Clockwork Menagerie: A Shadows of Asphodel Novella (7 page)

Himmel’s mustache tickled his neck as he whispered. “Let go.”

Konstantin lost control. He blacked out for an instant, ecstasy obliterating all thought, knees threatening to buckle. Gasping, lightheaded, he braced himself against Himmel’s chest. Sweat cooled his heated skin.

“God.” He gulped in air. “God, that was…”

Indescribable. Impossible.

But he didn’t wake from this dream. He wasn’t a virgin anymore, was he?

“Thank you.” Himmel brushed away the hair curled at the nape of Konstantin’s neck and kissed him there. “For trusting me.”

Konstantin’s joints felt loose, like the aftereffects of an electrical shock. An extremely good electrical shock. He took back his glass of water, for something to do, and tried to put on a casual face as he turned.

Himmel’s knuckles glistened. Still wet. God, that shouldn’t be so arousing.

“We should wash,” Konstantin said.

They climbed into the bathtub together, the water brisk. Goosebumps dotted Konstantin’s skin, though the cold didn’t stop him from staring, or getting hard again. Grinning, Himmel rubbed the soap between his hands. “Allow me.”

fterward, they lay together in bed, skin against skin, a
simple pleasure Konstantin thought he would be forever denied. His eyes prickled as he peered into the shadows, likely some lingering soap from the bath.

Staring at the ceiling, Himmel grunted. “You’re from Austria, aren’t you? Salzburg?”

“Yes, why?”

“What happened to that archduke? Ludwig?”

“He’s still living at Schloss Klessheim.”

“Heard about that incident where he invited soldiers to his pool and stole their pants.”

“That was years ago.” Konstantin wrinkled his nose. “I wasn’t born yet.”

“Wasn’t he banished from Vienna? After a fistfight in a bathhouse?”

“He may have approached an officer… inappropriately.”

Himmel laughed. “I knew that.”

“Why does this amuse you so much?”

“Archdukes and archmages don’t have the same liberties, I suppose.”

Konstantin rolled his eyes. “I wouldn’t be banished to a palatial castle if I groped someone in a bathhouse. Unfortunately, my fate would be rather more unpleasant than that of Archduke Ludwig Viktor.”

“Can’t see you trying that, anyway.”

“Would you?”

“Hell, I’m not an idiot.” Himmel thumped his pillow into a more comfortable shape. “You should go hiking in Germany with me.”

He imagined the captain in rugged gear. “Never been one for hiking. Too many changes in elevation for my tastes.”

“Trust me. You wouldn’t have to walk far to spot men frolicking naked in the forest.”

“Who?”

“Those
Lebensreform
fellows. They believe in nudity and exercise and nature.”

Konstantin sucked in a breath. “Nude exercise in nature?”

“Exactly.” Himmel lifted himself on his elbow. “Some fine specimens out there. Can absolutely see you naked in a meadow.”

Heat crept over Konstantin’s cheeks. “As long as you’re the only man watching.”

“I have a zeppelin.” He smirked. “I’ll fly us somewhere nice and remote.”

A picnic alone with the captain did sound lovely. When Himmel kissed his cheek, Konstantin’s bones melted. It might be a challenge to get up. Or to leave this hotel room within the next century.

“And,” Himmel continued, “I always bring my own
Studentenfutter
. Tastes great.”

“I’m sure it does,” Konstantin said absently, not all that interested in trail mix.

“Hazelnuts, almonds, raisins. In the precise proportions to be delicious.”

“Theodore, I need to ask you a favor.”

A crease appeared between Himmel’s eyebrows. “Yes?”

“You have a zeppelin. I need to find a laboratory.”

“Which laboratory?”

“The one where the countess built the clockwork dragon.”

Himmel blew out his breath in a sigh. “Still?”

“I’m simply following orders.” He shrugged. “Baron von Bach told me to observe. Why not a little aerial reconnaissance?”

“This may not fall within the acceptable parameters of our mission…”

“We can fly over St. Petersburg and search for evidence. A project of that magnitude would be impossible to hide.”

“What if the dragon wasn’t built in St. Petersburg?”

“The clockwork menagerie, Theodore, seems to be an obvious clue.”

Himmel swung his legs over the edge of the bed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “Konstantin. Think about it.”

“I have. I—”

“It might be an underground laboratory, just like your underground laboratory in Vienna.”

“The groundwater in St. Petersburg would prevent the construction of a basement that big. I’ve done the calculations.”

With a backward glance, Himmel laughed. “In your head?”

“Earlier, on paper.”

“Christ, you’re determined.”

Sitting upright, Konstantin gripped the sheets in his fists. “Will you help me?”

Himmel smirked. “Was tonight part of your calculations?”

That felt like a kick to the gut. “Why would you even say that? I would never try to manipulate you like that. You know what this means to me, Theodore.” He waved his hand. “Maybe it means nothing in the Navy.”

