The priestess put a hand to his head. "I know you will."
With that she disappeared, leaving behind the scent of blossoms and a night sky filled with dazzling stars. Each full moon would leave him vulnerable as never before, but that hardly meant he would be weak. He would simply need to exercise caution on those days. Besides, he had his warrior heart and his prince to guide him as he discovered his human strength.
Khalon stood, bringing Riley up with him. Taking hold of his hand, he pressed it to his lips for a kiss. His happiness bubbled up and he threw his arms around Riley, lifting him off his feet as he hugged him. Riley's laughter was a blessing and the most wonderful sound Khalon had ever heard. He placed Riley back on his feet and smiled lovingly at him. Near him his warriors lowered themselves on bended knee and placed their fists over their hearts. The four of them spoke in unison.
"We honor you, Prince Riley Murrough of the Soldati, and eternally pledge our blades, our hearts, and our fidelity to you."
Riley swallowed hard. "Thank you." He moved his bright amber eyes back to Khalon. "I'm sorry. I don't know what to do."
Khalon kissed his cheek, Riley's scent filling his senses. His desire and call to claim Riley threatened to overwhelm him, but he maintained a firm grip. Now was not the time. "Let us return home. There is much to discuss." Riley appeared uncertain. "What troubles you? If you fear leaving your former life behind, know you are free to visit the human world whenever you wish. You are my mate, Riley, not my prisoner." Was it possible...? Khalon swallowed hard and forced himself to speak the words. "If your happiness lies elsewhere and not at my side, I will honor your wish. You have only to speak it."
Riley stood on his toes and kissed Khalon, the taste of him awakening something deep inside him. He pulled Riley against him, deepening their kiss as the fire spread through them. Khalon could feel the heat coursing through Riley, whose desire for Khalon, his need, was as fierce as Khalon's, answering any misgivings Khalon possessed on whether Riley wished to remain at his side as his mate. Riley's soft moan sent a shiver through Khalon and he slipped his knee between Riley's legs, pressing up against Riley's hardening length.
A distinct clearing of the throat brought their passion to a screeching halt. Khalon pulled abruptly away, his face heated and undoubtedly as red as it felt. "I, um, forgive me," he said, sounding breathless. Goddess above, what was the matter with him? Behaving like some fledgling Soldati.
Rayner gave him a wicked look. "Perhaps we should return to the castle. We'll sneak you in the servants' entrance so that you might make it to your bedchamber without incident."
"Rayner!" Khalon scolded, his face going up in flames. Beside him Riley groaned and buried his face in Khalon's jerkin as the others giggled like children.
"Do you wish to get on with your discussion in private without the realm seeking to celebrate the union of you and your prince?" Rayner asked innocently, his intent anything but. "Or shall we announce your arrival and begin the festivities? It will be at least a week before you get to any... discussing. And then there's the coronation, the reception, the--"
"I get it," Khalon huffed. "Stop discussing our"--he made finger quotes--"discussion."
Rayner threw his head back and laughed. He turned and walked off to the sounds of Khalon cursing him. Adira and Ezra followed, chortling along. Khalon turned to Riley, who looked up at him with a bright smile.
"I think I'm going to like it here."
Chapter Eleven
RILEY WAS wrong. He didn't like it here. He loved it.
Riley arched his back and let out a low moan. It was taking everything he had to keep himself in control. With his newfound strength and power, he had no idea what could happen if he wasn't careful. Unfortunately control was difficult with Khalon's hard naked body pressing him into the mattress. Not that Riley was complaining.
"I find those little sounds you make very pleasing," Khalon purred before trailing kisses up Riley's torso. He roamed his strong hands over Riley's body, over his stomach, down his thighs, and in between his legs. Khalon took his sweet time as he explored every curve, every patch of skin, as if he were mapping Riley, committing every inch of him to memory. With every touch he followed up with a taste, then a kiss. It was driving Riley absolutely crazy.
Riley had no idea what came next. They somehow managed to sneak into the castle, but not without some sleight of hand from Rayner and the others. Apparently the whole realm wanted to meet its new Soldati prince. As much as Riley wanted to oblige, neither he nor Khalon could stand to wait any longer. Every second Khalon didn't lay claim to Riley became torturous. Their bodies were drawn to each other, a magnetic pull that caused Riley's body to physically ache with his need to have Khalon inside him. It was kind of scary.
"Are you sure this is what you want? That I'm what you want?" Riley asked, his toes curling and his breath hitching when Khalon found Riley's entrance with a lubed finger. "I know the priestess said this is who I really am, that I've always been a Soldati prince, but I don't feel all that different. I mean, I feel stronger and there's this weird, pulsing, warm glow inside me that I can't explain, but I'm still me.
"
"And I would not wish you to be any different." Khalon nipped at Riley's neck. "We shall face this new adventure together, guiding each other. I know you might be"--he pushed a finger inside Riley, causing him to cry out in surprise--"overwhelmed."
"Bastard," Riley huffed.
Khalon chuckled and continued to stretch Riley. "But all will be well. I will be here with you at your side. Once I have claimed you, our bond will grow stronger. More of your true self will be revealed. Whatever happens"--Khalon's tone softened and he placed a kiss to Riley's lips--"we are one."
Riley slipped his arms around Khalon's neck, unable to believe this was all happening. Yet somehow it felt right. He had no idea what being a Soldati prince entailed, but he trusted Khalon. With a shuddered sigh, Riley closed his eyes and gave himself over, spreading his knees farther apart. Khalon settled in between them and lined himself up. Riley braced himself. He slipped his fingers down to Khalon's shoulders and held on tight as Khalon stretched him. He dug his fingers into his lover's skin. For all of Khalon's strength and ferocity, he was also very gentle. Soon the pain and burn gave way to sweet pleasure and Riley groaned, a soft gasp escaping him as Khalon began to move.
"Khalon...."
"I love the sound of my name falling from your lips," Khalon murmured, taking hold of Riley's wrist. He brought it to his lips for a kiss before moving it to the bed and lacing their fingers together. He lowered himself carefully and Riley moved his other hand to the bed so Khalon could take hold of that one as well. "You're so beautiful."
Riley looked away, embarrassed. "I'm not."
"You are, and I will spend my immortal life showing you how beautiful and good you are. The Soldati Realm is fortunate to have you, Riley, as am I."
Had this happened back home, Riley would have thought he'd gone crazy. It was too soon to feel this strongly about the man in his arms, yet it felt as if Khalon had always been with him. If the mark had been with Riley since birth, simply hidden, then what about his connection to Khalon?