Free The Duke's Deception by Sasha L. Miller Page B

asked. He sat down on the sofa next to Larkin, attempting to lift the lid. The magic sealing it closed kept him from doing so, however.
    "It's a box, highness," Larkin said, resisting the urge to roll his eyes. Instead, he shut them, focusing on the seal spell and painstakingly fitting in the pieces of the unlock spell that would open it. The unlock spell snapped into place with an almost audible pop, and Larkin nearly passed out as the spell completed. He didn't have the energy to deal with any of this, let alone the prince sitting next to him.
    Garnett whistled, low and impressed. "Where did you get that?"
    "I know someone," Larkin mumbled, holding out his hand for the small vial Garnett held. The healing potion shimmered a pretty, pearlescent blue within. Garnett pulled the cork on it, passing it over without comment. His face spoke volumes, however, and Larkin got the distinct impression that Garnett didn't approve of Larkin's method for dealing with his injuries.
    Taking the vial, Larkin tilted it into his mouth. It tasted of mint and something much more vile that Larkin couldn't name. Swallowing all of it, he leaned against the back of the sofa and waited for it to kick in. He didn't have any idea how long that could take, but hopefully it would be quick.
    "You have about ten minutes before that kicks in and you fall asleep for about twelve hours," Garnett said, taking the empty vial back. "What happened?"
    "Twelve hours?" Larkin repeated. "Really?"
    "You'll feel like you've drunk too much wine when you wake, too," Garnett said. He stared at Larkin unflinching, repeating, "What happened?"
    "I went for a walk in the wrong part of town," Larkin said, shrugging. "I was mistaken."
    "Mistaken?" Garnett pressed. "About what?"
    "It being safe," Larkin said, smiling. The pain was gone, he realized, replaced with a thick, heavy cloud of lethargy. He yawned, sliding down on the sofa. He should probably make his way to his bedroom, but the sofa was certainly comfortable enough.
    "Why not report it?" Garnett asked. Larkin didn't bother to answer that. He couldn't answer that. Garnett's frown deepened, and he asked, "Why can't you answer that?"
    Larkin shut his mouth, refusing to open it. If he couldn't control what he was saying out loud, he wouldn't say anything at all. Garnett sighed, climbing to his feet. Larkin watched him, wondering if that was a side effect of the healing potion and if Garnett had known Larkin would get loose in the mouth after taking it. It didn't seem like something Garnett would do, but he was more familiar with the potion than Larkin was.
    "Come on, you'll sleep better in your bed," Garnett said, holding out a hand. Larkin debated briefly, but if he was going to be sleeping for twelve hours, the bed was the better option. He set his left hand in Garnett's right, letting Garnett help him to his feet. His right arm twinged unhappily, but it was a dull ache compared to the pain  before he'd taken the potion.
    Garnett led him across the sitting room and into his bedroom, spelling more lights—dimmer this time—into existence. He let go of Larkin's hand but didn't let him go, grabbing the front of his jacket instead. He started undoing the buttons, and Larkin laughed, unable to help it.
    "Are you taking advantage of me, your highness?" Larkin asked, unable to keep the words from spilling out. Garnett rolled his eyes, but his cheeks turned faintly red under the mage lights.
    "I'm trying to make sure you don't get blood all over your bedding." Garnett finished with the buttons and started gently pulling the jacket off. Larkin flinched away when that set off a sharp pain that sunk in even past the healing potion.
    "No, stop," Larkin said. "Cut it off. I'm sure it's ruined anyway."
    "Do you have a knife or something that I can use?" Garnett asked, not arguing. He looked uncertain, and Larkin stifled a giggle, wondering how often Garnett actually found himself in someone else's bedchamber. Not very often if