The Soldati Prince (Soldati Hearts 1)

Her smile was sad, but she accepted his words. He could never be cross with her. Adira might not always be the easiest to warm up to, but she was an exceptional warrior, and a greater friend. He let out a sigh and released her hands.

"We have to get him home," Khalon stated, his voice rough. Adira was right. He could not afford to lose his heart to a man who would leave him too soon.

Rayner put a hand to his arm. "Khalon--"

"No." Khalon shook his head. He summoned a smile for Rayner. "You know as well as I do that it cannot be. The heavens are against us."

Rayner nodded sadly, accepting Khalon's words.

"What are you doing?"

Riley's boyish laugh drew his attention once more and Khalon couldn't stop his quiet laugh as Riley sat on the floor, tears in his eyes from laughter. One of the foxlings had jumped into a large, empty flower pot, his bottom sticking out and tail twitching. Khalon walked over and carefully took hold of the foxling, then pulled him out. The foxling barked and Khalon put him down on his paws.

"Careful, foxling, or you will get yourself stuck."

"I think he wants to play hide and seek."

At the mention of the game, the foxlings broke off into a chorus of cries and gekkering. Several ran circles around Riley before speeding around Khalon's legs.

"Oh no. I'm far too big to hide in pots and shrubbery."

"Aw, come on." Riley got to his feet before tapping one of the foxlings. "You're it! Everyone hide! No hiding indoors allowed." They all scattered and Riley called out behind him as he ran. "Come on, Your Majesty. You wouldn't want to disappoint all the adorable little foxes!"

Beside Khalon, Rayner coughed into his fist, his eyes dancing with amusement.

"Oh, shut up." Khalon took off down the cobblestone path, ignoring the sound of Rayner's hearty laughter behind him. He wasn't familiar with the village, so he looked through gardens and areas with dense greenery. Just then he remembered the garden where he'd stumbled over Riley the previous night. There was a fountain, plenty of trees and shrubs, and when he ran in, he spotted the curtain of vines and leaves he saw last night. As he suspected, the curtain concealed a deep alcove. There was most likely a statue or large vase there at one point.

A foxling bark nearby had him moving swiftly, and he pushed through the curtain, mindful not to break any of the vines. He ran into something soft.

"Hey," Riley hissed quietly. "This is my hiding spot."

Khalon didn't budge. "This is the only place big enough where my scent will be masked."

"Crap, I forgot. They can sniff us out. Wait, you said your scent will be masked. How?"

Khalon pointed at the tiny white blossoms sprinkled about the ivy. "These flowers will mask our scent."

Riley opened his mouth and Khalon threw an arm around him, bringing him up close against him, clamping his free hand down over Riley's lips as he shushed him. One of the foxlings was nearby. They stilled and Khalon listened, his sharp hearing catching the sound of the tiny foxling's paws hitting the grass as she pounced through the garden.

Khalon was aware of more than the foxling's steps, like Riley's hand on his chest, the other covering Khalon's where he'd meant to remove it from his face. Khalon's thigh was between Riley's legs and Riley was all but riding him, their bodies pressed up against each other. Riley was unaware of their proximity until the foxling moved on and Khalon found himself staring down into gold-green eyes. He slowly moved his hand away from Riley's mouth, but not before his fingers brushed Riley's soft bottom lip as he pulled back.

"Are they, um, gone?" Riley asked, sounding breathless. His pupils were dilated and Khalon could feel Riley's pulse quicken. His scent changed, his arousal evident in the hard bulge pressing into Khalon's thigh. As if realizing his response, Riley parted his plump lips, and Khalon could no longer resist.

Khalon lay siege to Riley's mouth, slipping his tongue between those luscious lips. Heat flared through Khalon, threatening to set him ablaze. He wanted to devour Riley, to tear off his clothes, and have him submit. He wanted to sink his hard shaft deep inside the beautiful creature in his arms, to part his supple cheeks and bury himself to the hilt. Khalon groaned, kneading the tight globes of Riley's ass cheeks with his fingers. In his arms Riley whimpered and rutted against him, his body trembling with his desire. Khalon's fingers turned to claws and his canines elongated as he moved his mouth to Riley's neck. His heart begged him to do it, to claim the mate he'd waited so long for.

"I found them!"

Khalon spun on instinct, tucking Riley behind him and baring his fangs, his heart pounding fiercely. Thankfully the foxling child was busy squealing with excitement with the approaching children at having found them. Behind him Riley let his head fall against Khalon's back, his hand wrapped around Khalon's wrist.

"I thought foxes were quiet."

Khalon chuckled. The foxling children crowded the alcove entrance and Khalon tenderly shooed them. "All right, back to the square. Let's repose for a moment. Then we'll all go for a run in our feral forms."

Riley cleared his throat and Khalon felt himself flush. "Oh, well, in Riley's case, perhaps he can run with us in his human form. Go on now."

The foxlings cheered and took off. Once they were gone, Khalon stepped out. He held out his hand for Riley and helped him through the curtain.

"Why did you send them away?" Riley asked. "I'm not tired."