“What happened? How did so many of you get blighted?” he asked.

Gawain stiffened.

He narrowed his eyes. “Gawain…”

“It wasn’t my fault! I didn’t know. How was I supposed to know what was in that vial?”

“That vial?”

She nodded. “The one I took off the… er, that I found, at the duel…”

The thing she took off the referee’s dead body? Mouse frowned. Why would a human warrior carry around blight in a vial? How did they get blight in a vial, in the first place? Blight’s a disease, a magical affliction, not an object. It can’t be held or put in a vial. He shook his head. Something's going on here, and I don't know what.

“What did the vial look like?” Felix asked.

“Er, about this big,” she held up her hands a few inches apart, “and cut crystal, very pretty. A round stopper. The whole thing was shaped like a dangly earring, kind of. It sparkled nicely in the sunlight. I just wanted it because it looked nice, I swear.”

“I meant, what was inside the vial?” he amended.

Gawain frowned, remembering. “A pretty black liquid. Shimmered like rainbows. There wasn’t much in there, but it sparkled in the sun so nicely. Then Gable drank it, and I was angry, so I punched her, and it turned into a brawl, and everyone suddenly went crazy except for me…” She sniffed again, ears drooping.

Mouse gave Gawain a gentle smile. “It’s alright now. They’ll wake up in a bit. Might have a headache, but that should be all.”

Gawain looked up at him. Tears sparkled in the corners of her big yellow eyes. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

A hand descended on Gawain. Reginald lifted her up by the scalp, fingers digging into her forehead. She squealed and squirmed, clawing at his hand. Despite the long, red marks she left behind, Reginald didn’t seem to notice at all.

“Get these fucking goblins out of my fucking room,” Reginald snarled.

“I think you’d be better off not doing so much fucking in it, honestly,” Mouse said nicely.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Felix’s eyes narrowed. “Let go of Gawain.”

“What, are you in love with her? Is she the one you want to marry?” Reginald made smooching noises at Felix and shook Gawain at him. She squealed and clawed harder, wriggling, but couldn't escape his grasp.

“Let her go.” Felix gestured, drawing flame into his hand.

A horrible smile crawled over Reginald’s face. “Or is it the drow? I’ve already had her, you know. I think I was her first man, wasn’t I?”

“Only in your dreams,” Mouse yawned. Barely able to keep his eyes open, he slumped forward and propped his chin on his fist, elbow on his knee.

Felix’s back tensed. A vein throbbed in his forehead. In his hand, the fire grew brighter. “You’re lying.”

“Am I? Then how do I know how soft that gray skin is? Or the velvety texture of her ears? Her silky white hair?”

Mouse chuckled. If he ever finds out I’m a man, he’s going to die of embarrassment remembering this.

Felix’s breath came short. He grit his teeth.

Reginald’s eyes narrowed. “How cute that you can laugh. Did you enjoy it?”

“I enjoyed dumping you in that pile of shit,” Mouse countered, smiling lightly.

This time, it was Reginald’s turn to tense. He grimaced, and a shudder of disgust ran down his spine. “You shitty bitch.”

“You’re the shitty bitch. You’ve been in more shit than I have. Actually, did the shit make you its bitch? I didn’t know. You poor dear.”

Glancing at Mouse, relaxed and unbothered, Felix relaxed an ounce. The flame died a bit. To Reginald, he said, “You’re lying.”

“Let me go!” Gawain swung both legs as hard as she could at Reginald’s blanket-covered crotch.

Eyes popping, Reginald crumpled, hands around his jewels.

Gawain dropped to the floor and hissed at him, eyes narrowed to slits, ears swept back. “Fuck you! This is goblin territory now! You get the fuck out!”

“Goblin territory? Did you piss on it?” Reginald asked as condescendingly as a man clutching his junk in nothing but a blanket could grit through his teeth.

Gawain’s eyes lit up. She lifted her nightdress.

Mouse hadn’t thought it possible, but somehow, Reginald’s eyes got bigger. “Don’t you dare. Don’t you even—”

Over the sound of rushing water and Reginald’s scream of dismay, Mouse sighed. He stretched and suppressed a yawn. Damn. That spell took more out of me than I expected.

Killing the fire with a short gesture, Felix offered him a hand down. This time, he took it, half-sliding off the wardrobe.

Strong arms swept him up. Startled, Mouse grabbed onto Felix’s shoulders for stability. “Your Majesty!”

“You’re exhausted. Let me help you back.”

“I—not so exhausted I can’t walk!” Mouse protested. He fought against Felix’s hold, but the Mage-Emperor had a good hold on him. Too tired, he couldn’t wriggle free.

After a few moments, he gave in and sagged back in Felix’s hold. It’s too much effort. No one’s in the hallways right now. No one will see me.

He fit awkwardly in Felix’s arms. Taller and thinner than Felix, his head ended up too close to Felix’s chin, and his legs dangled awkwardly far beyond Felix’s arms, almost striking the walls of the hallway. He turned his head to avoid constantly breathing tonight’s dinner on Felix’s breath and sighed quietly to himself. Damn this pushy farm boy.