Lenard hesitated, blushing. “The Felix are a very dominant species, Kansas. Male and female alike are strong and warlike—even their mating rituals are a battle for supremacy.” He shrugged. “I’m different.”
“You’re an artist. The kindest soul I know. Just because you aren’t a warrior…” Lenard rubbed Fenna’s shoulders in gentle gratitude for her defense before he continued.
“I’m also submissive by choice, which in their minds, is a worse offense. While the Felix are open to other cultures being different, they are not as understanding about their own.”
“And Fenna can’t—” Lenard cut himself off when he saw Fenna flinch, and Kansas knew that he’d been right. Gliders were known for their sense of direction.
If she didn’t have one…
“I can’t find my way through an open field,” she confirmed glumly. “And I’m no good at flying either. My greatmother was a leader of my people and kept me safe from their ridicule. Once she died, the rest of the family couldn’t disown me fast enough. Not that I care.”
Kansas stepped closer, surprising all of them by wrapping his arms around them both for a quick, heartfelt embrace. “Well, I’m not even from this world, and you can’t get more different than that. I’m just grateful that the two of you found me instead of them. You accepted me, kept me alive and got me here in one piece. If they don’t want you around, if they can’t see how special you are, it’s their loss. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be on this adventure with than you.”
He was strangling in feathers and fur before he knew it, Lenard and Fenna both squeezing him tightly in thanks.
Trumpets blared, echoing off the gilded walls of the chamber, and the chattering crowd grew silent. “What’s going on?”
Fenna released Kansas and attempted to climb up Lenard’s back, determined to get a better view. “New business. The king blesses those newly born, those newly wed and listens to any new issues his people may need him to preside over.”
Lenard nudged Kansas forward. “You should get in line, my friend. You are new business, after all. This is where you meet the king.”
He couldn’t see the wizard. Couldn’t even see the throne at the back of the room. He swallowed nervo
usly. “You two aren’t coming with me?”
“We’ll step forward as witnesses to your arrival.” Fenna looked down from her new perch on Lenard’s shoulders and ran a taloned hand through his hair. “You don’t have to go home yet, sea eyes. You can stay with us as long as you like.”
Kansas leaned into her touch with a kind smile. “Thank you, Fenna. I’ll keep that in mind.”
He took a bracing breath and pushed his way through the crowd, heading toward the back of the small line forming in the middle of the room. He caught sight of Z, standing off to the left on the dais, his amber gaze honing in on Kansas. There was an air of impatience about the sorcerer that made him suspicious. What exactly was he expecting to happen here?
Two members of the Equus Clan and their new foal bowed and stepped away from the throne, leaving an opening for the next in line. In that moment, Kansas got his first look at the king.
What if you’re attracted to him?
What if that was an understatement of epic proportions? The floor dropped out from beneath him, his heart pounding loud in his ears as he saw the man who was his every fantasy rolled into one stand to greet the family of snooty Gliders who’d been glaring at Fenna.
The king had the same golden skin as the others, but no one would ever be able to mistake him for someone else. He was so beautiful it was impossible for Kansas to look away. As tall as Lenard and just as broad and well muscled, only he wasn’t covered with fur, which to Kansas was a definite plus because it meant more skin for him to lick.
Careful.
He wore a long crimson and silver skirt, a circlet of silver around his clean-shaven head, and nothing else. His bare chest was peppered with small scars and piercings. The sheer masculinity on display took his breath away.
It was more than attraction. Not only did he look a hell of a lot like the watery figure who’d taken him the day before, but this living, breathing version made something inside Kansas instantly wake up and roar, staking a claim. This one, it said. This one belongs to us.
Kansas tensed. No. This was the leader of a world he’d never known existed. He wasn’t human, and he wasn’t meant for Kansas. Based on what the wizard told him, this monarch had issues with ennui. Even if he were staying, this would be the last person he would let himself have feelings for.
Danny had gotten bored, too. Kansas couldn’t allow himself to forget that.
But there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the view right now, is there?
The king was speaking to his subject in a soft, soothing voice. Kansas leaned closer, attempting to hear the low murmur over the drumbeat in his head. If his voice was anything like the rest of him, he wasn’t sure how the man got through the day without people throwing themselves at his feet.
“It is a travesty,” the Glider in front of him whispered. “I know you are generous to a fault with your people, Highness, no matter how beneath you, but to allow this insult in your own throne room is unacceptable.”
“What exactly would you have me do?”
“Have your guards drag her from the hall. Let Fenna spend a night in your cells before sending her back into the wild, and she won’t dare step foot in the city again.”