Page 14 of The Cordial Bride

“I don’t understand.”

“Answer my question. Would you truly leave your home, or are you rooted to this place where your only family lives and you’re comfortable?”

Calan licked his lips, his gaze shifting from one side to the other. “I love Aunt Celia because she is family and she has taken good care of me. But,” he continued with a shrug, “if I spend my whole life in Shadow Valley, I’ll always feel as if I’ve missed out on something.”

Relief made Ian’s knees weak. He was truly dumbfounded by his own reaction to this boy. Yet, he was a decisive person, and his mind was now made up. “Good.” Before Calan could ask for clarification, Ian said, “I’m starving. Someone mentioned something about cheese and tomato sandwiches.”

For a moment, he believed Calan wouldn’t allow himself to be redirected. Then he nodded. “Okay. Go out and wait in our garden. It’s not as impressive as the public ones, but it’s too lovely a day to eat inside.”

“All right.” Ian made himself back away and leave the shed from the same way they’d entered.

To the right was a sweet garden with a wooden table and bench seats. He wandered around to look at all the colorful plants before sitting and leaning his elbows on the worn wood that showed many years of use. Visions of Calan in a kitchen fixing him a meal danced in his head. He liked the idea of being cared for by the boy. It wasn’t like the cooks he employed in his manor house. This was more intimate, and while he wanted very much to join Calan and perhaps pin him to a counter to feast on his body instead of sandwiches, he ignored the urge. He’d already pushed the boy with talk of leaving his home. Undoubtedly Calan needed the privacy to mull over what Ian’s prodding meant. He should explain to him what he was thinking, except this was a matter of politics and he was duty-bound to raise the issue with those in charge first. It might not be fair to Calan, but it couldn’t be helped.

A brown dog with shaggy hair and a tongue lolling wandered into the garden and sniffed at Ian. Apparently satisfied, it sat by his feet, clearly waiting for something. With a chuckle, Ian obliged, scratching the creature behind its ears. This was how he was found when Calan came out of the house carrying a tray. Ian jumped to his feet to take it from him and place it on the table. Calan left and came back out with a pitcher and two cups.

The boy shooed at the dog. “Go home, Benny. None of this is for you.” The dog looked mournfully at the table before doing as told and trotting away. Calan started to fill the cups with some kind of cold tea. “That’s the neighbor’s dog. He somehow always knows when food is being brought out here.”

Ian accepted the offered drink and took a healthy swallow. “You don’t have a dog of your own?” He welcomed a sandwich that Calan handed him, as well, before sitting down again.

“No. Aunt Celia doesn’t believe in pets. I’ve always wanted one, though.” The wistful sound in the boy’s voice was heartbreaking. “I suppose you have a lot of dogs for hunting and such.”

“I leave the hunting to others, but I do have five dogs simply for the pleasure of their company.”

Calan’s eyes lit up as he bit into his sandwich. “Five!” he said around his mouthful of food. “How wonderful.”

And there will be room for a sixth, if that is what you want. Because it was too tempting to say those words out loud, Ian stuffed his mouth to refrain from doing so. And letch he may be, but Fredric’s cheese was delicious. Calan had made enough food for a small army. Ian did it justice, finding himself hungry as if he’d labored hard all day. He would need to get in a good ride before dinner to work off this meal and to gather his thoughts. It would mean leaving Calan for the rest of the afternoon, which would be a hardship. Still, he was a disciplined man, and he had to be strong for the both of them in order to give them what they wanted.

When they were done with the sandwiches, Calan went back into the house and brought back cake. “I baked this in the early morning, so we need to eat it before it gets stale.”

Reaching for his slice, he said, “Well then, let me do my part to avoid waste.” The sweet was delicious. Calan had a lot of talents, apparently. “I’m afraid I must leave you after this.” Calan’s crestfallen look nearly made him take back his words. Ian took his hand. “I’m sorry. I must exercise my horse, and I have matters to discuss with my sister.” He didn’t add that he intended to make his offer to Shadow Valley at the same time. Isabeau could be prudish about certain things, and he wasn’t going to leave it solely at her discretion as to whether his plan would be offered to the council members.

“I understand.” Calan stood and began to clear the table. “I’ll see you at the banquet, though, won’t I?”

Ian wrestled the pitcher from Calan’s hands as well as the plates and went to the back door. “Of course.” He pushed the kitchen door open and entered, not waiting for permission. It was a warm and homey room, ruthlessly clean with everything in proper order. He put everything down on the nearest flat surface and grabbed Calan as he came in behind him.

He had the boy against the counter just as he’d imagined doing earlier and kissed him until his lungs burned for air. Calan panted against him, then squeaked as Ian dropped to his knees and quickly freed the boy’s cock. He sucked it down to the root without hesitation, loving the sweet taste of him and desperate to make him come. The moment he swallowed around the shaft, Calan cried out and clutched at Ian’s head with sufficient force to make his eyes water. When the boy’s shudders had subsided, Ian tucked his dick back into the trousers and stood.

He kissed Calan once more. “That should hold you until tonight.”

With a glazed look, the boy nodded. Once Ian was sure Calan could stand without help, he made himself leave, savoring the taste of cum on his tongue and more determined than ever to get his way.

* * * *

Ian timed his return from exercising himself and his horse so that the meeting of the council was nearly done. As he entered the longhouse, he encountered most of his sister’s guards roaming the area, alert for danger as they’d been trained to do. They all did a dance around the Shadow Valley people preparing for the evening meal, curious, yet not complacent. He nodded to each one in approval and they did the same to acknowledge his rank. When he reached the door leading to the council chamber, he stopped to rap his knuckles on it in the custom of these people. A moment later, he entered the room, not bothering to wait for an invitation to do so. In his experience, if one asked for something, the answer could always be “no”, and he wasn’t going to give anyone the chance to stall or thwart his intent before he’d had a chance to make his case.

The female soldier standing behind his sister met him with a stance that indicated she expected trouble. The moment she saw him, however, she relaxed again. As did the Shadow Valley people, their expressions being of only mild surprise and curiosity. Isabeau was different. She frowned at him, a look that had the power to make his belly quiver. This time, though, he was too determined in his goal to give her much mind. Instead, he focused on Fennic.

“Your pardon, sir. I was hoping to speak with the council before the evening meal. If I may be permitted.” He gave a shallow and quick bow.

Fennic half rose from his seat, gesturing Ian to come closer. “Of course, my lord. We hadn’t realized you were empowered to negotiate on behalf of your king.” He flicked his gaze at Isabeau.

“He’s not.” Isabeau’s interjection was issued with a whip-like edge.

Ian hurried to stand beside his sister and put his hand on her shoulder. She all but vibrated with displeasure. “My sister is correct. I am here of my own volition with a newly formed proposal that I believe will benefit both our countries.”

Fennic settled back in his chair. “Please proceed, my lord. We are always open to other offers for the treaty. Not that Moorcondia’s position thus far has been inadequate,” he added with a smile toward Isabeau.

With more than a dozen pair of eyes now trained upon him, Ian felt surprisingly tongue-tied. But he’d spent the entirety of his ride thinking his idea over, looking for any holes in logic or doubts within him. He’d come to this room determined to go through with his plan. Now was not the time to falter, even though if he got his way, his life would be altered forever.

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