What had started as a peaceful morning for Rey had turned into some sort of absurd diplomatic mission to Tien.

His once peaceful carriage ride had been traded in for a cramped cabin of the four of them, drawn by a team of mighty horses and flanked by hoards of imperial guards. His Highness was shrouded by a deep purple cloak and adorned in dripping red jewels, his vibrant eyes hooded and thoughtful. Beside him, Aden sat with the prim and careful posture of a court noble.

Rey scratched the back of his neck. Wisps of freshly shortened hair curled up beneath his fingers. “So…um, where are we going?”

“His Highness is bringing us to Tien for a noble gathering,” the auburn-haired aide — Aden — explained. His expression was carefully controlled. Assessing. It reminded Rey a bit of the look the King had when they first met in that throne room not so long ago. “It is fortunate you were available. His Highness didn’t wish to disturb you, but fate must have intervened.”

“We were meant to leave at daybreak,” Calvin explained from beside Rey, using the back of his nail to chip something off of an unsheathed dagger. “Aden suggested we arrive closer to midday.”

“Most prescient of you, Aden,” the King murmured, crossing his arms across his broad chest.

Aden’s smile was icy. “While I would never dare thwart your intentions, it is fortunate that your concubine was available, given the sour nature of your mood and the importance of this meeting.”

Rey pressed his lips into a thin line. He could feel the blood throbbing through his neck, hard and fast, beating in time with his frantic heart. “Did you need to? I’ve been waiting for you to say so. We’re past our three week schedule. It wasn’t…the worst.”

“It is not necessary,” his Highness told him. Calvin froze beside Rey, curling his lip and jerking his head to the side.

“If you don’t feed on him, heavens know someone else will,” Calvin murmured. The carriage stilled, waiting for a passing herd of cattle. Rey thought he could hear his own heartbeat, if he listened hard enough. “His body has already begun the engorging process. He smells like ripe fruit. You’re sending him into danger, Leo.”

“I what?” Rey said, just a touch shrill.

“Engorging,” Aden answered, expression disinterested. “Have you never learned of it? Human concubines respond to a hormone in our saliva. It encourages excess production of blood, accelerates the healing process, and improves biological function. It’s also energy intensive. I’d suspect you’ve been eating your weight in protein.”

Rey pinked. “Well, the staff told me I should.”

His Highness flicked a glance at Aden. “If it will keep the two of you quiet, I will feed when we arrive. I’m not drinking while we’re sharing a carriage.”

“Prude,” Calvin mumbled.

“I’ll secure a private room from the Dondes’ butler,” Aden assured, turning his head just a fraction to look out the carriage window. They’d begun moving again, the slow rumble of wheels on pebbles and dirt filling the empty space that the silence left in the cabin.

Rey swallowed hard, shoving away the uncomfortable feeling that this felt more normal than it should have.

Everything was fine.

He just needed to not think about it.