“Much better,” Cyprian said to Braxis, who was chewing on his meat and sighing in delight. “Still lacking finesse, but better.”
“Finesse?” Braxis scowled. “I thought that explained it perfectly.”
“You spoke so beautifully to Amara about your feelings but when you speak of sex, all you can do is compare it to death and meat,” Cyprian noted.
“That is all sex is,” Braxis glanced my way, then looked back at Cyprian. “A small death and a basic need fulfilled. It's only when you add Amara that everything, even something as base as sex, becomes beautiful.”
My jaw slowly unhinged. Lily sighed and melted in her seat. Even the other men stared at Braxis as if he'd just spouted holy scripture.
“Now,thatwas finesse.” Cyprian lifted his glass to Braxis. “Well said, Brax.”
Brax? I looked at Cyprian with wide eyes but he was busy clicking glasses with his new bestie.
Braxis grinned and declared, “I had fun today. You've shown me that warriors come in many forms and honor doesn't have to be won on a battlefield. Thank you for sharing your world with me, Cyprian, Master of the Faulin. I may not be worthy of Amara, but you are.”
Cyprian froze, his glass halfway to his mouth, then he lifted his chin and nodded at Braxis—one warrior to another—before taking a sip.
A shivering warmth spread through my chest, softening my heart, and it had nothing to do with Braxis's romantic words. I was flattered, of course, but it was what he'd said about Cyprian that truly touched me. Braxis had spent a mere day in Cyprian's company, but he'd seen the truth of who Cyprian was and all he'd done for his people. He'd seen the warrior beneath the Lothario. It proved to me that Braxis was more than a brute; that he was both discerning and open-minded. But more importantly, he had given Cyprian the respect that he'd been denied the other night.
Braxis had acknowledged all Cyprian had achieved and had even placed that achievement higher than his own. I could say something similar to Cyprian, and he would love me for it, but he also knew I was biased. No matter how many times I called him Ruar or vowed that he'd make an excellent father, that feeling of worthlessness would never leave Cyprian completely. But the recognition and respect of an outsider—a warrior from one of the most powerful races in all the realms—just might do the trick. For both Cyprian and me. Braxis had gotten further with me by speaking those honest, direct words to Cyprian than he had with his flowery flattery.
I met Braxis's gaze and nodded in acknowledgment.Yes, that's my heart you just touched—the piece of it that belongs to Cyprian.
Braxis blinked in surprise before his lips shifted into a soft smile.
“So, Braxis, we heard that you were just crowned a Duke of Hell,” Lily said in that casual dinner conversation tone people use.
“That's right,” Braxis grudgingly shifted his gaze away from me and set it on Lily.
“Congratulations,” Lily went on. “I was just wondering how you're going to rule if you stay here?”
“I have someone ruling in my stead for now.”
“Yes, but what if you stay indefinitely?” Lily glanced at me. “What if you're successful with... your goals?”
“I will abdicate,” Braxis said simply. He cut his prime rib and ate another piece.
“What?” Malik snarled. “My father is trusting you to rule the Tribes. You can't just abdicate.”
“Some things are more important.” Braxis looked at Kyrian to add, “This really is delicious, Prince Kyrian. Thank you for the meal.”
Kyrian beamed. “You're very welcome. I'm glad you're enjoying it.”
“It is delicious, darling,” I agreed, sliding my hand on his thigh. “The best I've ever tasted.”
“Thank you.” Kyrian, seated on my right, leaned over to kiss my cheek.
“You're saying that Amara's more important than your tribe?” Malik demanded of Braxis. “All that you were working toward? You'll toss it away if we accept you into the Fusion?”
“In an instant,” Braxis said gravely.
Malik shook his head in disgust. “What kind of leader are you?”
“The kind who is truly in love for the first time in his life.”
“A good leader does what's right for his people, despite the personal cost,” Malik growled. “Your men followed you through a revolt and then into hiding. You took them across the universe before you finally won peace for them. But after all that, you'd threaten their peace for a woman?”
“No,” Braxis said. “Not just a woman—Amara.”
