Page 148 of Prize for the King
Arvi nods and gets up, sitting down in the spot vacated by Khay. Magnar’s first knight has undressed to his trousers, too, his bare feet sinking into the carpet. He wraps a shimmery,diaphanous blue scarf around his shoulders and grins, combing his fingers through his long hair.
“I hope you remember this song, my lady,” he says, taking a deep, elegant bow. “I sang it to you after you fell asleep in the bath.”
I jolt with surprise, and Magnar leans in as close as he can to whisper in my ear. “I think I was unfair, pet. It was the second night, wasn’t it? And there he was, singing his courting song well before I fell for you. I suppose it’s right that you loved him first.”
My throat tightens with an aching, terrible gratitude and love. I watch Khay, who rolls his shoulders and lifts his face with his eyes closed, smiling. He’s my first knight, the one who made me feel safe when I was lost and hurting.
And he loved me first.
When Khay’s ready, standing on tiptoes, his body stretched up in a beautiful arch, Raduna starts a slow, ponderous drumbeat. The familiar song pours out of Khay’s throat as he moves through a series of fluid, beautiful motions, the diaphanous scarf billowing with his every flamboyant gesture.
Tears stream down my face, and I shake my head, sniffing again and again until Magnar reaches for our stash of clean handkerchiefs on the bedside table. Khay turns fast and looks at me with a snort of laughter when he sees my blotchy, tearful face. He shakes his head with an affectionate smile and keeps singing, his dance a lovely show of intricate gestures and subtle play of muscles.
It's different from Arvi’s and more restrained, just as the song. Khay keeps smiling, and I remember how I thought this melody was a lullaby when I heard it first. It is soothing, yes, but the drum gives it a powerful heartbeat that makes the song urgent and wanting.
When Khay is done, he comes to me, laughing, and leans low to kiss the top of my head.
“What are we doing, little diamond? Making each other cry all thetime. This has got to stop.”
I laugh through tears and cup his cheek, looking into his dark eyes sparkling with mirth. I know it will hurt Magnar, but Khay deserves to hear it without it being awkward and overwrought.
“I love you, my knight.”
His smile widens, and he nods. “And I love you, my lady. Did you like my dance?”
“Yes, it was beautiful.”
When he retreats, kissing Magnar’s knuckles the same way Arvi did, my husband releases a long breath and presses me closer.
“It’s more bearable when I’m inside you. I don’t begrudge you, love, or them. They waited a long time to hear their queen say those words. They deserve all the love you can give them. And I’ll wait.”
I clasp his hand in both of mine and lift it to my lips for a kiss.
“I’ll do anything I must to heal the part of me that balks at loving you. I promise.”
“Good.”
Raduna hands his drum to Khay, who hugs it with his thighs, beating out a quick, invigorating rhythm. His dark blue hair shakes as he gives himself over to music. Raduna stands tall, and I flush, squeezing Magnar with arousal when his bulky arms and broad shoulders gleam in golden candlelight. Oh, Raduna is absolutely delicious, emanating mature, masculine power.
He raises his arms high, his stomach muscles rippling, and Magnar presses down on my lower belly, his free thumb running lazy circles around my nipple. I jolt, his touch filling me with heat. I almost forgot we were joined like this, his weight inside me a heavy comfort, not a lewd invasion.
The comfort is gone now. I squirm, seeking friction as I ogle Raduna with shameless appetite. Magnar snorts softly.
“We corrupted you well. And to think you were so innocent, scaredof male underwear and naughty words.”
I smile, remembering how Magnar offered me his underthings to protect my thighs. Yes, I was so fearful and confused. Now, I have proper riding breeches to wear under my dresses, but the strange ritual hasn’t stopped. My men make me wear their clean underwear some nights, and then put them on in the morning.
When Raduna straightens, barefooted and magnificent, I sigh and settle against my husband to watch. Khay beats out a fast, thudding rhythm, and Raduna turns, his hair flying. His dance is rougher, less graceful than the others, the movements bringing to mind hand-to-hand combat.
He looks beautiful like this, a man who could wrestle bears and win, and I watch him with bated breath. His song is fast and guttural, the deep, rumbling sounds settling deep in the pit of my stomach. He slashes with his hands, leaps sideways, kicks, then turns, his face serene.
That’s Raduna’s love, then. It’s protective and strong, and it makes me feel safe. I no longer doubt anything about him, my father’s shadow well gone from this relationship.
When he bows, I extend my hand to invite him closer. Raduna falls on his knees in front of me, and I sigh, my shoulders dropping as I give in.
“It was beautiful. I loved it, Raduna. I love you.”
Behind me, Magnar jolts with a low hiss. My knight’s gaze flashes briefly to him, settling on my face. He’s serious, unsmiling, but his eyes are warm.
