Page 12 of His Noble Savior

“No,” Lilian said in a small voice. He should be fine sleeping in a guest chamber. Normal people did that when they visited. Why couldn’t he control himself? Why was he afraid of sleepingin a room that’d be clean, comfortable and probably full of pretty decor? He was being silly.

“Where would you feel safe?” Richard asked, his fingers stroking back and forth reassuringly.

Lilian’s gaze drifted through the room, catching on the enormous four-poster bed. If it were an option, he’d sleep here, protected by Richard, but that was preposterous. Lilian had taken up his time all day, and Richard had to be tired of him, waiting for him to leave so that he could get on with his routine. He didn’t want to be a nuisance. Richard had done so much to protect his privacy, and the favor had to be returned. Lilian should take the guest chamber and get out of Richard’s hair. It was the polite thing to do.

Richard followed Lilian’s gaze, then looked between him and the bed, surprise lifting his brows. Heat shot into Lilian’s cheeks. What Richard must think of him! Lilian had to wriggle out of this with an excuse. He shouldn’t have glanced at the bed, and now he’d made Richard uncomfortable.

“Well, uhm…”

“I’m unsure how to ask this after everything you’ve been through,” Richard said, his voice gentle, “but I want to be here for you. Would you—”

“I don’t want to be alone,” Lilian whispered.

Richard wrapped an arm around his shoulders and pulled him close. Lilian sank into the embrace, burying his face in the crook of Richard’s neck, breathing in his sandalwood scent. He smelled like home, though nothing like the hollow tree Lilian had lived in. Had that place ever been his home? The tree had sheltered him, but Lilian had been alone. He didn’t feel alone with Richard.

“I understand,” Richard said. “I don’t want to make assumptions, and please be honest with me, but would you prefer to stay with me tonight? It’s all right if you don’t, but Iwanted to offer.”

Lilian sagged against him in relief. “Yes. Please.”

He needed Richard. The thought of being alone in the dark frightened him. Mere hours ago, he’d learned that his remaining lifespan had shrunk from centuries to decades, and he had yet to stomach the blow. When the healer told him, Lilian had succumbed to shock. Left alone in a guest chamber, he would cry all night. He was grateful for the offer of comfort, though he hated being a nuisance to Richard. Lilian would have to learn to sleep alone. He didn’t want to overstay his welcome.

Chapter Five

Richard

It’d taken Richard a moment to realize that Lilian, more than anything, wanted to be close to him. Richard didn’t know why. Lilian had gone through hell, and Richard would’ve expected him to shy away from touch, but the opposite was the case. Lilian shook when he lost contact with him. At the same time, he didn’t seem to want to impose and avoided asking for what he needed until it became unbearable. The best way forward, Richard decided, was to offer and wait for Lilian to accept.

That night, Richard extinguished all lamps except one. Lilian was in an unfamiliar environment, and if he woke up during the night, Richard wanted him to know where he was and that he was safe.

They climbed into bed, Lilian staying on the far side of the mattress, his shoulders stiff, his thin body trembling. Was he uncomfortable with sharing a bed after all? Should Richard have made it clear that he wasobviouslygoing to be a perfect gentleman? It hadn’t crossed his mind because hurting Lilian was so far from his intentions, he hadn’t realized there might be a need for clarification. But thus far, Lilian had shown no fear of him. His rising unease likely had the opposite reason.

Time to test a theory. Rolling his head to the side to face Lilian, Richard extended an arm in invitation. He could’ve touched Lilian had he unfurled his fingers, but he didn’t want to scare him. If he was wrong, and Lilian jumped out of bed and ran from the room, Richard would have to look for another wayto get him a good night’s sleep. But he didn’t think he was wrong.

He wasn’t. Lilian took one look at Richard’s outstretched arm and scuttled into his embrace. He snuggled into Richard’s side, lying half on top of him, nestling close. Richard hugged his thin body and petted his hair. After it’d dried from the wash, it had turned sleek and smooth, revealing the full beauty of its light blond color. Under Richard’s fingertips, it was softer than silk. Lilian calmed as Richard held him, his breathing going slow and deep.

Lilian slid an arm over Richard’s middle. “This is so nice.”

“I thought it was what you craved; I just wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Frightening you was the last thing I wanted. Given what happened to you, and that we’re in bed…” Richard ran a hand over his face and shoved his fingers into his curls, forming a fist. “I didn’t want you to feel unsafe.”

“I’ve never felt safer than with you.”

Before he realized what he was doing, Richard placed a chaste kiss on top of Lilian’s head. Lilian melted against him.

“If you ever want to talk about what happened, I’ll listen. But if you prefer not to, that’s fine too. I just want you to know the door is open.” Richard threaded his fingers into Lilian’s hair.

“Feels good.”

“You’re not in pain?”

“No,” Lilian said. “Not anymore. My bruises are gone thanks to the healing oil.”

“Good.”

“The faerie oil helped too. It didn’t hurt when you applied it. My insides had been in pain for months. I’m so grateful you made it better.”

Richard’s heart ached. “Of course.”

Lilian curled his fingers in Richard’s nightshirt. It didn’t take him long to drift off, and soon, Richard followed suit.

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