"Get this insufferable creature his blasted drink."
Riley smiled widely at the bright-eyed servant. "I'd like a triple-shot vanilla cappuccino, not too hot, in the biggest size you got. Like, pitcher-sized big. A little powdered chocolate on the top, if you've got it. Please." He gave the handsome young servant a wink, receiving a blush and a smile in response.
"Yes, of course, Your Highness."
Khalon let out a huff before the servant bowed, then hurried off. He seemed to notice Rayner's amused expression and scowled at him. Did the king of the Soldati ever smile? How was the guy not emotionally and physically exhausted from all that brooding? Rayner was more fun. Mostly because his life's mission appeared to be annoying the ever-living fuck out of his king. Riley kind of liked him.
In no time the servant returned with Riley's cappuccino. He smiled shyly as he placed the tankard-sized drink in front of Riley. Now we're talking.
"Thank you." Riley beamed up at the brown-eyed servant, noticing he had the same coloring as Toka, from his smoky hands to the kohl around his eyes. A foxling. "What's your name?"
"Angi, Your Highness," he replied, his cheeks turning pink again.
Somewhere behind Angi, Khalon muttered something under his breath. Riley ignored him.
"Well, Angi, thank you for bringing me my coffee. I appreciate it. Have a wonderful day."
Angi nodded happily before bowing and hurrying off. Finally Riley could get his morning started. He was about to take a sip when Khalon leaned in again. His frown was deep, and he narrowed his eyes at Riley's drink. Now what? The guy needed to learn a thing or three about personal boundaries.
"What is that?"
Riley followed Khalon's gaze. He smiled at the chocolate-powdered heart pattern on the froth of his cappuccino. "It's a heart." Khalon looked confused, so Riley made a heart shape with his fingers. "A heart."
"I know what a heart is, you whelp," Khalon growled. "What I don't know is what it's doing on your coffee."
Riley looked to Rayner. "What's a whelp?"
"A pup," Rayner replied, his eyes alight with amusement.
"I see." How was it Khalon could make something as innocent as a pup sound like an insult? Riley shrugged in response to Khalon's question and took a big sip of his coffee. He let out a low moan. "Oh God, this is so good."
Khalon turned to Rayner. "I want this foxling disciplined."
"What?" Riley almost choked on his drink. "You want him disciplined because he put a heart on my coffee? What the hell's the matter with you?"
Khalon's green eyes bore into Riley, and when he spoke, it was through his teeth. "How dare you speak to me in such a manner."
"Then stop being a jerk!" Riley snapped, aware the entire hall had gone silent, all eyes on him. Did no one ever challenge Khalon? They just did whatever he said without question? Magical king or not, Riley wasn't about to remain silent while Khalon punished some poor servant because he did something sweet. "Angi was just being nice. I get the idea he's not used to being smiled at, much less told he's appreciated."
Khalon appeared horrified. As if Riley had just insulted his mother. "He's a servant!"
"He's a human being--a person, foxling, whatever! My point is he doesn't deserve to get disciplined because he did something nice for someone. You should try it sometime." Might help remove the stick you seem to have permanently inserted up your butt.
Khalon stood, his hands balled into fists at his sides. Shit, maybe Riley had pushed him too far. Was it really that bad asking him not to be such a dick? Khalon turned to Rayner.
"I want everyone at the front gates ready to go in half an hour."
Before anyone could reply, Khalon stormed off.
"Wow." Riley took another sip of his cappuccino before helping himself to some breakfast. "That guy really needs to watch his blood pressure."
"It isn't wise to antagonize him," Adira grumbled before serving herself a second helping of eggs and potatoes. Rile
y reckoned she could easily bench-press him.
"Antagonize him?" Riley let out a very indelicate snort. "He's so full of himself."
"He's a king," Rayner reminded him, a playful smile on his lips. As if he knew something Riley didn't, which was most likely the case, but still.