“Excuse me?” His words sounded glacial. “What do you know about the Navy?”

“What everyone knows about the Navy.”

Standing, Himmel grabbed his trousers from the floor. He stared at the wall as he dressed. “We can’t all be virgins forever.”

Konstantin gritted his teeth, trying not to say something he would regret. His stomach ached. He swallowed back the bitterness on his tongue. Why had he even done this? Why had he been so damn reckless?

“I should go.” He couldn’t think of anything else.

Himmel glanced over his shoulder. “Konstantin, wait.”

“I understand.” Hunting for his clothes, he shook his head. “I don’t fault you for it.”

“For what?”

“Wanting experience.”

A muscle in Himmel’s jaw twitched. “God, you should avoid the Navy. Sweaty, shirtless men everywhere. Begging for it.”

He had to be bluffing. Konstantin narrowed his eyes. “I already know I’m inadequate.”

“Is that what this is about? You think I’m disappointed? You think I’d rather throw myself into an orgy of male whores?”

His ears burning, Konstantin looked away. “That sounds ridiculous when you say it.”

“Because it is ridiculous.” Himmel crossed his arms over his chest. “Bloody absurd. You’re better than a hundred male whores.”

“Is that a compliment?”

Himmel laughed. “You know what I mean. Don’t go convincing yourself you’re inadequate. You’re everything I want.”

Konstantin’s face heated, rivaling volcanic temperatures. “Now I feel like an idiot.”

“You can’t be a genius all the time.”

“You think I’m a genius?”

Grinning, Himmel shook his head. “That’s not my final verdict.”

Konstantin grabbed a pillow and whacked him across the ass. Himmel caught the pillow, fighting for it, which devolved into wrestling. The pillow forgotten, they fell on the bed together. Himmel pinned him in a clinch hold.

Breathless, struggling, Konstantin laughed. “I surrender!”

After a manly grunt of victory, Himmel loosened his grip. Their eyes met while the silence stretched between them.

Konstantin cleared his throat. “You never answered my question.”

“Which?”

“Will you help me find the laboratory?”

Himmel glanced heavenward like that could save him. “Fine.”

As the
Nachitgall
gained altitude, Konstantin adjusted the focus on his camera, testing his Zeiss anastigmat lens. He leaned over the railing of the observation deck and framed the Church of the Savior on Spilled Blood. Morning sunlight glittered on its domes.

“Falkenrath.”

Konstantin lowered the camera, pretending he wasn’t startled. “Yes?”

“Careful.”

“I’m not about to plunge to my death.”

The captain folded his arms across his chest. “Waving that thing around isn’t subtle. The Russians will see you a mile away.”

Konstantin rolled his eyes. “How do you suggest I take photographs subtly?”

“Wait until we see something interesting.”

They soared over St. Petersburg, the zeppelin’s shadow floating from building to building. Beyond the city, icebreakers escorted ships across the frozen Neva Bay. A grim factory loomed over the snow, chimneys belching smoke.

“
That’s
interesting.” Konstantin peered through the viewfinder.

“That’s a canning factory.”

How was it humanly possible to sound so skeptical? He glared at Himmel. “Look at the size of the electrical transmission lines.”

“Look at the side of the building. ‘Finest Canned Foods.’”

“I can’t read Russian.”

Himmel grunted. “Right.” He held out his hand. “Give me the camera.”

“What? Why?”

“No need to splutter, Falkenrath. This isn’t my first aerial reconnaissance.”

Indignant, Konstantin gripped the railing of the deck. “Why wouldn’t they disguise the laboratory as a canning factory?”

Himmel commandeered the camera. “Because.” He focused the lens. “This factory doesn’t have doors large enough for the clockwork dragon. Not to mention, those trucks are actually transporting canned goods.”

“Where would you look for the laboratory?”

“Kotlin Island.”

“Why?”

“Shipping manifests list it as the main destination for Siberian chrysoberyl.”

Konstantin peered across the icy bay. The town of Kronstadt dominated the island, fortified by armored earthworks and batteries of guns. Steam drifted over ironclad Russian battleships docked at the military base.

“Let me guess,” Konstantin said. “It would be a poor plan to fly over battleships?”

“Good guess.” Himmel squinted at the blinding sun on ice. “We can fly over the bay itself, but remain at a distance acceptable for diplomacy.” He tinkered with the camera. “What’s the shutter speed on this beauty?”

“One thousandth of a second.”

“Pneumatic actuator?”

“Yes.”

“Excellent.”

Konstantin shivered at Himmel’s confidence. He loved a man who loved technology.

The
Nachtigall
soared over Neva Bay. Wind gusted across the bow of the zeppelin, stinging Konstantin’s skin like a thousand icy needles. He tightened his scarf and blinked fast, his eyes blurring as they watered.