Page 170 of Heart of the High King
Chapter 64
Time had no meaning when you were unable to even open your eyes, but Aleksander was aware that too much of it was passing. Helpless in a pervasive darkness, the only sense he truly had was his hearing. There was a man who kept him company with increasing persistence, and Aleksander did not need to be told it was Rafe. Even in a tempest he would recognize the gritty, rich voice of his mate. At first the words were dulcet, and he was swamped with love for his other half.
If only that had continued, Aleksander would not be burning with fury, but the family he’d trusted since 1369 had not taken care of Rafe. Instead, they’d reduced him to tears with their indifference and their defiance of the title Fate had given the High Kings. So when Aleksander was finally able to move, he lifted his lashes and wasn’t in a pleasant mood. His body was stiff as he sat up, and his beast was groggy inside him but driven to protect their mate. There was a desire to shift, but it wasn’t his priority—he needed Rafe.
Aleksander flexed his fingers to ease away the tension, then tossed back the covers. Although he had no idea how long he’d been in bed or what day it was, he’d soon find out. It was slow going but as he dressed, his movements smoothed out and grew close to normal. Deciding to forgo shoes, Aleksander strode out of his suite and headed for the great room, confident that he’d find Rafe easily.
“Aleksander!” Noirin yelled once she spotted him. A second later she was in his arms. Patting her, he was too pissed to be cordial.
“Where’s Rafe?” Aleksander demanded, his voice flat as she released him.
“Out for his jog,” Brogan revealed with a frown. “What’s wrong with you? Do you need Dra’Kaedan?”
Aleksander ran his tongue across his teeth while anxiety grew in the dark eyes of his best friend. “I want the entire family gathered in one hour, is that understood? They need to drop whatever the fuck they’ve got planned, and I will accept no excuses.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Brogan asked warily.
The sound of the door opening and shutting again shifted his focus. His feet didn’t carry him far, and he came to a complete standstill when Rafe walked in. Wearing shorts and chatting to his wolf, Rafe’s attention was fully on Mortis. Next to him was a wolf so large, Aleksander’s eyes widened. Rafe had told him Nox was big, but the animal trotting to him had to be at least four feet off the ground.
As excited as he was to get to know his wolf, Aleksander’s gaze went to Rafe, who’d stopped and was staring at him in disbelief. “Sander?”
The circles under his eyes took nothing away from his beauty, and soon they were running toward one another as Aleksander scooped him into his arms and buried his face in his neck. “Hi,” he murmured against his damp skin.
“Hi,” Rafe choked out. “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m all sweaty.”
Aleksander pulled away just enough to see his face. “Do you think I care?”
Rafe’s hands caressed his cheeks. “Are you real?”
“Yep.” Aleksander buried a hand in Rafe’s tangled hair and took his mouth in a deep, searching kiss as he desperately wanted to undo the time lost between them. Rafe’s arms wrapped around his neck, as he tilted his head to give Aleksander’s tongue better access to every delicious spot. It was not nearly enough so he pulled back. “Come on, I want some privacy.”
Rafe nodded, and Aleksander smiled at him. When he got a beautiful one in return, he brushed their lips together again, then reluctantly let him go. Taking his hand, he led him out. “Brogan, you have one hour to gather everyone.”
“Okay. All right, I’m on it.”
As they swept past the two wolves watching them, Aleksander ruffled the fur on both of their heads. “See you guys in a bit. Nice to meet you, Nox.”
“Hi. Be nice to Rafe.”
It was odd as hell to have a voice in his head, but Aleksander also thought it was cool. “I will,” he called out behind them. “Congratulations on your matebond.”
Pulling Rafe into their bedroom, he was fully prepared to strip him and reacquaint himself with every inch of his now filled-out body, but Rafe sat on the bench and tugged off his sneakers.
“I’m freaking out right now. Are you really awake? This is a dream, right?”
“How long was I asleep?”
Rafe stood and bit his lip. “Six weeks.”
“Are you fucking shitting me right now?”
“No,” Rafe replied, staring at his hands.
Aleksander walked over and lifted his chin. “I’m so sorry, love. I had no idea it would be more than a few days.”
A tear slid down Rafe’s cheek that Aleksander brushed aside. “I missed you, Sander. I really did.”
“I know,” Aleksander said, taking Rafe into his arms. “I heard you. Every word.”
