Chapter Twelve

The next few weeks passed harmoniously. There had been no arguments and no parties. They hadn't gotten anywhere with the research either and Tayend was starting to get annoyed with Dannyl. It had mostly kept calm because Velend hadn't appeared on the scene since the scuffle at the party.

…...

Tayend glanced over at Dannyl who was sitting opposite to him, deep in a book.

"Found something?" The scholar asked hopefully.

"No." The magician replied, disappointed. He sighed and looked at Tayend. "I don't think I'll ever find anything." He continued despondently. His boyfriend looked at him sympathetically. He got up ready to give Dannyl a hug but the door opened before he could even get out of his chair.

"The King would like for you two to accompany him at dinner. He is having a small gathering and wishes you to be there at 7 on the dot." The servant stated blandly.

"Thank you" They replied in unison. The servant looked at them confused and left.

"Do you think he suspects something?" The magician asked.

"No. I think it was just the fact that we both said thank you at the same time." Dannyl didn't look convinced.

"What's the time?" The taller man asked.

"4, we had best go and get ready."

…...

Dannyl looked around the table uncomfortably. A small gathering, there is only five of us. Not really a gathering. What was the king thinking when he invited Velend? He glanced over at Tayend who was keeping his gaze fixed on his plate. The tension is horrible.

Velend was taking every chance he could to look at Tayend. He was determined to corner Tayend when he was far away from Dannyl and Mayrie.

Mayrie spent the whole time glaring at Velend. I hate him, can't he just leave my brother alone? She looked at the king. He's totally unaffected by then tension around him.

Tayend focussed on his plate. Determined not to look at Dannyl or Velend. I don't want to give him the wrong idea at all. He poked his plate with his fork and could hear the king droning on about something. Two perfect weeks and now this! What the hell have I done wrong to deserve this?

"How long have you two being going out for?" The king asked Mayrie and Dannyl. They both shot their eyes up and looked at each other.

"Yes, I was wondering that myself." Velend put in, his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

"Umm... for about three weeks." Dannyl replied nervously. Mayrie nodded in confirmation.

"So about the time you two arrived her. You two certainly bonded very quickly." Velend said glancing between the magician and the girl.

"Well, that's love for you. Can happen in the blink of an eye." The king stated wisely. Dannyl breathed a sigh of relief. The sooner we get out of here the better.

Tayend was shaking with fury. The fucking bastard is hoping to catch us out. He can't live with the fact that I might have turned him down just for the simple fact that I don't like him!

"Is Dannyl a good boss?" The king asked the scholar. Tayend jumped.

"Sorry your majesty?"

"Is Dannyl a good boss?" The king asked again patiently.

"Yes he is. He makes sure that I understand what I am looking for, with no doubt in my mind at all what the outcome is to be." Tayend replied professionally. What a bloody lie! We've spent three weeks trying to find something and there has been no breakout at all.

And is Tayend a good assistant, Lord Dannyl?" The king directed his question.

"Please just call me Dannyl. And yes he is. He doesn't grumble and he just gets on with it. He is very loyal and hard working as well." The magician responded copying Tayend. Two can play at this game. If he's going to lie so am I.

Velend looked at the two sceptically. They are definitely more than friends.

"So Dannyl, I hear that Kyralia is very prejudice towards lads?" Velend asked trying to keep triumph out of his voice.

"Yes they are."

"So if you are a lad what would happen to you specifically?" Velend continued smiling. Fucking bastard! Tayend yelled mentally. Clenching his fists he forced himself to be still.

"To me. Well I would lose my Ambassadorial position and would be forced to leave the Guild and Kyralia." Dannyl responded trying to keep his temper in check. He's trying to bloody well corner me!

"So you have to be careful that you don't get mistaken for a lad?" Velend pried, barely concealing his excitement.

"What are you trying to imply Velend?" The magician asked suspiciously.

"Nothing at all." He replied airily. "I just feel that yours and Mayrie's relationship is a complete sham to cover up for you and Tayend." I've had enough! Tayend jumped up off of his seat and glared at Velend.

"I am not going out with Dannyl. He is going out with my sister!" Tayend yelled furiously at Velend.

"Everyone calm down." The king tried to get Tayend to sit down but it didn't work.

"I fail to believe that as soon as Dannyl got here he was able to build a relationship with your sister so quickly! And we all know about the rumours." Velend said calmly, smiling to himself.

Dannyl looked at Velend. He knows about the rumours that circulated about me when I was a novice.

"What rumours?" Tayend asked through gritted teeth.

"Surely you know about Dannyl and the novice. It was all of about ten to thirteen years ago." Velend smugly replied.

"And you would be an idiot to listen to rumours Velend." Mayrie stated coldly. I hate him so damn much!

"That rumour was put around by another novice who was jealous of the fact that I had turned him down and was paying more attention to a female novice." Dannyl glared at Velend. "Much like yourself." He smirked. I can be just as much of a bastard as you can.

"So the rumours about you and Tayend living together and fucking each other every night aren't true?"

"No!" The magician shouted at the top of his voice. The king tried again to put an end to the argument but failed as Tayend took a swing at Velend's face and got him straight in the mouth.

"That is it!" The king yelled standing up. "Velend go home. You should be ashamed of yourself. If I hear that you approach these three ever again, you will have to answer to me." The king said furiously. Velend got up and walked out.

"I am so very very sorry." The king apologized.

"Don't worry, your majesty. It isn't your fault." Dannyl cut in. The king nodded.

"We should be going." Tayend said quietly. The king nodded again.

"Good bye." The three of them walked out silently. Too angry to talk.