Page 148 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 56
“Wait, let me get a picture of you guys,” Jeremiah said while Rafe and Aleksander walked between the rows of chairs to get changed into comfortable clothes.
Offering a smile, Rafe pressed closer to Aleksander’s side. Others besides Jeremiah took the opportunity to snap a photo, and Rafe was glad they were outside, or he’d probably be blinded by flashes.
“Thanks, guys. I thought I’d paint you two as a mating gift,” Jeremiah enthused, pocketing his phone.
“We’d love that, but you don’t have to get us anything,” Aleksander responded.
“I’m still going to paint it,” Jeremiah retorted. “Get inside and change so we can eat.”
“Yes, sir,” Aleksander answered and grabbed Rafe’s hand. They got inside and made the walk to their bedroom. Aleksander took the magically preserved wreath off Rafe’s head and placed it in a new glass box designed to display them both proudly. Setting it on a shelf, Aleksander then wandered into the closet. Rafe pulled off his cloak and using a thick padded hanger, he carefully hung it up. After tugging off his loose pants and sleeveless shirt, he wiggled into jeans and a raglan tee.
Snatching his sneakers, he strode out and was headed for the bench at the foot of their bed to put them on when he was hauled against a warm, tall body. Aleksander’s mouth found his ear.
“Thank you for today.”
With a hug for Aleksander, Rafe smiled. “No, thank you. It was wonderful, and I can’t believe this fucking ring. Madeline should be selling her shit.”
“She does occasionally but prefers to focus on whatever she wants instead of making tons of shit to sell like in the old days when we needed the money.”
“You gonna let me put on my shoes so we can enjoy this party?”
“Guess what?”
“What?”
“That big cake in the shape of our crowns?”
“Yeah?”
“It’s white cake with coconut frosting inside.”
“That’s my favorite,” Rafe responded, his heart melting for probably the millionth time.
Aleksander kissed him softly. “I know.”
“It should have stuff in it you like too.”
“I’m getting steak. That’s what I want.”
“With my potatoes and pumpernickel bread.”
“Which I love too, Rafe, so as much as I adore that scowl, you don’t need to get worked up unless you want to skip eating and go to bed.”
“You’re so weird.”
“Excuse me, but I prefer the word ‘freak’ to ‘weird,’ although they are both apt and fitting.”
“I love you weird and freaky, Sander. You gonna let me put my shoes on?”
Aleksander sighed but released him. “I suppose.”
Sitting, Rafe shoved on his sneakers. “I’m going to let you hold me later.”
“Damn right. What do you think about Nox as a name for my wolf?”
“Means ‘night’ in Latin, right?”
