Page 53 of His Noble Savior

Lilian was silent for a while, turning it over in his head. “All right,” he finally said. “He can stay in the old house.”

Richard laced his fingers into Lilian’s hair, massaging his scalp, making him purr. “Nathan and Ogharod also said they’d like to speak with you if you allowed it.”

Lilian stiffened. “Why?”

“I’m not sure. As I said, they’ve got the general idea of what happened to you; maybe Ogharod wants to express his regret.”

“I’ll think about it.” Lilian nuzzled Richard’s chest. “You must be happy to have your brother back.”

“I am, though I wish they’d returned sooner. Nathan was hesitant to come back—he loves me and George, but he also loves Ogharod. He was worried that if he showed up with an orc, we might try and separate them. They came home because the war is getting worse. Nathan is hoping that if humans see that not all orcs are bad, the conflict can be resolved peacefully. He’s proposing negotiations between the Valian nobility and the orcs’ most powerful chief—Farigoth the Ravager.”

“What a trust-inspiring moniker.”

“At least Nathan didn’t come home with that one,” Richardsnorted. “I don’t know what my parents would say if they knew about this… their youngest falling for an orc, and their second son becoming a slave to an imp. It makes my affronting Bellerose less dramatic.”

“And bedding a light fae is harmless in comparison to bringing home imps and orcs.”

“Oh yes,” Richard said, with so much amusement in his voice that Lilian looked up.

They grinned at each other, and Lilian stole a peck. Richard chased his mouth and captured his lips in a sensual kiss.

“Let’s make up for lost time,” Lilian said and pulled off his nightshirt.

Richard fetched and applied the faerie oil, and then Lilian rode him. Rising and falling on Richard’s cock, Lilian lost himself in the thumps against his core until he clenched and spilled. His release on Richard’s chest was quickly followed by a hot, wet spot blooming deep inside of him. It sent Lilian into another climax, and his convulsing hole milked Richard.

The ride to Somerdale Castle was uneventful. They took their time, resting for lunch and dismounting early if they found an inn they liked. At night, they slept in each other’s arms, covered by Lilian’s blanket.

“Bellerose has departed,” George informed them when they arrived in Somerdale Castle’s inner courtyard. He wore the neck of his shirt unlaced, proudly displaying his collar.

“I’m not surprised,” Richard said, handing the reins of the horse to the stable master so she could lead it away.

Bellerose wanted a political marriage, but even under those circumstances, she couldn’t allow a suitor to run after someone else. It wasn’t proper.

“I’m sorry,” Lilian said, looking at his feet.

“Don’t be.” Richard slung an arm around his waist. “It was my decision, and I did what was right. Bellerose and I wouldn’t haveworked out—I’d never have let you go.”

They returned to Richard’s chambers and resumed their routine as if Bellerose had never been at Somerdale Castle. There were no further letters to the Spring Court, and Richard didn’t speak of marriage again. On the one hand, Lilian was glad to have Richard to himself; on the other, he worried about House Dalton’s future.

Eventually, he agreed to a meeting with Nathan and the orc. He’d seen the old house outside the castle walls, and it resembled a shack more than a home. He felt bad that Nathan was staying outside when his rooms in the castle were empty. If Lilian met the orc in a safe environment, he could form an opinion of him, and if he deemed him safe, the orc and Nathan could move into the castle. Lilian had grown used to Resh, and maybe it’d be the same with the orc, though he doubted it. At his request, Richard arranged a meeting in the grand drawing room—Lilian liked its rustic, comforting atmosphere.

“How are you feeling?” Richard asked as they approached.

“Nervous.”

“I’ll be with you the whole time, and knights are stationed in the hallway.” Richard nodded toward the armed women on the landing. “George and Resh are nearby, and Nathan is there to control Ogharod if need be.”

How Nathan was supposed to control an orc Lilian didn’t know, but if push came to shove, they outnumbered the beast. That at least gave him confidence. Orcs were strong, but several humans, an imp and a light fae were enough to restrain one.

“Nathan and Ogharod are already inside,” Richard explained, “and they’ll wait for us to leave before they go. That way, Ogharod will never be between you and the door.”

He signaled the knight, and she opened the door to the drawing room. The stench of orc hit Lilian, and a wave of nausea overcame him, his throat tightening. He clutched Richard, whobraced him with strong hands.

“We can always stop,” Richard said. “We don’t have to go in.”

“It’s fine,” Lilian croaked. The smell made him gag, and his palms were clammy with cold sweat, but he wouldn’t back down. Richard and Nathan claimed the orc wasn’t dangerous, and Lilian had to see for himself. If anyone recognized an evil orc at first glance, it was him. With Richard’s arm around his middle steadying him, Lilian stepped through the two-winged door.

The orc sat on a divan at the far end of the room. Even sitting down, he was taller than Lilian. A large blanket enwrapped him, and he absent-mindedly scratched the skin underneath with his large fingers. Orcs didn’t wear clothing beyond stupidly tiny loincloths—showing off their powerful build was supposed to scare off enemies and attract mates. Nathan, high color on his cheeks, sat in the orc’s lap, leaning in to press a languid kiss to his lips. The orc petted Nathan’s head, inadvertently mussing his hair with his big hand.

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