No. That was impossible.
I took in a deep breath, and on the exhale managed a polite smile.
Kai bit his lower lip and looked at Lucien, who nodded and brought their joined hands up to his mouth to press a kiss to Kai’s knuckles. The sleek rings they both wore glinted under the light, and for some reason, the sight of it made my chest feel hollow. A strange sensation, considering I wore a ring of my own.
However, each represented a very different vow. Theirs was a vow of love and commitment to each other in both the emotional and physical sense, mine a commitment to become a spouse of the church and a reminder of the vow of celibacy I took.
One I clearly needed a refresher on this morning.
“Kai has a question he’d like to ask you, father.”
Kai smiled over at me, radiant as ever. “We both do, really.”
My attention shifted to Lucien to see him focused on me, an unreadable expression in his eyes. If I didn’t know him the way I did, I might feel a slight sense of intimidation at the intensity. But something about the way he was holding Kai’s hand and watching me indicated he was more anxious than upset by what was about to be asked.
“We don’t want to take up too much of your time. It’s just…we’re in the middle of planning our wedding, and…” Kai stopped, swallowed, and looked back to Lucien.
Lucien gave him a soft smile and nodded.
“We were wondering if you’d officiate our wedding?”
The question wasn’t at all unusual, given my vocation, but it had never occurred to me that Kai and Lucien would want that fromme. I was their priest, that was true, but I was the man they came to in the late hours to confess their deepest, darkest secrets.Kingssecrets.
I hadn’t expected them to want me to be part of such an intimate ceremony. I’d figured they’d fly somewhere exotic, invite all their family and friends, their other brothers…Alessio.
Oh no, there was no way I could officiate a wedding Alessio would be at.
But just as I was about to make something up to avoid such a situation, something on my face must’ve tipped Kai off, because he let go of Lucien’s hand to lean over and take mine—ink stain and all.
“Oh, please don’t say no, Father Vitale.” He blinked at me. “I can’t think of anyone else I’d want to perform the ceremony.”
My fingers tightened around his, and suddenly it became clear why Lucien was watching me. He wanted this for Kai. He was used to giving Kai the world. But this?Thiswas out of his hands, something I was sure he wasn’t used to.
“It’s not that Iwantto say no?—”
“Good.” Kai beamed.
I chuckled at his eagerness, my eyes flicking over to Lucien. “Try to say no to that face,” he said.
“I’m not saying no. I’m just, just…”Stuttering like a fool. Pull yourself together, Rafael.“I’m not sure I’ll be available on the date you need. So?—”
“We can do any date you’re free,” Lucien interrupted. “We’re flexible.”
Of course they were. He was a King.
He would move mountains to make his man happy—or dates, as it were.
“Will you do it, Father Vitale?” Kai asked.
Lucien was right—how could I say no to such a sweet soul? A man who had dedicated his time to helping the LGBTQ+ homeless in different outreach programs. He’d come such a long way, been through so much, and I felt an immense sense of happiness and pride in knowing I might’ve helped him in some small way create the bright future he now thrived in.
So yes, I would happily do this for them. Join these two men who’d found each other against all odds.
“Of course I’ll do it.” I patted Kai’s hand then slipped it free to get my calendar. I had never gone against the church and performed a same-sex marriage before. However, there were ways I could tiptoe around it. Maybe have one of the other Kings get ordained and sign the marriage certificate…
Yes, that could work.
I flipped through, looking at my schedule before pausing to ask, “I’d be honored; however, it can’t be?—”
