Chapter Twenty-Six
Boraleashe
I Just Want Some Goddamn Privacy!
Boraleashe was fine with allowing Theodor to lead him toward the dining hall.
The room’s protective canvas had been removed from the glass roof.
The illuminating winter moon and blazing stars—visible for the first time in a century—created their own romantic lighting that shone across the long dining table.
Boraleashe could still hear the celebration going on in the valley, and he was sure it’d be several weeks before they thought of stopping.
Boraleashe nodded in approval at the house lords standing along the wall and waiting to serve them. He was proud of their exceptional service. They’d outdone themselves; by the looks of the hall, one wouldn’t know his home had ever been cursed.
Silk ivory linens were draped across the tall columns and from the crystal chandeliers.
The largest floral arrangements Boraleashe had ever seen contained dozens of blooming white roses with vibrant colors of fall accents added to them.
His home had been so monochromatic he realized now that the orange, reds, and chestnut browns mingled exquisitely with the ivory.
His king, his love, his Theodor’s fall heritage was being represented in his home.
It made Boraleashe’s chest ache with gratitude and relief so strong he stopped walking.
His breathing stuttered and turned shallow until Theodor gripped his hand tighter and drew his eyes to his, and the world righted itself again.
“Lord.” Adresin appeared at his side, but Boraleashe was quick to wave him off.
“I’m fine,” he answered.
White rose petals and gold maple leaves lined the way to their two high-back chairs positioned side by side at the head of the table. Their men pulled out their seats and waited until everyone was assembled in front of their chairs before Boraleashe gave a stiff nod for their guests to sit.
Notalus and Dustin were at the other end of the table while Boraleashe’s heirs sat to his right in their flowing white and silver gowns.
The footmen brought out the first course while the head butlers in long white overcoats filled their water goblets and crystal wineglasses with redberry wine.
Their guests voiced their admiration for the floating candles in painted glass bowls and twelve-inch ivory pillar candles that made the various ice sculptures in the center of the table shimmer like gemstones.
Boraleashe wasn’t the least bit interested in entertaining these people, regardless of the fact they were his court. He’d never been the kind of ruler who hosted dignitaries and threw lavish dinners. Which translated to making a spectacle of himself.
He felt ridiculous enough sitting there with dozens of sets of eyes directed his way.
The gold snowflakes embroidered on the knee-length white tunic Adresin had chosen for him were over-the-top as well, but he’d complied.
Staying isolated had been his best defense from nosy questions and unwanted advances or propositions.
Boraleashe leaned back and allowed a footman to place a small spoon of caviar and sliced cucumber in front of him, then served the guests next.
“You have caviar?” Theodor turned to him, his charming smile all full lips and straight white teeth.
“Yes,” he answered, his voice low. Boraleashe tried to keep out the negative memories of his cursed land.
“After the shading of our sun, we lost the ability to farm livestock and grow certain vegetables, but there’s never been a shortage of fish in our bordering rivers.
Which was a relief because it became our biggest export. ”
“Gossips have raved that the best seafood is indeed in the north. If that is true, I hope it will be displayed here tonight,” Theodor proclaimed loud enough to break the silence and spark some conversations.
Boraleashe didn’t smile, but he nodded, his forehead lingering on Theodor’s broad shoulder before he pulled back. He liked how close their men had put their chairs. It helped settle his anxiety when Theodor reached beneath the linen tablecloth and rubbed his warm palm up and down his thigh.
Boraleashe stared mesmerized at Theodor chewing and swallowing the one-bite entree he placed on his tongue.
“It’s delicious. Eat,” his king ordered softly, lowering his gaze to Boraleashe’s lips.
With his eyes on Theodor, he placed the spoon in his mouth and withdrew it slow. The buttery richness of the caviar exploded in his mouth, but food was not what he wanted to feast on.
The footmen cleared their dishes, and another group came with the second course, a small bowl of broth the master butler proclaimed was a masterpiece of herbaceous delight. Boraleashe rolled his eyes, and Theodor knocked his boot against his.
“Be nice,” he said out the corner of his mouth while keeping a placating grin on his and nodding to their guests. “Try to smile.”
Boraleashe blinked, winging his brows down low. “Excuse me?”
“Never mind,” Theodor corrected. “I’ll never say that again.”
“That would be much appreciated.”
Mozraath snickered behind them, an amused grin tilting one side of his face, which fell after he glared at him.
“He is right to laugh. Because this whole charade is comical at best.” Boraleashe tossed his cloth napkin onto the table.
“I should be down in the valley with my people, basking in their genuine praise and helping them to rebuild. Not dining on a seven-course meal in this posh hall with members of my court who haven’t bothered to converse with me in a hundred years.
“I know I kept myself isolated, but at least my people never stopped trying to reach me.” Boraleashe pushed his bowl away.
