Page 31 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 13
When Rafferty’s phone rang and he strode off the deck to speak to whoever was on the other line, Aleksander sat reflecting over the last thirty-some-odd hours since his mate had returned to Arizona. They were enjoying every moment, and it was significantly different from his first trip. Aleksander wasn’t sure if that was because Sullivan had stayed home, giving Rafferty more freedom away from the hotel, or if it was their friendship that had tilted the equation. Whatever it was, he was pleased.
Aleksander managed to talk Rafferty into eating all three meals with him, and they hung out every hour in between. They’d visited with other D’Vaires, watched a movie, and relaxed outside, talking about everything that came to mind. They’d discussed books they’d read—both of them happy to try any genre—what they had watched on television, and even a smidge of politics, though Aleksander had noted and cut it off when he realized how uninformed Rafferty was kept by his family. The last thing he wanted to do was rock the boat by pointing out the things that frustrated either of them.
The only weirdness was when Rafferty had refused the invitation to shift. Not only had Aleksander missed out on an opportunity to fly with his mate, but Rafferty had answered with displeasure clear on his features. That scowl Aleksander loved had appeared, but it didn’t hit him in the gut with the same intensity since it was paired with misery in his dark eyes. But they’d moved past it, and Aleksander couldn’t help but reflect that the following day he’d have to tell him good-bye again.
Aleksander cleared that disappointment from his mind as Rafferty stomped back to the deck and downed half his beer once he was seated.
“Sander?”
Pulling his lips in for a second so he didn’t grin like an idiot because Rafferty had given him a nickname, he gathered his composure to speak. “Yeah?”
“You’re smiling weird.”
“Random thought.”
“About?”
“I like it when you call me Sander.”
“Oh.”
“What was your question, Rafe?”
Rafferty broke eye contact and turned to the darkening sky. “You have any important events coming up?”
“Events? You mean like family stuff?”
“No, you’re a High King. I’m sure you get invited to all kinds of parties and important events.”
“Actually, when Chrys and Elf gave me my title, I decided after a few weeks of being inundated to arrange for them to go through their office. Brogan took on the task of sorting my mail. Those go back to the Office of the Emperor and they send my regrets or whatever.”
“You don’t look at your invites?”
“I’m not going to attend them, so why would I? If there’s something that’s vital to the extended D’Vaire clan, I get personal invitations from my family members. Those are the only things I make appearances at. Why are you asking me this?”
“I don’t know.”
Frustration about Rafferty’s non-answer and the idea that he might suddenly care about the prestige Aleksander truly had no use for and never sought sharpened inside him. In his heart, he would always be the cursed king no one wanted, and there wasn’t a pile of invitations thick enough to fix that in his mind. If it wasn’t for Dra’Kaedan knocking on his door, he’d still be wandering through his mansion, wondering how to ever make his small family content. “I don’t believe you. Does my title matter to you? Because if it does, perhaps you should overcome your difficulties in coming to terms with our relationship. You’d have it for yourself and can attend whatever you want.”
Rafferty’s head whipped to Aleksander, and his gaze was startled. “I don’t care that you’re the High King. I don’t want to attend shit.”
“Then why are you asking me these questions?”
“I was on the phone with Sullivan.”
“And your family has realized that it might be helpful that you’re friends with a D’Vaire?” Aleksander laughed. “Your brother lives here. You could’ve asked him about the fancy parties I attend which numbers in the single digits for an entire year and like I said, they’re only family obligations.”
“Kendrick and I don’t even talk.”
“Are you friends with me because that’s what your family wants?”
Shifting uncomfortably, Rafferty broke eye contact. “Court Kestle wants an alliance with High Court D’Vaire.”
“You may assure your king that we are allies. Is that why you’re here, Rafe?”
“It’s why I came to your house the first time.”
