Page 80 of Fit for a King

“I have to go.” Noah chuckled softly as I pulled him back onto the bed and into my arms.

The sun would be coming up soon, and we were already risking things, but I couldn’t let him go without one more kiss. I speared my hands through his hair and captured his lips again, loving the way he moaned as he melted under my touch.

With him, in these stolen moments, I felt complete, and the void he left made the rest of the day a lonely place, had me counting down the hours until I could see him again.

Alejandro’s words had been shoved so far down that it was becoming easier to lie to the world, even though I knew I’d have to face things eventually.

Just…not yet.

“I really”—Noah pulled back to plant a kiss on my cheek—“really”—a kiss to the other cheek—“have to go.”

I groaned, but didn’t tug him back when he rolled out of bed, settling back against the pillows to watch him and his beautiful body as he grabbed at his clothes scattered around the room.

“Have I mentioned you have the most perfect ass?” I said, my eyes dropping to his rounded cheeks before they disappeared behind his slacks.

“In all of Valoria?” he teased. “Just how many have you seen, Your Majesty?”

I threw a pillow in his direction, and he ducked, laughing as he buttoned his shirt. He was so practiced at getting back into his uniform that it only took him a minute to pull himself together, and then he crossed back over to the bed and leaned down to kiss me again.

“Thank you for the compliment,” he murmured against my lips. His eyes were bright when he pulled back, his joy clear on his face. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Soon.” Before he straightened, I reached for his hand and kissed the back of it. “I love you.”

He leaned down and pressed a kiss to our joined hands. “And I love you…my Nicholas.”

I would never get tired of hearing those words. Never. Could hardly believe they were true, even though I could feel them every time he looked at me.

He no longer slipped out the door and down the corridor, but left through the secret passage in my chambers. As the panel closed behind him without a sound, I forced myself to get up. The sooner I got the day started, the sooner I’d be back with Noah.

Was it pathetic? Maybe so.

I’d thrown on a pair of athletic pants and a shirt, intending on going down to the gym to do a quick workout, when there was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

Violet entered, carrying a stack of fresh towels, her eyes lowered. She curtsied and said, “Your Majesty,” before moving to my en suite to put them away.

It wasn’t long before she was back, and as she went to leave, for some reason I found myself saying, “How’s your morning? Violet, right?”

She went absolutely still, her hand freezing on the door handle, and then she slowly turned around to face me. “Sir?”

“It is Violet, isn’t it?”

“Uh…yes, sir.”

“How long have you been in my service?” Her eyes widened in alarm, and I shook my head. “You’re not in trouble.”

“Oh. Um. I’ve been at Montclair for seven years, sir.”

Seven years and I’d only recently learned her name. Someone who looked after me and my family in the shadows, and I hadn’t bothered to wish her good morning or thank her.

“I appreciate what you do for us, Violet. Thank you.”

Her cheeks went bright red, and she dropped her gaze back to the floor. “It’s my honor to serve, Your Majesty.”

She didn’t move, and I realized she was waiting for me to dismiss her.

“Have a good morning. I won’t keep you,” I said.