Renny grinned at Dra’Kaedan when he took a seat next to him on a padded cushion. Drekkoril had planned an evening with the sioskallos, complete with entertainment. In the center of the room, several Fae danced in something that reminded Renny of ballet, except they had elaborate outfits in bright colors and dripping with shiny stones that caught the light from the summoned flames scattered around. Like the other magical people in his family, Renny was pleasantly tired. For several days they’d holed up in the library, devouring Fae books, and their knowledge of Rorie’s people was growing.
As for the man himself, he plopped down on a soft pillow and leaned against Renny. His other half was quieter than normal, and Renny imagined it was because he was being forced to view his world from a fresh vantage point. Each ruler of the Fae had altered the rules they used to govern slightly from their predecessor, but nothing had changed the landscape of Rorie’s people like the Vol’Gon era. Renny wasn’t sure how that came to be yet or who had pushed for such extremism, but he had the advantage of not being emotionally attached to any of the people responsible. It would take study, but he was determined to answer that question.
“How are you doing?” Renny asked Rorie, soothing him by rubbing a hand over his arm.
“I have such confusion,” Rorie confessed quietly.
“I understand. We’ve learned a lot in the last few days.”
Rorie sat up. “The time has not skipped. Our Faedrekan must wish us to study this knowledge. I wish to comprehend the details of the Vol’Gon era, and yet there are few tomes we have located. They ruled for eight thousand years. How can there not be more written of it?”
It was something Renny had pondered himself, and he had no answers. “I don’t know.”
“Every book of that era is full of flattery.”
“I noticed that.”
Rorie’s brows furrowed, and Renny lifted a hand to cup his cheek. Glancing up at Rorie, there was such sadness in his extraordinary eyes that he did not allow himself the chance to think. Leaning forward, their lips met in a tender kiss. Rorie’s arms looped around his neck and he tilted his head, allowing Renny to sweep in his tongue to deepen the exchange. For Renny, there was always a part of him that grew a little dizzy from the power of being close to Rorie. The fairy had so much life packed into his compact frame, and electricity zinged between them.
His body wanted to forget that they were in a room full of people finding seats and drag Rorie closer, but he shut that impulse down. Rorie was sexy, and Renny wanted him desperately but had no idea if it was smart to pursue those desires despite their bond. With his blood swimming southward, Renny brushed his lips across Rorie’s again.
“I love it when you kiss me,” Rorie murmured.
“You’re very good at it.”
Rorie’s smile was gorgeous. “I had the best teacher. He is incredible. A warlock familiar.”
“Really? I probably know him then. There aren’t that many of us,” Renny responded, unable to prevent his thumb from coasting over Rorie’s reddened mouth.
“I cannot give away his name; it would be improper.”
“I understand. A fairy tutored me, and it would not be fair to give you his name either.”
“I hope my teacher will show me much more,” Rorie responded softly.
“Should we pay attention to the dancers?”
With a wink, Rorie released him and resumed his position of leaning against Renny. “You will not always have excuses to escape my advances, v’airsell nioll.”
Renny was honest enough with himself to admit that it was going to be impossible to keep his hands off Rorie forever. “I might not always want to escape.”
“I wish you to enjoy my body.”
“You’re really not helping the whole being hard in public issue I’m having right now.”
“I have no wish to aid you in moving your thoughts from ones of us in the flesh together.”
Desperate to find a subject change, Renny’s eyes tracked the room, and his High Kings had a bevy of fairies and bemollos standing near the large cushion they were sharing. “What’s going on with Aleksander and Rafe?”
“This evening the guests were encouraged to invite friends and family. You know how entranced my people are with your High Kings. They seek to make their acquaintance.”
Renny was glad Rafe would take care of Aleksander. Although the High Kings had met with nothing negative on the Fae realm, Aleksander did not enjoy the company of strangers or even being outside his home. There was no fear on his noble face that Renny could detect, but there was plenty of bewilderment. Aleksander and Rafe did not understand their popularity and wished that the Fae would recognize that it was the emperors who should be shown such respect, but Renny wished them luck in convincing the people of that.
“Why are we all here, anyway?” Renny asked.
“I showed you the note Drekkoril sent. He gave no insight. I believe this is to thank the sioskallos for their help,” Rorie said, accepting an enormous plate with fresh fruits and vegetables.
“So, we just have to eat and head back to the library?”
