Lenard stood swiftly in obedience, gripping Fenna’s hand and shushing her when she would have continued to protest. Kansas watched them go, and he couldn’t help the warmth that filled him. They’d known him for only a day and already they’d shown more loyalty than most.
The king could send him home.
Kansas had doubted his sanity, he’d grumbled and groaned about the strange situation he’d been thrust into since he’d arrived here yesterday, yearned to wake up from the coma he must surely be in, but he hadn’t imagined how he would ever get back to his farm. Or that anyone here had the ability to make it happen.
He also didn’t entirely trust it.
“Fenna and Lenard are good judges of character with pure souls. I’m glad they’re the ones who found you.” The wizard slid a hand out from behind his back, wrapping slender fingers around Kansas’s forearm and guiding him down the imposing hall.
His skin tingled with static and heat at the touch. Again, a sense of familiarity and déjà vu hit him hard. Who the hell was this guy? And why was Kansas having such a hard time concentrating around him? “How do you know me?”
The wizard ignored his question and drew him into a small, empty side room filled with cloaks and partially mended clothing. “We should be able to find you something to wear in here that will make you more comfortable. From what I’ve learned so far, humans are a self-conscious, prudish people. More so than mine, which I never imagined was possible. I rather wish you’d stay as you are, but it would be too distracting for you, particularly when seeking a royal audience.”
Kansas narrowed his eyes at the smirking man studying the snug strip of cloth at his waist with undisguised interest. “I’m up here. What is in the water around here that—You know what? Don’t answer that. You know my name and you know I’m human, so either you really are some kind of magician, or you’re my subconscious trying to get me out of this delusion. So? Where’s the exit, buddy?”
“Despite your continuous claims to the contrary, this world and everyone in it is very real.” The wizard lifted one finger and a pair of brown trousers and a white shirt flew from the pile of clothes to land on the floor between them. “I am what I say. And you are the latest storm child to wash up in our world. Not the first, but the first in long enough for you to be considered an oddity.”
“An oddity? Sounds like something that ends up in a castle menagerie or in a cage.”
“I would never allow it. And, if you wish, you can go home again. After you’ve met the king.”
Kansas picked up the clothing that reminded him of a Renaissance costume and bit his lip. “So you’re saying that all I have to do is ask the king to go home and poof—my wish is granted?”
“Please, call me Z. The king does, since my name is too much of a mouthful and he’s far too irreverent to call me wizard.”
Kansas hesitated before changing. “Turn around so I can put these on, Z.”
“You’re very demanding.” Z chuckled, the dark tone causing Kansas to look up. “But I don’t think I will. Go on. Put them on and I’ll tell you what the king will do with your request.”
Kansas felt another zap of arousal and his cock hardened. Prudish, huh?
He dropped the pants, his hands reaching for the knot at his waist a little defiantly. Z wanted a show? Well Kansas
wanted some answers. “Start talking, wizard.”
Z’s smile was delighted. “You have spirit, Kansas Frayne. And you’ll need it. Especially with the king’s current frame of mind.”
The knot loosened.
“He’s the greatest ruler our world has ever known. Before his majority he’d brought peace and prosperity to our lands, as well as a spirit of cooperation between the clans that no one else has been…able to…um…manage.”
The fabric pooled at Kansas’s feet and Z’s voice faded, his attention focused in a direction that had Kansas squirming with embarrassment and desire. The first emotion was understandable. The second was ridiculous, considering the circumstances.
“So, the king is a paragon and you live in a Utopic society. And?”
“Not quite Utopic.” Z coughed, the dark gold flush on his cheeks and his unblinking gaze telling Kansas he liked what he saw. “But yes, the king is truly great. We’ve waited for his like a long time, and I’ve made it my life’s mission to ensure he fulfills his destiny. At the moment, his only problem is that he has nothing to challenge his interest. Nothing new to conquer.”
Kansas put his hands on his bare hips, a secret part of him reveling in the handsome wizard’s groan and the subsequent thickening of his own erection. “You’re telling me he’s bored? Monarchy problems, huh? They’re a bitch. How exactly does that affect me?”
Z abruptly turned his back. “If you don’t want me to bend your pale behind over that table before you get your chance to meet the king, you’ll put those pants on. Now.”
A shudder wracked Kansas’s body. He was actually tempted! He shook his head hard, trying to jar his mind back into place, and bent down to grab the pants. “Sorry. I’m not sure what’s wrong with me. I never act like this.” A tease.
“You’ve had to take in much in a short period of time. It’s understandable. But we need to focus.”
The silence grew awkward while his fingers fumbled over the lacings in the front closure. He was used to buttons and jeans. Why would people wear something this complicated? Plus, he doubted they were designed to fit around a hard-on.
He heard a pained sigh and then Z was there, lean fingers slapping his clumsy ones away to finish the job. Kansas inhaled sharply at the feel of those hot knuckles pressed against his shaft, only one thin layer of material between them and his cock. “I don’t think you should—”