“Iyana,” Altair said softly.“I just wanted to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m fine, Altair,” she said, waving him off and returning to her task.“I’m not yours to worry about anymore, remember?”
“I know,” he said.But what he really wanted to say was,It doesn’t matter if you’re no longer mine, I will forever protect your life with my own.
Those words would never pass from his lips, and Iyana would never know the truth of them.
Chapter 44
Zane
Zane’sdayswerefullof books and research, while his nights consisted completely of sweaty skin, passionate kisses, and whispered words of love.He couldn’t have envisioned anything more perfect.It was easy—wrapped up in Talon’s arms—to forget that there was a war threatening on the horizon.Whenever he thought of the possibilities that war could bring—death and destruction of the entire human race—his heart would pound, and his breaths would come only in short, quick bursts.Talon would squeeze his hand with a gentle smile and suggest getting lost, either in a book or in each other.
Close to a week after their friends had left, Zane and Tal found themselves in the library again.They’d had no luck finding any information on the banishment of the stars, and very little information about the Aztia and Kanaliza.Truthfully, they already knew most of what they were reading.Zane decided to switch gears and read more about the artifacts they had left in Nyr.The Lurra and Khollo’s Downfall, along with the astmina, were extremely dangerous but could prove to be useful, and it would be prudent of him to learn more.
He sat next to Talon, their thighs pressed together.The touch and heat always helped to ground him when his thoughts strayed.This day, though, Zane’s mind went completely blank when Talon’s fingers alighted on his inner thigh and began to swirl in soft circles.Zane glanced to his side, but Tal appeared to be fully engrossed in his book.A small tilt of his lips, however, told Zane that he knew exactly what he was doing.
Those fingers crept up and up Zane’s leg, and although he knew he should tell Talon to stop, he didn’t want to.Gods, he’d never get used to the sensation of the man next to him loving him so completely.It still didn’t feel real that Talon was his.
Zane felt his cock twitch to attention as Tal continued his slow perusal up and down his thigh.He thought he would combust if Talon didn’t touch him soon, and thankfully Tal seemed to realize it too.His gentle fingers finally brushed against Zane’s aching cock through his pants, and Zane hissed at the sensation.Although it went against all the morals he held dear, Zane would fuck Talon in this library in a heartbeat.
Talon reached into Zane’s pants and encircled his hand around his length.Zane dropped his head back and moaned softly.He could hear Tal’s throaty chuckle, then there was a nip at his ear.
“Be quiet, Your Majesty, we’re in a library.”
Biting his lip to keep silent, Zane knew it was a losing battle when Talon’s hand stroked him up and down, agonizingly slowly.His breathing quickened, and he realized he was seconds away from coming in his pants.
Someone cleared their throat nearby, and Zane and Tal jumped apart.That firm hand yanked out of his pants so hurriedly that Zane had to fumble to make sure nothing was exposed.He looked up to see Prince Consort Halim standing at the top of their table, his hands resting on the back of a chair and a small, knowing smile on his face.
“Good afternoon, Your Highness,” Zane said, slipping back into his nobility role.He cleared his throat.“Sorry about…all of that.”
Halim chuckled, an amused twinkle in his eye.“I’m sorry for interrupting.I, too, remember young love.May I sit?”
“Of course.”Zane gestured towards the chair, which Halim pulled out and sat in with a groan.
“A lifetime of battles will make your body ache when you’re older.Remember that, boys.”
Zane thought it unlikely that they’d survive to see Halim’s age, but glancing at Talon made him realize he wanted to see them both as old, wrinkled men together.
“You’ve seen lots of battle, then?”Talon asked.
The prince consort nodded.“I, much like yourself, was common born, but I was good with a sword and rapidly climbed the ranks within the Istorian army.Once I became a lieutenant, I began attending the war council, which is how I met Camilia.It was love at first sight.”He smiled wistfully.“She wasn’t heir to the throne then.Her sister, Imo, was.If she had been next in line, then our affair would have created a scandal, but as it was, her mother allowed our relationship to bloom.We were married before Imo ran off, and Camilia refused to leave me for a high-born man.She told her mother that she would abdicate if I was forced away from her, and so the queen relented.Now here we are.And I see you’re in a similar situation,” he said, glancing at Talon.
“Seems like it,” Tal said, grinning at Zane.It was such an authentic smile that it took Zane’s breath away.Those smiles were few and far between, but they were starting to become more frequent.Zane still hoarded them all as if they were little treasures, taking notes on ways to make his soul grin.
“I did come here for a purpose other than interrupting,” Halim said, spreading his hands on the table.“I have been trying to talk to my wife about joining your war.I agree with you, Your Majesty, that the stars will show up at our door eventually, and we are not remotely prepared for the destruction they would bring.However, I understand her concerns as well.Taking up arms preemptively against the stars could result in a great loss of life.These are the difficult decisions that I have had to make as general.”
This was promising.If they could convince Halim, a military man, to join their cause, then they would be able to sway the queen as well.With Istora’s might behind them, Nyr would join the war with them, and they could actually stand a chance.
All three nations united.Zane couldn’t remember the last time that had happened, or even if it ever had.
“Come to dinner with us tonight,” Halim continued.“I can promise my wife will listen to your arguments.”
“Thank you, Your Highness,” said Zane with a small bow of his head.
“Please,” the prince consort said, smiling, “call me Halim.”
That night, after Zane and Talon had returned to their rooms to continue what Halim had interrupted, they dressed for dinner with the queen.Tal was especially handsome in a formal black tunic and trousers threaded with blue, making his hair stand out even more in direct contrast to the dark colors.It was tempting to peel it off of him and forego dinner, but Zane needed Camilia’s help.
