A taste of the next draft chapter. I’ve missed our dear Simon. Happy Saturday, folks! 😀
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“Haven’t you explored Dom’s stables yet?” Simon asked as they scrambled down another short flight of stairs.
“No, I haven’t.”
“Really?” Simon brushed back his fringe of brunet curls. “You’ve been spending all your time warming Dom’s bed, haven’t you?” Simon’s soft chuckle echoed off the brick walls of the vaulted ramp leading down from the main house. The mansion was a disorienting puzzle of spaces and levels with corridors stretching in every direction. Alle guessed he hadn’t seen much at all of the Roman’s terraced hilltop property.
“Are you still angry with me?”
“Because you’re Dom’s favorite? No, not anymore. I mean… he’s forgiven you for stealing that knife, right? And there’s nothing I can do to change the way things are, is there? Like Bryaxis said, it’s simple. Dom prefers your arse more than mine.” Simon paused on the bottom tread and added, “Dominus prefers you more than anyone else, Alexandros. More than any pet he’s ever owned, though don’t tell Max I said that, right?”
“I won’t.”
Simon’s brilliant green eyes narrowed in seriousness. “Promise?”
“I promise I won’t say a word, Simon.”
When Simon flashed him a genuine smile, Allerix exhaled and smiled back. Perhaps, he hoped, Simon could be his friend again.
“Come on and hurry, then. Just a quick visit with Dom’s horses.” Simon tugged Allerix’s arm. “We don’t have much time. That grumpy old tutor will cane us if we arrive late for our lessons.”
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JPK xoxo