Page 43 of The Cinders

Xian resented having a mind so clouded.He shook his head again, trying to clear the muddle.‘You were trying to seduce me?’

‘My dear fellow, I don’t need totry.’The Englishman’s grin was wolfish.‘The art of seduction has me as its founder, I assure you.But I understand the carnal holds little interest for you, a sad fact but true, and I certainly shall not force you where you do not want to go.That sort of nonsense does not arouse me.So you are quite safe, from me, at least.’

Xian stared at the stranger, who had assessed him so well on many things now.‘How could you know that I…’ He stopped short, not keen to speak it plainly.

‘That you are not quick to lust?If indeed you lust at all?’

Xian’s mouth opened with a silent gasp.And William continued, the outrageous fellow winking at him.‘Desire is not so simple as many would like to believe.Not every living being lusts, and of those that do, many can’t be split plainly by an appetite for either cock or pussy.In my days spent exploring your world’s delights, I’ve discovered many desires.Certainly you are not rare, in desiring to keep your legs closed, and cock untouched.’

Xian touched his fingers to the base of his throat.‘There are others…who do not wish to…’

‘Don’t wish to be amorous?Of course there are others.What a dull place this would be if it were not so.’

‘But I think I might like…to…one day…’ Xian stopped; too appalled at what he’d already insinuated, cursing the tincture for loosening his tongue.

‘One day you’d like to fuck, if the right person found their way to you?’

Xian drew in a breath; thrilled at the notion he was not so unnatural yet mortified at being so understood.‘Yes.’He doubted someone right next to him could have made out his reply, and yet Sir William Black’s sultry smile returned.He took another sip of his drink, watching Xian over the rim of his glass.

‘And I am not the right person.’A statement, not a question.

Xian held his tongue, determined not to allow it to embarrass him further.

Sir William laughed.‘You look as though you fear I shall drag you across these flower boxes and set about changing your mind.Calm yourself, your highness.Though I may briefly mourn the lost opportunity of a prince’s embrace, I won’t suffer a broken heart tonight.Though, my door is open to you, should you decide practice is in order.’

‘No, no.You are very handsome.’Xian’s skin hummed with heat.‘But I will not be knocking on your door, Sir William.’

The Englishman planted the back of his hand to his forehead and swooned out over the window ledge.‘I am bereft.This fair Natural does not pine for me.What shall I do to mend these wounds you inflict?’

He was so theatrical and ludicrous Xian’s laughter bubbled up from where he’d thought it had dried out entirely.He clamped his hand over his mouth to stifle the laughter he couldn’t seem to stop.The Englishman grinned, a salacious curl to his plump lips.

‘It suits you, your mirth,’ he said.

‘Sir William, forgive me.’Xian wiped his eyes, a little breathless, and readily blamed the tincture for the outburst.‘I don’t know what has come over me…’ He paused.‘Actually, that is not so.I have worried over my nature for a long time, your words come as a very welcome relief.’

‘The nature of your bedroom is not the one you should concern yourself with, my prince.’

Xian wiped the last of his tears.‘I’m sorry?’

‘You said you know yourself, but you do not.’William shrugged, a move like that of an ocean wave; whispering of power rising from beneath.

Xian shook himself inwardly, embarrassed by the grandeur of his thoughts.‘I told you who I am…that was the truth.Do you not believe me?’

‘That was the truth you’ve been given, but it hides a lie.Do you know what I am, Prince Xian?’

‘Whatyou are?’

‘Hmm.’

‘A nobleman…from the British Isles?’Xian replied, hesitant.This felt like a game, where the rules of play were not made open to him.

‘Anything else?Look closely now.’

Squinting, as though that would suddenly make the answer more obvious, Xian shook his head.‘I’m sorry…I don’t understand what you are asking.’

Sir Black’s amusement shifted to something more studious.He eyed Xian with a new intensity.‘Fascinating.I’ve not met one so dulled and oblivious before.Certainly, I am not showing all of my true colours, but you should be able to see the basics that I allow.Yet, you claim yourself blinded.’

Xian shrank from the sting of the comment.His blissful haze ripped at the seams.‘Fascinating…and dull?’He’d been enjoying the late-night conversation until then.‘Now blind too?You said you were not bothered by my refusal, sir, but your unkindness says otherwise.’