Chapter Fifty-Six
Silence stretched between them as Silas waited for a response. Archer had always been sparse with his words but now his only reaction was a dark, intense stare.
Silas thought the reason Archer had reacted so badly to the idea of a marriage alliance was because of a misunderstanding.
That he’d taken Mirinda’s idea that two kings could not marry each other to heart.
Maybe he just didn’t want to marry me … If that was the case, Silas would withdraw the offer, but he wanted to make his own feelings clear first. “I want to be with you, to spend the rest of my life bound to you in a way no one can deny. Not as a secret, but as partners working toward a brighter future.”
“You don’t want me to marry a noble woman?” Archer demanded.
Disgust spiked Silas’ heart. “Why would I ever want to share you with anyone else? I’m not that generous.
” If Mirinda was there now, he would have lectured her until her ears bled for putting that idea in Archer’s head.
He needed Archer to understand that the marriage could both be for them and for their kingdoms. “I want to show our kingdoms that we’re a united front.
Anyone who wants to challenge one of us would have to challenge us both.
Though I guess that benefits Bellacosta more than Arnsveld since your army is certainly the more impressive.
And I really don’t know if a marriage alliance would quell the rumors of invasion.
” He frowned as he realized the snags in his plan.
Maybe Archer doesn’t want to marry me because it will cause more problems?
“If you don’t like the idea of a marriage alliance. We can find another way—”
Strong arms wrapped around him, pulling him close. Archer’s deep voice whispered in his ear, “Yes, Silas Meris, I will marry you. I want to share my whole world with you.”
Relief flooded all of Silas’ senses, leaving him lightheaded. He pulled away from Archer just enough to kiss him again. Archer dragged him forward until Silas sat on his lap, making sure never to break apart their hungry, desperate lips.
Silas hummed happily and slipped his tongue between Archer’s lips.
He buried his hands into Archer’s hair, tangling his fingers in the thick curls.
One of Archer’s hands cupped Silas’ cheek, stroking the new beard growth almost reverently.
The other tightened around Silas’ waist, keeping them pressed flush against one another.
Silas would have happily remained wrapped in Archer’s—his betrothed’s—strong embrace for hours if it weren’t for the loud, ominous creak. He reluctantly pulled away and rested his forehead against Archer’s, struggling to catch his breath. “If we don’t move soon, the chair is going to break.”
Archer growled in annoyance at the interruption, but he recovered soon enough. “Bed.” He cleared his throat roughly and continued, “Let’s move to a bed.”
There was still so much to discuss. Silas needed to explain everything that happened in Litus, and he wanted to hear about what had happened in Casselarn, the fight against Alistair that had almost toppled a mountain.
But they’d been separated for so long, all he wanted to do was feel Archer inside of him, to know this was real.
Everything else could wait.
One perk of Castle Arn’s smaller size: it only took them a few minutes to walk from Archer’s office to his bedroom.
The space was cozy and sparsely furnished.
Everything was large, dark, and sturdy, exactly what Silas expected.
A low fire was already burning in the hearth, filling the small space with warmth.
The heavy wool coat was needed outside to defend against the autumn winds. Now, sweat began to bead on Silas’ skin, and he was only too happy to shed the layers. Before he could, Archer’s strong fingers were already there, nimbly opening each button.
Piece by piece, they undressed each other. Archer slid the thick coat off Silas’ shoulders. Silas slipped his hands under Archer’s tunic, taking a moment to refamiliarize himself with all of Archer’s muscles while slowly stripping the shirt over Archer’s head.
In-between each discarded piece, they paused, their lips meeting in kisses, both soft and hard, quick and lingering. Once they were finally naked, not a stitch of cloth remaining, Archer scooped Silas into his arms and carried him to the bed. Amused, Silas told him, “I’m capable of walking.”
“You won’t be,” Archer growled.
Both of Silas’ eyebrows arched and he teased, “Promise?”
A blanket was spread out on the bed. When Archer laid Silas across it, he shuddered in delight as the soft fur caressed his skin. “Oh, that’s nice.”
Archer stood next to the bed, one of his hands idly caressing Silas’ new beard, eyes hooded as he gazed down at him. “Are you real?” he murmured.
