“I have no clue what I’m doing. Gods, what if I start a war? Or I can’t help everyone and my empire hates me?”
“Hey,” Talon soothed, drawing Zane into a tight hug. Zane wound his arms around Talon’s waist, leaning against his shoulder and breathing in his scent that reminded him of cinnamon and rum. “You’ll do great. And I’ll be here for you, in whatever capacity you want.”
“General?” Zane’s voice was muffled as he burrowed further into Talon’s body. A deep chuckle reverberated through Tal’s chest.
“Anything but that. I don’t think it’s where my skills are best suited. Emmeric may be a better choice, but I don’t think he would want the job either.”
“Where would your skills lie, then?”
Talon’s voice was husky when he replied. “I can think of quite a few places, but they all require less clothing.” Heat coursed through Zane’s body before landing in his cheeks and his cock. The latter twitched as Talon ran his nose up the side of his face.
Not the time or place.
Zane pulled back just far enough to see Talon’s face but was still molded to his body. He was sure Tal felt the beginnings of his attraction, because he already noticed Tal’s. Clearing his throat, he opened his mouth, then closed it. He was so unused to being vulnerable; he was hesitant to ask his next question. But there was no time like the present, so he braced himself for potential rejection.
“Will you stay by my side? Aiding me and—” He paused. Talon didn’t press though, and allowed him to collect his thoughts. “And loving me?” he finally askedquietly. Zane couldn’t look Talon in the eye, just in case. So he focused on a small fleck of blood still on the man’s cheek. Fingers threaded through his hair, and Zane sighed at the feeling. Talon tilted his head back until he was forced to stare into those blue eyes, which were currently serious, not dancing with mirth as they usually did.
“Zane…” He steeled his heart. “When Uther had you and I didn’t know if you were alive or dead, or the horrors you may be put through, it gave me a lot of clarity for what I want in my life.WhoI want. Of course I would do anything you asked of me. Forever. I love you.”
He had a millisecond to process the whispered words before Talon’s lips were on his, fingers tightening in his hair. Zane clung to him, swearing he’d never let him go, and pouring all his love for the man into this kiss. Letting him understand it with his lips and his tongue. He’d say the words as soon as he was able, but this moment was perfection. If it never ended, he would die a happy man.
Happy. When was the last time Zane had been truly happy? His heart soared, and he tugged Talon closer, moaning as his head was directed further back. Talon kissed the corner of his mouth, nipped at his earlobe, and kissed his way down Zane’s neck before resting his forehead on his shoulder.
“I’m going to make a fantastic empress,” Talon muttered.
Zane chuckled. “I love you,” he whispered.
“You are my heart, Zane. I thought I had lost the ability to love a long time ago, but now I know it was because my heart was residing outside of my chest.”
His own heart stuttered at Talon's words. “If I am your heart, then you are my soul, because I thought Uther had cleaved it out of me years ago, but you found it and kept it safe.”
They held each other tightly, happy to luxuriate in each other’s presence, knowing they’d soon need to get back to work. Zane as an emperor, and Talon as his advisor. The red head might object to the title, but at least he wouldn’t need to go to battle any longer.
“You didn’t throw up this time,” Zane said.
“Huh, I didn’t. Guess I had other things to worry about. Between you and Smalls over there, I’m busy enough to not think about the blood.” Talon made a noise in his throat. “We need to stop talking about it though.”
Instead of talking, they kissed again, more languidly this time. Content to be sharing the same space, the same breath. Talon’s tongue ran across his lips and Zane parted for him with a low moan. Talon drew him closer, the kiss intensifying, when someone cleared their throat nearby.
“Hey boys, room for one more?” Kaz sidled up to them, causing them to break apart reluctantly, but Talon kept a hand on Zane’s low back. It grounded him, having Tal around.
“What did you say to Em for him to look so shocked?” Talon asked the shifter, nodding towards the man who sat on the ground, shaking his head in wonder.
“Oh, nothing,” Kaz said, flipping her braids over her shoulder. “Just that I’m the crown princess of Nyr.” Zane felt his jaw go slack. Kaz pouted, looking between the two men. “What? Why is everyone so shocked to find I’m a princess?”
Talon was the first to recover. “Maybe because we found you in the middle of the forest naked?”
“You found her naked?”
“I haven’t told you that story? Yeah, she pounced on top of Iyana in her leopard form.”
Kaz smiled wistfully. “That was fun.” She clapped her hands together, the sound absorbed by the Dead Lands air. “Anyway, Your Majesty, I’ll need to head home to inform my parents of the change in regime. They’ll want to know we can trust you. I’d love to open a relationship between Nyr and Athusa again.”
“I’d like that too,” Zane said, smiling. He bowed his head to her. “Your Highness.”
Kaz groaned. “See, this is why I don’t tell anyone. Also why I ran away from home. You know what? Forget it. I’ll go back to Athusia with you, and Talon and I can share the title of empress.”
Talon laughed, but snaked his hand around Zane’s waist, tucking him in to his side. “Find your own emperor,princess. I don’t share.” Butterflies erupted in Zane’s stomach.
