Claiming the ice Prince

by Espen Arcadia

  Siku took a deep breath. “I suppose it does.”

  Aputi grinned. “And yeah, I noticed you were an omega, and so did the bear. We’re not exactly blind you know.”

  “I suppose that part was a little forward.”

  Aputi bent down, leaving little space between their faces. “And when this is all over, I’m going to take you out and show you a good time. Then maybe we can finish what we started at the show.”

  Siku bent his head back, ready to give into Aputi’s unspoken demand. Their mouths were so close he could feel the warmth of Aputi’s breath against his lips. Unconsciously, he licked his lips, wondering what it would feel like to have the scruff of Aputi’s jaw brush against his own.

  Aputi smirked. “By the end of the night, I’m going to kiss you, I promise you that. But not now.”

  Siku’s heart stuttered, threatening to drop into disappointment. Carefully, Siku eased the restless desire in his mind back, assuaging his instincts for more. They had a job to do, one Siku had agreed to, and after it was all said and done, there would be more waiting for them.

  Siku smiled. “You would be an excellent seducer.”

  “Seduction is manipulation’s better-dressed cousin. I’m not trying to seduce you Siku, I just plain want you.”

  It was the same sort of bluntness and honesty Siku had come to expect, and respect, from Aputi. Perhaps it was a little at odds with the kind of life Aputi lived, drenched in deception and misdirection, but Siku thought it made it all the more special. If Aputi really was being completely honest with him, then perhaps Siku really was as special as Aputi made him feel.

  Siku bowed his head, taking a deep breath and stepping away from Aputi. The man’s promise was enough to make him want to forget all about what they were supposed to be doing. His body hummed with unrealized desire and Siku forced himself to step toward the gate and away from Aputi.

  “Lady Hunnak,” Siku breathed, trying to figure out why it sounded familiar to him.

  “A vicious old crone who makes just about everyone’s life miserable. Well, except for those she wants something from,” Aputi said.

  Siku patted his clothes as he began to walk. “Which is where these clothes come in. Lord Ilik, purveyor of antiques and rare items.”

  “A rich man who gets rich off other rich people while scamming the poor,” Aputi said.

  “Who was of course, kind enough to give up his clothing for this endeavor.”

  “He can be a giving man when properly persuaded.”

  Siku probably should have been bothered that Aputi had either threatened or somehow captured the man Siku was pretending to be. Yet the only concern he had was whether or not the merchant was harmed. It was a question he didn’t ask, however, feeling he could trust Aputi and his restraint. Aputi seemed more interested in taking from the corrupt and greedy than in actively harming them.

  “And that means you’re the humble but attractive servant who I may or may not be using for sex,” Siku continued as they mounted the steps.

  “Oh please, use me all you like milord,” Aputi murmured.

  Siku let out a bark of laughter, forcing him to cover his own mouth as they stopped before the front door. Still holding his palm tight against his lips, he motioned for Aputi to be the one to announce them. He might have done it himself, but he didn’t trust his laughter not to seep through his words and ruin the effect.

  Before Aputi could move, the door swung open. The woman who answered the door was dressed in expensive silks which hung from her thin body like curtains. Her hands gripped the door like claws and Siku wondered if the woman was being starved.

  Her green eyes lit up on seeing them. “Lord Ilik! You’re late my dear.”

  Siku blinked at her, taken aback. “Lady Hunnak?”

  She chuckled. “I know, the years haven’t been kind to me. But oh my, have they been kind to you. Last I saw you, you were just a little, gangly looking thing. Now you’re all grown up and looking positively radiant, it does an old lady good. Come in, the tea is already prepared, as are the sandwiches.”

  Siku followed after her, pleasantly surprised to find her so warm and inviting considering her venomous reputation. With Aputi following close behind him, Siku followed after the little woman, looking around the spacious area leading toward the sitting room. There were plenty of small decorative pieces, and as he noted, a few paintings hung along the walls as well.