Silas might have laughed if he didn’t also feel like he was in a dream, one where he could finally have the man he loved without the world trying to tear them apart.
He pushed himself up into a sitting position and grasped Archer’s shoulders.
“I am”—he kissed one bearded cheek—“completely real and”—he kissed the other cheek—“completely yours.” Then he kissed Archer’s lips, determined to convince him with his tongue one way or another.
Archer groaned, the deep sound vibrating through his broad chest, and grabbed Silas’ hips. This time when Silas fell back onto the bed, he dragged Archer down with him.
Although they’d only been separated for a month, they took their time reacquainting themselves.
Hands caressing, tongues tangling, heated arousal blending together.
Silas frowned when he discovered a new scar across Archer’s stomach.
Instead of asking what happened, he simply pressed a gentle kiss to it, satisfied with the knowledge that Archer had survived.
For his part, Archer seemed most interested in Silas’ face, returning to it time and again to run his hands over the beard. The light caresses were almost ticklish, and they made Silas laugh. “Do you like it that much?”
“I like seeing you healthy,” Archer replied.
“Maybe I’ll keep it then. At least for the winter.
” He pressed a hand to Archer’s chest, nudging him until Archer rolled over and flopped onto his back.
Silas straddled Archer and pressed slow kisses down his neck and chest, dragging the short beard across Archer’s tan skin.
From the pleased rumble deep in his chest, he enjoyed the mix of rough and soft.
They could have stayed like that, exchanging gentle caresses all day, but Silas wanted to feel all of Archer, inside and out. He wrapped a hand around Archer’s thick, throbbing erection and gave it a few leisurely strokes before bringing it to his mouth.
Archer shifted slightly, leaning over to the side. Intentionally or not, the position pushed him deeper into Silas’ mouth. He hummed in approval and swallowed as much of Archer’s length as he could.
A little more shifting, and then Archer’s gentle hands on Silas’ hips, guiding him up. Understanding what Archer wanted, Silas raised his hips and opened himself up to Archer’s touch. An oil-slick finger circled his entrance before slipping inside.
Like with everything else, Archer took his time preparing Silas, as if their time apart had somehow made him more fragile. Archer’s fingers worked slowly, stretching him open and coating his insides with the sweet-scented oil until he was wet, dripping, and ready.
Silas straddled Archer’s hips, hovering just above Archer’s throbbing cock, allowing the swollen head to brush against his entrance. He wrapped his arms around Archer’s neck and looked into his dark eyes. “I love you.”
Archer’s arms tightened around Silas and he growled, “I love you. I want to stay with you forever.”
Silas sank down onto Archer, sighing in contentment as his lover filled him. He pressed a line of kisses from Archer’s forehead, down his cheek, to his lips. Archer kissed his neck, burying his face into the crook. He rocked his hips, thrusting deeper into Silas.
There was no one to interrupt them. No fires to put out. No villains to defeat. They made love slowly, savoring every kiss, every second their bodies were pressed together, secure in the knowledge that they would have many more experiences like this in the years to come.
The climb to the edge was slow, but once Silas neared it, he increased his pace. Archer growled and grasped his hips to guide him along. Words of affection and encouragement spilled from Silas’ lips, a mix of ‘love you’ and ‘yes, there’ until he lost all breath.
Archer pulled him down for a rough, claiming kiss, his tongue plunging into Silas’ mouth to mimic the thrust of his hips. Then his hand closed around Silas’ cock, stroking him with the same aching rhythm until it was all Silas could feel.
Silas came with a rough gasp that Archer greedily swallowed. While he was still thrumming with pleasure, Archer’s hands tightened on his hips. He thrust into Silas one more time, burying himself deep inside him before shuddering with his own release.
Archer thumped back on the bed, carrying Silas with him. He laughed as he sprawled across Archer’s chest. He snuggled closer to him, feeling properly safe and relaxed for the first time he could remember.
Eventually, they would need to share their stories on what happened while they were apart, everything they’d won and lost. Finalize the alliance. Figure out their new roles as they rebuilt a kingdom together.
All of that could wait until tomorrow.