Chapter 17 #2
"Come on. The people who failed you are to blame. Anyone who failed to see your true value in this world were not evidence of your worth. That is defined by you. They were evidence of their own limitations. They were assholes, to put it bluntly."
Archer laughed and Soren smiled for the first time around him. It was beautiful in a way that Archer could appreciate, purely for aesthetic reasons. His heart was with Romilly. But the entire family did have the genetics of freaking Greek gods or something.
"Tell me about this person that hurt you," Soren said after a brief pause.
Archer battled with himself over whether it was a good idea to explain Robert and the parents who never took care of him, of all the so-called friends that had belittled him and let him down through the years.
It would hurt to talk about, not because those wounds were necessarily still biting at him, but his past self, the younger version of him, was deeply hurt and had suffered.
"I have always been somewhat of a loner. People don't tend to want to be around me. Not for long anyway. They say I'm too needy with their time and energy, that I'm just sucking the life out of them."
"They clearly have never met a vampire," Soren joked. "That is getting the life sucked out of you."
Archer went wide-eyed, a visual coming to mind of him being bitten and drained dry.
Soren waved a hand. "My brother would never let it happen and hopefully you will never have to see it. It is a real doozy. Is that the word you say?"
Archer nodded before continuing on. He explained a bit more about his past and vaguely he mentioned Robert's betrayal which led him to run. Soren listened raptly, giving advice where they felt compelled to. Each time they shared and spoke, it made Archer feel better. He was very happy that he’d wound up going to Soren for advice.
When he had finished all he could say and ask, Archer clasped his hands together and sat up straight.
"You know, you don't have to tell me everything that's going on with you, but I've been told I'm a really good listener.
At least I like to think I am. I could be a sounding board for whatever's bothering you. "
Soren stared at Archer. His gaze was steady, but Archer could tell their mind was going a mile a minute.
"You are a good listener," Soren said. "And while sharing with you might help me, I find myself in a bit of a quandary.
There is someone I have complicated feelings about.
I do not know that I will ever be able to properly break down those feelings and what I want to happen with this person.
They are connected to the situation with the Fae. Are you aware of any of that?"
Archer twisted his hand in the motion to say he kind of knew and kind of didn't. He'd been listening to conversations Romilly had and understood that there was some tension.
"Basically, I liked someone I should not have. There was a betrayal, much like that of your Robert experience. All in all, I should not still like them. Sadly, my heart and body do not always agree with my mind."
Archer smiled softly. "Yes, that has happened from time to time, hasn't it? If it helps at all, I think that you should take your own advice."
Soren raised a brow. "And what advice was that?"
"To trust Fate." Archer beamed at them. "You told me that Fate never puts people together that shouldn't be, that they know what they're doing, and if that's the case for me, then it should be for you as well. Let Fate handle it. Don't stress so much."
Soren gave Archer another smile. Then they laughed and stood from the couch. They tucked their hands in their pockets and rocked back on their heels briefly. "I think you are right. I am going to go lay down and rest. I feel like I have traveled through time talking with you. You are so wise."
"For a human, you mean," Archer teased.
Soren nodded. "Yes, for a human. For any being, really. Now that you have your answers, though, why not go find my brother? I am sure he is probably restless without you by his side."
"But he's busy. He took yesterday off to spend with me. I can't go bother him."
Soren toed at Archer's foot gently. It was encouraging, almost like a hug or something from them. "My brother would never be bothered by you. He wants to see you all the time. Honestly, I would not be surprised if he set up a space in his office where you could be 24/7 just to keep you close."
Archer thought about how that might go. Him around his mate all the time, especially now that they had been intimate.
Soren scrunched their nose. "Oh, goodness. No. Do not think about him like that. Not while I am here."
Archer broke into a fit of laughter as Soren waved a hand in front of their face and made their way to the exit. "I cannot stand smelling this desire of yours, so I am leaving. Definitely go see him."
And with that, they were gone.
Archer sat for one more moment before standing and following the same path. He needed his mate, and from what Soren said, his mate needed him. All of the questions he had, all of the worry he felt was for naught.
Fate.
He had to trust Fate.
Taking a chance at listening to his gut again, Archer moved through the halls until he found the familiar door of Romilly's office.
Then he knocked and pushed his way inside before anyone could answer.
He found his mate bent over his desk, looking at documents, a frown on his face.
There were empty cups and plates around him, as if he hadn't left even to eat.
Archer quietly moved into the room. At least he thought it was quiet, but the second the door closed, Romilly's eyes were on him.
"Mate," the man said, though really it might have been the dragon considering how his eyes quickly turned gold.
"I wanted to see you. I hope that's okay."
Romilly held a hand out. "It is always okay when you want to see me."
Archer moved to him, taking his mate's hand and allowing the other man to pull him close.
The minute Romilly wrapped around Archer, the big man sighed.
It felt like everything was going to be all right now.
It made Archer happy to know that he could be that for someone, that he could provide what no one else seemed able to.
Calm.
They stood there for a long moment, just holding one another. Then Archer pulled back and pointed at Romilly's chest. "You have work to do and I," he looked around the space, "I'm gonna color or something. Okay, Daddy?"
The title slipped out more easily now after their full day together.
Romilly smiled wide and pressed a quick kiss to Archer's lips. "Okay, little one. I will do as you said and get to work. Have a seat."
And thus began a day where Romilly and Archer got to work side by side. Every time Romilly tensed up or appeared to be getting upset, Archer moved over to comfort him. He was like a soothing instrument for the king.
Everyone noticed the change. People's faces morphed from hesitancy and curiosity to downright amusement. Archer appreciated it because he wanted to give his best effort. He wanted to present his best appearance to everyone.
Anyone who might have doubted the benefit of the king taking a human mate would have held their tongue by the end of the day, because truly he was a much better leader with Archer by his side.