  A frown creased his forehead when he noticed a rag sitting on one of the pedestals. A glance around the room told him it was in a state of being half cleaned, with only a few of the surfaces shining as they went. Even the sitting room they entered looked cluttered and unkempt, it looked as though objects were allowed to be left where they lay.

  Hunnak turned, freezing when she saw Aputi behind him. Immediately, the warmth on her face turned colder than the icy walls. There was an ugliness in her expression that forced Siku back a step. It was gone a moment later, replaced by a far more polite and inquiring expression as she looked to Siku.

  “I wasn’t aware you would be bringing your…staff with you.”

  Siku glanced at Aputi, bewildered. “I always have someone on hand with me at all times, my lady. It’s only appropriate to have someone to run an errand or keep track of items for me.”

  She jabbed a finger at Aputi, stopping him in the doorway. “He can wait out in the entranceway, so long as I have your word you will be responsible for anything he might do.”

  Siku’s face twisted into a frown of disapproval. “I assure you, anyone in my employ is trustworthy and have proven themselves thus; otherwise they would not be in my home in the first place.”

  Her expression softened slightly. “Yes, of course, they are. I should not doubt your abilities. You work so intimately with so many precious things, I imagine you must be very careful about those you dare bring into your home. However, I do not allow menials into my home.”

  Siku kept his smile locked onto his face. “I can’t imagine that would do much for the upkeep of the place.”

  “Bah, I maintain my home and cook my own meals well enough. No one can be trusted to work in this house, too many thieves wanting to line their own pockets. I give them a job, even a little food here and there, and they dare to steal from me. There’s always an excuse, but those excuses don’t save them in the end.”

  Siku, desperate not to think about what the end was, turned to Aputi and gave an imperious gesture for him to remain in the entryway. It would work out better that way anyway, with Siku only needing to keep Hunnak busy with conversation. Without any servants in the house, Aputi could roam around without being spotted. Siku could only hope it meant he wouldn’t be trapped in conversation with the old woman for too long.

  With that done, Siku sat himself down and accepted the cup of tea from her, trying not to wrinkle his nose at the muddy fluid. The small sandwiches didn’t look to be in much better shape and Siku could only imagine what state the kitchen was in. Aputi had told him Hunnak was bitter and paranoid, but it was hard to tell if Aputi knew just how bad it really was.

  “It has been so long since I had such marvelous company such as yourself here. I looked over the list of items you sent by courier. I must admit, I’m most curious about the piece with the odd birds.”

  Siku blinked. “Birds?”

  Hunnak sat down, motioning to her throat. “Long necks, rather graceful looking. Carved from ice so pure it might as well have been a gemstone.”

  Siku had no idea what piece she was talking about, but he smiled, nodding as he took a sip of the tea. It was bland, and the taste which splashed over his tongue was bitter. The tea had been burned, and no amount of sugar would have saved it.

  “I believe they’re called swans,” he said through gritted teeth.

  “How delightful, they must come from the southern regions. A pity nothing from down there has been able to survive for so long in the cold.”

  Siku chuckled. “I do not believe many creatures or people
from around here would do too well in those climates. I have been told that the further south you go, there are lands where they never see snow or ice.”

  “Now that sounds utterly dreadful. It must be so ugly,” Lady Hunnak sneered.

  “And yet they produce some lovely animals.”

  “Too true, now I know you listed it on the page for about three-hundred sekham, but I was hoping to do a little negotiating with you.”

  Siku gave her a gracious smile. “Were you?”

  “Oh yes, but I’m afraid I am not a terribly adept negotiator. Which is precisely why I enlisted a little bit of help.”

  Siku raised his brow at her as she stood. “Oh, there’s someone else here?”

  That could be problematic. Lady Hunnak hadn’t seen Lord Ilik since he’d been a child, and so Siku’s disguise could work perfectly. Someone else might know him quite well, and Siku’s fingers shook as he carefully placed the cup onto the saucer.

  “Oh yes, if you’ll give me a moment, I’m sure you’ll absolutely love her. She’s the daughter of one of my second cousins, and she’s absolutely delightful, far more than her mother at any rate. If you’ll excuse me, I’ll just fetch her.”

