Page 3 of Love Me Forever

The man poked his head in. “You’ve got one more petitioner.”

“Nobody else is on the list.”

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty. It’s a last-minute thing.”

“It better be important.”

“It’s very important. He’s committed a serious crime.”

Heavy footsteps thumped in the hall as Sébastien huffed. “Hurry up, and bring him in here.”

The guard opened the door more. “His crime is being late.”

“What?”

Remus suddenly stepped through with a smile, and Tom followed with a shit-eating grin. “I’m very sorry for being late, Your Majesty. Tom had to arrest me.”

Tom gave a quick chuckle as Sébastien sat frozen at the desk. Remus looked very much like a King in his red coat with gold thread that brought out the warmth in his brown skin and bright, yellow eyes. Sébastien had missed his eyes and smile and hoped to see him again all winter before doubt dug its claws in too deeply for him to loosen. The fact that he was standing there was almost too much to comprehend.

The guards hurriedly left as Remus strode around the desk. Sébastien didn’t even know what to say or do especially since he’d been having very unpleasant thoughts toward Remus only a couple of minutes ago.

He’d barely stood when Remus grabbed him in a hug and lifted him right off the floor. His lips were suddenly on Sébastien’s, and he kissed back, partly thrilled that Remus had returned like he’d said.

Remus put him back down but didn’t release him. They hugged, and Sébastien breathed in his familiar rose scent.

Sébastien couldn’t help the words. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too. I’m sorry I was late. I had to do something last minute, and a storm came up a day after we left. The ship was fine, but it slowed us down quite a bit and blew us off course. I sent a dove out.”

Sébastien cast a glance at the dove who was bobbing his head as he strolled across the desk. “He must have been turned around a few times in the storm because he just arrived.”

“I’m sorry.” Remus picked up Sébastien enough to plant his rear on the desk.

“I thought you weren’t coming back.”

Remus frowned. “I told you I was.”

“I know, but…”

How was Sébastien supposed to explain how he was afraid Remus would change his mind? With months alone, any man might start having different thoughts. Lust can cool, and the initial feelings might weaken. Sébastien already knew what it was like to be dropped like a whore once he was of no use, and he’d been the object of lust from men who would have used him once and discarded him without a second thought.

What if he’d met someone else in Rowland? Plenty of people would be happy to have the attention of a King and might try to get close if he had no spouse. People without a troublesome past.Ones who hadn’t tried to kill Remus. It didn’t matter if they were past that.

Remus lightly gripped his waist. “I was afraid you’d worry even though you didn’t say so. I was late because I got on the ship when I originally intended to leave, and I realized I’d forgotten a crucial thing for you.”

Sébastien squinted. “I have my trunk.”

And nothing had been stolen from the inside. He even had the picture drawn by the little girl in his sitting room.

“Not that,” said Remus. “I had to get off to getitfixed, and by the time that was done, and I left, the storm came a day later at sea. We could have escaped that if I’d thought of a particular thing and left on time. I would have been here days ago.”

“What are you talking about?”

Remus reached into his coat pocket. “I figured I’d ask you in private anyway, although I’d intended to wait a few days. But if you still doubt that I’m sticking around…”

He pushed a little velvet box into Sébastien’s hands.

“I wouldn’t be giving this to you-”

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