After that dramatic start to our sleigh ride, things calmed down. Rian and I snuggled together under the blanket, his arm around me, inside my cloak. My heart and mind were at peace. Even the forest, dubbed the Dark Forest but the locals, seemed welcoming.
Many trees had lost their leaves, bringing more light into the environment. The snow magnified that light, turning the forest into a glittering dreamland coated in sugar. And even though my face was cold, the rest of me was toasty warm, Rian's body heat rolling off him to become mine.
As we rode along, I ruminated on how fast things were going with us. I don't just mean sex. It was everything. We went from one emotion to another—great highs to great lows, and back again. So far, it had brought us closer. It was a wild flow that bared all, displaying our truths to each other and taking us deeper into intimacy. Hopefully, we'd end up in the same place, but I wasn't focused on the destination. I couldn't be. To do so would summon the fear that kept rearing its ugly head, trying to ruin our journey. And the journey was what it was all about. I wanted to enjoy my time with Rian no matter what. So, I set an intention to stay as positive as possible.
We'd see how long that would last.
“Here we are,” Rian's voice—not as deep as Rontor's but still somewhere in a very masculine range—rumbled in my ear.
I looked down from the white-dusted branches to the clearing before us. The sleigh made a loop of it, giving me a complete view of the fine table and chairs set atop a round rug. It looked so incongruous out there. The silver candelabra, its long tapers as white as the snow, didn't belong there. Nor did the porcelain plates and crystal goblets. The polished silverware was engraved, just like the sort I had used in the Royal Palace of Vix. To see it in the middle of a forest was . . .
I laughed in delight as I sat up, then clapped. “This is wonderful!”
“I'm glad you like it,” Rian said as he climbed out of the sleigh. “I've had men out here for hours, setting it up, then watching over it.” He nodded at one of his knights. “Thank them for me and let them know they can return in two hours to clean up.”
The knight bowed, then headed into the woods. Sure enough, there was a group of men nearby—a mix of Ricarri and Hulfrin—huddled around a fire. They put out the fire and gathered their things as soon as they saw the knight approach.
“All of this for me?” I asked, still in the sleigh.
“Who else?” Rian held his hand out.
I took his hand and climbed out of the sleigh, feeling more noble than I had ever felt at court. “Thank you, Rian. Just seeing it is a treat.”
“You're most welcome. Seeing your pleasure is my treat.” He escorted me to the table, then pulled out a chair for me. “But we're going to do much more than look. It would be offensive if we didn't.”
I laughed again, brightly, and my wings shook in their sheaths with my delight. I wanted to fly, that's how wonderful he made me feel. And I seemed to return the favor because Rian couldn't stop smiling as he lit the candles with little flicks of his fingers.
“It's warm under here,” I said as I pulled up the tablecloth. “Oh! What's all this?”
“This is our breakfast.” He pulled out a wooden box and opened it. “I'm sorry it's so late. I intended to be out here earlier, but someone distracted me.” He smirked.
“The sex was worth going hungry.”
“It was indeed.” From the box, he brought forth covered dishes that he set on the table.
I knew better than to offer to help. My mother had often told me that if I wanted to be adored, I had to let someone adore me. I'd forgotten that under King Dhrostan's rule, but I owed allegiance to a new king now, and I was remembering who I was. I was a man who wanted to be adored. I deserved to be.
So, I just watched Rian work, smiling encouragingly at him every time he set a new platter or bowl out. Accept adoration but also appreciate it. Show them that their efforts will gain them a reward. Every relationship is about give and take. Well, the healthy ones are. When Rian set the last dish out, I stroked his hand and gave him a look that promised a more intimatetouch to come. Seeing his throat work in response was a reward for me as well.
At the bottom of the box were Fire crystals, and Rian left the lid off when he tucked it back under the table so that the heat would continue to warm our feet. I bit my lip, so excited to see what he'd brought us. It was just food. But it was food Rian had chosen for me.
The Dragon King removed the lids, setting each one in the snow and setting free great wafts of aromatic steam. I breathed in and sighed as I leaned forward. Peering into every container, I saw many of my favorite dishes. There was honeyed chicken, pork-wrapped dates, sweetened and fried baby cabbages, lamb chops with mint sauce, and steamed puddings for dessert.
“This . . .” I looked up at him in awe. “These are dishes from Zaru. How did you know I liked Zaruian food?”
“I did some investigating.” Rian grinned.
“Investigating into me?”
“Yes. I wanted to know more about you.”
I frowned at that. “You could have simply asked me.”
“Oh, I know, and I will. But I wanted to know a few basics so I could surprise you with things you like.” He started dishing out portions of food onto my plate. “Believe me, Galin, I'm looking forward to learning everything about you, but seeing your delight when I revealed our meal was worth learning your favorite food from someone else.”
“Oh. All right.” I grinned. “Who did you ask?”
“Well, I didn't actually speak to anyone.” Rian flushed.
