Chapter Ten #2
Dustin’s next question was cut off as the horns blared again as a thirty-foot iron gate opened and revealed a courtyard that was a landscape design straight out of Dustin’s dreams. There was so much nature to marvel at that he had to stop walking and just stand there for a moment to take it all in.
There were hands tending to the gardens with reverence and expressions of serenity on their faces.
Past the grounds stood a formal gathering of men and women standing in wait.
Some were dressed in fancy clothes with matching floral headpieces, but most of them were dressed in some sort of uniform, except for the dozens of men that were dressed as knights.
“I take it you like what you see?” Notalus’ voice fell to a whisper. “This is only the beginning, Dustin.”
Dustin was gazing up at Notalus, their chests brushing, his warm breath caressing his cheek and distracting him from the regal man standing atop a twenty-story balcony watching them with fondness.
Dustin didn’t have to ask who the man was that leapt over the balcony with a flourish, his hunter-green robe so long that it caught on the wind and waved behind him like a blanket.
“No, no, no. I can’t meet your son like this. My dick is literally trying to burst through this material.” Dustin’s neck and chest were on fire as he tried to hold the covering closed and smooth down his short hair at the same time.
Notalus chuckled and kissed his forehead. “Trust me. You look divine.”
Dustin rolled his eyes, knowing that was a lie. As he watched the huge man descend to the ground, he could see that gorgeousness was a strong trait in the Cavalerie family genes. Notalus’ son coasted to the ground, landing delicately on his feet, standing even taller than his father.
“Holy shit,” Dustin muttered under his breath, trying not to be too obvious with his gawking, but damn, the man was more than a little easy on the eyes.
“My sentiments exactly. Welcome to Tir an Fhomhair,” the younger version of Notalus rumbled back in a voice that made Dustin shudder. He turned in his dad’s direction and gave a slight bow. “Greetings, Father. Now I understand the reason for your hasty departure.”
Notalus pulled his son by his forearm into a back-slapping hug before he turned him to face Dustin. “Dustin, it is my honor to introduce you to my son, Theodor Cavalerie, the Treasure of the Harvest, sole heir and prince of the South Wind. Theo, this is Dustin Constus Hill of the Volkov pack.”
Theodor floated closer to him with his hands clasped nobly behind his back.
His robe rippled on the wind like the tide approaching the shore, never once touching the ground.
His hair—even longer than his father’s—was the same perfect shade of chestnut and waved impressively behind him atop the breeze he coasted on.
He towered over Dustin but not in an intimidating way that would upset his wolf.
“I see you have had a tumultuous journey from the earthly realm, Alpha. I will encourage you to go to your quarters to catch your bearings and prepare for tonight’s dinner.
It will be a grand celebration indeed.” Theodor dipped his head respectfully, then turned on his heels with his vast court trailing behind him.
Before he disappeared past a row of vine maple trees, he turned back to Dustin and added, “It is a true honor to meet the alpha wolf of a goddess.”
“Why are they calling me that?” Dustin growled, facing Notalus. “What does everyone else seem to know, including you, that you’re not telling me, Notalus?”
Notalus pulled the covering tighter around Dustin’s naked form. “There is much I need to explain, and I swear to the gods that I will tell you everything I know, but let us first get you inside and dressed properly, shall we?”
Dustin wanted answers now. But yes, he also wanted to have some clothes on since the entire royal court was still standing there and waiting.
Notalus began to walk them up the dozens of steps that led inside a palace that loomed at least thirty stories high.
Dustin didn’t mind the climb because the bordering landscape made him want to walk alongside it forever.
Blooming mums lined the stairs that glistened with fairy lights and maple-leaf-covered lanterns.
Dustin marveled at the unique gourds, squashes, and white and orange pumpkins that decorated the edges of the steps, some types that Dustin had never seen before.
The palace doors swung open, and a pyramid of men and women that Dustin assumed were butlers bowed to Notalus before focusing their attention on Dustin.
The gentlemen that stood in the front in a formal pewter vest and gray-striped trousers with a long, black morning coat smiled politely. “Welcome, Lord Consort.”
Notalus was all smiles, and so was his staff, as if they’d been waiting forever for him to bring someone home for them to meet. Dustin didn’t want to disappoint. He kept the robe clutched tightly, but he was able to wave with his other hand.
“Thank you so much for the warm welcome. I wasn’t expecting all of this,” Dustin said, trying to appear as sophisticated as he could standing naked in the entrance of a foyer that was so grand Notalus looked small inside of it.
“Of course, my lord.” The head butler bowed again. “Shall I show you to your quarters?”
Dustin glanced at Notalus for the answer. He didn’t know where he was supposed to go or where he would be sleeping, but naturally, he’d assumed it would be close to or on top of Notalus in his bed.
Instead, Notalus nodded once with a slight curve tilting his lush lips. “Yes, thank you, Iulien.”
The servants inched away to give them a second of privacy. Notalus took Dustin’s hand and kissed his palm. “I have some business to attend to. I will be but a moment. Iulien is my personal courtier—you cannot be in better hands. He’ll see that your every need is met.”
“But I don’t need anything, Notalus.” Dustin gestured to the four servants waiting for him. “I can dress myself. I just need someone to point me in the direction of some clothes.”
Dustin was positive that he heard a couple of the servants chuckle.
Notalus cupped him under his chin and tilted his head toward him.
Dustin inhaled a full breath, his heart racing as Notalus captured his mouth in a deep, soul-touching kiss.
Blood rushed to Dustin’s face at their very public display of affection, but he was enjoying it too much to end it.
Actually, he was enjoying it far too much to have an audience.
Dustin’s dick was getting stiffer as Notalus pressed himself harder against his front, groaning his pleasure inside his mouth.
After a lengthy, satisfying moment, Notalus slowed their passion as he gazed deep into Dustin’s eyes. “Enjoy your quarters. I will see you soon. For our talk.”
He watched Notalus walk away, his long cape trailing behind him with an entourage of servants and court a quarter mile long.
Dustin was still staring when Iulien cleared his throat and waved his hand toward a grand staircase that led to the upper floors. “Right this way, my lord.”
Dustin got his feet moving through the courtyard that looked set straight out of a country living poster. He’d never seen so much gold, marble, and nature combined. “This place is unreal,” he said to no one in particular.