Ryland made more mental notes. The exact moments when Kethaias had seemed to want to speak, or the points where his brows had threatened to draw together, or the sudden aversion of his gaze.<br/><br/>He was quiet, letting Kethaias speak. It ended with a gentle grip around the ankle of his boot. Ryland didn't pull away. He glanced at the hand cooly and then back to Kethaias' face.<br/><br/>"Because honest flattery is boring," he said. He tilted his head and held up a hand, counting off on his fingers. "You have called me--in those short few minutes--vain, self-centered, and aggravating, versus the one compliment on my looks."<br/><br/>He raised one eyebrow, leaning back in his seat and folding his arms. "Such," he said with mock offense, "is what I get when one employs honesty!"<br/><br/>His boot pulled away, still feigning displeasure and disappointment. "Perhaps I should help you along," he said, finally.<br/><br/>"You find me a beauty enough that you wish to<i>possess </i>me." The boot returned to caress Kethaias' calf again. "That's a fair start, as long as you cut out your earlier<i>misgivings</i>about my character. And possession in a certain light can be very flattering, a little bit dangerous, but I like such things. You could go on about how you intend to make me yours, but that's boring too. I don't care about marriage. Tell me how I would look in the gifts you would give me, how mad jealousy of it would make you corner me in a ballroom and fuck me behind the curtains, or the grace and heat I might have riding your cock." Another flicker of his gaze upward to meet Kethaias' eyes. "If you're insistent on harping on my looks."<br/><br/>The carriage's rattling slowed. Ryland shrugged. "I suppose there's always next time. It was only a goodnight kiss on stake."<br/><br/>He opened the door, gave Kethaias a moment to collect himself, and then handed him out of the carriage again when he appeared in the doorway.<br/><br/>The gambling hall was more spacious than the teahouse. Its walls were lined with windows, too, which were thrown open to the night air. Inside, collections of men were gathered around their tables. A man waiting at the door took their cloaks, recognized Ryland immediately and let him in. Others might have to mention their name and the butler would know automatically whose tabs were overdue and who could play on their tabs, too. Ryland kept his tab clean, of course, and half the time he didn't gamble anyway but stayed for the company and the prospects of<i>company</i>.<br/><br/>"Ryland!"<br/><br/>He had been leading Kethaias to a certain table but turned at his name. A handsome young man was standing at the back of a chair, with another three variously sitting or standing around a table with drifts of cards across it.<br/><br/>"Melrend!" Ryland said.<br/><br/>When he neared, Melrend leaned forward to place an unabashed kiss on Ryland's lips, and then gave a final lick before releasing him. Ryland only laughed, even when a hand snuck around his waist. He didn't mind if it was going to get more of a reaction from Kethaias, testing the waters again. Ryland was loose with his friends. He wasn't going to curb himself quite yet.<br/><br/>The man in the chair rolled his eyes at the display but obliged grumpily to a kiss from Ryland on the cheek as Ryland leaned down. And then all teasing stopped as they noticed and eyed Kethaias in turn.<br/><br/>"His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor King Kethaias," Ryland said. "No, don't get up. He doesn't need your obeisance. Just me."<br/><br/>The man in the chair, with dark hair and expressive dark eyes, stood to make a bow. The others followed suit. When the man righted himself, he gave Kethaias a look that approximated the point between amusement and exasperation. "He's a cheeky tit, Your Majesty, don't let him represent the better of us."<br/><br/>"That's Chelrev," Ryland said. "A very rich duke. This is Melrand. Mel. He's drunk--I can taste it on him--so forgive him that." He pushed Mel until he was settled happily in Chelrev's lap, who kept him there as though it was no great struggle to do so, despite the sway and stray hands.<br/><br/>The other two seated made their excuses and let Kethaias and Ryland take their spots, and stayed to watch. They were more friends of Ryland's and unafraid to tease, but they were decidedly less handsy.<br/><br/>Ryland ordered more smoke and a few drinks with quick hand gestures. His friends took the moment to discreetly place bets about whether or not Ryland was after Kethaias or not.<br/><br/><i>As though I can't see from the corner of my eye</i>, Ryland signed after them.<i>And it's the opposite.</i><br/><br/>"You've spoiled the bet," Mel said.<br/><br/>"So I have!" Ryland said. He turned to Kethaias. "Surely you know Blind Rook? It's simple enough."<br/><br/>It involved guessing which card was underneath a coin in the middle of the table. There were other cards turned over with larger coins on top of them which one could pay to uncover, but the rest of the process of elimination involved bribing other players for cards, finding out who held what, and lying about one did have.<br/><br/>"It's your turn for a wager." He grinned at him and added, "It doesn't have to be for money, if you're making it with me."<br/><br/><i>You're sure it's the opposite?</i>Chelrev said.<br/><br/>Ryland said to Kethaias, "I'll translate whatever they try to say with their hands. It's unfair otherwise. Now what's your stake?"