Chapter Five
Theodor
This Will Never Work
“I told you this was not going to work,” Theodor bit out while he and Mozraath made their way past the palace gates to catch up with the rest of the procession. “You asked me to be charming to him, Moz, and I did. And look what it got me. Nothing.”
“That look in his eyes was not saying ‘nothing,’ Theo. Trust me.”
Theodor was fuming, but he plastered on a phony smile while he griped between clenched teeth. “Boraleashe is impenetrable now.”
“Have faith,” Mozraath whispered.
“Fuck that.” Theodor needed to know if Boraleashe was there for him… and not because of the damn curse but because of him.
Mozraath’s chuckle was the last thing he wanted to hear. He should’ve known his best friend would take a tiny bit of pleasure in his torment. He couldn’t help it; it was in his nature.
Theodor ignored him and quickened his steps to catch up with the front of the court.
Boraleashe was walking stiffly beside his father with his hands clasped behind his back as the people of Fhomhair gazed on with wonder.
Boraleashe’s long, blinding-white hair glistened in the fall sun, making Theodor want to bury his face in it.
And he wasn’t the only one affected by their presence.
Most of the people were more than fascinated by the northerners’ pale skin and their snow-white tunics and lush furs.
Dustin was another favorite in the plaza of markets.
Many approached him and Notalus and showered them with gifts and flowers, some still congratulating their union.
Their love was magical, and the entire realm was affected by their titan’s heart being nourished.
Dustin pulled Notalus under a dogwood tree, plucked a few sprigs of the delicate white flowers, and handed them to him.
Theodor tried to read the dull expression on Boraleashe’s face while he watched his brother receive affection from his husband.
“He’s over there by himself.” Mozraath elbowed him in his side, jarring him from his staring. “Don’t just stand here gazing like he’s bathing naked in Aphrodite’s Sea. Go speak to him. This courtship will go nowhere if you both don’t stop acting like fools.”
“And say what?” Theodor sighed. By the heaven and stars, he is everything I want in a consort, but…
“He’s near Ambriel’s market front. Go and offer him a personal taste test from the king. I bet he’s never had a red yam tart or a love lychee,” Mozraath encouraged, continuing to nudge him toward Boraleashe. “I’ll keep his court occupied while you both talk.”
“This is pointless,” Theodor grumbled though he got moving, and in the back of his mind, he prayed to any deity that was listening. He’d given his heart to a titan who was unwilling and now unable to reciprocate his affection.
Theodor needed a miracle.
He approached Boraleashe from behind, and when he was sure his presence was known, he asked close to his ear, “So what do you think of Fhomhair, lord?”
“The people of autumn are happy. Notalus has done right by them, and I’m sure you will, too, as the new king. The praises you both receive are evidence you are beloved.”
The regret and sadness in Boraleashe’s voice made Theodor want to wrap his arms around him, but he knew better.
Boraleashe picked up a tube of marigold paste on Ambriel’s cart while she watched him shyly through the store window.
Theodor glanced around at the wealth and abundance the people of his realm were exposed to.
The people of the Arctic World lived in distress, and their own titan was helpless to aid them because he himself was the source.
Theodor couldn’t fathom the true pain Boraleashe was feeling.
“That’s a salve made from marigold petals. It heals most cuts and abrasions with little sting.” Theodor tried to shift the sullen mood that had settled over them. “Come over here. I want you to see this.”
Theodor touched Boraleashe’s elbow and led him inside Ambriel’s exotic foods store. Mozraath did what he’d said and led the rest of the curious court members further into the busy market to allow Theodor some privacy.
He was relieved the store was empty so he could watch Boraleashe take in the unique fruits and spices on display.
“Please help yourselves to whatever interests you, my lords.” Ambriel bowed to Theodor, her pretty green eyes alight with admiration. Boraleashe was staring, maybe trying to figure out who or what she was, but it’d be impossible for him to see all of the powerful sorceress unless she permitted it.
“Ambriel, allow me to introduce Lord Boraleashe Cavalerie, Titan of the North Wind and Tir an Amárach.”
Ambriel did a formal curtsy and bow before she stood, beaming at them with a wide purplish smile.
“Your market is magnificent, Lady Ambriel. A place like this would be treasured in Amárach.” Boraleashe didn’t smile, his face impassive, but his rich voice made the words feel like a sensual compliment.
Ambriel’s translucent, amber skin flushed a ruddy orange around her high cheekbones.
Boraleashe opened his palm and rotated it in a tight circle, the temperature in the store dropping several degrees.
The streams of cool air crackled like broken ice around them.
The skin of Boraleashe’s hand was blinding white as a small ice figurine began to form in the center of his palm.
Theodor sucked in a startled breath while Ambriel stood frozen in place, her eyes wide and fixed on the forming ice sculpture. Theodor was amazed at this ability because Boraleashe’s hand had to be at subzero temperatures to be able to form a block of solid ice.
“A token of appreciation for your hospitality, lady.” Boraleashe placed the glistening ice petals in Ambriel’s trembling hands.
“It’s a magnolia leaf,” she huffed, clutching it to her chest. “I have not the words to express my gratitude, my lord. I am overwhelmed.”
