For several moments they sat in silence, their heavybreathing filling the tent. Gerard reached over and picked up the carafe. It was a bit awkward, but he managed to fill both wine goblets. He handed one to Elias and took the other.
Gerard glanced towards the entrance to his tent. He frowned. “How did you get past my guards?”
Elias snorted, a rather inelegant sound for such a refined prince. “I’m naked in your arms after sucking your brains out through your dick and that’s what you are thinking about?”
“Um … Well …” His cheeks heated. “I just want to make sure that the guards are doing their duty!” he said, sounding somewhat defensive to his own ears.
Elias pressed a kiss to his shoulder. “I told them I was your betrothed and I was going to fuck you when you returned.” He shrugged. “They didn’t have any follow-up questions.”
Gerard laughed.
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Elias and Gerard strode towards a large pavilion by the edge of a cliff.
From this distance, Elias could see quite a few monks with their shiny bald heads amongst the nobles and dignitaries gathered. In particular, he saw quite a few warrior monks. And quite a few Draconian guards too.
There’d also been a warrior monk and two Draconian guards riding on the front of the carriage that had brought Elias and Gerard here. Ensuring everyone’s safety had clearly become a top priority since Warden Flint’s attempt to kill Onyx and Luther.
“You don’t have to worry about today’s couple’s quest,” Gerard said as they walked. “Senta was involved in the organisation. She didn’t tell me what our quest would involve, but she assured me it was nothing too dangerous. She promised it would be safe.”
Elias smiled. He said nothing, but his insides rankled. Gerard thought he was being comforting by telling Elias he would be safe. He thought he had to protect delicate Elias because he was weak and cowardly.Elias flexed his fingers.
But Elias wasn’t afraid of a little danger! He was an archmage! He’d fought in the war! Fuck. He’d fought Gerard and almost killed him!
You can’t be upset because people believe the lies you tell them.
Still, he wanted to show Gerard the truth; he wanted to light up the sky with lightning and yell, “See! This is what I can do! Are you impressed now?”
He wanted Gerard amazed, like Elias had been during the Tournament of Dragons. He wanted Gerard to be proud to be marrying him.
It almost made him want to reveal the truth and break his vow. Almost. But he wouldn’t. His word did not mean much. But this was the only vow he’d ever made. He would not break it.
And even if he hadn’t made a vow, he knew better than to trust someone so completely. After all, years ago, he’d wanted to tell his father about his abilities. If he’d done that, it would have ended disastrously for Elias.
So just because he wanted to open up to impress Gerard didn’t mean he should.
Also, Elias had almost killed Gerard. He didn’t know how Gerard would react to that news. And since they were getting along so well, it would probably be better to stay silent.
Elias had no problem with the fact Gerard had almost killed him. But you could never tell how one might react to such revelations.
So he just smiled as they approached the crowd and let Gerard believe him to be useless and gutless even as it gnawed at Elias’s spine.
People nodded and greeted Elias and Gerard as they entered the pavilion. Tables of food and drink had been setup. People milled around. Gerard took two goblets of wine and handed one to Elias.
Senta smiled at them. She’d smiled at Elias a lot since the tournament. It seemed he’d charmed her and Gerard at the same time. Senta stood with Juniper and Colette. Colette often gravitated towards them when Elias had duties to attend to and she couldn’t find Lord Wolf.
As long as Colette wasn’t around the empress or his half-siblings, Elias was satisfied. Although, he still kept an eye on Lord Wolf.
Gerard cleared his throat. “Senta mentioned that Empress Emmeline had rather … extreme ideas about the activities our couple’s quest should encompass. She wanted it to be very challenging and dangerous.”
“I’m sure she did,” Elias muttered, flicked a glance at his stepmother and father. He lifted his goblet to his lips.
“But Senta held firm, and the empress relented.”
“I see.” Elias could feel Gerard’s questioning gaze on him. He gave a rueful smile. “My stepmother doesn’t like me that much.”
