Page 11 of Hexes & Heartstrings (Shifters of Bastion Keep #2)

"Regardless of our social dynamic," Lux continued, "I'm always grateful for any chance to learn from an expert.

If you have the time, I'd love a chance to speak with you one on one about spirit realms. For now, let me see…

it's still an hour before lunch, isn't it?

I think we've got a good start here with these books, so Bruin, why don't you show our brother around the castle and get him set up in the Sage's Quarter? "

Bruin stood up straight at that, glad to be trusted with a task he could do. "Sure! I'd be happy to."

After making sure he had all of his things, Bruin left the library with Arthur following.

"Where to start!" he said brightly. "Well, I suppose we have the Sage's Quarter.

That's what they call this east wing of the castle.

Lux, Rosemary, and I all have rooms on the second floor, as does Russell—he's the High Priest's son, the big and friendly redheaded bear you might have seen around.

That leaves three empty rooms, so if you do want to move in, just let someone know and we can help you move your belongings. "

"I don't have much at all, honestly. I could probably make do with a cot in someone's room."

Bruin waved a hand dismissively as he walked down the hall to open one of the spare bedrooms, pointing out the furnishings.

"Nah, there's space. Besides, do you see the size of these beds? Even if you wanted to share a room, they could fit multiple people, easy. Now let's head upstairs."

Bruin pointed out the rest of the highlights in the eastern wing, including the workshops on the fourth floor, the study and ritual chamber on the third floor, and the High Priest's rooms on the first floor, tucked away beyond the communal areas.

He then walked the rest of the castle with Arthur, showing him to the Great Hall, the infirmary, and then to the armory and training grounds of the Guardian's Quarter in the western side of the castle.

The man seemed affable enough, quick witted and always ready with a quip.

He also seemed interested in the decor, and after the second time Bruin caught his gaze lingering on one of the castle's many older paintings or artsy knick-knacks like century-old pots, Bruin made sure to point out the ones he estimated were fancy.

"…and those stairs lead down to the communal baths, if you ever get sick of showers," Bruin said once they were back in the main foyer.

"You mean the dungeons?" Arthur asked, then seemed to bite his tongue.

"Those too!But most of the underground was converted into a massive set of baths a while back, I've been told.

"Tapping his foot, Bruin looked around, thinking about any major areas within the castle that he'd missed.

"I guess that's it. Did you decide on whether you wanted to move into your own room? "

Athur nodded. "I think I should. It will make it easier to work and study alongside you all."

"Then let's pick you out a room!"

Returning back to the Sage's Quarter, Arthur dithered between the one in Grecian style or the one in lace, but settled on the Grecian that was opposite Bruin's room.

Then it was time to grab his belongings from Lady Yi's suite. Bruin stayed outside while Arthur had a word with his boss. He came out a couple of minutes later, bearing two large rucksacks, and Bruin took one to carry.

Lady Yi followed immediately behind, making presumptive inquiries about how Arthur was leading their coven, and what orders he'd given Bruin already.

Bruin did his best to give vague replies, or at least imply that Lux's directives had been given by Arthur instead, but Lady Yi's severe expression never changed, and Bruin wasn't sure he'd succeeded.

She left them once Arthur's new room had been identified, apparently off to hunt down Roland.

At Bruin's suggestion, they dropped the belongings off just inside, then went to find one of the castle staff before taking a break for lunch. By the time that they returned afterwards, the room had been aired out, dusted, and fresh bedding put on the bed.

"I appreciate you showing me around," Arthur said, taking a seat as he sat on the edge of his bed. He patted the spot beside him, and Bruin hopped up, joining him. "My very own handsome tour guide, blessed be."

Bruin started kicking his feet. "I had a hunky tour guide showing me around when I first got here, too, figured I'd keep up the tradition. Lux said we won't reconvene until three, so we've got a couple of hours to burn. Did you need anything else from me? Or have questions about anything?"

"Well…" Arthur looked past him, towards the closed door. "Okay, spill. Was it my imagination, or was Lux flirting with me? With the whole being open with each other, and the one-on-one session."

Bruin thought back. "No, or at least not directly.

I've been on the other side of his charms. When Lux is interested, he makes himself pretty plain.

I mean, he's pretty smooth, so it'll be something more like, 'Hey, would you care to join me for a glass of wine and a foreign drama,' and less 'wanna fuck? '"

Arthur colored. "I see."

Bruin continued on blithely. "The latter is actually a lot of the guardians here. They're not shy at all, so you can probably expect to be hit on, regardless of your tastes."

"It's men." Arthur leaned into Bruin, bumping his shoulder. "Definitely the men."

