Chapter 48
Chapter
Forty-Eight
Gerard lengthened his strides, hoping he could pass Duke Albert and Prince Beau without having to stop and converse with them. He’d nod as he passed. Say good evening. And only slow his gait enough to not appear rude.
After all, he did not want to act like Shadow Prince Wraith.
Albert and Prince Beau leaned towards each other, whispering and smiling. It seemed they were getting along. Then Albert turned towards Gerard. His face lit up.
Gerard’s eye narrowed. Why would he be pleased to see me?
“Prince Gerard.” Albert stopped and bowed.
Taking a deep breath, Gerard paused. “Good evening, Prince Beau. Good evening, Albert.”
“Good evening, Prince Gerard,” Prince Beau said.
Albert took a step towards Gerard. “I’ve actually been wanting to talk to you, Cousin. I wanted to apologise for any offence that I may have caused you recently.”
Gerard inclined his head in acknowledgement but otherwise said nothing.
“As I’m sure you can understand, it has been a stressful period as we negotiate this peace treaty.” Albert smiled at Prince Beau, taking his hand. “But it has worked out well for me. I now have a beautiful husband.”
Then Albert looked at Gerard. “And it has worked out well for you too. You are married to Prince Elias, a renowned beauty.”
Gerard didn’t respond. Albert was building to something. He could feel it in his blood.
Then Albert’s brows furrowed. He placed a hand over his heart. “But, as your cousin, I feel it is my duty to tell you something …” He glanced at Prince Beau. “But perhaps I should not.” He pursed his lips.
Gerard huffed. “If you have something to say, then say it or stay silent.” He might respect the grand dragon warrior enough to tolerate her son, Albert. But that tolerance only went so far.
“Well,” Albert said, lowering his voice, “Beau informed me of some of the things Prince Elias has said about you. It seems he may not be so pleased with you as you are with him.”
Gerard’s gaze fixed on Prince Beau.
Elias said that his half-brother does not like him. He cannot be trusted.
Gerard did not ask what things Elias said. He would not rise to the bait. He looked away and took a step forward.
“He said your face was vile,” Prince Beau said, voice smooth like honey.
But the words pierced Gerard like a spear to the gut.
“And he said that your appearance was repulsive. Vile and repulsive, those were the words he used to describe you, Prince Gerard. He said he couldn’t stomach being married to someone with a face like yours. He called you the dragon wretch.”
Gerard’s lungs constricted. No.
Elias would not have said that. Not Elias, who looked at him without a shred of disgust. Not Elias, who touched him and made love to him like Gerard was someone to be desired.
Elias would not say such cruel things about him. Others might. But never Elias.
“I am sorry to have to report this to you, Prince Gerard.” Prince Beau’s face twisted into an expression of sympathy.
“It gives me no pleasure whatsoever. But I have always believed that honesty above all else was an important virtue. I always strive to be honest. Even when it hurts to hear.” He reached out to touch Gerard’s arm.
But Gerard stepped back. “And I have always believed it important to know when to hold one’s tongue,” he said.
Prince Beau inhaled, drawing back slightly. “I apologise if I offended.” He looked Gerard up and down. “I can see that my brother’s words have struck a nerve. How could they not? Learning your husband is sickened by the sight of you must be hard to hear.”
Gerard gritted his teeth.
“But if my husband spoke of me in such a manner, I’d want to know.” Prince Beau shook his head. “Elias has always been two-faced. And as his brother, I feel responsible for him. My warning was kindly meant.”
Gerard’s lip curled. “I’m sure.” Then he strode off. He did not wish to hear any more poison drip from Prince Beau’s lips.
It isn’t true.
That was all there was to it. Gerard didn’t believe it for a second. He’d heard what Elias had said about Empress Emmeline. She was a liar. No doubt her son was the same. And Gerard knew Elias did not get along with Prince Beau.
It is just some ploy. Something cooked up by Prince Beau and Albert to get at me. And probably get at Elias too.
He tried to unclench his jaw and release the tension that had wound tight in his neck.
In a few moments, he’d see Elias and speak to him. He’d recount what Albert and Prince Beau had said. No accusation. He did not believe Elias would say such horrid things. He’d just simply recount what they’d told him.
Elias would say something flippant and dismissive.
He’d laugh. Then he’d touch Gerard, gaze into his eyes, and tell him that it was all lies.
He’d kiss Gerard and hold him and make Gerard feel desirable.
And Gerard would know that, even though the rest of the world might see him as vile and repulsive, Elias did not.
Gerard exhaled, the tension draining from his neck.
Elias would not lie.
He stumbled. Because of course Elias had lied. He lied to everyone. He’d told Gerard that he lied constantly. It came easily to him. So easily that he struggled to be honest.
Gerard shook his head. But that didn’t mean he lied to Gerard. Not about something like this. Elias had told Gerard that he wanted to be honest with him. He wanted to open up to him. He wanted them to have a proper relationship. Something true.
He would not have called my face vile and repulsive. He would not have called me the dragon wretch.
Not the man who lay naked beside him with his head resting on Gerard’s bared scarred chest, hand absently stroking his torso, not reacting to the uneven skin he touched. Not the man who kissed him and fucked him with so much passion that it undid Gerard.
He just needed to talk to Elias and be with him. Then everything would be all right. Then everything would be fine.
I just need Elias.