-Jaonah-
“I’m pleased to hear it. We’re quite curious as to what awaits us inside,” my cousin answered pleasantly.
“We trust you won’t be disappointed. Before you enter, please don your masks”—the sentry gestured to the table—“in order to protect your identities.”
“Protect them?” Lorant repeated critically. “You clearly know who we are. What point is there in pretending otherwise?”
“I am personally tasked with keeping track of our guests,” the man agreed with another half-bow. “Those inside, however, are anonymous. We value our patrons’ and Flowers’ safety and privacy above all.” His eyes lingered on the sword belted at Lorant’s hip, but because of the mask, his expression was unreadable. “I’m afraid I must insist. This is one of Madam Elain’s provisions for entry.”
“Where is your sense of adventure, captain?” Taegen asked, already tying one of the offered masks about his head. “It’s a harmless part of the ritual.” Despite growing increasingly impatient with all this, Lorant conceded and took a mask for himself, while I did the same.
Satisfied, the sentry gave us one final nod and took a key from within his coat to unlock the door for us. It led directly to a steep staircase, which my cousin started down without hesitation. As we descended, the door swung shut behind us and locked once more.
“I don’t like this,” Lorant declared, as if there were any way we didn’t know it already.
“There are stranger things going on in the capital,” Taegen pointed out, relaxed as ever. Perhaps not relaxed; he seemed quite excited. But at least carefree. “Why not be honest and admit it’s the humans you dislike?”
“What I dislike is all this performative secrecy and subterfuge,” the captain grumbled. “But for the sake of clarity, no, I don’t like the humans either.”
“You’re being awfully quiet, cousin.” Glancing at me over his shoulder, Taegen asked, “Are you as wary as Lorant? Should I have left you both in your rooms?”
“Forgive us for not being as comfortable with this business as you are, Prince Taegen,” I said, imitating the doorman’s accent: the breathy, guttural R and the unnecessary emphasis on his name’s first syllable. He laughed aloud at that as we reached the foot of the stairs, where double doors swung open before we could touch them.
As we crossed the threshold and finally laid eyes on the Flower Bed itself, I heard Lorant mutter under his breath, “Spirits and heavens.” I could hardly blame him for being awestruck.
The place was massive, its area the rival of any hall of the Imperial palace. Opening out before us was an entrance hall with an elaborate chandelier and a terrace on the far wall. Corridors on either side suggested even this sprawling room wasn’t the entirety of the space. The walls were draped with blackest silk, the furnishings all dark tufted velvet and Cherrywood. Scattered about the room were men and women of various ages and dressed in various styles. Some wore silver masks like the first we’d met; they stood silently along the walls, presumably as some form of security. Many others, likely patrons as we were, wore black half-masks similar to our own, though some were more decorated than others. Longtime clients, perhaps? The rest of the room’s occupants wore masks of crimson, violet, emerald, and, for a rare few, gold.
“Do the colors have meaning?” I wondered aloud.
“Everything has meaning, my lord.” A dulcet voice with a familiar accent answered, and I was surprised to see a young elvin woman approach us, her golden curls pinned back to display her ears. In her hands was a gleaming silver platter on which several flutes of sparkling wine stood. Taegen and I both accepted a glass, while Lorant stiffly abstained. Smiling behind an emerald-colored mask, the young woman went on, “It all depends on what you’re seeking.”
“Could you explain the differences to us?” I asked.
“Could I? Certainly. But where would be the fun in so easily dispelling the mystery? The night is still young; you’ve plenty of time to explore and learn as you go. For now, perhaps just acquaint yourselves with the hall,” she suggested, her eyes wandering unabashedly up and down Lorant’s frame. “All will be made clear in due time, but do try to enjoy yourselves without worrying over the details. As men of the Empire”—she repeated the gesture of respect Taegen had made earlier, the one most elves used when speaking of the Empire or its rulers—“you must be familiar with that idea.”
“Some of us are, yes,” I agreed, shooting my cousin a glance.
“Thank you, my dear,” he told the elvin lass, retrieving a few silver coins from his pocket to place them on the tray alongside several others. “We’ll be sure to explore all that you have to offer.” She answered with a flirtatious smile and a curtsey before moving on to serve another patron. Raising his glass to us, Taegen added, “This, gentlemen, is where I leave you. We’re all more likely to enjoy the evening if we do so separately, so I’ll allow you that freedom, and we’ll be back to my uncle’s business in the morning.” Without another moment of hesitation, he strode off to approach a red-haired woman in a purple mask who sat alone looking rather bored.
Lorant exchanged a glance with me, then shrugged and wandered away, though he seemed significantly less enthused on the matter. In fact, I wondered whether he even intended to seek companionship for the evening or if he was simply going to be in the vicinity.
Now alone, without Taegen’s brazen confidence or Lorant’s dry disinterest to lead me, I stood still and took a sip of my wine. Humans tended to favor darker varietals, but the sparkling white in my glass was crisp and pleasantly tart, with an undertone I couldn’t quite place. Refreshingly familiar, reminiscent of home. Perhaps Rilleaud had more in common with the Empire than I’d thought.
Realizing I was still standing in the doorway and beginning to feel self-conscious, I made my way further into the room, discreetly observing the men in colored masks around the room. As promised, there was no shortage. Many of them were taller and broader than me, muscular bodies displayed in half-laced shirts and tight trousers. Not exactly what I was looking for, and in any case, most of them were occupied with entertaining female clients. Of course, the fact that there were male courtesans didn’t mean they were all open to being with other men. I should’ve known better than to raise my hopes to begin with.
Disappointed but hardly surprised, I instead explored the facility, meandering through a curtained corridor on the right and into a low-ceilinged room scattered with sofas and ottomans on which still more ‘Flowers’ lounged. Many sat clustered with guests in groups of three or four, sharing tall, multi-stemmed waterpipes; the air was laced with the heady scent of poppy. I found a seat on an empty sofa and made myself comfortable to observe the room.
“All alone tonight, my lord?” Soon enough, a sweet-faced young woman with a red mask noticed my presence and settled delicately onto the cushion next to me. “How is it no one else has sought to keep you company already?”
“I suppose I don’t call as much attention as the rest of your clientele,” I mused, trying to decide how to tell her I wasn’t interested in her ‘company’ and that she would have better luck elsewhere. I didn’t want to be rude, but neither did I want to waste her time.
“To the contrary; you certainly called my attention,” she insisted, moving in a bit closer to my side. When I drew away, she immediately backed off. “Apologies, my lord. I don’t mean to be intrusive.”
“No, you’ve done nothing wrong. I only…” My explanation trailed off as my eyes fell on the group to our right, where a man perhaps my own age—from what I could see past his shining gold mask—had just settled onto a plush ottoman. He was dressed all in white, from his bishop-sleeved blouse to the breeches hugging his long legs. Sleek raven hair fell just past his shoulders, and as he joined in the conversation, his lips curved into a slight smile. I found myself staring and swallowed reflexively. I hadn’t realized until that moment what I was looking for, but now that I’d seen him, I couldn’t imagine any more beautiful man was to be found.
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