Boraleashe’s posture was rigid, his face a stony mask.
But his eyes revealed the truth. Theodor met and held Boraleashe’s gaze, controlling it.
He pulled a subtle gust of warm afternoon wind and used it to nudge Ambriel toward her back door so they could be alone.
She hurried out of the room, giggling like an adolescent pixie.
“This is one of my favorite shops.” Theodor picked a couple of pieces of lychee from a jar and popped one between his lips. Boraleashe’s cold gaze was on his mouth, so Theodor chewed slowly, closing his eyes and moaning at the sweetness of the rare fruit.
Boraleashe
Boraleashe licked his dry lips while he watched Theodor eat a bright red piece of fruit like it was giving him an orgasm. Boraleashe strained to keep all expressions off his face, but he couldn’t help how much those salacious moans were affecting him inside.
A bulge of anxiety started in the pit of his stomach and climbed upward until it was threatening to suffocate him. Reality’s cold grip was wrapping its fist around his throat.
Theodor was too breathtaking, far too magnificent and magical to be dragged down by Boraleashe’s troubles. But by the gods, those perfect lips were sinful, and Boraleashe found himself jealous of a damn piece of fruit.
“Is it really that good?” he grumbled after Theodor licked the sticky juice from his fingertips. For the love of all that is sacred and good. Boraleashe groaned. He didn’t know how long he was going to stand there and torture himself.
“Mmmm. It is,” Theodor teased, eating another piece, his jewellike eyes dancing with humor.
Fuck me.
“Why don’t you give it a try and judge for yourself?” Theodor challenged, his voice a husky purr. “It’s called love lychee. Ambriel is the only one that grows them besides my father and Dustin since he’s of the Harvest Moon tribe.”
Boraleashe frowned because that was his go-to expression for almost everything.
What kind of name was that for a piece of fruit?
However, he had to admit even to himself that he was curious.
Since the Arctic World didn’t get much sunlight anymore, Boraleashe didn’t have access to such a wide variety of bright fruits and vegetables.
“Here.” Theodor picked up another piece and, to Boraleashe’s shock, placed it against his lips. Theodor inched closer, bringing his incredible body heat along with him.
Boraleashe was left with no choice but to open or let the fruit sit there against his lips.
He chewed stoically while staring Theodor in his eyes.
Sweet, sugary juice ran down his throat, the soft berry dissolving on his tongue.
It tasted heavenly, but Boraleashe held his delight tightly within his grasp.
If only he could bring bushels of this back home because his people deserved delicacies this fine too.
A wave of frigid pain flooded his chest, the piercing ache making it hard to inhale.
His curse. He knew the feelings would come—guilt and shame—when he tried to allow his core to open.
The moment he began to experience an act of kindness, admiration…
love, the Snow Moon Demon would turn it into something ugly and painful.
Boraleashe had always been a rather stoic man but never so despicable that his own court avoided him.
“That ice sculpture was a neat trick,” Theodor complimented, yanking him from his solemn thoughts.
“We all have our tricks, don’t we, lord?” Boraleashe muttered.
“Do you think I’m going to trick you?” Theodor stood close. Boraleashe wanted desperately to lean forward and trust everything Theodor was showing him, but a thousand years of solitude had turned him into a surly bastard.
Boraleashe was freezing on the inside, but he never shivered. Theodor somehow sensed his discomfort and wrapped his long, emerald robe around his body and pulled him closer.
Boraleashe moaned, he was wrapped so tight, leaving no room for the cold. Theodor’s presence and his warmth were so overwhelming it stole his breath away.
“I won’t hurt you, Boraleashe.” Theodor made his robe pull tighter.
No wonder that damn thing was the size it was. It lures men in.
“Use your many years of wisdom, Boraleashe. Have faith in me, make me your king.”
Boraleashe lowered his chin to touch his forehead to Theodor’s. It was the most intimacy and contact he’d had in far too long, and he didn’t want it to end. All he had to do was…
“Say the words, Boraleashe.” Theodor pressed against him.
He smelled foreign and delicious. Like the ripe berry he’d consumed, and he probably tasted just as sweet.
“Let me in. I will not live a loveless existence. I will not be controlled by your Snow Moon.”
Boraleashe inhaled a warm breath, allowing Theodor’s robe to continue heating him on the inside.
“I swear I’m trying to fight it, but I fear I may have waited too long. What if I can’t, Theo?” he whispered.
“I believe there’s nothing you can’t do, Boraleashe. You just have to believe in me.” Theodor released his hold on him and turned away. His luxurious, brown hair flowed on the wind, as did his robe. “I’ll leave you to your thoughts, lord.”
Alone in the store, Boraleashe didn’t realize his breath was so shallow until his viceroy came in a few minutes later and asked if he was feeling well. Boraleashe lied and said he was fine before Adresin relayed the message that Notalus was calling for him.
Boraleashe wanted to growl. His brother was taking his new role as ambassador a bit too seriously.
Damnit. “I’ll be right there,” Boraleashe answered.
But he hadn’t travelled all the way to the Land of Autumn to meet Fhomhair’s pompous elders and nobles of their high society.
He’d come there in the hope Theodor was still willing to heal him.