A chill ran over my arms and through my body, and for a second, I thought I saw Shale glow. Just a second and then it was gone, but it was so bright and beautiful that I was physically affected by it. It flashed through me, bringing a wave of calm and warmth that comforted me. Of course, it was all in my mind. His speech had moved me, that's all. I was softened by his loyalty to his creator, a goddess who had turned on her children. And still, he worshiped her.
“I respect your loyalty,” King Vaxarion said. “But she is not my Goddess. Karadas made us. Ensarena only offered a touch of her Fire to give us life. She wanted nothing more to do with us. We were and always will be his children alone. I don't owe her anything.”
“Fair enough,” Shale said. “But you will not besmirch her name in my presence.”
King Vaxarion held up his hands. “As you wish.”
“Thank you.”
“Phew,” I said. “That got heavy. Can we move on?”
“Yes, I'd like that.” Kin Vaxarion chuckled. “Let's find a lighter topic.” He speared a piece of meat with his fork and stuck it delicately into his mouth.
Something he had said earlier came back to me, and I asked, “What's an earthling?”
“What's that?” King Vaxarion asked, lifting his brow. Then his face cleared. “Oh! You mean Kaleb, King Asmar's mate. He's from another world, a world without magic, inhabited onlyby humans. It's called Earth. So, King Asmar calls Kaleb his earthling.”
“What?!” I shrieked.
The room went silent again. This time all Shale had to do was glare at his court.
After another bout of laughter, the Sea King told me all about the men—two of them—who had come through rifts between worlds made when the Dragon Gods fought. I spent the rest of the night reeling over the news that there was a world where humans ruled. Where there were no Dragons or Eljaffna or anyone else. Just animals and us. Would that be wonderful or dismal? I couldn't decide. Not until I laid down beside Shale later that night. Then I knew. No world without him in it could be wonderful. Not for me.
Chapter Thirty-Six
King Vaxarion left the next morning, and my life as the King's consort took shape. Things changed. I fully moved into the King's tower. I took most meals with him. I slept and often bathed with him. My world was Shale.
A month passed in bliss. During the day, I worked in the garden. As soon as the sun set, I returned to the King's tower where Shale and I would dress for dinner. But sometimes, Shale visited me during the day and helped me plant, trim, or lift anything heavy. He always seemed to know when I needed him. If something posed a problem and I found myself standing back, pondering it a while, he would appear. Like magic. I liked to think that we were becoming attuned to each other. I even thought I could sense when he needed me. There had been a few times when I got a strange urge to go to the tower in the middle of the day. He would be there every time, waiting for me, usually naked.
It had been the best month of my life. A month and five days, to be exact. Between Shale and his courtiers, I felt like royalty. My humanity ceased to be an issue. I was simply Master Sebastian, Consort to the King. Word spread through Enleran, and when I ventured into town for supplies, I received even better treatment than I did at the castle.
And I fell even deeper in love with Shale.
No previous love I'd felt for another compared to what I felt for Shale. Every day, I found something new about him to adore or admire, another reason to fall harder. And when he held me, I had to bite my tongue to keep from declaring my feelings. Shale had to know, had to see it. But he never spoke of it—not of my feelings or his. That was a subject we avoided. It had become a law for us.
But I was happy. He was happy.Staring at the completed garden, I knew it was enough. We could go on like that forever. As much forever as I got.
The gentle sound of bubbling water joined bright birdsong and the low humming of bees to create the most perfect music. Flowers perfumed the air with a hint of ripening fruit. Everything was flourishing. The beds overflowed in the proper ways, full of immaculately clipped and carefully selected plants. And through it all, the rays of the star fountain spread, delivering water to every part of the garden.
“You don't need me anymore,” I whispered to the garden. “You're gonna be fine with a few gardeners now. But I'll check on you when I can.”
“Talking to the plants again?” Shale asked from behind me.
“I was just about to go looking for you.” I smiled to myself before I turned around. As I said, he seemed to know when I needed him.
Shale, dressed in turquoise and tan, lifted his brows as he stepped up beside me. “Is it done?”
“Yes.” I waved an arm out. “Would you care to tour the garden, Your Majesty?”
“I would indeed.” He held out his hand, and I took it.
Warm and strong, his grip was nonetheless soft, without the callouses my hands bore. Yes, even this thrilled me. Just holding Shale's hand and walking through the garden with him. The garden I had brought back to its former glory for him. I watched his face instead of admiring the plants. I didn't want to miss a single reaction.
Of course, Shale had seen the progression, so it wasn't a big reveal. He didn't gasp or exclaim at the beauty of the cherry blossoms or the shine on the freshly polished stone bench. His reactions were more subtle—a lifting of the corners of his mouth, crinkling around his eyes, a long stare. The last had me worried. Shale went still several times and just gazed at the garden. His hand clenched around mine and a little frown appeared on his face. But then he moved on.
It was my best work. I'd made sure of that for him. Every plant was placed to enhance the rest. The frothy, bright pink bouvania, puffing above the spikes of jacrus. Roses burst through fluffy mounds of pale green frasper. Hyacinth bloomed in thick columns around sprinkles of pink orchids. Tiers of plants kept the eye wandering, ever seeking something new. It was close to the original garden, but I added some extra touches just for Shale. Like the bower of wisteria near the back of the garden where he finally stopped. There was a bench but also a soft patch of grass there that would be the perfect place for a romantic, or lusty, encounter.
Pausing to brush his hand over a hanging clump of purple flowers, Shale said, “You've done a remarkable job, Sebastian. You should be very proud. Thank you.”
