Page 137 of His Realm

“May I have this dance?”

Dae-Jung’s beautiful onyx eyes got so big and round as he stared at the golden man waiting on his answer. “I never learned to…dancing was not something required of a courtesan,” he said under his breath.

“You’re a courtier now,” Zev stated flatly. “So you will need to learn, as you will be attending our consort. For now, simply follow my lead—but only if you want to.”

“I want to,” Dae-Jung rushed out, grasping Zev’s hand tight. “You know I want to.”

Zev smiled at him, and when they started dancing, no one could take their eyes off the two of them. They were beautiful together. At the same time, several lords and ladies withdrew, the assorted whispers telling me all I needed to know about a cadeyrn and a courtier, both with what they considered sordid pasts, being allowed to dance at the prince’s wedding.

Ode and Duro joined them in the waltz, then Hadrian and Tiago.

There was warm breath down the side of my neck before a kiss was pressed there. I turned and smiled at my prince.

“Let’s join our friends and show everyone how ridiculous old ideas are,” he said, leading me to the floor. When the king and queen followed, there was suddenly a mad rush to join.

“I’m glad you made Dae-Jung your courtier,” Varic told me as he held me tight. “Now Zev can court him, as he’s no longer a servant.”

This was news. “Zev wants to court Dae-Jung?”

“I think he wants to spend time with him, and now that he’s in my service, but not yours, and Dae-Jung has been elevated, they can both take whatever steps they want.”

At the moment, Dae-Jung had his cheek resting against Zev’s chest, and his eyes were closed. Zev was smiling, and I loved seeing that. It would be wonderful if they could find love and peace, and I was hopeful for both of them.

“We have to retire and have your cake,” he announced, and I chuckled. “And since I won’t eat any, would you like to eat it off me?”

I laughed. “That’s not how it works.”

“Who’s to say?” he teased, bending to kiss me.

After we said our good-nights, the two of us headed back, alone but for his dreki, and Brenna and Kamari. Varic surprised them all when they saw the table of glasses and blood he had set up at the entrance to our wing. Once everyone had a full glass, Varic made a toast for fallen friends who would never be far from our thoughts. I loved it, and told him so when the cheering subsided.

“Once the coronation is done tomorrow and I change Ode’s blood,” he said as we climbed the stairs to the loft, “there will be another celebration but the morning after, you and I will go alone to Capri to our villa there.”

“Alone?”

“With only your two guards, four of mine, and your replacement hendr, yes.”

I scoffed.

“You don’t believe me?” he asked as we stood in front of the door.

“Does the new king get a holiday so soon? Is that even possible?”

“I’m afraid if we don’t go now, it will be a year before I can go away with you.”

“And that’s okay, you know. There’s a lot for you to do and––”

“No,” he rasped, and I was surprised at his tone and how hard he was holding my arms as he stared down into my face. “I lost you. You were gone, and…and then I was rewarded for holding out for my one love and you returned to me. I will never, ever, take my time with you for granted, and there will be no doubt in your mind that you are my greatest treasure.”

I took his face in my hands. “I know all that already, but yeah, I will go to Capri with you because I saw it in a magazine when I was nineteen years old and I’ve always wanted to go.”

The happiness that washed over his face warmed every part of me. “You did? You mean I will give you something you’ve always wanted?”

I sighed deeply. “You already did that.”

His brows furrowed like he was actually confused, and I couldn’t have loved him more.

“Listen, I had an amazing wedding, I have a husband I love, a wonderful home, and together, we have the promise of a child. I couldn’t be happier.”