Malcolm smirked, "Your master is calling. Don't you think it's best to run to him?" he said.
Owen glared at Malcolm. The bastard really is crazy. Owen stood up and spat, about to leave, when Malcolm's voice stopped him.
"Do you want to know why he married you?"
Owen looked at Malcolm. He was now curious, but again, Owen knew curiosity killed a cat.
"Don't worry, I'll tell you. But if you want to know, then you will have to come to the Sin City Brothel alone tomorrow." Malcolm got closer with each word and whispered into Owen's ear.
Owen quickly retreated from Malcolm and hurried towards the sound of Zephyris' voice, leaving Malcolm chuckling behind him.
As he made his way towards Zephyris, Malcolm muttered to himself, "Let's see how long this fool can keep up. I'm so eager for you, Zephyris."
Upon reaching Zephyris, Owen accidentally collided with him, causing Zephyris to grab his shoulders and shake him in frustration.
"Where have you been all this time?" Zephyris demanded, clearly irritated by Owen's absence.
"Garden, as you had commanded me to go there," Owen responded coldly, which surprised Zephyris.
Looking at Owen's clothes, Zephyris could tell that something had happened to him. "What happened to you?" he asked.
Owen yanked Zephyris' hands off his shoulder. "I'm fine. I'll just go and bathe," he muttered before leaving. Just then, Malcolm arrived.
"Zeph, long time," Mal said with a smiling face.
"General Malcolm, you didn't send a message about your arrival," Zephyris said, his voice as cold as it could ever be.
Planning to surprise you since you won the bet. Let's grab a drink. There will be fresh young boys," Mal said, hoping Zephyris would accept.
Zephyris turned to where Owen had passed and then back to Malcolm. "Ask the servant for the best guest room. I don't feel like going," he said before leaving his guest.
Zephyris was puzzled by Owen's shivering and the fact that he yanked his hands away. Feeling angry, he walked straight to Owen's room.
Upon finding it empty, Zephyris thought to himself, "He must be cleaning himself up," and sighed. "He needs to be disciplined." He thought to himself.
Then he headed to his chamber, but he was surprised to see Owen there with two bottles of wine and two chalices.
"Welcome, your highness," Owen greeted, smiling more brightly than usual, and Zeph noticed.
"Owen, what are you doing in my chamber with those?" Zephyris asked, puzzled by his lilies' unusual behavior.
"Sit, let's play a game. You ask me questions, and if I don't want to answer, I'll drink one chalices of wine. The same goes for you," Owen said, not ready for any refusal.
And Zephyris nodded to himself. Owen's plan was to get answers as to why Zephyris had married him. There was something this man was saying that was getting on his nerves because others knew, but he didn't.
"Sit Your Highness." Owen said gently again and Zephyris had no choice but to do as he was told. He couldn't help but notice the tension in Owen's smile. It wasn't the usual warm expression he had grown accustomed to, it was forced, almost desperate.
Owen poured the first chalice of wine and handed it to Zephyris, his hands trembling slightly.
"You're quite bold tonight," Zephyris remarked, eyeing Owen carefully, trying to figure out what was going on.
"I figured it's time to break the ice," Owen replied, his tone sharp. "So tell me, Zephyris, why you married me. Or shall we skip straight to the drink?"
Zephyris paused for a moment, his eyes locked on Owen's. He could sense the underlying pain and confusion in those words, but instead of answering, he lifted the chalice to his lips and downed the wine.
Owen's heart sank as he watched Zephyris drink, but he kept his composure. It was his turn. "Your question," he said, trying to keep his voice stead. "Why did you come to my chambers, Owen? Surely, you didn't just want to play a drinking game."
Owen froze, the question hitting him harder than he expected. Zephyris was right after all, but he had to be careful; he couldn't let Zephyris know that Malcolm had gotten into his head.
Instead, Owen forced a smile and picked up his own chalice, downing the wine without answering.
Zephyris's eyes darkened as he watched Owen drink. "Interesting," he murmured, "but my turn isn't over yet. Who put these ideas in your head, Owen? There's something you aren't telling"
Owen's mind raced as Zephyris' questions became more pointed, but the weight of Malcolm's words lingered in his mind.
The door to Zephyris' chamber flew open just as Owen was about to respond, or avoid the question entirely.
Malcolm stood in the doorway, his presence commanding the room. "Am I interrupting something?" he asked, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
Owen's blood ran cold, knowing this wasn't just a game anymore. Zephyris turned to face Malcolm, his expression unreadable, but Owen could sense the tension rising between the two men.
"You," Zephyris hissed, his eyes glaring. "What are you doing here, Malcolm?" Isn't the guest room good enough?" He inquired as he ensured that Malcolm had the best guest room.
Despite the fact that Malcolm and him were once fuck buddies, Malcolm is free to enter the king's room whenever he wants.
But now that Zephyris had his flower, he did not want anything to do with Malcolm and even ended everything between the two of them by setting a boundary.
Before Malcolm could respond, there was a loud crash in the hall, followed by the sound of hurried footsteps. Zephyris and Owen exchanged glances; something was happening that neither of them had expected.
Zephyris moved quickly, stepping in front of Owen as the chamber door reopened, revealing a young guard with a pale and breathless expression. He stumbled forward and dropped to one knee in front of Zephyris.
"Your Highness," the guard painted, "a breach has occurred, someone has infiltrated the castle grounds!"