He'd find out soon enough, once Alex figured out how to turn in his quest-gotten bones for someone else's pet dog. It was fine. He'd figure it out, because it was important.

For now though, he was warm and comfortable sprawled half beside, half tangled with Henry, and it was somehow even more enjoyable than he'd imagined -- and he'd imagined it pretty damn enjoyable.

His eyes lit up in amusement as he was accused of beleaguering and horrifying. That was giving him so much power. And charming on top of that? His ego would swell to impossible heights now. What had Henry done? Alex laughed before schooling his expression into as serious look as he could manage. "Free of charge, even. I am here to serve, your majesty."

And even if Henry was wise enough to wait for a boozier moment, Alex wasn't. The words he spoke next were more earnest. "I honestly don't know what I'd do without you here. It's weird as hell, but it's not so bad, given the company."