ground, and his lips embrace me, his tongue linking with mine in a tangle of frenzied passion. Pulling me tight against his pelvis, the length of him hardens, and I grip his shoulder, giggling into his mouth.
“We have an audience.”
He growls into my mouth.
“Unfortunately.”
With a lascivious wink, he repositions his hands for us to dance once more. I follow his lead, our bodies closer than before. When the tempo increases and the song nears the end, he applies pressure to my hip, spinning me out and across the floor with him, before dipping me low and ending the song with my leg held at his waist. The crowd cheers, their applause enthusiastic.
The sheer fabric slides back toward the pillars and couples join us on the dance floor. After another song together, Kellan is the first to approach us. Giving Ryker a polite bow, he asks his permission to dance with me. Ryker kisses my cheek and leaves me in the hands of Kellan as he joins the royals in conversation. Hands linked together, we enter into the proper technique for the song.
“I remember when I saw you dance with Luther at your coronation. I was sure the two of you were a match. It wasn’t until now, seeing you with King Ryker, I realized how wrong I was. Whatever is between the two of you emanates so strongly, we can feel it across the room. After seeing the two of you together, I can guarantee there will be many couples laying with one another tonight.”
Laughter tickles my throat.
“I think you’re just an incessantly horny man.”
Slapping his chest, he feigns insult.
“That may be true, but you know I’m right.”
“I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too, sweet Fi.”
“Having Cayall here with you, does that mean your family is aware and accepting of your preference for men?”
Kissing me on the cheek, he smiles.
“I have you to thank for that. Your engagement announcement gave me the opportunity to share the truth with my family. They immediately wanted to know if you knew and how you felt about it. I told them you already knew and supported me. With that relief, they did the same.”
“I’m so pleased to hear this.”
Following the song, he dips me gently, then brings me back to his handsome face.
“I want to ask you something, but I’m reluctant to bring up the heartache.”
“Please ask.”
“How are you doing with the loss of Matheas?”
“Without Ryker, I believe I would still be shattered. I would’ve made impulsive and poor decisions to exact revenge against Belore and possibly endangered the Anaukin people. He’s given me constant support, been patient with me, and helped me focus my energy on ruling our territory with unclouded judgment.”
“The two of you together are a formidable pair, there’s no denying it. Are you concerned about monarchs feeling threatened by the union between our territories?”
“I am. Belore’s conniving and clever. I’m expecting him to approach other territories and offer an alliance, convincing them with fear that Ryker and I are going to take over the world if not stopped. It’s why we’re leaving for our engagement tour tomorrow. We need to assure other monarchs that’s not what we’re doing.”
Kellan leans forward, speaking quietly for only me to hear.
“Luther’s father was furious his son wouldn’t be King. His father recently made a trip out of Anauka to meet with someone, but I don’t know who.”
“Continue to watch him, gather any intel you can. Anytime you need to come to the Free territory, contact me, and I’ll have you privately escorted.”
“Know that you’ll always have my devotion, sweet Fi. I’ll always be loyal to your crown.”
The song ends, and I kiss him on the lips for old time’s sake.
“Thank you. You’ll always have my friendship and protection.”
Giving my hand a squeeze, he leaves me on the dance floor when he sees Luther approaching.
“May I?”
Outstretching his hand, I take it and enter into the next dance with him. There are several moments that pass, his gaze holding mine, the familiar heat between us awakening as he caresses my back.
“Perhaps everything has come to pass as it should. I knew you loved Matheas, and if I’m honest with myself and you, I don’t know that I could’ve shared you with him.”
“Please know, what I felt for you was real, but I never would’ve been able to let him go.”
Thumb caressing my skin, he pulls me closer.
“I hate having to let you go.”
The sadness in his eyes is heartbreaking. I remember what he’d been through before. Forced