  Siku watched her totter off, gripping the doorway as she passed through another. Closing his eyes, Siku prayed it would take her some time to find this other woman, giving Aputi enough time to work and get them out of there. Siku didn’t mind using his skills from the court to help the man, but they were already moving into more dangerous water, and Siku didn’t want it to grow worse.

  Lady Hunnak’s voice carried down the hall. “Amalia dear, wherever did you go? Lord Ilik is here.”

  Siku straightened so swiftly he almost knocked the cup of tea over in his haste to stand. He realized why the old woman’s name had sounded so familiar. Amalia Hunnak was the cousin or second cousin, Siku couldn’t remember which, of one of his mother’s handmaidens. There was no way his disguise would work to hide him from someone who had seen him just about every day for years.

  Scrambling off the seat, he hissed into the entranceway. “Aputi!”

  Aputi’s voice came from the back of the sitting room. “Problem?”

  Siku whirled around, finding Aputi standing at the far end, leaning against the wall. His brow was raised and a smile quirked at the corner of his lips. He looked calm, collected, and Siku desperately wished he didn’t look amused.

  “We need to get out of here,” Siku insisted.

  “I haven’t even gone through a quarter of the house yet. All I’ve got are some jewels, some loose sekham, and a few things I’m sure she won’t want other people to see. Can you believe she was skipping out on her taxes? And I mean that’s on top of criminally underpaying her staff, bless record keeping.”

  Siku’s panic rose like acid in his throat as he heard the distant sound of conversation echoing down the hallway. There was nothing he could think of that would convince Aputi to take him away now, nothing that wouldn’t be an outright lie.

  “Please Aputi, I can’t be here anymore,” Siku pleaded.

  Aputi sighed. “Let me guess, something you can’t tell me?”

  “It’s better you don’t know,” Siku assured him.

  Aputi pushed away from the wall, walking the length of the room at an agonizingly slow pace. Siku watched him, afraid Aputi was going to tell him to deal with the problem himself. Aputi had barely had the chance to do what he’d come to do, and Siku was already wanting to leave because of a secret he wouldn’t reveal.

  Reaching out, Aputi took hold of Siku’s chin, tilting it up to stare down into Siku’s face. Aputi’s eyes searched Siku’s face, his expression unwavering as he waited. After what felt like forever, Aputi smiled, taking Siku’s hand in his own.

  “Then let’s go, Your Highness, I believe I promised you a good time.”

  Aputi

  The sound of drums and other heavy instruments beat against the thick walls as Aputi led Siku behind him. Siku had been quiet ever since they’d slipped out of Hunnak’s house without the slightest bit of fuss. Aputi hoped it was because Siku was soaking in the atmosphere they were getting ready to walk into, and not obsessing over what had happened.

  Aputi turned to him. “Are you going to be silent the entire time or do you plan on talking to me some time?”

  Siku blinked. “I…wasn’t trying to be quiet, I was lost in my thoughts.”

  “Thinking about why you had to leave the cranky old lady’s house?”

  Siku bit his lip. “I’m sorry.”

  Aputi shook his head. “You’ll tell me your secret when the time comes, or maybe you won’t, I don’t know.”

  “And that doesn’t bother you?”

  Aputi chuckled. “Oh, it bothers me, but I’m not going to let it eat away at me either. If you end up telling me, then it means you trust me. If I try to bully or guilt you into telling me, it’s just not the same. In the meantime, I honestly want to watch you enjoy a real party.”

  Siku glanced to the building which was thumping rhythmically beside them. It was a decent sized building on the lower levels of the city, perfectly placed away from the residential areas. Inside there was plenty of space for the band, bar, and seating areas. The place was not as fancy as Aputi was sure Siku was used to, but he’d also bet it would be an experience unlike any other that Siku would have had in the past.

  “Does a real party involve loud music?” Siku asked.

  “You telling me you didn’t have music at whatever parties you went to before?”

  Siku chuckled. “There were considerably fewer drums and far more strings.”

