Raising an arm, Tiri traced his lips. “It’s good to see you smile.”
“I smile at you all the time.”
“But for many weeks, it was more sad than happy.”
“There’s a lot of bad stuff going on around here.”
“Elf is going to be okay.”
Zane nodded and kissed Tiri’s fingers. “I’m just glad Wesley’s in jail and will pay for what he did.”
“And with his conviction, you’ve allowed your guilt to disappear.”
“I need to tell you something.”
“What?”
“I know I didn’t intentionally hurt Elf, but it still happened while I was guarding him,” Zane said. The hurt was back on his face, and Tiri hated that. He wanted to kill Wesley himself for ever putting a single moment of worry and pain in Zane’s heart.
“You didn’t know there was a potion in the cup.”
“No, I didn’t, which means I’m probably not the one for the Ducblanc job.”
“What do you mean?”
“When Elf is healed, I’m going to resign.”
For a split second, Tiri saw red, then he laughed. “You can’t.”
“I can, and I will. I owe that to Elf and that’s why I’m waiting until it can be a conversation between the two of us. Costas can take over as Ducblanc so Chrys doesn’t have to worry about a stranger near his mate.”
“Elf is my best friend. I can assure you, he will not accept your resignation.”
“You don’t want to see my culpability because you love me.”
“And you’re too stubborn to see the situation clearly. You did nothing wrong. You have been part of the royal family and a duke for centuries. There’s no way Elf or anyone else in our family is going to let you quit.”
Zane’s jaw clenched. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t be a duke any longer. I know I can continue to guard our leaders. I just think someone more capable should be the one specifically assigned to Elf.”
“Costas already has a title. He’s the Royal Duke. He guards both Chrys and Elf in addition to his other duties.”
Leaning down, Zane brushed his lips over Tiri’s. Each time they kissed, it made Tiri’s heart flutter with all the love that overflowed in his soul for Zane, but he wasn’t going to be distracted. Zane was deluding himself if he thought Ellery would consider reassigning him. Tiri might not be able to talk to Ellery, but he understood him. He would be insulted by the very idea.
“Maybe we swap titles,” Zane said after a lengthy pause.
“Good luck. You’ll need it.”
“I think you’re supposed to be more supportive.”
“When you come to me with something reasonable, I’ll be supportive.”
“Is it any wonder I’m crazy about you?”
“You’re an incredible man, Ducblanc, and I love you very much.”
“I really am sorry I lied to you.”
Tiri raised up on his toes to kiss his dragon. He didn’t stop with a simple peck but darted his tongue until it dueled with Zane’s. His mate’s arms tightened around him and Tiri’s body heated. “I do like your kisses and I accept your apology,” he managed when they stopped to take in air.
