Stefen placed his gittern back in its carrying case and rubbing his aching hand. One day back from Forst Reach, and already playing for three royal audiences again. I never thought I'd say it, but I miss Van's family. He frowned at a new blister marring the skin. I'd better ask Van for that salve. I wonder if I should go straight to his quarters… should I go over to him now… would it be too obvious?

Looking up, his gaze ran straight into Vanyel's. Silver eyes met his briefly, unreadable, before turning quickly back to the King, who was sweating in pain.

Idiot. He cursed himself for stopping. Just as he prepared to keep playing, blister or no blister, the three Healers set to replace him walked in. He breathed a sigh of relief and picked up his gittern. Time for this skinny Bard to get some dinner.

He warred internally about going straight to Vanyel's quarters before deciding that he didn't want to force Van into getting too close too quickly. We're lifebonded, but he's been so solitary for so long. I don't want to drive him mad, even if he can't live without me.

He was in the middle of laughing with Medren about an old story from their first year as roommates when a tentative knock sounded on the door.

Medren groaned. "If that's Lilliana, I'm not here! She's been claiming she needs fingering lessons for weeks, but I'm fairly certain that she's not talking about instruments… and she is not my type. Especially with that social-climbing mother of hers hanging around."

Chuckling, Stefen opened the door and stepped back in surprise.

Medren looked up. "Uncle Van!" he exclaimed, jumping out of his chair to rush over and embrace the Herald, who was standing a bit awkwardly in the doorway. "Well, come in!"

Vanyel cleared his throat. "I was just, ah, stopping by to see if Stefen could come to Court tomorrow morning. Shavri sent me."

Stefen narrowed his eyes suspiciously. Vanyel wasn't wearing whites—probably to avoid being noticed—and had tied back his telltale silver hair. In fact, his soft heather-gray tunic set off his eyes perfectly, and the hairstyle highlighted his sharp cheekbones. The man looked stunning.

"You don't look dressed for courier duty," Stefen replied with a slow smile.

Vanyel's eyes shot daggers at him. "It's late, I changed out of whites."

Medren laughed and clapped his uncle on the shoulder. "Uncle Van, stop worrying, Stef told me everything about you two. You know he's a terrible gossip."

"I just, ah, didn't want to make you uncomfortable, Medren. I mean…" Vanyel trailed off as Medren shook his head.

"Gods, I've lived with Stefen for years, I'm most certainly comfortable with men sleeping with men!" Then he covered his mouth at Stefen's sharp look. "I mean, every once in a while."

Now it was Vanyel's turn to laugh. "Stef, I know you've been indiscriminate in the past, and I certainly don't judge you." He paused. "I love you for who you are."

Medren's eyes widened. Love? Uncle Van saying love in public? Then again, Stef's reaction to his frustration had sounded an awful lot like a lifebond. And he hinted as much when he spoke about Forst Reach.

Stefen's face softened and he reached over to take Vanyel's hand and pull him close for a chaste kiss. Unfortunately, his good intentions failed after taking in Vanyel's delicious smell and the kiss became rather prolonged.

Medren cleared his throat. "Ah, Stefen, thank you for the dinner. I think I'll leave you…" Although, it really doesn't bother me. I only feel happy for Uncle Van. It is positively bizarre to see him thaw so much, though. I never could imagine him kissing anyone, much less—his eyes popped open as Vanyel, apparently having forgotten Medren's existence, ran his hands down Stefen's back to cup his buttocks.

That's my cue to go! was Medren's last thought as he exited the room.

Stefen felt Vanyel's hands moving down his body and pressed himself closer to the other man's chest.

"Excited, ashke?"

Vanyel's reply was hoarse. "Very. When you disappeared from Council I was worried you didn't want to… tonight…"

Stefen chuckled into Vanyel's neck, which he was in the process of kissing. "I disappeared because I wanted to give you your space. Gods, Van," he continued, pulling back to give the Herald a once-over, "How could I ever not want you? You're absurdly beautiful."

Pushing a strand of silver hair back, Vanyel tilted his face toward Stefen, almost coquettishly. "I worry sometimes… about being old, or inexperienced… I know you've had expert lovers…"

Stefen took Vanyel's hand. "No one, no person alive or dead, could ever compare to you, ashke." He pressed a kiss into the palm, then placed the hand on his heart. "You have this."

They stood like that for a moment before Vanyel decided his hand had better places to touch than Stefen's clothed torso.