Page 114 of Heart of the High King
“What do you mean, ‘our room’?”
Aleksander guided him inside and down the hall, they took a right, and soon Rafe found himself in front of a door with three metal nameplates on them. One was for Aleksander, another for Rafe, and a third with a wolf paw print with Mortis etched on it. “I hope you like the decor, but you can change anything if you don’t,” Aleksander said, pushing the barrier aside and revealing an enormous four-poster bed with the navy and black bedspread. The entire space was done in the rich colors of Aleksander’s dragon and elegantly honored the D’Vaire High King.
“This is gorgeous.”
“I’m glad you like it. Through the French doors is a living area. Noir put Mortis’s bed in there, but if you prefer it in here, that’s fine. Your clothes are in your dresser and closet. Did you want to change into pajamas?”
Brogan came in and set out the Cwylld stones. “I’ll tell Noir to bring you guys food,” the Grand Duke stated, then left them alone.
“Is us living together a good idea?” Rafe asked once he was seated on the bed.
Lifting his chin with two fingers, Aleksander brushed their lips together. “Yes. You’re my mate, and I want you with me. I’ll grab you some pajama bottoms.”
Rafe had no argument with being in Aleksander’s space even if it made his head spin. With Aleksander’s help, he got his sneakers off and he swore his feet sighed in relief. Aleksander disappeared into the bathroom after Rafe shooed him away, content to change without help. When Rafe was dressed, Aleksander emerged, wearing cotton pants covered in polka-dotted peacocks.
“You should also know Their Majesties are going to put out a press release in the morning to announce our successful matebond,” Aleksander remarked, opening the door to allow Mortis to run in.
“Miss Rafe,” Mortis yelled through Rafe’s mind, licking his hands while he tried to pet the excited wolf.
“I missed you too. You look awesome with the blue fur.”
“Like it.”
“I’m glad.”
“Miss Aleksander,” Mortis said, rubbing against the High King’s legs, and Aleksander laughed as he scratched behind Mortis’s ears.
“I wish you could stay with us, but these rocks are going to make you feel yucky,” Rafe told his wolf.
“Visit again later. Tell Aleksander open door.”
Rafe did as he was told and waved as Mortis trotted out. Noirin and Kendrick showed up next with trays full of steaming food that smelled so good, Rafe swore his toes curled. They got settled on the bed and after thanking the chefs, were left alone to enjoy their meal.
“Damn, this is good,” Rafe enthused.
“You’re welcome for the rosemary potatoes.”
“Noirin and Kendrick make the best I’ve ever tasted.”
“Perk of being healed—you can now eat as much as you want whenever you want.”
Rafe laughed. “Not quite. I have no desire to be fat again.”
“When were you fat?”
The only thing he could read in Aleksander’s expression was confusion. “I was fat when we met.”
“We’ve had this discussion before and no, you certainly were not.”
“Do you suffer from memory loss? Yes, I was.”
“I remember every damn thing about you, and you were certainly not fat.”
With no idea how to argue with someone who was so matter of fact about something he was dead wrong about, Rafe wondered how to respond. “Well, maybe you weren’t paying enough attention.”
Aleksander clasped the back of Rafe’s neck. With absolute tenderness, he coaxed him close and when their mouths met, there was no delicate peck but a full mating of their tongues. Rafe wanted to push away his delicious lunch just to be held and spend the next year or so kissing him. The world was shifting under Rafe constantly, and Aleksander pulled things from him he’d never expected. Yearning for more, Rafe let out a sound of protest when Aleksander pulled away. “I missed nothing when we were together then, and I have no intention of being any less focused on you now.”
The intensity of emotion in Aleksander’s eyes was almost too much for Rafe to bear, but instead of shying away he embraced the connection that sizzled between them. “I’m overwhelmed by you.”
“After everything you’ve been through, I know you’re going to need time to sort through what’s in your head. I intend to be at your side for all of it.”
Rafe tasted Aleksander again. “Thank you for convincing me to let Sorcery D’Vaire try and heal me.”
“I’m the one that should be thanking you for taking the chance. I’m incredibly grateful for your courage. Now eat your potatoes before they get cold,” Aleksander said. With a smirk, he released his hold and went back to his meal.
“Yeah, I don’t want to waste them,” Rafe replied, lifting his fork. “Or anything else, and I’m not just talking about lunch.”
“I know, babe.”
