Page 73 of A Crown of Lies

“Apparently, you made quite an impression last night. She’d like to continue your relationship, even after the marriage. And she’s decided we should be free to pursue ours.”

“Fuck,” Ieduin muttered. “This could work.”

“Did you ever doubt it would?” Rowan asked, folding his arms.

“I mean, it seemed like it’d be much more complicated.” He looked down range at the targets. “I always felt selfish. There are people out there who don’t have anyone, you know? Lonely people, people who’ve lost their loved ones, lovers who never find each other. It doesn’t seem fair that I should get the two of you.”

“Ieduin…” Rowan moved closer and put a finger on the bow, pushing it down so it wasn’t between them. He took Ieduin’s face in his hands. “You are worthy of us. You deserve happiness, too. Just because happiness looks different for you than it does for other people does not make that less true.”

Ieduin’s throat bobbed. “I understand that. It’s just—”

“That other people have suffered does not mean you have to. And you don’t have to continue to suffer just because you have in the past. Life is not a competition to see who can endure the most pain without complaining about it.”

The wind picked up, pushing strands of Ieduin’s bright red hair into his face.

Rowan tucked them back behind his pointed ear. “I care a great deal for you. For both of you.”

Ieduin stared at him as if he couldn’t believe it. Why was it so hard for him to accept that someone could love him?

“If you want this,” Rowan said. “I will make it happen. I told her I would talk to you first and bring her your answer.”

“What about the Crows? And you’ve got a kingdom to think about, and—”

Rowan kissed his lips lightly, silencing him. “I said I would make it happen. Trust me to keep my word?”

“I trust you,” Ieduin whispered. “I shouldn’t, though. Not when you keep leaving me. If this is just going to lead to me always waking up alone… I don’t know if I can take that. That’s all I want out of it. Not to be alone.”

“You will never wake up alone again, Ieduin. Starting tonight. I will stay with you, and if I can’t, you have Rixxis.” He pulled Ieduin into his arms and kissed him again. There was something beautiful about the way Ieduin felt against him like that, the way his muscles went slack, and he opened his mouth so willingly.

When they parted, they were both breathless and hard.

“You know, I’m half tempted to drag you behind one of these trees right now,” Rowan said.

Ieduin laughed and pushed him back. “You’re going to have to wait until tonight, sir. If I’ve got to work for it, I’m not making it that easy for you.”

The king grinned. “Honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ll see you at dinner, then. Enjoy your shooting.”

“Enjoy your paperwork,” Ieduin called as Rowan started away. “I made sure you had plenty of it to keep you busy.”

“Oh!” Rowan turned back around, lifting a finger. “That reminds me. About our session tonight.”

Ieduin watched him attentively, waiting expectantly.

“Rixxis asked to observe.”

The elf’s eyes flared wide. “She what?”

“Unless you object.” Rowan shrugged. “I can always tell her no, but she’ll be very disappointed. I’ve never known you to be shy, Ieduin.”

He lowered his bow, frowning. “I’m not. It’s just… I’m more worried you’ll scare the hell out of her. You should’ve seen her face when she tried to tell me about your sex dungeon.”

Rowan made a face. “Please don’t call it that.”

“I don’t think she’s into that stuff, Rowan. She’s practically a virgin,” Ieduin said.

Rowan laughed, loud and high, the sound bouncing off the tree trunks. “I think there’s a side to Rixxis no one has ever seen, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised when she comes out to play.”

Ieduin snorted and turned back to his targets. “Not everyone is like us, Rowan.”

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