That had worked out so well, too.
Not.
“Is it against the law or something for someone royal to marry someone not royal?” Ivo asked.
“It’s not against the law, per se, but it’s heavily frowned upon. It’s an old, archaic belief brought from the time when our people needed strong rulers with unquestionable heritages. I think it’s stupid, but I also think our clan is so far behind the times, we might as well be in the dust.”
“It’s a stupid belief. Someone not of royal blood can be just as strong as someone with royal blood. A bloodline does not mean anyone is better than anyone else. Some of the worst people in history have been royal, just as some of the best have been commoners.”
The corner of Vitki’s lips tilted up. “I agree, Ivo, but it will take a lot more than that to change the minds of the clan. The younger generations want change. They want to experience the world and have their voices heard. The older generations cling to the ways of old.”
“What do you believe?”
“I believe that there is a common ground somewhere. There has to be. Some of the laws we have in place are there for a reason.” Like the Dýka having more power than the king, but only when it came to the king’s safety. “There are other laws and beliefs, traditions, that need to go.”
Vitki just didn’t think he would see it in his lifetime.
“I’m not sure I want to be king, Vitki. I can barely keep a goldfish alive. How in the hell am I supposed to take care of an entire clan of people?”
“You don’t do it on your own, Ivo. You ask for help. You have advisers, and there are the elders.” Vitki almost winced when he mentioned the elders. He wouldn’t trust most of them as far as he could throw them. “As your Dýka, your right hand, I am always here to help.”
No matter how hard thelongingbecame.
“Can’t we just sneak back out through the sewer and run away somewhere?”
Vitki almost swallowed his tongue before he could answer. “We could do that, but you’d have to formally rescind your right to the throne to do that. Otherwise, people are going to continue to come after you.”
“Yeah, but…won’t they come after me once I am king?”
Vitki clenched his hands as rage momentarily blinded him. “They may try,” he finally said, “but I believe whoever is coming after you at this moment is trying to prevent you from taking the throne. Once you have either claimed it or given it up, they will no longer be after you.”
He could hope, anyway.
“Tell me about being a dragon.”
Vitki wasn’t sure who was more grateful for the change of subject, him or Ivo. But he was happy to tell Ivo anything he wanted to know about being a dragon. He loved it. Vitki began telling Ivo about some of the things they could do as dragon shifters. He regaled him with stories from his childhood, of mishaps he had had, such as flying into a tree once. He’d had a headache for days.
Vitki didn’t know how long he had been talking when he realized Ivo’s eyes were closed. “Ivo?” he whispered softly.
When the man didn’t respond, Vitki moved so he could pick Ivo up and carry him to his bed. As much as he wanted to share stories with Ivo, he was actually glad the man had finally fallen to sleep. The dark circles that had begun to appear around his eyes had caused him worry.
Ivo was exhausted.
Vitki carefully tucked Ivo into bed, pulling the covers up to his chest. He shot the door a quick look before sitting on the side of the bed. He knew no one would enter Ivo’s bedchambers without permission, not unless it was an emergency, but he still needed to be cautious.
Vitki was just racking up the points against himself tonight. First, he told Ivo pretty much everything without the permission of the elders. An executable offense. And now, he was allowing himself to gently stroke the side of Ivo’s face. For one moment, he was giving in to thelonging. Another offense. This one might not mean his death, but close enough.
Still, he couldn’t prevent himself from doing it. This might be the only chance he ever had to touch Ivo for anything other than to see to his safety.
Vitki wasn’t sure if it was thelongingor not, but Ivo was by far the most beautiful man he had ever laid eyes on. And it went more than skin deep. There was a fire in Ivo that lit him up from the inside. But he was also sweet, amusing as hell, and so damn sexy he made Vitki ache as he never had before.
Vitki’s heart lodged in his throat when Ivo turned his face, pressing against Vitki’s palm. Ivo’s eyelids opened slowly, the man’s eyes sleep dazed.
“Vitki,” Ivo whispered.
God, he was going to be executed for sure, but Vitki couldn’t help himself. He leaned down and pressed his lips against Ivo’s, stealing his surprised breath. Vitki groaned. Ivo’s lips were buttery soft and made for plundering. The mere touch of Ivo’s lips against his sent a shock wave through his entire body.
He deepened the kiss, stroking his tongue along the seam before delving deeper, exerting a more powerful provocative pressure with his mouth. Tendrils of fire and ice raced up his spine. Desire clawed at him, hard and sharp.
