"No," Khalon agreed, stepping up to Riley, his voice husky as he spoke. "But you look deliciously disheveled, as if you'd been ravished by a lustful beast." Riley's cheeks flushed beet red, his mouth hanging open. Khalon couldn't help but chuckle. He kissed Riley's cheek. "You are adorable."
Riley let out a huff and straightened his clothes before holding his head high and walking off. Khalon followed, enjoying the view very much. Hide and seek was quickly becoming his favorite sport.
The rest of the day went swiftly, with Khalon and Riley playing with the foxlings until Riley was too tired to stay upright. Flora and Lasa decided to have dinner in the garden so Rayner, Adira, and Ezra could join in as well. Riley had eaten his weight in potatoes and currently sat snoring softly against Khalon's shoulder.
"It would seem the foxlings have exhausted him," Flora said as she leaned into her mate with a sigh. The two were taken with Riley and enjoyed feeding him at every opportunity. Riley happily obliged, stating he didn't want to be rude by rejecting their succulent dinners. More like he couldn't get enough of all the food and attention. Riley seemed to thrive on both. That and coffee.
Khalon glanced down at Riley, smiling warmly at his slumbering face. "I fear those foxlings would tire the most steadfast of Soldati." He wrapped an arm around Riley and lifted him to his feet as he stood. "Come, young Riley, it's time for bed."
"Just one more chapter," Riley mumbled, his voice laced with sleep. He didn't even open his eyes.
"Chapter?" Lasa asked, bemused.
Rayner chuckled. "It appears our prince has a habit of falling asleep with a book in his hand, much like a certain king."
Khalon let out a haughty sniff. "I don't know what you're talking about. I am nothing but the paragon of kingliness." They all laughed and Khalon dismissed them with a wave of his hand. "You all are spending far too much time around Rayner. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm taking Riley to bed with me."
Flora and Lasa giggled and Rayner let out a bark of laughter while Adira and Ezra gaped at him.
Khalon realized his faux pas. Honestly they were worse than foxling children. "I meant taking him to bed along with me. I'm going to bed. He'll be in his own bed. You know what, Rayner--"
"Shut up? Yes, I know," Rayner said with a laugh.
Bastard.
Khalon managed to rouse Riley enough to get him to walk, though his eyes remained closed and he leaned into Khalon, an arm wrapped around Khalon's waist. With a grunt Khalon tucked Riley under his arm as they walked. It wasn't far to Flora and Lasa's cottage. Tinia was staying two doors down with relatives while her mothers borrowed her bedroom after insisting Riley take theirs. Khalon had mostly kept watch, napping in intervals as he watched over Riley. He would have to sleep elsewhere tonight.
"Today was nice," Riley said, his contented sigh making Khalon smile.
"It was," Khalon admitted quietly. It was easy to forget the real reason behind their village retreat. If he wasn't careful, he could fool himself into believing he had whisked his prince away for a few days of recreation. How long had it been since he took time away from hunting demons? He couldn't even recall. His court was exceptional at taking care of his kingdom while he was on the hunt with his warriors, and with no prince to come home to, it was easy to stay away. Fighting made him forget the emptiness in his heart. It kept him from the reminder he was only half of a whole.
With Riley pressed up warm against his side, it was the first time he felt reluctant to leave. As they reached the cottage and Khalon opened the door for them, he paused, his heart aching. This was only an illusion. He was yet incomplete, and Riley was not his prince.
"You okay?"
Khalon looked down at Riley, his eyes now appearing more gold than green. "How do your eyes do that? Appear as if they change color."
Riley shrugged before letting out a yawn. "Lighting, I guess."
"I guess."
Khalon smiled softly then ushered Riley indoors. He didn't know why he followed Riley into the bedroom. As if he might get lost along the short walk through the cottage. He stopped inside the doorway of the cozy room peppered with floral patterns and gossamer curtains. It was light and romantic.
"Well," Khalon began somewhat awkwardly, "good night." He pointed behind him. "I'll be in the sitting room, should you need me." Good heavens, what was the matter with him? He turned and quickly left the room before he did something he'd truly regret. Riley was going home and that was the end of that. Why was he bloody pacing? More importantly, why were his thoughts suddenly consumed by Riley? All Khalon could think about was the taste of Riley's soft lips, the feel of his supple body against Khalon's, his hands on Khalon. Blasted hell!
Khalon marched toward the bedroom. He had to put an end to this once and for all. They were not meant to be. Riley was a reasonable man. He woul
d understand. What happened today in the alcove could not happen again.
"Riley, I must--" Khalon came to an abrupt halt inside the doorway, his gaze transfixed on the curves of Riley's sinewy figure. Sweet merciful heaven! Riley was beautiful.
Unlike the Soldati, who were all great in stature with thick, muscular frames befitting warriors, Riley was sleek, his muscles subtly defined and smooth as if he were carved from pristine marble. His shoulders tapered into a slim waist Khalon could easily wrap his large hands around, and his spine curved in the most delicious way before rounding in a pert backside. He stood in only his snug black trousers, his chest and feet bare. His golden-blond hair fell roguishly over one side of his brow. Khalon had never seen such a stunning creature.
Riley darted his pink tongue out to lick his bottom lip and he bashfully rubbed a hand up his arm, as if the gesture might somehow shield his nakedness from Khalon.
"I.... Forgive me." Khalon spun on his heels to leave when Riley caught his arm.
"Wait! Please."