Page 64 of Kept

“Within the hour,” Laurent agreed.

The captains and Lar Bassa rose together. After a brief discussion about logistics, Radu and Drago left. As Lar Bassa followed, Laurent called him to a halt.

Lar Bassa turned with eyebrows raised. “Yes, Your Grace?”

Laurent walked to the end of the table and leaned against it. “Why.”

Confusion clouded Lar Bassa’s eyes. “I beg your pardon, my king. I don’t—”

“Why did you stay loyal when no one else did?”

“Ah.” Lar Bassa’s gaze faltered. His cheeks colored slightly as he seemed to gather his words. When he spoke, he kept his gaze on the floor. “My father was a…traditional sort of male, Your Grace. His fondest wish before he died was to see me wed.”

“But that didn’t happen,” Laurent said quietly.

Lar Bassa’s lips curved in a humorless smile. “No, Your Grace.” He cleared his throat. “I, um…” At last, he lifted his head and looked directly at Laurent. “I don’t want a wife, Your Grace. I will never want a wife.”

Laurent straightened from the table. The scent of cloves and roses teased my nose as Given stood, her shoulder brushing mine. I took her hand and squeezed her slim fingers.

Lar Bassa’s expression was earnest. “What I saw in the Sanctum today gave me hope for the first time in a really long time. I am new to my title, Your Grace, but you have my support. You have always had my support.”

For a long moment, no one said anything. Then Laurent went to Lar Bassa and put a hand on the other male’s shoulder. “Thank you, Sergiu. And you have mine.” He glanced at Given and me over his shoulder. “Ours.”

Lar Bassa smiled wide enough to show his fangs. “That means more than you know.”

Laurent squeezed Lar Bassa’s shoulder. “We’ll see you in the courtyard.” He waited until Lar Bassa reached the door before saying, “And Sergiu?”

“Yes, Your Grace?”

“I know you don’t wish for a wife. But if you ever wish for someone else to share your life with, I would be honored to perform that rite. And that someone else would be most welcome at my court.”

Lar Bassa swallowed hard. “Thank you, Your Grace. I…” He ducked his head and dashed a knuckle under his eye. When he looked up, his eyes were suspiciously bright. “I might have someone in mind.”

“I look forward to meeting him.”

Lar Bassa left. Laurent turned, and for a second he was sixteen years old again, his face so open and happy I could have wept. I wanted to freeze him that way—to race back through time and scoop that boy into my arms and save him. He always claimed I had saved him, but I hadn’t. Not really. Because I’d been sixteen too, and my rescues had been as clumsy and plodding as the oversize body I’d grown into too quickly.

Neither of us would have dared to think of a wedding in the Sanctum. Standing up next to each other and declaring our love before the gods? It was unthinkable then.

But it wasn’t now. Because Laurent had changed everything. Today…and tomorrow and all the tomorrows after that. He didn’t care what others thought.

And, suddenly, I didn’t, either. My feet moved, carrying me across the chamber. I got a glimpse of his eyes widening before I crushed my lips to his. His gasp of surprise filled my mouth and then turned into a moan as I dipped him backward. I kissed him hard, the way I did when we were in private. And I knew I’d kiss him like this always. Anywhere. Because he was my husband and I loved him. He and I had earned our love. We’d worked hard for it, and I wasn’t going to hide it anymore. And if people didn’t like it, well, as Laurent would say, fuck them.

When we broke apart, his eyes were bright and touched with more than a little surprise. “I thought you’d fight me about going to the Rift tonight.”

I grunted.

“You don’t like it,” he said.

“I’m…” Afraid. The word lingered in the air. I wasn’t afraid for myself. But I was terrified of the things I stood to lose. The promise of happiness hovered. My fingertips brushed against it. And tonight could see it snatched beyond reach.

Laurent heard all the things I didn’t say. He stroked my cheek and murmured, “I do miss that beard.”

“I’ll grow you another one.” If… I didn’t let my mind complete the thought.

He turned and extended his hand to Given. She came to us, and he pulled her into our small huddle and kissed her temple. “Sorry to leave you over there by yourself, my lady.”

“Are you kidding?” she asked, shivering as I nipped her neck with my fangs. “I’ll watch you two kiss any time.”

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