"Oh, same, absolutely. Also, the shifters wander around naked about half the time, which I think I'm finally getting used to, so don't be surprised by that. Is that just Bastion's shifters, or do the shifters in your pack do the same?"

"The nudity is most shifters, at least while it's warm or when in a temperate environment. I hear that the Kingdom of Hawai'i is a favored vacation and retirement spot for that reason."

Bruin laughed. "Makes sense! Gosh, I'd love to go someday, but I don't know if I could handle the long flight overseas."

"Air sickness?"

"Fear of heights." Bruin shuddered, and Arthur reached over, rubbing his back with a cool hand. "The flight from Chicago to here wasn't the most fun, but luckily I had a pair of fellow witches keeping me distracted, and who connived to have me sit between them."

The two of them fell silent, and after a moment Arthur stopped rubbing his back. Looking over at him, Bruin took a gamble and spoke up.

"You know, if you're interested in Lux, you could always ask him to join you in the communal baths. There's also a few semi-private ones, if that's more your speed."

Arthur's eyes widened as he pulled back, and he spoke gruffly."Share a bath with him ? I couldn't possibly."

Bruin sat up straight, thoughts flying through his head in defense of his ex. Something must have shown on his face, because Arthur hurried to add.

"I mean because he's sculpted, a ten out of ten! And I'm… this." Flushing crimson, he used a hand to slap his belly."A nervous wreck in an old chassis."

"Is that what you're worried about?"Bruin shook his head."Lux cares more about the engine, or the, um, carburetor?I don't know, I lost the metaphor.The brain.Anyways, just be brave and ask him out, it's what I did, and it worked."

"Oh! Are you two…"

"Used to be, but not any more."

"Thank you, Bruin, but… I think I've been giving you the wrong impression about Lux.

"Arthur tugged on the bottom of his shirt before clearing his throat.

"Bruin.Would it be presumptuous of me to ask you to share a glass of wine with me later, mister heroic helper who found me this room?

I'm sure I could find a foreign film to go with it. "

"Aha, so you're saying that I'm not too sexy to get naked with!"

Bruin laughed at the abrupt panic that settled on Arthur's face as he gestured wildly with his hands.

"No! I mean, yes, you don't have abs, but plenty of men love an average guy. "

"Gee, thanks."

Arthur drummed his hands against his legs as he made a sound like a steam whistle, then took one of Bruin's hands in his, bringing it to his chest.

"Let me start over. Bruin, you've been a sweetheart, and I think you're rather handsome, and I'd be lying if I said I haven't been staring as you went around shirtless. Wine and a movie? Maybe a bit more?"

Bruin gave him a regretful smile as he shook his head.

"I can't." Reaching out, he gave Arthur a rub on his belly. "As much fun as it would be to personally introduce you to the baths and hug you half to death to see if a thing or two didn't come up, I'm in a relationship, so the most that can happen will be some casual nudity. Sorry."

"Damn. Whose the lucky gentleman? Or gentleperson?"

"Two gentlemen, actually!" Bruin got to his feet. "You've met them both. Russell, Roland's son? The giant grizzly bear with red hair that would have helped carry your pack's things in?"

"Oh, him! He's very quiet, I don't recall him saying a word."

Bruin nodded. "And the other is Lord Sergiy."

Arthur's smile vanished. "You're dating the Lord of the keep?"

"It kind of just happened." Bruin shrugged. "Besides, it would be cruel to date one and not the other, I've learned, they work best as a package deal."

Arthur stared at him for a long moment, enough that Bruin was starting to feel uncomfortable, but then he smiled.

"Ah, you're taken, then. Shame. Perhaps I'll take you up on the bath offer at some point.

I may not be able to try anything on, ahem, but I love window shopping!

In the meantime, is there more that we need to do right now? "

Bruin shook his head. "Nothing until we meet with Lux, but Rosemary will be needing help afterwards, if you're up for it.

She'll be making jelly pastries after dinner as a way to cement her kitchen enchantments, kind of like how you season a cast iron skillet.

If that's not your speed, just eating her food helps, so be sure to leave some room tonight for dessert! "

"I'll do that. But for now, I think I'll find Lady Yi and report in, then read through some books and find out how I can help on Friday. I'll see you around, Green Thumb."

Bruin bid his fellow witch a farewell, then stepped out of the room to give Arthur his privacy. He hoped he hadn't put his foot in his mouth by mentioning his relationship, but the other man seemed a nice enough sort that any coldness he felt was probably his imagination.

Or maybe the cold was because he didn't have on a shirt?He really should get started on the whole laundry business…