Page 40 of His Noble Savior

While it was unwise to consume faerie food in their realm, it was equally dangerous to refuse it in the human world. Richard was skeptical of the cake, but he picked up his serving by the leaves at the bottom and took a bite. It was startlingly sweet. The green paste was coarse on his tongue but then melted into sticky goodness. Liquid butter oozed from the dough, and he should’ve been sick from the strange combination of fat and sweetness, but he enjoyed it tremendously. Lilian was happy too, his eyes closing as he took ravenous bites of cake.

Richard was going to instruct his cook to take notes so she could replicate the recipes for Lilian. The edible leaves dissolved to nothing in his mouth, leaving a faint minty taste in their wake. Not bad.

Nobody wanted to linger once they’d finished dessert, and the dining party rose from their chairs, Bellerose and her household returning to their guest chambers on the upper floors. Richard threw Lilian a surreptitious glance. He’d been quiet and followed Richard to his chambers like a shadow. They didn’t dare to touch with the princess’s court swarming the castle. When the door to Richard’s bedchamber shut behind them with a resoundingclick, their shoulders sagged in relief.

Lilian looked at his hands. An air of dejection surrounded him, and it didn’t lift when Richard set a hand on his arm.

“I understand,” Lilian said, his voice breaking.

“What do you understand?”

A long pause. “That you’ll marry her. It makes sense. She’sbright and capable, a good match for you. And with the war raging in the south, it’s not like you have a choice. I get it.”

Richard’s throat closed. He couldn’t get a word out. His body spoke for him, taking Lilian into his arms and holding his small, slender frame close.

Chapter Fourteen

Lilian

Lilian dissolved in Richard’s hug, in those strong arms wrapped around him, promising safety. If only this could be forever. His time with Richard was coming to an end.

“I don’t want to marry her,” Richard said, his voice thick with emotion. His hold on Lilian tightened, who hugged him back, pressing his head to Richard’s chest.

“But you’ll have to. For your brother. For Vale. Why wouldn’t you want to marry her?”

Richard didn’t reply, only kissed the top of Lilian’s head. That small gesture said everything. It told him the secrets of Richard’s heart.

Their shared pain hung between them, stinging Lilian’s eyes. He swallowed the sadness gathering at the back of his throat. Richard felt the same as he did, and yet, it didn’t change their fate. Too much was at stake. The lives of thousands depended on the successful defense of Vale. If the human troops failed to apprehend the orcs, and they would without the support of the Spring Court, countless men would suffer the same fate as Lilian had. Nathan’s life was on the line. Richard couldn’t afford to put his feelings above the greater good, and neither could Lilian let him do it in good conscience.

Lilian fisted the velvet of Richard’s doublet, the fabric going taut under his attack. This wasn’t fair. How could fate be so cruel as to bring them together only to tear them apart?

“How much time do we have until the wedding?” Lilianasked.

“I don’t know. Bellerose could want to formalize the betrothal tomorrow if negotiations go well. Then it’d take a few weeks to make arrangements for the ceremony. It won’t be before the summer.”

Summer was close. The sun was warming the land, ripening the crops. The days already stretched from early morning to late evening. Weeks would turn into days in a heartbeat.

“I want to make the most of the time we have,” Lilian said.

Richard cupped his face, brushing his thumb over his cheekbone as he made him look up. “So do I.”

Richard kissed him as he’d never kissed him before. He captured Lilian’s mouth, his hand sliding to his nape, holding him in place. Richard slammed into his mouth, claiming and taking, and Lilian responded, kissing him back with the sudden vigor of a torch flaring to life.

Richard backed him into a wall, trapping him against the hard surface as their tongues tangled. Lilian moaned into the kiss, almost fainting in bliss at the possessive pressure of Richard’s body against his. Richard’s heat sank into him, the familiar sandalwood scent engulfing him. Lilian spread his legs, and Richard’s thigh was right there, pushing between them, giving him something to rut against. Overcome by desire, a violent shudder ran through Lilian.

Richard tore away, eyes wide, suddenly six feet of unwelcome space between them. “I’m sorry.” He was panting, shoulders heaving. “Fuck.” Richard dragged a hand through his curls, fisting them. “I apologize. I didn’t mean to attack you like that. You must…”

Lilian blinked in confusion. “Why are you apologizing?” And why was Richard backing away from him?

“I didn’t mean to hurt or scare you. Fuck, I’m really sorry.This isn’t how I want to treat you.”

Lilian crossed the space between them, placing his hands on Richard’s hips, pulling him flush against him. With the distance between them eliminated, Lilian dropped his forehead on Richard’s chest. “Put your hands on me.”

With great tenderness, Richard cupped the back of Lilian’s head and loosely wrapped an arm around his shoulders. Lilian breathed him in, working through the shock the sudden distance had given him. He hated being apart from Richard.

Their breathing calmed. Why had Richard ripped away? He’d been wonderfully close, his restraint discarded, instinct taking over. Lilian had enjoyed the rare display of strength. Richard was no knight, but he kept in shape, muscles rippling underneath his skin when he was naked.

“You’re touching me like I’m a long-lost cousin, not your lover,” Lilian said.

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