to offer the ring back to Darshan.
Darshan clasped his hands behind his back. “It is my gift to you, mea lux. I shall not accept its return.” Hamish would have no choice beyond keeping the ring or selling it. Whilst he would’ve preferred his lover kept the trinket, either way suited him fine.
The man’s bushy brows lowered slightly, furrowing the skin between. But he made no more effort towards relieving himself of the ring. His gaze dropped back to it, his thumb caressing the stone. “You dinnae think me eyes are like sapphires?”
Darshan shook his head. “If I was to make an accurate comparison, I would say they remind me of the crystal blue waters of Minamist’s harbour.”
Hamish eyed the ring, then him, before slipping the band onto his right hand with a grunt.
Well aware his face burned, Darshan attempted to remain casual. The ring truly did fit quite nicely on the third digit. It’s just a finger, he sharply reminded himself. Doesn’t mean anything here. Not like back home.
“We should return to the horses and meet up with me brother.” Hamish swung back to the shop entrance and was out it before Darshan could think to follow.
The children were far quicker, disappearing after their uncle and leaving him alone with the jeweller.
“He your piece?” the man asked, jolting Darshan out of his stupor.
“Of course not,” Darshan scoffed. Had the jeweller been listening to them the whole time? That couldn’t be good. What if Queen Fiona finds out? That was a thought he wished would’ve surfaced sooner. It was just a ring, but it had been just a kiss, too. “Just a friend eager to see me enjoy the festivities.” He scooped up his coin pouch before the man could pry further and trotted after the group.
Hamish lay flat on his bed, twisting the ring back and forth on his finger. His room was the black of cellars and sealed tunnels. Not even the moon dared to show its face in this early hour. He had barely slept all night, despite the journey ahead. He did so better in a tent anyway and would rest well during the next fortnight.
Memories of last night’s dinner floated before him in the dark. So vivid that the minty scent of roasted lamb still tickled his nose.
Darshan had opted to join them that night, the first since his arrival dinner. His lover had settled at the far end, right beside Hamish. That had likely drawn his mother’s attention. It had certainly given her cause enough to be caustic about his sudden appearance.
If the spellster hadn’t been there, would she have noticed the ring? The silver band had shone brightly in the candlelight, but not enough to draw the casual eye. Still, he should’ve known she would spot it. His mother was like a hawk in that respect.
Hamish lifted his hand before him. In the dark, he saw only the faintest impression. The crush of her fingers as she had twisted his hand one way then the other still lingered in his mind. He’d only himself to blame for being cloth-brained enough to keep wearing it. He could’ve removed the ring before entering the hall and avoided any queries.
Why had he let Darshan buy the accursed thing in the first place? Especially blue. She knew he hated the colour and its presence on his hand had drawn her attention all the more. “Exquisite,” she had called it. And it was.
Then his mother had asked the very question he had been dreading. Those piercing eyes had dug deep into his soul, seeking to snatch up the answer like a gull did fish. How had he afforded it when they were both aware Hamish had no access to that amount of coin? The very moment the question left her lips, he knew he had screwed up.
Fortunately, Gordon saved him from their mother’s scrutiny, just like he always did, by owning up to purchasing the ring. His brother had seen it well enough back in the Roaring Stag to describe it.
What would he have done had Gordon not stepped in? I dinnae ken. He could only be thankful that his brother chose to stand by him over and over.
In the stillness, the faint shuffling of guards outside his door was like rats scuffling through the rafters. They thought their job of keeping him in was almost done for the night. Little did they know he had visited Darshan in the early evening at a time usually reserved for mingling with his family. Whilst he couldn’t bear their presence at that moment, he could spare his lover the time.
Hamish rolled onto his side, in an effort to find even a brief moment of proper sleep. His arm hit the little wooden box Darshan had gifted him. The toy still lay within. He had originally returned to his room with the intention to use it, but settled for the familiarity of his hand.
He wrapped his fingers around the box, drawing it close to his chest, and let his mind slip away into the far more pleasant recollection of last night. Bring the toy. Hamish closed his eyes, his skin prickling at the memory of Darshan’s voice; silken and dripping with wisps of promised pleasure.
An oath his lover had most certainly upheld.
Hamish slunk his hand down to his groin, letting his fingers massage himself through the soft linen of his smalls until the simple act was no longer enough. Untying the drawstring, he slipped a hand beneath the cloth to fist
