“No, not me or Luykas. We had to be educated in many of the practices of our priests and priestesses by the High Priestess of Lariana. She taught us everything I know about the priesthoods.” Alchan paused, darkness passing through his eyes. “You almost met her once,” he said, visibly swallowing.
“Really?”
“She was…she gave her life for us in Ellantia. Arjana. I didn’t even recognize her, thanks to everything that had happened to her and the situation we were in. Then she told me her name, and I remembered. I still wish I could have saved her, but I wasn’t going to force her to go if she didn’t want to.”
“I didn’t know…” Rain was a little lost. “Have you been keeping that to yourself all this time?”
“No,” Alchan assured him. “Luykas and I had a drink in her name that next Al Moro Nat…two years ago now. It’s right around the corner.”
“It is,” Rain whispered, nodding. Ellantia felt like a hundred years ago. It was both an age ago and yesterday.
They rode to the stairs leading to the palace, Lily’s singing dying off. Alchan sighed, looking around.
“Well, I guess we can camp right here,” he said. He was out of the wagon before Rain could move. Alchan held out a hand and helped him down, even though it wasn’t necessary. Rain then watched Alchan do the same for Lily, even touching her lower back to make sure she got down safely. He still didn’t mention it as they made camp, and Lily made a meal for them. Once the tent was up, Rain caught his husband and held him.
“Come here,” he murmured, letting a hand drift down. “Let me help you out.” He leaned into Alchan and licked his neck, teasing the male with a reminder of what Rain could do with his tongue.
Alchan growled and grabbed his hair.
“You are insatiable,” the king accused, then kissed him.
“No, you are. You’re the one always ready to take me at a moment’s notice,” Rain reminded him. “I’m just willing to take everything you have to give me.”
Alchan growled again, but nothing went further. Rain’s hand was removed from Alchan’s body.
“She’s awake,” Alchan whispered in his ear. “I don’t want to be like that with her. She would have to listen. I would rather she was asleep or we’re a little farther from camp. You know that.”
“I just figured you wouldn’t want her to have to see it, though I’m sure she’s already seen a lot.” Rain sighed. “Fine.”
“Rain.” Alchan’s tone demanded his attention. “I don’t want to make this trip worse for her by fucking you and making it awkward like that morning in the kitchen. I’m feeling guilty enough right now.”
“Why do you feel guilty?” Rain murmured, nipping his husband’s ear. He already knew, but it would be infinitely easier if his husband just admitted it. This was, however, the first time he got Alchan to admit something of his feelings about this situation.
“We’re here, and you could die soon, so I would rather the truth came out,” Rain retorted. “I’m your Consort. Your husband. Whatever it is, we can weather it.”
Alchan looked toward the tent door, then back at Rain.
“Let’s go for a walk,” Alchan ordered. Rain followed him, kissing Lily on top of the head right where Alchan could see. Alchan’s eyes went wide, but nothing more.
“We’ll be back in a moment,” he promised the little female he protected and cared for.
“I’ll be here,” she promised in return. Smiling, she reached out and touched his cheek. “You two stay safe.”
“We will.” Rain followed his husband, who stood farther away. “So…”
“Don’t hate me, but if you want to know, I’ll admit it.” Alchan groaned, looking back one more time before pulling Rain to follow him down a different street, out of sight of the little ahren. “I want her.”
“I told Mave. That’s one of the reasons I kept her around, even as things went to hell. I wasn’t comfortable being around Lady Lilliana, so I wanted Mave as a contingency plan.” Alchan leaned on a wall, looking at the sky. “I’m sorry. I know you are with only me, and I feel as though I’m betraying something between us. You…are so important to me. You are a male who gives me what I want and what I need. I love