Page 13 of His Noble Savior

When he awoke in the morning, sunlight was streamingthrough the sheer curtains. Lilian was draped across him in the same position he’d fallen asleep in. Richard didn’t dare move. Lilian wouldn’t have gotten much sleep surrounded by his captors, and Richard was glad to provide him with a comfortable environment where he could let his guard down and relax. He lay still, listening to Lilian’s breathing, feeling his chest rise and fall.

A couple of hours passed before Lilian stirred. A soft moan escaped him as he stretched, a hand roaming Richard’s chest. Then Lilian blinked his eyes open and smiled. “I slept so well.”

Nothing came between them after that. During breakfast, Lilian sat in Richard’s lap. As long as they touched, Lilian was calm. Richard got into the habit of keeping at least one hand on him at all times, providing the reassurance Lilian craved. It went without saying that he stayed above the waist, ensuring Lilian knew he would never betray his trust. The only times Richard touched him intimately was when he applied faerie oil. Richard was especially courteous as he tended to Lilian’s most private wound. The injury was healing well, but Lilian still got sore in between, needing the ointment several times a day.

The cook put great effort into the food she prepared for Lilian, and judging by the sizable portions he devoured, he enjoyed it. Within a few days, his gauntness gave way to a slender figure. His formerly washed-out appearance gained color, his cheeks turning rosy. With the dirt and bruises gone, his hair clean and satiny, Lilian was radiant, an air of timid happiness blooming.

As time passed, a quiet confidence grew in Lilian, evident in his upright posture and the smiles he threw Richard whenever they talked. Not only Lilian’s body was mending, his soul, too, was healing.

One morning, Richard awoke, as so often, with Lilian lying half on top of him. It’d become their default position as Lilianwas a side sleeper, and Richard preferred resting on his back. Normally, Lilian slept far longer than him, catching up on the endless nights he’d missed. But today, he was smiling down on Richard, his pink eyes gazing at him with dizzying warmth. Richard lost himself in them. They were the color of kunzite, a rare and precious gemstone of a pale rose color with a hint of gorgeous purple. Once Lilian was back on his feet, he’d return to the Spring Court and find a man or woman worthy of him, someone who loved him with his whole heart.

“What’s wrong?” Lilian asked, eyebrows pinched in concern.

Richard blinked. Had he been frowning? “Nothing.”

“You looked like you just had a particularly painful thought.”

Richard reached out and tucked a strand of Lilian’s silky blond hair behind his pointy ear, earning a bright smile. “No. Everything’s fine. How about you? Any pain?”

Lilian’s lips thinned. “I’m a bit sore again.”

It was to be expected. At least he wasn’t constantly in pain anymore. Richard nodded and rolled away to fish the faerie oil out of his nightstand drawers. They applied the oil every morning and evening, and it was easier to keep it by the bed.

Under the duvet, Lilian slipped out of his breeches and covered up with a towel before pushing the blanket aside. He lay back, his hair raying out on the white pillows as he spread his legs, granting Richard access. Over time, these motions had become a comfortable routine.

Richard moved between his thighs and placed his fingertip on Lilian’s opening. He gave him a moment to adjust to the sensations of the faerie oil, then rubbed across the wrinkled rim. As always, Richard stroked Lilian until the tension in his sphincter eased away.

“I’m ready,” Lilian said, holding Richard’s gaze.

Richard dipped inside. He watched for signs of pain or distress as he slid deeper and spread the oil, but Lilian remainedrelaxed. Richard bottomed out, causing Lilian to gasp. His hole squeezed Richard’s finger.

Tight. Hot. Slick. Richard’s mind blanked. And hidden by his nightwear, his body responded.

Chapter Six

Lilian

Lilian’s favorite part of the day was lying in bed with Richard in the morning. That was the time when they got the closest, cuddling under the duvet, Richard’s strong hands rubbing his back. Lilian nestled against him, virtually purring under Richard’s attention.

After a round of snuggling, Lilian prepared for the application of the oil. Covering himself with a towel, Lilian watched Richard slick up. Strangely, he relished Richard rubbing faerie oil into him. He’d feared he’d never enjoy intimate touch again, but he liked it when Richard took care of him.

Richard crawled between his legs. Tall and broad-shouldered, he towered over him. It should’ve intimidated Lilian, reminded him of those horrid orcs, whose big bodies had inflicted immeasurable pain on him. Instead, he felt protected.

Richard’s oiled finger touched him, and Lilian’s insides unraveled under the tingly heat. Holding his gaze, Richard pushed inside, those beautiful hazel orbs trained on him as he touched him in the most personal way.

Then it happened. Butterflies erupted in Lilian’s stomach. His body and soul opened for Richard, his heart fluttering. Why did he love having Richard inside of him when he’d hated having the orcs in the same place?

Richard progressed deeper. The faerie oil’s magic soothed Lilian and set him alight. Tingles washed over him, and hegasped, his hole tightening. He clamped down on Richard.

Fuck! He hadn’t meant for that to happen. His inner muscles contracted on their own accord. An indiscernible expression flashed across Richard’s face so quickly Lilian couldn’t be sure if it’d been there at all.

“Everything all right?” Richard asked, rubbing Lilian’s knee soothingly, though he looked distracted.

“Y-Yes.”

Was it though? Why did applying faerie oil, a necessity that healed his injury, feel so good? With Richard’s finger inside him, the pain and soreness evaporated, and pleasure ignited.

This was so different from everything Lilian had experienced before he’d come to Somerdale Castle. Richard cared about him, his affection evident in his every glance and touch. Lilian could barely believe that such a noble, kind man would tend to his injury and make him better. Richard was as considerate as he was attractive, a dizzying combination. That he looked after and protected Lilian meant so much. He was an eligible bachelor in his prime and had to have excellent marriage prospects with the higher nobility. With royalty. Lilian wasn’t worthy of his attention. He was a lesser fae; he was plain and had been sullied by orcs.

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