Page 68 of Honeythorn
“Oh, Jason. Hello,” Milan said in surprise as he approached Saturnus, kept at the stables near the workshop he had just ended his shift in.
Jason smiled widely, dimples appearing in his cheeks. “Hello. I’m sorry for showing up unannounced. I heard that you were working here and when I saw your horse so late, I imagined you were just about to finish. I hope this isn’t an intrusion.”
“No, of course not. I’m glad to see you,” Milan said even though he had looked forward to going back home.
“Would you mind grabbing dinner with me, then?”
“Of course. Let me send a note to my husband.”
They ended up at the local pub. Milan had a perfectly good time and was glad to be making more friends, but his thoughts would stray to Raphael often. Perhaps he was being ridiculous, but he felt smitten, giddy with having someone safe to return to at the end of the day.
By the time he got back to the manor, it was late and very cold, and Milan felt relief once he stepped inside his home. After asking for his husband’s whereabouts, he found Raphael in the library.
“I thought you’d be in our room by now,” Milan said as he stepped inside. Raphael looked up, smiling.
“I was waiting up for you.”
Milan grinned and joined him on the couch, greeting him properly with a kiss. Raphael insisted on a second one before they parted.
“Did you have fun?”
“Yes. I was surprised, but it was good seeing him.”
“I believe he likes you.”
Milan laughed. “Well, I quite like him, too.”
Raphael looked down, and Milan frowned in confusion before it dawned on him what Raphael had meant.
“Surely you do not mean that I am fonder of him than is appropriate.”
Raphael shook his head but said, “It’s just that he is very suited to you and you get along very well.”
“Well, yes, I am very easy to get along with, as I am friendly and witty and like having many friends. I assure you, however, that I have only one husband, one Alpha, and you insult my honour and character by thinking that my feelings for Jason would go beyond friendship.”
Raphael looked at him then. “It’s not that. It’s just…I would understand if you chose another. If—”
“There is no other! There is only you. Have my affections not been clear? Do you think I touch and compliment others as I do you? Do you think those actions are without meaning?”
There was a pause. “No,” Raphael said softly.
Milan sighed. “I…I understand your fears, Raphael, and I forgive your insecurities, but I ask that you look beyond them and seeme. I am perfectly capable of choosing whom I want to devote myself to, and that is you.”
Raphael shook his head again, this time as if throwing off the clinging thoughts. “I was being foolish.”
“Yes, you were.” Milan brushed his hand against Raphael’s cheek. “Trust in me, Raphael. My feelings for you…my friendship with Jason cannot be compared to what I have with you.”
Raphael smiled softly, putting his hand over Milan’s. “I’m glad.”
Milan smiled back. “And so you should be.”
Raphael tilted his head down, laughing slightly. “Shall we head to bed, then?”
“Yes. Let’s.”
**********
“He just showed up? Why, he is bold,” Katerina said, fluttering a fan beside her face more for the show of it than anything else. She looked quite gallant in the Ledford Manor den—Milan had caught Melissa staring at the daring dress Katerina was wearing. You could practically see her shoulders. “Surely you did not accept.”
