Page 29 of Serpent In White

I like being able to rely on people.

When I was a kid, I never could. Until I met Drake, that is.

I put a lot on him when we were younger, and I never meant to. But he just bore the burden, and he did so without complaint. In fact, he seemed to want it.

We brought that with us into The Principality. He became my number two, my second in command. My Vice President, if you will. The underground controller of all the things I wouldn't be able to manage. I get the credit as the face of this whole thing, and Drake stays behind the scenes, operating.

I used to stop all the time and ask him if he wanted to be in the public more. After all, I have no problems giving credit where it's due. I don't like for people to worship me, because I'm no god. There's only one God, and She's theonlyOne deserving of human worship.

I'm just a disciple of Her creation.

And I suppose that entitles me to some devotion. It took a while to get used to it, but I did. And now it's sort of necessary to keep things moving the way they need to here. But Drake doesn't like it.

For all the shit he gives me about being aKing, he would sooner chop his own arm off than have people worshipping him; applauding for him. It makes him uncomfortable. Drake is every bit theserpentof his namesake. You never see a snake standing up in front of people and leading them. There's a reason for that.

Still, Idoneed him. I think I need him more than he needs me, which is an unfortunate power shift. And I have no choice but to deal with it, because what's the alternative?

He threatens when he feels emotionally cornered, saying he could easily break off our arrangement. But I know he never will. He's a secret hero, like a vigilante; the one you'd never expect, and who would never admit to it if you asked him.

He’s saved me many times, and I won’t forget it.

Today was a good day. Seedlings are being transferred and planted, kids are about to break from school for solstice, new registration being organized by the teachers. My wives are planning events, and getting along doing so, for the most part.

And I can hear it all.

My relief is palpable by everyone. I think collectively the Expanse and everyone on it can breathe easier when I have my Empyrean. This land feels when I'm on edge, as much as I do. And when I can hear everything, as I should, it's just a generally better vibe in the woods.

I haven't seen Drake since the other night, which is common after we havesolitudetogether. He always disappears for a few days, and I think it's so he can hide his thoughts from me. But who knows if that's true...

Maybe he feels ashamed.

I look out the window of my upstairs library. The sun will be setting soon, and we’re in that sweet spot with dim light encompassing the trees, draping them in the silk of dusk. I can smell food cooking downstairs, and I'm sure we'll be called to dinner in minutes.

But for now, I'm just watching the lake. Remembering the first time...

We're tucked inside the tent, purposely trying to keep away from the walls, since it's pouring rain outside and we can't afford to let water in. We only have these two sleeping bags and the clothes on our backs.

"I'm sorry," I whisper in the dark, shivering as I stare at the back of his black head of hair. I feel so guilty for having him out here. It's only getting colder. We could die.

He spins in his sleeping bag to face me, those marble eyes shimmering in the dark.

"Are you cold?" He asks, rather than acknowledging my apology. I shake my head, but he gives me a look as if he knows I'm lying. Huffing, he unzips the sleeping bag and then reaches over to unzip mine. "Get closer," he says, firmly, like it's an order. "I don't want you getting sick."

I'm hesitant. I'm not sure what he expects me to do... Get into his sleeping bag with him? That's weird.

But I am cold. Freezing, actually. So I do what he says and inch closer, nestling up inside his open sleeping bag. I go to pull mine with me, but instead he yanks me even closer to him, until our bodies are practically smooshed together, then reaches over my waist and zips his shut. With me in it.

Both of us... inside together.

I swallow down my nerves, shivering for a different reason now.

"What are we...?" My voice dissolves as he locks me in place with a look laced with heat. He's so damn close to me, his face mere inches from mine.

My hand has nowhere to go, so I place it on his arm, which is still resting around my waist. I almost gasp. "Drake... you're freezing."

“I'm always cold.” He shrugs. "The purpose of this is to keepyouwarm."

I scoff. "Yea, well... you're thinner than me."