Then there was the question ofhowhe was going to fight for his empire.His army could be completely decimated, loyal only to Uther, or now loyal to Rigil.He would need assistance, and he somehow knew it would be extremely difficult to receive aid from Nyr.The kingdom was isolated and mysterious—it hadn’t been covered much in his studies because there was little to no information to be found in books outside of the kingdom itself.All he had known of Nyr were the names of the kings and queens.The scholar in him was excited for the opportunity to learn more.
Judging by how the day had gone, convincing them to join him in a fight against the stars would be difficult.
Zane finished his bath and allowed Talon access to the bathing room for his own.They didn’t speak or touch during the exchange, and Zane attempted not to dwell on it.Instead, he stalked over to the bookshelf and perused the titles.Finally settling on a romance titledTruest Loveby an author he’d never heard of, Zane settled onto the couch and began to read.He was fully engrossed in the book by the time Talon emerged from the bathroom—so much so that he didn’t notice until the other man sat down next to him on the couch.
“What are you reading?”Tal asked.Zane jumped at the interruption, then turned the book so he could see.Talon smirked at his choice of reading material and plucked the book out of his hands.
“Hey—” Zane protested, but Talon laughed, and he stilled at the rich sound falling from his lips.Zane hadn’t heard a true laugh from him in what felt like a lifetime.
Tal was dressed only in a pair of lounge pants, leaving his bare torso on display.Zane’s eyes followed the blue dragon tattoo winding down his muscular arm, and his mouth went dry at the sight.The urge to touch him was almost unmanageable.Zane wanted to map every muscle, every freckle, with his fingers and tongue.
If Talon noticed him leering, he didn’t let on.Instead, he started to read a passage from the book, “‘Roland’s tongue swept through Calla’s mouth, making her moan in pleasure, before he nipped and kissed his way down her throat’—why, Your Majesty, I didn’t realize you had such…erotictaste in books.”
Zane’s face flushed.But he couldn’t deny the joy he felt from seeing Talon read an excerpt from the book simply to tease him.Zane snatched the book away from Tal, the heat in his face intensifying.
Talon chuckled.“Read to me?”
Because Zane was unable to deny Tal anything, he suppressed his embarrassment and read to him.Soon, Tal’s head rested against his shoulder as he continued the story.At the end of the chapter, Zane noted his place and closed the book with a sigh.
“Talon…” he began, then paused.Tal had told him he didn’t want them to treat him like he was fragile, but Zane also didn’t know if he’d be ready for a talk about their relationship.He hadn’t yet confided in Zane about those few harrowing minutes that he was dead, and Zane didn’t know when or if he’d be up for a conversation about anything of importance.
“What are you going to do about Rigil being on your throne?”Talon asked instead.But he intertwined his fingers with Zane’s, causing the emperor’s heart to race.
“I don’t know,” Zane sighed.
“And what about the refugees?”
“I don’t know,” Zane snapped.Talon picked his head off his shoulder and raised a brow.Zane sighed again and scrubbed a hand over his face.“I’m sorry.I just—I have no idea what I’m doing.I never thought I’d have to fight for my empire; it was always going to be handed to me once my father died.I had so many plans to right his wrongs.Now somefucking starhas stolen that away from me and is putting my people in more danger than even my father did.”
“Oh shit,” Talon breathed.“My parents.”He looked up at Zane, his eyes wide.“My parents are still in Athusia.If all of those refugees are leaving the capital, who knows what’s happening over there?They could be in trouble.Or dead!”Tal scrambled off the couch, running a hand through his hair.“I have to go get them.”
“Talon,” Zane said, grabbing one of his hands and tugging gently.“My soul, please sit.”Talon did as he asked and sat, but his gaze was still flitting about the room in a panic.Zane brushed a finger over the other man’s cheek and gently turned his face so that they were looking each other in the eye.“I will do everything in my power to help your parents.But we can’t simply charge in there without knowing what we’re getting into and without a plan.We’ll get them, I promise.”
“Okay,” Talon whispered.Then a little stronger, “Okay.I trust you, Zane.”Talon placed his hand over Zane’s and closed his eyes.
Zane’s gaze darted to his lips, which were parted on a soft sigh, and the urge to kiss this man he was so deeply in love with finally overcame him.He leaned in slowly, knowing Talon could feel his intent, giving him time to pull away.
Talon crept closer ever so slightly.Their lips were a hairsbreadth apart—lightning sparking between them—when the door swung open so hard it hit against the wall and bounced back.
The two men were startled apart, glancing towards the doorway while reaching for a weapon.Only to find Kaz leaning against the doorframe with her arms crossed and a smirk on her face.
“Well, well, well,” she drawled.“What do I seem to have interrupted?”
“Nothing,” said Talon, and Zane’s heart sank.“Because you barged in like a crazy person before anythingcouldhappen.”
Which meant Talon wanted something to happen, right?Gods, Zane hated this unknown space between them.It was so much easier when he used women for sex and never started any relationships.
“Sincenothingwas happening,” Kaz said, “I guess you won’t be disappointed to know dinner will be starting soon.Go ahead and get dressed.There should be clothing in the armoire there.We can go shopping for more in the next few days.I’ll go get Emmeric and send him your way.”
“What about you and Iyana?”Talon asked.
“Oh, Red, my love, you know us women needtimeto turn a man’s attention onto us.”Kaz batted her eyelashes.
“Are you trying to get Jato into your bed again?”Talon teased.
Kaz scoffed, waving her hand in dismissal.“I don’t need help finding someone to warm my bed.But Iyana does.”
It was Zane’s turn to bark a laugh.“No, she doesn’t.She has Emmeric wound around her little finger.”
