Clockwork Heart: Clockwork Love, Book 1 by Heidi Cullinan

this book?”
    “It isn’t mine. I borrowed it from the magistrate.” Cornelius rescued the book and tucked the page back inside. “How did you get into my rooms? I know I remembered to set the locks.”
    “The door was open when I arrived. All the doors were, though no one answered when I called. Don’t change the subject. I want to talk about this book .” Valentin glared at Johann. “You need that dictionary because he’s Austrian, don’t you? Don’t think I haven’t noticed his bad French and that funny accent. I thought maybe he was a stupid thug from some border town, but it’s worse than that, isn’t it?”
    “I don’t know where he’s from. It’s not the sort of thing we discuss.” That was the truth. Both of them carefully circumnavigated all talk of their past.
    Johann said nothing, as was his custom, taking his lead in this fiction from Cornelius. But he watched Valentin from his post at the door.
    Valentin aimed an angry finger at Conny. “You’ve been with him a month since I found out, and you’d been reclusive for two weeks before that, so I’m assuming he’s been living with you for two months. What in the world have you been doing? Don’t tell me teaching him French.”
    Yes, mostly. That, and perfecting Johann’s gait and tweaking his clockwork. There was also that one time he’d gently drugged Johann so he could check on his heart, but he wasn’t proud of that.
    Of course, Cornelius could say none of this to Valentin. “What do you think I’ve been doing in my rooms with a handsome, lusty sky pirate?”
    “No, you haven’t been fucking him. You put on a good act that first night, but not since. You don’t touch him overmuch. You don’t take him out except what you feel you must to pacify us. Yet he absorbs all your time, causes you to shirk all but your most unavoidable obligations. And now I discover you’re teaching him French. Because he can only speak German . With an Austrian dialect.”Valentin closed the distance between them. “You will tell me, Cornelius, right now, what is going on. Or God help me, I’ll write to your father.”
    Cornelius couldn’t stop the gasp of terror that escaped him, or the shiver of pleasure he felt when Johann moved to stand behind him, placing a reassuring hand on Conny’s shoulder.
    Johann glared at Valentin. “I am a sky pirate. I was injured and lost on the shore. No more ship. Cornelius helps me. Keeps away soldiers. He is good lover. Good friend. What friend are you, making him frightened?”
    Cornelius blushed to the roots of his hair, stunned speechless.
    Valentin sneered. “You’re not his lover. And you’re not a pirate. Wearing an eyepatch doesn’t make you a pirate.” He looked up and down his nose at Johann. “I can’t even tell how old you are. You seem to be somewhere between awkward young lug and old man.”
    “I am eighteen,” Johann said.
    Cornelius stared at Johann with his mouth open. “You’re… eighteen ?” Good Lord, he was younger than Cornelius! Conny had thought he was at least in his late twenties. Eighteen—he was barely of age.
    Johann shrugged apologetically. “I am big. Everyone thinks I am older. Has always been.”
    “He’s lying to you, obviously.” Valentin faced Johann down now, righteous indignation at full fury.
    Johann faced him calmly, but without hesitation. “I do not lie to Cornelius. You, maybe. You are—” He frowned, clearly mentally indexing. “ Ein Tyrann. A not-friend.”
    Tyrant, it seemed, was a universal word. Cornelius enjoyed the way this wounded and disarmed Valentin, but pity quickly overruled him. “He’s not a tyrant. Not really. He’s overprotective and arrogant, but he’s my oldest friend, and he loves me.” He frowned at Valentin. “Though that was a very low blow, to threaten to go to my father.”
    Valentin’s cheeks stained as he lifted his chin. “I don’t like this man. He’s going to bring you trouble.” He glared again at Johann.