Healing Fire by Sean Michael Page B

things I have not learned.” Everything he knew was about how to protect his charge, but now that he knew Jules, he had more questions.
    “Then you are guardian to the correct prince. He questions as well.”
    “I am meant for my prince.” Of that, he was sure. Lem also knew if anyone knew he and Jules had been intimate, they would not let him be with his prince.
    “And he was made for you, hmm?”
    He shook his head in denial, and not just to hide their secret. “I am not worthy to have anyone so amazing as my prince to be made for me.”
    “Nonsense.” Jules growled, the sound nearly sharp.
    “My prince?”
    “Don’t tell me you’re unworthy. You’re mine.”
    He went to one knee and bent his head. “Yes, my prince.” His heart was beating quickly, pleasure in his belly at Jules’ words.
    “Take care, my dear ones.” Treva kissed Jules’ forehead. “Be clever.”
    Lem wasn’t especially clever, but he knew Jules was. And he knew when it came to his prince’s protection, he would always find a way. It was his calling in life.
    “Are you going to give him a lemon candy?” Lem asked, knowing his prince enjoyed his sweets a lot. And she had mentioned it, after all.
    “I have an entire little bag for you. Enjoy them.” Treva pulled a small cloth bag from her robes and handed it to him.
    “Thank you. I’m sure he’ll love them.” How could he be sure each candy was okay? He would have to try each one before letting his prince have them. They could share them together, perhaps, his prince being deliciously generous.
    He could start the candies, and Jules could finish them. That would be the safest. He hated to even think that Treva would hurt the prince, but he had idea where she’d picked them up. Anyone could have tampered with them. Anyone could hurt his beloved. Anyone.
    “No sneaking any until I’ve returned,” he warned Jules before taking Treva back to the door to see her out.
    She turned to him, eyes full of seriousness. “Take care, guardian. He has powerful enemies that he isn’t even aware of.”
    “I will protect him.”
    “I believe you will.”
    “I will.” His prince was safe in his care. It was what Lem was meant for.
    “Call if you have need of a friend.” She patted his cheek. “You remind me of your mother.” Patted his cheek, like he was a child.
    “I am not a healer, wise one.” He was the opposite of a healer.
    “Still, you have her smile.”
    That made him smile again. “I... thank you.”
    “You’re most welcome, dear.” She headed off, swaying side to side as she went. She was very old indeed.
    Lem shot a look at the guards. “Any messages from the king?” Had his request been granted or denied? Had it at least been acknowledged?
    “None.”
    Lem fought the urge to roll his eyes. Everyone thought they could put Jules in a corner and forget about him. Lem didn’t think that was right. Not at all. He just wasn’t sure whether he could do something about it. He was going to keep at it, though. If anyone could figure it out, he would.
    Going back into Jules’ bedroom, he looked to his prince, who was once again dressed in his robes, a book in his hands.
    “Is that the one about the boat that gets stranded on a sandbar in the middle of an ocean?” Lem asked. His prince was reading him adventure stories. They were exciting and fun, but also made him long to take Jules on adventures.
    “It is. We’re almost done with it.”
    “Oh.” He wanted to know what happened next, but he also didn’t want it to end.
    “There will be another, I swear.”
    He brightened up. “As good as this one?” He settled next to Jules, opening his arms so his prince could sit with him.
    “We won’t know until we dive into it. I have hope, though.”
    Wrapping his arms around Jules, Lem tried to ignore the way his body swelled and reached for Jules.
    For his part, Jules cuddled in and began to read, to tell him a story.
    Lem stayed alert, watched every point of egress so