Page 4 of The Cordial Bride

With wide-eyed excitement written on her face, Amalie looked at Ian. “May I, Uncle?”

“Of course. If you get lost, I’m sure we can find some bloodhounds to sniff you out.” He grinned broadly.

Amalie giggled and disappeared into the maze, her nurse hurrying to keep up. Ian strolled over to the hedgerow and plucked one of the pink flowers among the greenery. He twirled it in his fingers for a few seconds before sticking the stem through Calan’s braid at a point by his ear. “Ah, the perfect complement to your creamy complexion. I hope you don’t mind my boldness.”

Calan gnawed at his lower lip before staring Ian in the eyes. “I’ve been counting on it, actually. You’re unlike any man I’ve ever met.”

The smile Ian gave him was slow and provocative. “And you are the most beautiful boy I’ve ever seen.”

Calan’s cheeks went from pink to deep red, and he looked away. “That is kind of you to say.”

“Kindness has nothing to do with it, my dear.” Sensing that he was moving too fast for this undoubtedly innocent boy, he entered the maze and was impressed with the complexity of it. The sound of Amalie’s giggles had him turning left. “She won’t actually get lost in here, will she?”

Now it was Calan who giggled, a sound that danced along Ian’s nerves in a way that his niece’s never did. “No. The maze is big but not tricky. It’s one of the few ways my people indulge themselves, as it serves no useful purpose.” The boy undoubtedly knew his way around the place, yet he kept a half-step behind Ian, letting him lead the way. “May I ask you something, my lord?”

“Of course…and call me Ian.”

“Thank you. That seems too familiar, though. My aunt would disapprove.”

Ian made a show of looking around. “I don’t see her here at the moment.”

“You are far bolder than I.”

Ian sighed. “The product of my being a count, I suppose.”

“That was what I wanted to ask you about. How did you become a count? I’m sorry if that’s rude. It’s only that we don’t have such things in Shadow Valley.”

“Ah yes, your ruling council is chosen by the people.” It was an intriguing idea to allow the populace to pick their leaders, one that he doubted would catch on in his own country.

“All citizens sixteen and older vote every ten years on who sits on the council. And if we don’t like what they’re doing, we can vote them off again. I’ve only had the chance to choose once since I passed into adulthood, and to be honest, it’s usually the same people serving, anyway. It’s a lot of work, although someone like my aunt thrives on the power. Not that she’s a tyrant or anything,” he added hastily.

“Of course not,” Ian readily agreed, although if anyone had the capacity for the thirst of control over others, he sensed that she would.

“Anyway, I assume you weren’t elected to be a count.”

Ian chuckled at the idea. “No. I was born into it. One of my long-ago ancestors helped the first king of Moorcondia solidify his power and was rewarded with the title and the lands that make up Charteris. I was fortunate enough to be born the oldest, so it’s mine now that my father is dead.”

“And a child of yours will inherit the title when you are gone?”

Ian shook his head. “No. I have no wife or children. Amalie will one eventual day be the Countess of Charteris. If I die before my sister, she will inherit the title, and after her comes her daughter.”

“But you could have children of your own someday. I mean you are far from an old man. Surely you’ll marry at some point.”

“I won’t become a father because I will never marry.” Ian stopped to stare at Calan full on. He gave him an appraising look. “Women don’t interest me as bed partners. I prefer a masculine form.” He let his gaze take in the boy from head to toe. “Even ones who are as pretty as girls.”

Calan’s mouth dropped open, and he stood wide-eyed for a few seconds. “You are very bold…Ian.”

The sound of his name coming out of the boy’s mouth caused his dick to jerk. He nearly leaned in to take a taste of those still-open lips when a near scream from Amalie sent him running in her direction. He came to a sudden stop as he entered the center of the maze and found his niece gazing at a beautiful stone fountain, covered in flowering vines. The shape of it reminded him of the small outcrop of rocks by the lake where he’d first spotted Calan. It looked as if it had grown naturally on the spot, an interesting counter to the structured greenery of the maze.

Calan came up to stand next to him, his slender shoulder bumping Ian’s. “I told you it was a wonderful surprise.”

Now that he knew his niece wasn’t in danger, Ian relaxed—or tried to. His heart thumped quickly for a different reason altogether. He had to swallow past his thickened tongue to respond. “It is most impressive.”

“It’s built over a natural spring that feeds the water.”

Ian took in a deep breath and let it out slowly to regain his composure. Now was not the time to grab the boy and ravage him. He watched as Amalie dared to splash the water in the lower basin. “Seeing it was worth the trip through the maze. And,” he added, pressing his body as close to Calan’s as he dared, “it’s the second most beautiful thing I’ve seen here in Shadow Valley.” He let his desire show through his eyes and was rewarded by the sight of Calan’s pupils blowing wide.

“Y-you haven’t seen much of it yet.”

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