Tiefling Boyfriend: Mercutio 6 (special preview)

I don’t know exactly who Lena is or where they came from, it’s actually a mystery I enjoy not solving. But there are times when they get this look in their eyes that make me believe that they’re the scion of the fates who has come to judge if someone is deserving of their destiny. That’s the looking Lena is giving me now.

“You fucking proposed?” They strike me freely with the broom.

“Ow! Fuck! What are brooms made of?” I try to block off the offending attacks, but Lena is more skilled with a broom than I ever was with a weapon.

“Lynk Gaiseric! You proposed to Lynk Gaiseric!” Lena continues to yell at me. “You stupid! Miserable! Boy!”

I grab hold of the filthy bristles and yank the boom, pulling Lena right to me. “What’s so wrong with that?”

“Your mother is going to lose it!”

“My mother is dead!” I bark at them.

Lena’s expression goes soft, and her tension on the broom laxes. “Fierna is going to hate this. You’re not suppose to do shit like this. You’re supposed to be a tool for her and King Charles. And why Lynk of all people?” She  throws her hands up into the air, relinquishing the broom for me to chuck aside.

“Lynk and I understand one another. We’re both tools for our parents. And you have yet to tell me how you know Lynx so well.” I reach for a drink but find my glass unfortunately empty.

Lena crosses their arms. “I worked in House Gaiseric for a little while.”

“Same as you’re working here?” I point to the floor. “Spying? Annoying? Being creepy?” I walk across the room to pour myself a drink.

Lena’s disapproving scowl does not falter. “The Gaiseric family plays the game better than most. Lynk and his father know they have Fierna and possibly more in the palm of their hands. You even suggesting a marriage to Lynk plays right into that!”

“Why do you even care?” I scoff. “Don’t you want to see me fail? Isn’t your ‘real job’ supposed to be stopping me?”

Lena drops their arms back down to their side. “I also don’t want to see you get hurt. I can do both things, you idiot.”

I lower my glass at Lena’s surprisingly kind words. “Why would you?”

“Because I see more than a pawn when I look at you. You’re not what Fierna thinks you are. And if there is any possible way I can influence you further away from her, then so be it.” They give a definitive nod.

“Besides,” they start to chuckle. “You don’t seem like the marrying type.”

I grimace and look away from Lena.

Lena’s laughter stops immediately. “What’s that look? Mercutio?”

I can’t believe that it still hurts after all of this, after meeting August, even after finding a kindred spirit with Lynk. This pain, this anger, it still gnaws away at me even though I have tried to keep it buried and dead since I came here.

Lena approaches, placing their hand on my arm. “What’s wrong?”

“I know how I come off,” I say calmly. “But I am, for certain, the marrying type, Lena.”

Lena’s look is apologetic. “I never would have assumed.”

“No, you wouldn’t.” I take her hand off me and hold it as I turn. “I was married once before, and I was quite happy too.”

Their eyes go wide. “What happened?”

“My mother was murdered,” I state simply. I let go of Lena’s hand and turn back to my drink. “My mother is dead, and everything is worse now.”

Lena’s palm rests at the center of my back and it is a strangely comforting gesture. I look back at them and give them a small smile.

“As much as you annoy me, I genuinely enjoy your company.” I offer them my drink.

Lena shakes her head. “You’re okay.”