Elias would not have said that. Not Elias, who looked at him without a shred of disgust. Not Elias, who touched him and made love to him like Gerard was someone to be desired.
Elias would not say such cruel things about him. Others might. But never Elias.
“I am sorry to have to report this to you, Prince Gerard.” Prince Beau’s face twisted into an expression of sympathy. “It gives me no pleasure whatsoever. But I have always believed that honesty above all else was an important virtue. I always strive to be honest. Even when it hurts to hear.” He reached out to touch Gerard’s arm.
But Gerard stepped back. “And I have always believed it important to know when to hold one’s tongue,” he said.
Prince Beau inhaled, drawing back slightly. “I apologise if I offended.” He looked Gerard up and down. “I can see that my brother’s words have struck a nerve. How could they not? Learning your husband is sickened by the sight of you must be hard to hear.”
Gerard gritted his teeth.
“But if my husband spoke of me in such a manner, I’d want to know.” Prince Beau shook his head. “Elias has always been two-faced. And as his brother, I feel responsible for him. My warning was kindly meant.”
Gerard’s lip curled. “I’m sure.” Then he strode off. He did not wish to hear any more poison drip from Prince Beau’s lips.
It isn’t true.
That was all there was to it. Gerard didn’t believe it for asecond. He’d heard what Elias had said about Empress Emmeline. She was a liar. No doubt her son was the same. And Gerard knew Elias did not get along with Prince Beau.
It is just some ploy. Something cooked up by Prince Beau and Albert to get at me. And probably get at Elias too.
He tried to unclench his jaw and release the tension that had wound tight in his neck.
In a few moments, he’d see Elias and speak to him. He’d recount what Albert and Prince Beau had said. No accusation. He did not believe Elias would say such horrid things. He’d just simply recount what they’d told him.
Elias would say something flippant and dismissive. He’d laugh. Then he’d touch Gerard, gaze into his eyes, and tell him that it was all lies. He’d kiss Gerard and hold him and make Gerard feel desirable. And Gerard would know that, even though the rest of the world might see him as vile and repulsive, Elias did not.
Gerard exhaled, the tension draining from his neck.
Elias would not lie.
He stumbled. Because of course Elias had lied. He lied to everyone. He’d told Gerard that he lied constantly. It came easily to him. So easily that he struggled to be honest.
Gerard shook his head. But that didn’t mean he lied to Gerard. Not about something like this. Elias had told Gerard that he wanted to be honest with him. He wanted to open up to him. He wanted them to have a proper relationship. Something true.
He would not have called my face vile and repulsive. He would not have called me the dragon wretch.
Not the man who lay naked beside him with his head resting on Gerard’s bared scarred chest, hand absently stroking his torso, not reacting to the uneven skin hetouched. Not the man who kissed him and fucked him with so much passion that it undid Gerard.
He just needed to talk to Elias and be with him. Then everything would be all right. Then everything would be fine.
I just need Elias.
Chapter
Forty-Nine
Elias slid open the hidden compartment at the bottom of the trunk. He knelt on the floor, surrounded by the belongings he’d had to unpack to get to it.
Colette leaned against him, trying to peek inside. “Is that it? Is that your mask?”
Elias chuckled. “Yes. That’s my mask.” He pulled it out, holding it up to the light. He’d not looked at it since the war ended. It had remained in the hidden compartment at the bottom of his trunk since.
Jagged gold lines, like lightning, streaked across the stark white. He slid his hand over the smooth, painted wood. When he wore this mask, he was a strong and powerful archmage. It hid his identity. But at the same time, when he wore it, it revealed his true form.
And Gerard will never know.
“Will I get one just like it?”
