Page 20 of His Summer Prince

Wren squinted at him with suspicion. Then he exhaled, and his posture relaxed. “I’m glad you can’t lie.”

Elior’s lips curled upward. “Me too.” He clasped Wren’s hands, cupping them where they held onto his robe. Underneath Wren’s skin, his pulse hammered. “Let me make it up to you. I’ll take you to the tavern up the street. My treat.”

“You don’t have to.” Wren swallowed and lowered his eyes. “You can buy cloth from the girl and have it tailored. It’s fine. I didn’t mean to react like that.”

“Don’t worry about it.” Elior stroked his thumbs over the backs of Wren’s hands, bringing the pleasure in their bond to a swell. “It’s normal for soulmates to act possessive around each other. I liked it.”

Wren’s blue eyes snapped to his, searching. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.

They both stood frozen until Wren let go. He stepped back, eyes drifting over Elior’s torso. A grin split his face. “You’re going to the tavern like this?”

“Apparently.”

“They’re going to be all over you.”

“I’m sure you’ll defend my virtue.”

It was a warm, sunny day, and the tavern keeper had moved the heavy oak tables and benches outside, where patrons ate and drank in the shade of chestnut trees. Gravel crunching under their feet, Elior and Wren found an empty table in a secluded spot around the corner, sitting down side by side.

They ordered, and soon the tavern boy returned with hearty meat pies and large, wooden mugs of beet ale, the dark pink drinks crowned by heads of froth. They raised their mugs in a cheeky toast, a renewed sense of giddiness bouncing between them. Despite its dark scent of overripe produce, the ale was sweet and fruity, lightly prickling Elior’s tongue.

“Ahhh.” Wren set the mug down and licked his lips. “Tastes like summer.” He leaned back on the bench, stretching. When he released the tension, he dropped his arm on the back of the bench behind Elior, who took it as an invitation. He reclined, happiness tugging at the corners of his mouth when Wren slung his arm around his shoulders in a casual embrace.

Wren’s soul stroked him, soft and slow, and Elior nestled further into his arms. It was his favorite place, and he thanked all that was sacred that he’d decided to bond with Wren. The thought of sharing this intimacy with the Winter King made him shudder. It would’ve been so wrong. Wren felt like home, and Elior couldn’t wait for the bond to tighten further, bring them even closer.

Wren leaned in, the tip of his nose brushing Elior’s cheek.“I’m so glad to be here with you. Thank you for taking me to the tavern.”

“Of course.”

Wren couldn’t afford tavern food, and Elior loved spoiling him. His faerie gold had to be good for something.

“I’ll repay you in whichever way you want me to.” Wren’s voice was breathy, the damp heat of his words caressing Elior’s cheek. Why did it sound like a filthy promise? He hadn’t meant it like that, of course not, but Elior couldn’t help the rush those words gave him.

“You don’t have to repay me,” Elior said, tilting his head toward Wren’s. “By entering the soulbond, you’ve done more for me than I could’ve ever hoped for. It’s so ingrained in us fae to tally who owes whom how much, but I don’t want that between us. I want to give you everything you dream of, and I expect nothing in return. You and I—we’re not trading in favors and treasure. We are one.” He took Wren’s hand and intertwined their fingers, lining up their golden wedding marks. “Besides, you’ve already given me the most valuable thing in the world: your soul. I have all I want.”

Nervous anticipation bubbled in the bond, and Elior turned further, pressing his brow to Wren’s. He smelled of woodsmoke, of straw, ofhome. Wren lived a life far from golden palaces and tropical fruits on silver platters, but he had a heart full of warmth and a soul brimming with love. That was worth more than all the pearls and diamonds in the world. Elior would rather live simply with Wren than spend his days alone in the opulent but cold halls of the Winter Palace.

“I love you,” Elior said, repeating the words he’d said for the better part of the past twelve years, and which had grown in meaning every time he’d uttered them. Today was no different, his developing feelings for Wren adding a sweet heaviness.

“I love you too.” Wren flooded the bond with affection. Lovewashed over Elior like a tidal wave, carrying him away. He returned the sentiment, showering Wren in tender affection, letting him know how much he meant.

A swirl of emotions seized them, the feelings swaying between them deepening with every breath. Elior tamed the dark edge of his lust, not wanting to tarnish this moment with his misplaced desire. Covering his smoldering arousal with tenderness, he wrapped his soul around Wren’s, holding him in the chastest, yet most intimate embrace.

“You’re killing me,” Wren said, shivering against him. In a flash, need spiked, and before Elior knew what was happening, Wren’s lips were on his, fast and uninhibited.

Elior’s heart stuttered. He forgot to breathe. His mind emptied of thoughts, and nothing existed but the firm touch of Wren’s lips.

The moment turned fragile when Wren faltered, the kiss becoming tentative, Wren on the brink of withdrawing. The threat of loss startled Elior wide awake.

Wren returned his feelings. Wren. Returned. His. Feelings. The sun rose behind Elior’s closed eyes, shining its light onto a new world. New possibilities. Life was brighter than it had ever been. But Wren was on the verge of tearing away, and Elior couldn’t let him go. Wren had taken a leap of faith. It was up to Elior to catch him.

A split second before Wren would’ve pulled away, Elior tore down the last barriers between their souls, laying himself bare. His love. His desire. His lust. He opened wide for Wren to see, bringing light into the darkest, most hidden corners of his soul. There was no coming back from this.

It stopped Wren’s impending withdrawal in its tracks. Confusion flickered in the bond, and then Wren was back to kissing him, tender and loving, drowning him in such all-encompassing understanding and affection that a small, helplesssound broke out of Elior. Wren swallowed it, and then Elior kissed him back, responding in the most primal way. The bond rejoiced.

Wren moaned, quiet and breathless. Elior cupped the base of his head and held him close, showering him in emotions, wordlessly conveying how much he meant.

Wren’s soul unfolded like a flower, revealing the hidden chambers of his being. Elior had felt the sheer extent of his love before, but diving into the heat of his desire was another matter. It should’ve burned him, but no. It enfolded him, penetrated him, arousal sluicing into his veins.

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