“I remember they would leave food baskets and gifts at the Keep gates anytime I returned from my travels. Though they almost froze and starved to death… they never stopped believing in me.”
Theodor turned to face him, cupping his cheek. Boraleashe leaned further into the touch, greedily absorbing his lord’s understanding. Theodor touched their foreheads together despite their company gawking.
Boraleashe assumed they were surprised to see him showing any kind of affection or submission, but he didn’t care about these noblemen or their opinion of him.
Not after his daughters had informed him of the countless times they’d had to march into some of the provinces and prevent the lords and their high society from starving the poor.
“How about this?” Theodor rumbled in his ear.
“Yes.” Boraleashe would agree to anything Theodor asked. The dark chuckle on the rim of his sensitive ear in response made Boraleashe’s dick go from half-hard to stone.
“After our ceremony tomorrow, then your daughters’ coronation on the next moon, how about we stay here in Amárach for some time instead of going right back to Fhomhair?
Hmm? My counselors are more than capable of handling things for a while.
” Theodor stroked his cheek with the back of his knuckles, sending an unbelievable warmth down his throat.
“Together, we can host the kind of celebration you want, open to all of your people, not just the nobles. I want you to be happy, and I can see that helping the towns rebuild is important to you. So, we’ll stay awhile and help too. ”
Boraleashe wanted to kiss him, but he knew that would be going too far for these pompous bastards and clergymen.
Damn, he needed some fucking privacy.
Theodor lifted Boraleashe’s hand and placed it against his stubbled cheek.
“I want you to enjoy the restored peace of the world you’ve sacrificed everything for.
You deserve your moment of glory.” Theodor caught him staring at his lips and licked them.
“Maybe you can show me some of your favorite sights here, perhaps some of the places that are near to your heart. We can celebrate with your people and eat lots of seafood.”
If Boraleashe had been the kind of man who smiled, he’d be beaming from ear to ear.
Instead, he had another way to thank his lord.
Boraleashe caressed the back of Theodor’s neck and pulled a sliver of cool wind toward them.
Without allowing the breeze to be felt by others, he maneuvered it up Theodor’s chest to his throat.
His king inhaled the coolness, his lids fluttering closed.
“Boraleashe… I feel you.”
He wrapped his lust-infused wind around the back of Theodor’s neck and caressed him there, waiting for him to slant his head and inch closer. Phantom kisses teased his lips, making Boraleashe moan deep in his—
“Lords,” Mozraath and Adresin hissed at the same time.
Adresin leaned toward them, his voice a stern whisper. “The guests are waiting to start the main course.”
Boraleashe straightened in his chair, flushing when he saw how many were staring at him while their plates of baked trout sat untouched. Their behavior was far too brazen for a formal occasion, and borderline disrespectful, but he would not apologize or be ashamed.
The ones not looking uncomfortable were his brother, Notalus, and his daughters, who hid their wide smiles behind their wineglasses.
Boraleashe took a drink of his water to quench the irritation stirring inside at being interrupted. Theodor struck up a conversation with a lady a few seats down, commenting on the blue sapphire jewels around her neck.
“Hang in there, lord,” Adresin whispered. “A mere four courses left, then the reception.”
That did not bring me an ounce of relief, Adresin. So thank you. Most appreciated.
“Lord Theodor. Tell us what it was like to fight the Snow Trolls with Gold Reaper,” the grand master of Enosabe’s knights asked, resting his big hairy arm on the table.
All side conversations came to a halt, as if the guests had been waiting for someone to bring up the now infamous battle. Leave it to a knight to do it. Boraleashe wasn’t interested in reliving one of the worst moments of his life, but it appeared he’d have no choice.
Theodor rubbed Boraleashe’s thigh again, then squeezed gently.
“Well. It all went so fast, and it was Reaper doing all the challenging work.” Theodor shrugged, then took a casual sip of his wine. “I’m just glad Lord Boraleashe had already caused sufficient damage to them before I arrived.”
And modest too. How many of his damn qualities will I admire in him?
“But I will tell you…” Theodor chuckled, raising his deep voice. “They sure weren’t the trolls our parents told us lived under bridges and demanded riddles.”
The guests laughed, and Theodor took the opportunity to change the subject to the beauty of Amárach, asking the various noblemen to tell him about their provinces. Boraleashe loved that Theodor always seemed to know just what he needed and when.
By the time dinner was over, Boraleashe was seconds away from leaping through the nearest window and bolting into the sky.
He was relieved when Adresin rushed the guests to finish their dessert of candied arctic apricots and frozen custard before he was ushering them into the grand hall for the reception.
Adresin extended his arm in the direction of the west wing. He spoke over the hushed chatter and heavy chairs scraping the marble floor. “My lords and ladies! Your future titanesses and rulers of Amárach will host you in the grand hall for spirits and entertainment. Please enjoy.”
The next thing Boraleashe knew, their hands were ushering him and Theodor in the opposite direction.