Without Niam to keep the peace… “You left? What’s stopping him from taking over?”
“Mother. She sent me here for reinforcements. Whreyn doesn’t know King Consort Yarif is her nephew and my cousin.”
Such news wouldn’t stay hidden for long. “Avestan should arrive today to sign treaties, and Draylon already has someone looking for the boys.”
Niam nodded. “Once I’ve signed, I’ll head back to Delletina with a force at my back. Can I count on you to come with me?” His expression turned hopeful.
He had to ask? “I’d go anywhere with you.”
Niam dropped into his chair again, staring at the fingers he tangled together in his lap. “I don’t want to discuss this as part of a treaty, but I’m told I need to marry a noble of the Cormiran Empire to further seal the alliance.”
Rufe nodded. “Many marriages are based on less.” His own parents married for love, a rarity, but they’d both endured unhappy arranged marriages first.
“I don’t want another arranged match. I want someone of my own choosing.”
Rufe’s heart pounded in his chest. For so long, he’s seen himself as unworthy, and although he was neither prince nor king, there weren’t many available. However, one day, he’d be a duke. For the first time, he didn’t regret being Father’s heir.
He dropped to his knees beside Niam’s chair. “I’d be honored if you’d marry me, unless you already have someone in mind.”
Niam’s mouth dropped open, and all color faded from his already pale skin.
How could Rufe have misread things so horribly? He started to stand. “So… Sorry… I didn’t mean…”
Niam clasped both of Rufe’s hands in his. “I want nothing more, Lord Rufe.”
“You don’t.” Rufe released a long, relieved breath, a smile spreading over his lips.
They both rose, Rufe capturing Niam in his arms and melding his lips to Niam’s, lightheaded and not quite believing. He reluctantly pulled away to say, “I never thought we’d get to be together. This is beyond my wildest dreams.”
“Mine, too,” Niam said, mouth stretched wide into a smile.
“Are you sure this is what you really want?” Niam had already endured one planned marriage. Rufe didn’t want to force him into another. “You said you didn’t want to marry again.”
“I meant that if I married again, it would be to someone I loved.” Niam gave Rufe a meaningful stare, mouth hitched up on one side.
“You marry for—”
“Love.” Niam followed the words with a kiss, sliding his tongue against Rufe’s. Rufe would have his life with Niam, stand beside him, protect him, and build a future together.
Whreyn and the other nobles said they didn’t want an alliance with the Empire, yet their actions set the wheels into motion. They’d also gain the Cormiran bastard as king consort.
Somewhere, the Unnamed Goddess must be smiling.
If not laughing hysterically.
Yarif procured Rufe clothes and a valet to help him dress for his wedding day. Avestan arrived mid-morning and insisted on the bonding first to formalize treaty agreements in the names of the Delletinian king and the king consort.
Rufe didn’t understand politics but trusted Avestan, who’d been spoon-fed politics since infancy. What a whirlwind. Rufe had arrived very late last night, managed a few hours of sleep—alone, damnation! — and now did his best to let the valet turn him into something that didn’t look like a three-day-old carcass lying in the sun. The bath and shave helped tremendously.
Would he ever get used to wearing nice new clothing? Or rather, something barely used, loaned to him by some unknown, but well-dressed benefactor. The trousers fit a bit more snugly than he’d have liked, but Yarif had chosen a rather plain blue satin tunic, correctly guessing Rufe’s tastes for minimal embellishments. The satin slippers felt odd after a lifetime spent in boots.
Rufe glared at himself in the mirror; riotous black curls slicked back into glossy waves. How was Niam feeling? Anxious? Resentful at being forced to bond?
Surprisingly enough, Rufe wasn’t resentful. There was no one in existence he’d rather bond with, though he found himself nervous. What if Niam changed his mind? Refused?
He blew out a heavy breath.
“Everything will be fine,” the valet told him with a small smile, possibly mistaking the reasons for Rufe’s concerns.
