When they’d first met, he wouldn’t have been sure if Elias knew the history of his own kingdom. He’d seemed so ridiculously naive. But not now.
Gerard couldn’t quite make sense of it. The Elias he’d met on that first day seemed so at odds with the man beside him now.
“Did you know that I almost married my stepbrother, Prince Matteo?” Elias asked.
Gerard stilled. “I didn’t know that.”
“It was discussed early on when we first made peace. Our parents would marry and consolidate the peace treaty between Zephyrias and Voltaria. Then we, too, would marry, further consolidating it.”
Elias tucked a white strand of hair behind his ear. He’d worn his long white hair up tonight, showing off his long, slender neck. But still a few strands hung loose.
“Would you have wanted that?” Gerard had never met the heir to Voltaria and Zephyrias. But the dossier Draconia had on him suggested he was competent and hard-working. Hopefully that would continue when he became ruler of the combined kingdoms.
“What I wanted never really came into it,” Elias said. “But he is decent. And he doesn’t despise me like his mother.” He paused. “I think it could have been a tolerable match.”
But then his eyes turned from the dance floor and landed on Gerard. He reached out and touched the patch of skin that was not covered by Gerard’s sleeve. “But I’m pretty pleased with how it has all turned out in the end.”
Gerard could feel his cheeks heat. He still couldn’tcomprehend that Elias not only seemed to not mind marrying him but perhaps even wanted to marry him.
In the previous few days, they’d continued to make love and get to know each other. Elias never looked at him with disgust or pity. He made Gerard feel like the powerful dragon warrior. He made Gerard feel liked he’d used to, before the lightning attack.
Elias slunk forward, movements fluid and graceful as he pressed in close. “Do I make you blush, oh mighty Dragon Warrior?”
Gerard huffed a laugh. Then Elias’s hand rested on his chest. He toyed with the buttons of Gerard’s coat.
Elias threw a glance towards the dance floor. Finally, the betrothed couple had parted and left. Others now twirled below. “I’m bored.”
“Do you want to dance?” Gerard asked.
Elias’s gaze met Gerard’s. “No. I want to find somewhere private. I want to make you blush all over.”
Chapter
Twenty-Nine
Elias tugged Gerard down an empty hallway off the ballroom. The music and sound of chatter dimmed.
Elias glanced into the empty rooms they passed. “Now let’s see. Which room looks most suitable for you to ravish me in?”
Gerard laughed. Elias’s footsteps lightened.
He remembered when he’d first seen Prince Gerard. He’d wondered if the serious man ever even smiled. Now here he was, laughing. And Elias was the cause!
Every time Elias drew a smile or laugh from the reserved man, Elias felt like he could grow wings and fly like a dragon. Of course, Elias preferred keeping his feet firmly on the ground.
“This looks cosy.” Elias stepped into a room, pulling Gerard with him.
Shelved books lined the walls. Heavy curtains hung before the windows. Several settees and chairs sat in the middle of the little library. A lantern lit the space.
“Get the door, will you?” Elias walked to a settee, swinging his hips. He turned with a swirl and sat.
Gerard shut the door. He paused. “I can’t lock it. The key is missing.”
Elias leaned back. “If someone wants to come in and watch, let them. I’m excellent at putting on a show.”
Gerard hesitated, staring at the lock. Then he dragged a chair and shoved it beneath the handle.
Elias laughed. “That works too.”