  “I’m sure that would work just fine if you were trying to be fancy, but this is about having fun. Letting your wild side out a little.”

  “Yes, as people who share their souls with that of a bear, we do have quite the difficult time getting in touch with our wild side.”

  Aputi grinned at the sarcasm, taking it as a sign Siku was finally coming out of the unnerving melancholy he’d been in. Taking Siku’s hand in his, Aputi resumed walking around to the front of the building with him in tow.

  “You guys get drunk wherever you’re from, right?” Aputi asked.

  “My drinking was always very carefully monitored, so I didn’t imbibe too much. However, I have had alcohol, and others were not held to the same standard as me, so I’ve witnessed drunkenness in action.”

  Aputi turned the corner, grinning. “Well, then feel free to have as much as you want tonight. There’s no limit.”

  “That sounds like an exceptionally bad idea.”

  “Probably.”

  Aputi buzzed with excitement as he led Siku to the front door and through the entryway. The woman working at the front desk looked them over, barely glancing at the coats they laid on the counter before her. The next set of doors opened up immediately to the bar area, with the music pounding around them. A crowd had already formed around the bar, with others milling around the tables. Few had made their way to the dance floor, but the night had only just begun.

  Turning to Siku, he grinned at the blank surprise on his handsome face. Never letting go of Siku’s hand, Aputi made his way to the bar, squeezing them between the pack of people. The bar, much like the infrastructure of the building itself, was hardpacked snow and ice over a base layer of wood and bone. It was a style that wasn’t seen much outside the poorer parts of the city, the first areas were built when wood was more plentiful.

  Siku ran his hands over the wooden bar, smiling as he watched the gleam catch in the light. Aputi watched him, appreciating the marvel and happiness he could see on the man’s face as he absorbed everything around them.

  “It’s odd seeing so much wood,” Siku explained loudly over the music.

  Aputi chuckled, motioning to the bartender to bring them something. Personally, he didn’t mind what they brought him, so long as it would get them nice and buzzed with enough drinks. Two cups were slid their way and Aputi handed one to Siku, taking a drink from his
own. Siku’s first drink ended in a cough, which the man immediately suppressed with reddening cheeks.

  Aputi patted him on the back. “You good?”

  “Strong,” came Siku’s choked reply.

  “Yeah, but if you drink enough of it, you won’t notice.”

  Siku snorted, shaking his head and taking another albeit small, drink. Aputi watched him wince but gave the man credit for taking it without coughing. He wasn’t quite sure what the bartender had given him, but the burn in his gut told him it was both strong and probably not the highest quality. Having had worse in the past, Aputi took a deep drink, letting the warmth spread through him with a shudder.

  More people began filtering into the bar, some in groups, others alone and looking around with interest. Aputi always liked the later hours of the night in the city, especially in the bars and parties that took place. It felt like the heart of the city started beating a little faster, and he could tap into the spirit of his home by standing in the mix. Siku it seemed, was being taken in by the thrum of life and light that was filling the building.

  Aputi nudged him. “You want to sit down or dance?”

  Siku eyed the dance floor, where more people were making their way. The band for the night was sat on a stage in front of the dance floor, working their way through their songs. Aputi watched as a couple of men beat away at sets of leather wrapped drums, sweat beading their foreheads. Another pair of players sat behind them, though Aputi couldn’t see what instruments they were playing.

  “Is it too loud in here for you?” Aputi asked.

  Siku turned around, shaking his head. “No, I’ve just never seen so much life and energy before.”

  Aputi chuckled, resting his hand on Siku’s lower back. “Then let’s go sit down at a table and you can take your time with the sights.”

  Siku went with him willingly, barely sparing a glance at the touch. Pushing Siku ahead of him, Aputi led him through the crowd carefully. From behind him, Aputi could watch as Siku craned his neck to look all around them, his eyes glinting with excitement and interest as he watched. It was a far cry from the worry and fear he’d seen in his face back at Hunnak’s mansion, and a part of Aputi eased knowing Siku was finally relaxing.