“This is what you get for not stopping by to say hello to me first. I would have told you what a mistake that was going to be,” Leif says with a mixture of truth and playfulness.
“Unless you’re dying, I’m not seeing you before I see Kyron. And since when do you talk me out of bad ideas?” I flatly say.
“I would’ve talked you out of stripping naked and kissing Kyron’s boots. Talk about taking the servitude pledge to a new level, Elle.”
Wel shakes his head at Leif. “Stop. The rumorshavegotten out of hand, but that’s not what people are saying.”
I shoot Leif a side-long glare. “Don’t self-insert your kinky fantasies with Wel into my life.”
“No need to fantasize when I’m living it,” my best friend quips.
Wel chuckles, running his hand over the black stubble on his head. His brown cheeks flood with crimson, and he turns away to hide them.
“You know, I was fine wallowing in my misery alone,” I grumble.
Leif knocks the side of my knee with his. “Liar.”
I am a liar. The only reason I’m still up at this ungodly time is because I want this sadness gone. It’s too heavy in my chest, crushing me until it’s hard to breathe. Kyron needs to hear why I made my choice, to know it wasn’t to hurt him. Far from it.
“Things look to be going well for the two of you,” I say, desperate for a change of subject.
They lock eyes and exchange smiles. The way they feel for one another is so clear. They don’t need to stifle how giddy they are just being close or hide longing stares. No one thinks they’re weak for wearing their adoration like a second skin. It’s so different from the life Leif would have had if we married—sneaking around the palace and pretending the person he loved meant nothing to him. I’m happy he found what he deserves.
Leif holds out his hand to Wel, who threads their fingers together. My best friend runs his thumb over his boyfriend’s knuckles and says, “We’re more than good.”
“I’d say fantastic now that you’re home,” Wel adds. “Leif worked day and night to find where the Allaji king was keeping you.”
Leif kisses Wel’s knuckles. “You made it easy for me not to give up, bringing me dinner when I forgot to eat and sleeping in my office so I wouldn’t miss you.”
My chest tightens at their sweet display of affection. I should be sharing moments like this with Kyron. We have spent too much time apart. He may not see my actions that way, but I was trying to make that possible. I understand what wearing the crown means, and the obligations he has to this kingdom. Our people need security, to know that Pliris will not be vulnerable to anyone who would destroy our way of life. He needs to befocused on that future and not one with me. This was my way of giving him that and doing whatever it takes for us to be together.
“I’m grateful to you both. Thank you,” I say.
Wel nods. “You’re welcome. I know you would have done the same for us.”
“It’s just too bad that you’re squandering your newly obtained freedom in this hallway. You should be ravaging your king.” Leif says, playing with Wel’s fingers before bringing them to his lips and kissing them one by one.
I don’t remember a time when Leif wasn’t a part of my life. My earliest memories include him. He knows everything about me, from how to make me laugh to how to drive me toward a murderous rage. He has never tried to make me jealous before, but I’ll be damned if he isn’t doing it now.
Sarcasm drips from each word as I say, “Sincemyking hasn’t come to find me or returned to his room, I’m guessing he doesn’t want to be ravaged by me right now. It’s safe to bet that he’s avoiding me at all costs.”
“Stop with the excuses, Elle. You’re scared and hiding, waiting for that safe moment when he approaches you. He was the one blindsided by what you did. Go and make it up to him,” Leif says.
Wel brushes his thumb along his lover’s cheek and says, “He’s right. Kyron has fought day and night to bring you home. I know sending you to spend time with your family was hard for him.”
“He’s been an insufferable asshole for two weeks,” Leif adds.
The men exchange one more adoring look and give their attention to me.
“Go put the man out of his misery, Elle,” Wel says.
Leif lifts an eyebrow and tilts his head to the side. “Putyourselfout of misery.”
I stare at the ceiling and exhale. Iambeing a coward. The last thing I want is to face Kyron’s disappointment. I shouldn’t have surprised him with my decision, especially in front of his advisors and other influential people in the community. I tried to take his say in the matter out of his hands because I knew he would stop me. The mistake I made today wasn’t choosing a life of servitude; it was making it known the way I did.
I stand and retie the satin sash of my robe.
“Besides, you wouldn’t want that little lacy nightgown to go to waste. It seems to have a scandalous purpose,” Leif teases.
