Page 65 of His Noble Savior

The wedding party moved to the ballroom upstairs, a hall of epic proportions with floor-to-ceiling windows, gilded mirrors and glistening chandeliers. The celebration came with an abundance of food and dance, and the human guests were swept away by the various spring faerie cakes the cook had prepared for the occasion.

Lilian and Richard sat together as they had in the early days—Lilian in Richard’s lap, their hands constantly on each other. It violated Valian ideas of modesty, but surely, their guest would excuse two soulmates who’d bonded less than an hour ago and whose young connection craved constant physical reassurance.

Later, they made the rounds, greeting the guests and exchanging pleasantries. All the nobility of southern Vale was there as well as King Malorn and representatives from the Autumn Court. Prince Elior, who’d represented the Summer Court at other weddings of importance, was absent. One of his sisters replaced him, though that didn’t stop the whispered rumors: The prince had turned down the Winter King’s hand, causing a rift between the two courts. He’d secretly married a princess from the Six Ice Queendoms of the North, some said. No, he’d run away to the west, others claimed. Nobody knew for sure what had happened, and the royal family of the Summer Court kept their lips sealed. Only one thing was certain: the Winter King was still on the hunt for a spouse.

Richard spent a lot of time strategizing with James and Raziel—the front was close to collapse, and when it fell, Vale would be overrun by orcs. Richard’s rejection of Bellerose was costing the kingdom dearly. Lilian listened in as they debated contingencies. Perhaps the castle could withstand a siege, at least until winter, when the cold weather would drive the orcs south and bring reprieve. Maybe King William could intervene, but there’d beenno news from the castle at the foot of the White Mountains.

When the music set in, inviting the bridal couple to dance, Richard told James to set up a visit for the following week so that they could further coordinate, then led Lilian onto the dance floor. Richard swept him up in his arms, and Lilian sank against him, banishing thoughts of war from his mind.

When the festivities wound down in the small hours, and the guests retired one by one to their rooms, Lilian and Richard snuck away to their marital chambers. Anticipation swayed in the bond as they approached the bedchamber. Lilian opened the door and was greeted by a sea of candles and rose petals. They covered every surface, the golden glow and pink petals turning the room into a romantic dream. The scent of vanilla hung low in the air, sensual and comforting.

“Richard…”

“It’s nice I don’t have to worry about whether you like it or not.” The bond was announcing it loud and clear.

“I love it,” Lilian said nonetheless.

Richard closed the door behind them with a softclick, shutting out the world. Here, only the two of them mattered.

Lilian threw a glance over his shoulder and took Richard’s hand, leading him toward the bed. Petals dotted the white sheets, and Lilian couldn’t wait any longer. He climbed onto the bed, pulling Richard with him. Impossible to wipe the grins off their faces. They were one, and yet there was one more way in which they had to be united.

Lying down side by side, Richard tucked a strand of hair behind Lilian’s ear, brushing the pointy tip. “I’m the luckiest man in the world. You look… ravishing.” Richard’s fingertips trailed from Lilian’s hair to the corner of his jawline and down his neck before running along the floral embroidery at the front of his robe, the candlelight reflecting off the silver thread. “Ican’t believe you’re mine.”

Lilian took Richard’s hand, their wedding marks aligning, and placed it on top of his heart. “This beats for you.” A wave of admiration and desire slammed into Lilian. Were those emotions his own or Richard’s? Their feelings had become difficult to separate.

“I would’ve said you don’t know how much I want you, but…”

Lilian smiled. “I do. So come and take what’s yours.”

Richard’s hand glided to Lilian’s waist and pulled him close, aligning their fronts. Richard’s possessive touch and thickening scent drove Lilian out of his mind. He moaned when Richard touched him from head to toe.

Lilian brought their mouths together. Oh, that sweet slide of lips. Need coiled in Lilian’s belly, and he felt the corners of Richard’s mouth curve. Richard knew. From this day forward, he’d be conscious of Lilian’s state of arousal and Lilian of his. Oh dear. They weren’t going to leave bed ever again.

Richard’s tongue nudged his lips, and Lilian invited him inside, sparks flying across his skin. Richard invaded his mouth; his hand wandered to Lilian’s hip and down to his ass. He palmed the cheek, then tugged at Lilian’s robe to hike it up. Underneath it, Lilian rose.

Deepening the kiss, he lifted his hips off the mattress, allowing Richard to drag the garment further up his body. Richard’s deft fingers found the waistband of the slim trousers Lilian wore underneath and snuck inside. His hand, warm and big, closed around Lilian’s cock.

“Yes!”

Their bond came alive. Waves of emotions rolled over them, and they fed off each other, their hunger escalating. Richard stroked him, and Lilian’s mind entered his, unrestrained lust enveloping him, pulling him deeper. Lilian whimpered, wetnessseeping from his tip. He was putty in Richard’s hands.

“Fuck,” Richard growled against Lilian’s lips. “I can feel the ghost of my hand, like I’m stroking myself.”

Lilian had heard that the bond transmitted arousal and intimate touch. This was going to be interesting. He cupped Richard’s hard cock through his trousers, and lo and behold, a hint of pressure settled on his own erection.

“We’re going to have fun with this,” Lilian said.

“We will. You think I could come from bringing you to climax?”

“Maybe. One way to find out.”

Richard chuckled. “Trust me, I’ll find out.”

He let go of him, earning a grumble of protest, and worked Lilian’s trousers down his legs. Lilian kicked them off, then shed his robe, leaving him naked before Richard. He enjoyed being nude when Richard was still dressed. It reminded him of the early days when they’d just met, and Richard was—as Lilian had learned later—fighting his desire for him.

His fingers found Richard’s collar, and with a few quick tugs, he unlaced his jacket and shirt. He brushed the fabric aside and ran his fingers down the smooth skin of Richard’s torso. They latched onto his fly, and that came undone too. Richard shrugged off his jacket and shirt and discarded his trousers.

When he pressed against Lilian, Richard’s hot skin singed him. They kissed once more, and Lilian reached blindly behind him and grabbed the faerie oil off the nightstand. He popped off the cork with one hand and peeled away from Richard’s soft lips.

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