Page 6 of The Death Wish

Silas’s chest tightened to hear the fragile hope in Pitch’s words.

‘I’m not sure that…’ Silas cleared his throat, and toyed with the loose reins. ‘I’m not sure that I said dark woods…’

‘You definitely said woods.’

‘Yes, but not dark. Unless that’s what you’d prefer?’

‘Me? The one who was cast into an abaddon, the very definition of darkness?’ A dim topic, but the prince was not sullen when he spoke, jesting with a lightness that had Silas breathing easier.

‘Then we agree the woods shall not be dark in the slightest. In fact I think we shall build this cottage in a glade, somewhere the light always falls upon it.’

‘Won’t that be a tad annoying when it comes time to sleep?’

‘It won’t be light at night.’

‘You said the light always falls –’

Silas sighed. ‘During the day, of course.’

Pitch bit at the corner of his lip, his grin absolutely wicked. Silas swept an arm about his waist, pulling him in. ‘You are truly sent to try me. I shall make you quite sorry for it later on.’

That, to his great satisfaction, drew a gasp from the daemon, emerald eyes widening. ‘Mr Mercer, you scoundrel, do not tease me so. You had me all in a lather last night but then fell asleep with my blue balls in your hand.’

‘A lie!’ Silas leaned in very close, careful to share his words with Pitch alone. ‘It was your cock in my hand. And those balls were quite empty, I assure you, though it makes sense you don’t recall as I think you were asleep before you finished spilling over me.’

‘That is a filthy mouth you have there, Mr Mercer.’

‘Isn’t it? I’ve had a wonderful teacher,’ A part of Silas was dying a silent death at being so horrifyingly forward, but good god it was bracing, and wondrously arousing to see it cause Pitch’s eyes to shine. ‘I shall show you a few other things he taught me, once we are alone.’

Pitch’s breath quickened, his chin tilting up, vibrant pink lips, with scant hint of old cuts and bruises, parting.

‘We’re alone enough here.’

Silas lowered his head, deciding the brown horse was shielding them well enough to seek out a very brazen kiss in the middle of the village thoroughfare. Lalassu nickered, and a small voice spoke up.

‘That’s the prettiest horse I ever did see, sirs. Can I pat her?’

With some confusion, and much regret, Silas lifted his head.

A thin chap with a dirty face and terrible scar upon his chin, along with an unfortunate cross-eyed gaze, stood nearby, with a tarnished pail in hand. He held his free hand lifted, fingers twitching, as though he fought an urge to touch at Lalassu before permission was received.

The mare took a step forward, a short burst of air from her nostrils coming before she nudged at the man’s pail. Silas’s horse pulled at the reins, seeking to join her, straining his muzzle towards the apparent treats. The man giggled, and it was such a childish sound that Silas found himself paying more attention to the chap. He was actually far younger than Silas had supposed, there under the grime on his cheeks.

‘They can smell the apple cores I just gave to the pigs.’ He dipped his hand into the pail, and pulled out the sorry remnants of what once might have been an apple. ‘That’s all I’ve got left. But if your master and his pretty friend want to take some rooms at my Pa’s place, I can get you all the apples your heart desires.’

Pitch nudged Silas. ‘Did you hear that? He says I am pretty. He’s not as dull-headed as he looks.’

The boy sniffed, his nose wet and running once more. ‘My name is Herbert, mister. And just cause you have beauty, don’t mean you can be nasty to those of us who don’t. My Pa says kindness don’t cost nothin’.’

Pitch nearly choked on his own spittle, and it was all Silas could do to keep himself from laughing.

‘Very wise words, young man,’ Silas said, which earned him a vicious poke in the side, one he ignored. ‘Your father has done well by you.’

‘Will you come stay then?’ Herbert was utterly unperturbed by the unhappy daemon, which Silas found both amusing, and quite courageous. ‘I’m the best groom in the village, everyone will tell you. Your horses will gleam after I’m done with brushing them down. And we ain’t half as expensive as the Rule.’

‘Go away, Harry.’ Pitch tried to reach for Lalassu’s dangling reins but the mare tilted her head.

‘It’s Herbert.’