“A moment. I’ll tell the master you’re here, as well.”

“Thank you.”

Sorcerer Shinawatra was eccentric, powerful, and he did things on a whim that made no sense. He was credited for creating The Void, a cavernous hole in the barbarians’ territory that was so deep, no light could penetrate it. For what purpose, no one knew. He was known for being both incredibly kind or remorseless, depending on his mood.

Really, the difference between Princess Serenity and Shinawatra was that he, at least, was merciful. He didn’t kill unnecessarily. The Mayor of Golis had put the adventurers’ town right next to Shinawatra’s castle for that reason alone. Any adventurer starting out came here first to challenge the sorcerer and get experience without the risk of it killing them. That alone spoke volumes.

In fact, the labyrinth Devan had passed coming in was definitely for the wannabes. Had Shinawatra created it to deal with unwanted pests, or had he developed tests for the hopefuls’ sakes? Devan had heard it debated both ways from the adventurers who had come through here and told the tale.

Why the sorcerer put up with them was anyone’s guess, though.

He sat there, warming his hands by the fire, and tried to phrase a good opening in his head. Should he explain the situation first? Or ask for help and then explain? Would it work to treat Shinawatra like he would the princess? Just humor the eccentricities, roll with any absurdities, and focus on getting the task done?

The kobold returned with a tea tray in hand, setting it on the table in front of Devan. It not only held tea but two scones and a rather tasty looking arrangement of sandwiches. Devan’s stomach rumbled longingly.

“How do you take your tea, Sir Knight?”

“Oh, uh, two sugars please.”

“Quite so.”

Devan bemusedly accepted the prepared tea and a plate with both sandwiches and scones, not sure what kind of surreal dream he was having. This was not the reception he thought he’d get. No complaints, though. Much better than dying on the spot.  

“Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome. I sent Eliza up to alert the master you are here. I expect him down momentarily.”

“Thank you.” Devan tried the tea—it was delicious—then consumed one of the scones in two bites. Perfectly sweet and flaky. Well, at least the sorcerer had good cooks.

He was on his second cup of tea when a lithe figure danced through the door—literally pirouetted—and stopped dead just inside. He wasn’t handsome, more cute, with messy black hair framing an oval face, almond-shaped eyes lifting up in a smile. If he was older than thirty, Devan would eat his boots. The smile grew as he took Devan in from head to toe.

This couldn’t be Shinawatra, could it? When one thought of the Black Sorcerer of Grimslock, a gruesome figure striding about in black robes, wielding a magical staff came to mind. Not this endearing man with a charming smile.

Unless he was like Serenity, where the contents didn’t match the cover.

In a light tenor voice Shinawatra said, “There’s a handsome man drinking tea in my parlor. Hans, I have no idea how you managed this, but I require it from now on. Daily.”

Hans the kobold sighed wearily. “Master, this is Sir Devante Salvino. He’s come to speak with you.”

Those dark eyes blinked. “How deliciously unexpected. Sir Salvino, however did you get in?”

“I promised your guards I would be quiet and wait for you to speak with me. They let me through.”

He blinked, expression blank. “They let…you through. Fuck me sideways. Hans, tell me Thing One and Thing Two are not on guard duty together.”

“I fear they are, Master.”

“Fucking hell, whose bright idea was that?! Hans.” He put a dramatic hand to his forehead. “Hans, I have an impending migraine just thinking about what kind of disaster they’d let in. Please do something about that.”

“I already have, Master. I assure you it will be resolved in the next ten minutes or less.”

“Bless you, Hans.” Dramatics over, he skipped to the couch directly across from Devan, all bright eyed and bushy tailed, totally ignoring the ink stain on his fair skin and along the long sleeves of his white shirt. He honestly looked like a child caught mid-play, that’s how disarming his appearance was. “Well. Tell me, what’s brought you here?”

Oh gods. The ‘eccentric’ bit of his reputation was apparently dead on. Alright, confirmed, treat as crazy. If he didn’t take advantage of this moment, no better one would present itself. He was still cautious as he set his tea down on the table. He couldn’t fail here. He absolutely could not.

“Sorcerer Shinawatra—”

“Holy fuckballs, man, you said that correctly!”

Devan blinked. “Is that…unusual?”

“Very much so! I can’t think of anyone, offhand, who managed that on the first try. Wait, say my full name.”

What game was he playing? Devan’s head canted to the side in question, but he decided to humor the man. “Tanawat Ritthirong Shinawatra.”

He let out a low whistle. “Damn. That was impressive.”

Devan wanted to point out he was court trained and spoke three languages besides. It wasn’t that much of a challenge to pronounce a foreign name, surely?

“Call me Tan, though, everyone does. Sorry, I sidetracked you. What did you want to ask me?”

Gamely, Devan tried again. “I need your help.”

“People normally come to me for that, although I have to admit, you’re not one of my usual clients. First question: Where’s my cat?”

“I do apologize. I didn’t have time to acquire one. This situation is incredibly urgent.”

“You’re deliciously handsome so I forgive you. Second question: Why aren’t you asking a court magician for this?”

“This isn’t something I can request of them.”

“Oooh, how perfectly scandalous. What do you want me to do? Please tell me it’s illegal. You’ll make my day.”

Here went nothing. Devan cleared his throat and concisely said, “I need you to help me move an entire town on the northern border within two days. They’ll die otherwise.”

“Ooooh, I get to kidnap people? And it’s not even my birthday!”

Devan put his foot down firmly, giving the sorcerer the same look he would an unruly page. “I did not say kidnap, I said MOVE.”

Tan flapped a hand at him. “It’s okay, love, I translated for you. Now, it goes without saying for this deal, you owe me big.”

But Tan was willing to do it? Devan blew out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding. No matter what the price, he’d pay it. It made his gut clench in an uneasy tremor, as he didn’t know what the personal cost would be, but he couldn’t let hundreds of people die when he could stop it. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself afterwards.

“I knew this wouldn’t come without a price. Name it.”

Tan beamed at him. He looked perfectly sweet and innocent with that expression. His words were not. “You have to sleep with me.”

Devan stared at him, caught so flatfooted he didn’t even know how to respond. Of all the things he wanted, why that? Devan expected some impossible favor, or an insane amount of money not…that.

“All night,” Tan tacked on, that impish smile still stretched from ear to ear.

Devan had to clarify this. He just had to. “You want me to have sex with you?”

“I said sleep, not sex. I mean, if you want to sex me up, so not complaining. But I want you to sleep right next to me. All night.” Tan crossed one leg over another and waited.

Devan finally couldn’t stand it. He didn’t understand this at all and had to demand, “Why the hell would that be your price?”

“Bragging rights, my darling. Well, and I want to prove that you actually trust me.”

Since they were being blunt, Devan assured him flatly, “I trust you as far as I can dropkick you.”

This didn’t deter Tan at all. He laughed, the sound sweet and rich on the ear. “We’ll see, big and sexy. We’ll see.”