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  “If you’re too quiet, the slightest sound will wake him up,” Quentin said, looking over at Samuel.

  Samuel sat back in his chair. “You keep telling me that, but I always worry.”

  “You get used to doing things a certain way when you’re around children all the time.”

  “Does he play with other children? In the village?”

  “Yes. I plan things with mothers who have little ones his age. Sometimes I watch their children. They watch Jesse when I need help.” He rubbed Jesse’s back. “Everyone tries to help. They feel sorry for me.”

  “I’m here now. You can depend on me.”

  “For as long as you’re here.”

  “I’d like to stay a long time. A very long time.”

  Quentin held Samuel’s gaze. “Let me go put him down.” He stood before Samuel could say anything. Once he had Jesse settled in his crib, he stood there watching his nephew. Having Samuel around all the time would be a big help, but Quentin knew what Samuel was working up to.

  Quentin took several deep breaths before walking back outside. Samuel stood at the edge of the porch, his fingers resting lightly on the railing.

  “The way you bolted just now,” Samuel said, “I think you know what I’m about to say.”

  “Maybe.”

  “Maybe?” Samuel reached over and took his hand.

  Quentin felt a little tremor move over him, and he knew Samuel could feel how sweaty his palm was.

  “What’s wrong? You seem … I don’t know … frightened,” Samuel said, releasing Quentin’s hand.

  In the dim light from the single lantern hanging by the door, Quentin couldn’t see Samuel clearly, yet he could see enough to notice the hurt in Samuel’s eyes.

  “I’m not scared, but … I’ve never been with a man.” He’d said the rushed words softly, feeling heat come to his face.

  “Why should that worry you? I don’t plan on forcing myself on you.” Samuel turned to face him better. “I feel more than friendship for you. And I want to know how you feel about that.”

  “I guess I’ve never said it even once, but you know I love you.”

  “As a friend. Perhaps as a brother?”

  Quentin shook his head right away. “I wouldn’t call it brotherly. But since Lizzie’s death, you have been my best friend.”

  “I wish I could have been here more the past two years.”

  “How long have you felt this way? I didn’t notice a change until the last few visits.”

  Samuel sighed. “Honestly? I don’t know. As we got older, I started to find you attractive, but I told myself not to risk losing you as a friend. Things never ended well with the other guys I fooled around with here. I never really thought about us together until I saw you holding Jesse. The idea that you’d had a child with someone you loved did something to me.”

  “You thought he was mine? You know I’d have written to you if I was that involved with someone.”

  “Yes, I do, but I guess that was the jolt I needed. Made me see that I have deeper feelings for you.”

  “And you want to act on them?”

  Samuel nodded. “I’m not saying I’m in love with you. But I want to be with you. And all I think about is taking care of you and protecting you. Isn’t that how it starts?”

  “Yeah. Guess it does.” Quentin frowned as he looked up into Samuel’s eyes. “You claimed Jesse as yours because of me, didn’t you?”

  Samuel licked his lips. “Surprised I kept it a secret so long. Yes. I panicked and opened my big mouth the moment the thought occurred to me.”

  Quentin gazed over the hills and the rising moons. “You didn’t have to do that. You see that now, don’t you?”

  “I saw it within a couple of days, but I couldn’t take it back.”

  Taking a deep breath, Quentin closed his eyes. “So this is why you had the queen’s blessing to come back?”

  “Yes. She likes me a lot, so she was quite moved when I told her about you.”

  Quentin opened his eyes and turned back to his friend. “She likes you? Does the king like you, too?”

  Samuel held both hands up. “It’s not like that. It’s never been like that.”

  “I wouldn’t blame you. Jareth’s handsome, the most powerful man in the land. And the queen’s breathtaking.”

  “I’ve never had sex with a vampire. Never wanted to.”

  “Do they really have lots of lovers?”

  “They frequently invite others to their bed. I don’t exactly understand it. They seem very much in love, but they aren’t fated mates.”

  “But they chose each other. Shouldn’t that make them more loyal to each other?” Quentin shook his head. “I’m losing focus.”

  “That’s all right. At least you don’t seem so nervous anymore.”

  “I’m kind of relieved. It’s out in the open now.”

  “And?”

  “And we see what happens.”

  Samuel cleared his throat. “Just so there’s no misunderstanding, you’re interested?”

  “Curious might be a better word. I feel more at home with you than with anyone.” Taking one step closer, he put his hand on Samuel’s arm. “Will you give up being an assassin if we—”

  Samuel cut him off by pressing two fingers to his lips. “I won’t answer that. I don’t want you to be with me to protect me. Or stop me from doing something you don’t like.”

  Quentin stared up at him as he slowly took his fingers away. “All right. Fair enough.”

  “If we’re together, I want it to be because of this.” Samuel slid one arm around Quentin’s waist, holding him close. He tilted his head and brought their lips together.

  Quentin braced himself for a heated and demanding kiss, but instead Samuel only brushed their lips together. Then he lightly caressed Quentin’s cheek and whispered, “Good night.”

  Quentin grabbed hold of the railing as Samuel let him go. “Night.” He turned after a moment, expecting to see Samuel still standing there, but the man was gone. He lowered himself into one of the rocking chairs and sat back. Confused thoughts raced through his head. Quentin had expected a passionate declaration and the possibility of a very aggressive seduction attempt. Instead, Samuel had said he wanted to explore what might be between them and given him a sweet, almost shy kiss.

  The thing that gave Quentin pause was the odd sense of disappointment he felt.

  End of sample chapter

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