“You’re my everything, Aiden,” Ronan murmured. “I know this is happening fast, but I’m not clinging to some old idea of who you were. I can see clearly that you’re the same man I loved who is dedicated to his principles, but you’re also a man devoted to his sons, who still loves his first mate and will always love her. I’m grateful for what you found with your Julianna, because it gave me a chance to find you now.”
“My prince,” Aiden whispered, and the words wrapped tight around his heart. How he’d missed those words from his old friend and now lover. Over and over in his head, he’d imagined what Aiden had been really saying with those words.
I believe in you.
I trust you.
I love you.
Now he could hear all the meanings in those two words.
“Do you remember that night in the forest, just a day’s ride from home?” Aiden asked suddenly.
“Vividly,” Ronan said with a little smirk.
“I wanted to say yes.” Aiden blinked rapidly as if he were fighting back tears. “I’d wanted to say yes so badly.”
Ronan placed his hand to Aiden’s cheek and brushed his thumb over his lips. “I know, darling. I know. I was scared and being nonsensical. You have always been the logical one between us.” Leaning in, Ronan kissed him gently. His sweet Aiden. He’d never doubted him for a second. Not that night. Not ever. “I’ll get us a towel now that my legs are working a bit.”
The smile returned to Aiden’s lips as Ronan pulled away. “How? I don’t think I’ll ever move again.”
Ronan rolled out of bed and had to stand there for a moment. Had he spoken too soon? His knees wobbled, but he found his bearings when he heard Aiden snicker behind him. He disappeared into the bathroom and quickly cleaned himself off while he allowed the water to warm for Aiden. When he thought it was suitable, he dampened a cloth and tossed a clean towel over his shoulder.
When he returned to the bedroom, Aiden’s smile had been replaced with a worried frown. Climbing onto the bed, he batted Aiden’s hands away and took his time cleaning off his man.
“Lie still and let me enjoy myself,” Ronan grumbled. “Or better yet, tell me what you’re thinking that has ruined your good mood already.”
“I was thinking about you,” Aiden admitted with a smug look.
“And I make you worried? I should be the last person you’re worried about. I have everything I could ever want right in this bed.” Ronan balled the towel and damp cloth together and dropped them on the floor. He moved to his spot in the bed and turned off the lamp on his nightstand, cloaking the room in darkness prior to settling under the blankets with Aiden.
The king cuddled closer, resting his head on Ronan’s chest. Yes. He could sleep every day just like this and be perfectly content for the rest of his life.
“Why are you worried about me?” Ronan inquired.
Aiden sighed, his warm breath brushing against Ronan’s chest. “I worry about the life you lived before we found each other. I can’t help imagining all these horrible things happening to you. And then you didn’t have anyone like Julianna or my sons to help with the long nights. How close did I come to never seeing you again?”
Ronan tightened his arm around Aiden and smiled. “There were some hairy moments when I was younger. Lucky for both of us, I got a little smarter. Learned a few things. Stopped acting like an ass most of the time.” Aiden snorted and Ronan pinched his side. “I said most of the time. But I hate to burst your bubble.”
“What?”
“My life was largely boring. Did I tell you that I spent ten years reading?”
“What?” Aiden’s head popped up, and Ronan could clearly see his expression of shock. Ronan could never be accused of being the scholarly type.
“It’s true. Right at the start of the twentieth century. I was feeling tired of humanity and out of touch. I had a lovely town house in Vienna with a rather brilliant butler and cook. I collected hundreds of books and read. Only left the house long enough to hunt. That was it. Didn’t speak to anyone but my butler.”
“He must have thought you mad.”
“The term is eccentric, darling,” Ronan corrected primly.
“Did it help you feel connected?”
“Yes and no. I learned a lot of the history and science I missed, but I lost track of current-day events. By the time I came out of my town house, a new war was brewing that I couldn’t be bothered with. So I gave my servants enough money to retire comfortably, and I headed to Russia.”
“Worked out well for you, huh?” Aiden teased.
Ronan groaned. “Not even close. I lingered one winter and then headed south to Constantinople. Or was it called Istanbul when I arrived?” He shrugged. “The Greeks were still calling it Constantinople, at least. I remained there for nearly a century. It’s a beautiful city full of strange people and languages. Besides the wars, the humans were doing interesting things with science and technology. Life was certainly becoming more comfortable, and nights were more entertaining. I traveled quite a bit, met strange people, and experienced new things. When I finally got too bored, I decided to work for the Ministry a bit. Keep an eye on it.”