Elias exhaled. “Actually, if you want, I can go to the monks. I can take a vow that what I’m saying is all true. Then you’ll know. Do the monks do stuff like that?”
Gerard huffed a laugh. “That won’t be necessary.” He hesitated. “Because I think maybe I already do believe you.”
Elias let out a breath. “You do?”
Maybe it was because of the exhaustion and lack of sleep, maybe it was because he was a complete and absolute fool, maybe it was because he was besotted with Elias and wanted to believe Elias felt the same way, but Gerard did.
Elias hesitated. “Does that mean you forgive me?” His grip on Gerard’s hand tightened to the point of pain.
Gerard tucked a dirtied strand of hair behind Elias’s hair. “I think I do.”
Elias’s face lit up, and Gerard could not have looked away from his brilliance even if he’d wanted to. Then Elias leaped up, wrapped his arms around Gerard’s neck, and kissed him.
Chapter
Sixty-Seven
Hands trembling, Elias pressed his lips to Gerard’s. He clutched at Gerard’s shoulders as Gerard’s hands slid around him and lifted him from the ground. Elias wrapped his legs around Gerard’s waist.
He forgives me. Gerard has forgiven me.
Gerard knew him now. Knew him better than anyone had ever known him. And still he cared for Elias.
He’d worried if he’d ever get to kiss Gerard, ever get to be in his arms, ever get to make love to Gerard again. He’d thought that Gerard would never want that—want him again. But Gerard’s hands held Elias tight, and Elias melted against him, the tension ebbing from his body.
He still wants me!Elias smiled into the kiss.
Their mouths moved. Elias glided his fingers up Gerard’s neck, sliding them into his short hair. He tugged. Gerard groaned.
Gerard carried Elias to the bed and laid him down. Elias released his grip as Gerard pulled back and gazed down atElias. Gerard touched Elias’s cheek. Elias turned his face to kiss his fingertips.
The dragon warrior studied Elias’s face. “I’ve always known you were beautiful. Too stunning for words. And now … Now I know that you are brave and intelligent and strong. Seeing you fight …” He let out a rush of breath. “You were magnificent in all your glory.”
Elias grinned. “You thought me magnificent?”
“I’d never seen a more magnificent sight.” Gerard paused. “Before, I struggled to comprehend how someone as beautiful as you could desire someone who looks like me.” A frown flickered over his brows. “And now that I’ve seen the true you and I know how incredible you are … It baffles me that you still want me.”
Gerard swallowed, Adam’s apple bobbing. “All I can say is that now, until I draw my last breath, I promise you my devotion and my protection.” He huffed. “Although, you don’t really need my protection, do you? Still, I give you everything that I am.” He paused. “I love you, Lightning Prince.”
“You speak as if you weren’t offering me a great gift.” Elias tugged at Gerard’s shoulders, drawing him closer, wanting to inhale the air Gerard breathed. “You and your love is all that I could ever want, hope, or dream for. I love you, Dragon Warrior.”
Gerard smiled, and for a moment they remained still, gazing at each other, unmoving, as if not wanting to break the moment, as if wanting to just sit in the knowledge of having the other’s love.
Then Gerard lowered his head, taking Elias’s lips in a soft, sweet kiss. But slowly the press of their lips grew firmer. Elias wrapped his arms and legs around Gerard, squeezing him tight as the kiss deepened. Gerard’s handssnuck between Elias’s body and the bedding to slide up Elias’s back.
Elias arched against him. He rubbed himself against Gerard, wishing neither of them wore any clothing. He wanted skin against skin. He wanted nothing separating them. As if reading his thoughts, Gerard pulled back and tugged at the fastening of Elias’s clothes, removing them. Elias reciprocated, taking off Gerard’s robe.
Finally, when both were naked, Gerard lay on top of him. Elias moaned at the feel of naked skin pushing him down into the bedding. Gerard’s hard cock pressed against Elias’s thigh. His own dick lay trapped between his and Gerard’s stomachs.
They undulated, bodies rocking and sliding together. Gerard’s hard abs rubbed against Elias’s hard cock.
Elias tore his mouth from Gerard’s. “Oil. We need oil.”
Gerard clambered off him and ran to the trunk on the floor. Elias propped himself up, watching Gerard in the golden light of the flickering fire. Gerard flung open the trunk and rummaged inside. Gerard’s clothing was scattered across the floor.
“Fire and flames! Where the fuck is it?” Gerard muttered.
Muscle moved beneath skin as Gerard searched. Elias’s gaze lingered on his broad shoulders before travelling down to his toned waist. Elias reached down and gripped his own cock in hand. He stroked.
