RODIAN
In the two weeks since the ill-fated assassination attempt, Rodian had seen his days filled with politics and his nights uncharacteristically alone. Some of that was his own doing, having needed to travel beyond Matriskav to other cities in Urova to press upon the ivoryanin families in person that he was not to be seen as weak.
The weather still leaned toward winter storms despite the calendar saying it was spring, so Rodian stuck to the steam trains rather than an airship. Returning to Matriskav was a whole ordeal, necessitating a motorcade through the city and an afternoon royal court session to further cement his rule.
At least there in the capital, he had Arkadi by his side again. It was difficult for Rodian to keep his gaze from the younger man as he addressed the royal court, but he managed.
Somehow.
In the end, there was still more to do—there would always be more to do—but Rodian knew that if he wanted time for himself, he needed to take it.
“Walk with me,” Rodian said to Arkadi when it was only the two of them in the throne room. He drank in the sight of the younger man, having missed him desperately every day Rodian didn’t have him close by.
“Of course,” Arkadi said, probably thinking Rodian wanted an update on everything that had happened in the capital in his absence. Except Sakka had done that during their nightly telephone calls together, and Rodian wanted nothing so much as to get Arkadi alone, both of them hidden away from the prying eyes of the world.
And the only place that could truly happen was in Rodian’s bedchambers.
If Arkadi thought it unusual for Rodian to lead him there, he said nothing. Rodian walked with him in silence, finding that the servants had left the fire banked and the windows open to air out the room, letting in a crisp, late afternoon breeze. The sun was low on the horizon still, sunlight golden on the carpet.
Arkadi’s gaze was dark and heavy with unspoken want when Rodian turned to face him after closing and locking the bedchamber door. His long hair was done up in its usual knot, held in place by stilettos disguised as hair sticks. His long-vest and trousers were a pale blue and light gray, perfectly tailored to his lean body, and the height of courtly fashion.
Rodian thought they would look better on his bedchamber’s floor.
“I’ve missed you,” Rodian said roughly.
“I’ve missed you as well,” Arkadi confessed. “I hated not being with you.”
Rodian closed the scant distance between them, hauling Arkadi close and capturing his mouth. Those plush lips opened without restraint, letting Rodian slip his tongue past teeth to kiss the other man with a fierceness that burned. He kissed Arkadi again and again, drowning in the taste of the younger man,pleased to feel the same desperate fervor in the body pressed against his.
When Rodian finally tore his mouth free, panting harshly, he reached up and grasped Arkadi’s chin, pressing his thumb to that swollen bottom lip. “I am going to lay out on my bed and spend the rest of my day making you scream my name.”
Arkadi’s eyelids fluttered closed, his tongue flicking out to lick at Rodian’s thumb. “I would like that very much, Rodya.”
“My beautiful gilded Blade,” Rodian rumbled. “Get undressed for me so that I may give you your first courting gift, but do not take down your hair. I will do that for you.”
The way Arkadi shuddered was absolutely delightful, Rodian’s cock twitching hard in his own trousers. He’d spent many a night away fisting his own cock while picturing Arkadi taking it, but he knew dreams were nothing compared to the press of another body against his own.
While Arkadi obeyed Rodian’s order, he went to the table with its hutch of drawers, pulling open one to retrieve the small box with the ring he’d asked Sakka to procure for him in his absence. He flicked the top open for a brief second to study the ring, satisfied with the result, before closing it again.
When he turned around, he had to pause and reach down to adjust himself, for the sight of Arkadi standing naked in his bedchambers was a beautiful sight indeed. Arkadi was all long limbs and a lean torso, with pale skin that Rodian ached to bruise up with his mouth, and a hardening cock that spoke of his desire.
Better than a dream, and Arkadi washis.
Rodian approached slowly, letting his gaze drag up and down Arkadi’s body, watching as the younger man shivered, his cock twitching. Rodian came to a stop before him, not touching him, and held out the small box for Arkadi to see.
“Open it,” Rodian said.
Arkadi took the box with steady hands, thumbing it open. He stared down at the ring nestled there with wide eyes. “Rodya…”
“In my old town, we always give such a gift to show our intent to court. I know it is not the ring everyone would expect me to give you, but consider this a promise that when our courtship is finished, I will take you as my husband.”
Arkadi drew in a shuddering breath, gaze flicking upward, staring at Rodian through thick lashes. “And how long do you wish to court me?”
“I would marry you tomorrow if it wouldn’t scandalize the court, but I promised Sakka she would get to handle the wedding planning. I am not brave enough to go back on that promise.”
Arkadi laughed, bright and happy. “Nor would I.”
“Will you accept my gift, Arkadi?” Rodian asked.
