“Stay here,” Khalon said softly, delivering a feathery kiss to Riley’s temple. “Explore the castle, get to know the court. I’ll assign guards to accompany you.”

  “Can Toka come with me?”

  Khalon looked surprised by the request. “If it would please you.”

  “I like talking to him.” He also had a feeling Toka knew what it felt like to watch someone he cared about walk off to battle over and over.

  Khalon’s smile reached his eyes. “Then all the more. Now dress. I’d like for you to see me off.”

  Riley nodded. “Shouldn’t you be hurrying?”

  “The Eye shows what will come to pass and where. As it has yet to happen, it allows us time to prepare for battle.”

  “Got it.” He had so much to learn. Riley quickly got dressed in his princely garb, which was another thing he’d have to get used to. It was a lot more leather than he usually—ever—wore. He finished lacing up his boots, then took Khalon’s hand. He paused at the door long enough to take a deep steadying breath.

  “They’ll love you. Simply be yourself.” Khalon kissed his cheek, and they left the room.

  As they headed down the castle corridor hand in hand, everyone bowed as they went by. It was the strangest thing. Usually when Riley walked down the street it was like he was invisible. There were times when he’d had so many people bump into him that he’d felt like a bumper car at the fair. Now everyone bowed and addressed him as His Highness. They stared at him like he was some kind of rare and mythical creature.

  Outside the front gate, Rayner, Adira, and Ezra waited along with what seemed like everyone on the castle grounds. Khalon’s warriors knelt the moment they saw Riley. With pride in his eyes, Khalon turned to Riley and pulled him close. He leaned in to whisper in his ear.

  “They care greatly for you, as do I.” He wrapped an arm around Riley, a wicked grin on his face before he kissed Riley to cheers and catcalls. When Riley was all but out of breath, Khalon pulled away. “A little something to keep me in your thoughts until I return.”

  “Bastard,” Riley said through a shaky laugh, the rest of the crowd joining him. He put his hand to Khalon’s cheek, telling himself he’d join Khalon soon enough. “Be safe.”

  Khalon turned his face to kiss Riley’s palm. “I will.” He winked at Riley then turned and motioned for his warriors to follow. With a wave of his hand, Khalon stepped through the portal he’d summoned and disappeared, the others swiftly following.

  Riley inhaled sharply at the sudden sense of loss. He put his hand to his heart and rubbed at his chest. He didn’t like that feeling one bit. Toka stepped up beside him, and Riley spoke so only Toka would hear him. “Does it ever stop feeling so horrible?”

  Toka shook his head sadly, his eyes on the spot where Rayner had disappeared. “He takes my heart with him every time he goes off to battle, leaving me hollow until his return.”

  Maybe when Khalon returned, Riley would talk to him about Rayner and Toka. If Khalon had accepted being with a human, maybe he wouldn’t be so against a Soldati being with a servant.

  As Riley stood there, the breeze sweeping through his hair and in front of him a magical realm he wouldn’t have been able to conjure up even in the greatest depths of his imagination, he felt a warm, loving glow spread through him. His arm itched, and he dropped his gaze to it, smiling when the bands and the patterns of his mark began to move.

  “He’s thinking of you,” Toka said softly.

  Riley’s heart swelled, and he hoped Khalon could feel Riley thinking about him as well. He turned to face his citizens, all of whom had waited centuries for his arrival. Riley had no intention of letting them or Khalon down. He had so much to do and get used to. There was his warrior training, his tiger training, and a coronation to prepare for, not to mention finding a way to tell his mom about his new boyfriend/mate without the whole moving to another realm to live as a tiger shifter prince part. That should prove interesting.

  His life as barista Riley Murrough was over, but his life as Prince of the Soldati had just begun. With a confident stride, Riley headed toward the castle’s main doors and the beginning of his new life. He’d finally found his calling. Who knew it would be as a warrior prince? For the first time in his life, he felt like he belonged. This was who he was meant to be, and he was going to rock it.

  Want to read Toka and Rayner’s story? Continue reading with The Foxling Soldati, book two in the Soldati Hearts series.

  THE FOXLING SOLDATI

  SYNOPSIS

  Foxling Toka has served the Soldati king for centuries, and now he attends to the kingdom’s cherished Soldati prince. It’s a position of honor, and as Toka helps the once-human prince adapt to their magical realm, he finds joy in their friendship. He also grows bolder in his encounters with Rayner, Soldati warrior and the king’s second. But the laws are clear: servants and Soldati are not permitted to mate. It doesn’t matter that Toka lost his heart to the dashing cad long ago.

  Rayner never imagined he would fall in love with a servant, but the clever and beautiful foxling has ensnared him, and he resents the regulations keeping them apart. When an arrogant and spiteful king visits from a neighboring realm, Rayner is in danger of losing everything. But Soldati warriors don’t surrender, and he intends to fight all the harder to keep Toka where he belongs—in Rayner’s arms.

  CHAPTER ONE

  You mustn’t be caught.

  Toka chanted the words in his head, his heart beating wildly as he attempted to ease his ragged breaths. The rustling of leaves sent him diving behind an enormous tree, and he flattened himself against the trunk as he crouched. For a moment he feared he’d been seen.

  A fiery orange leaf floated down and tickled his nose as it made its descent, making Toka smile. Autumn in the Soldati realm was Toka’s favorite time of year, next to winter. What foxling didn’t love pouncing into a tantalizing mound of crisp autumn leaves or freshly fallen snow? Unfortunately leaves crackled underfoot, giving away his position—well, nearly. He worried his bottom lip with his teeth, wondering if he should risk changing into his fox form. If he did, and his pursuer was near, he would catch Toka’s heady scent. But in his fox form, Toka was quicker, more agile, and smaller. He could easily squeeze into a rabbit burrow. His pursuer would be lucky to fit a paw in there.

  Blasted! Stop being such a coward!

  Breaking into a run, Toka leaped and landed on his paws, his transformation complete in the blink of an eye. His clothes were like a second skin, becoming one with his body when he shifted. He couldn’t imagine having to remove clothes every time he wished to change form. How terribly cumbersome. A roar frightened him, and he let out a cry as he took off. Wonderful. If he hadn’t given himself away when he’d shifted, he certainly had now. Just as the thought crossed his mind, a flash of white caught his eye, and he skidded as he made a sharp turn to avoid getting pounced on by the massive tiger. Toka used his brush to help his balance as he rounded a large tree, the fiend on his heels.

  “Give up, little fox!”

  The husky voice spoke to Toka in his mind, and Toka barked before replying.

  “Never!”

  Toka leaped over fallen trees, ducked under low branches, and took sharp turns in the hopes of losing the tiger hunting him. The wind whipped against his fur, and he paid no mind to the pebbles and acorns he treaded on as he pounced through the wild grass of the dense forest. All he needed was to find a small enough place to hide in. A paw swiped at his brush, and Toka jumped, releasing a startled bark. He could hear his pursuer’s voice laughing softly in his head.

  “Your capture is inevitable, my little fox. Why prolong it?”

  Toka would have rolled his eyes if he could. Someone was rather sure of themselves. Inevitable? He’d see about that.

  Spotting a hollow log inclined against a large tree, Toka dashed toward it. He sped through the inside of the log and emerged at the other end. The hollow log was sturdy and lodged tightly against the tree it had fallen against. Toka hopped on the corner and sprang up just as the log was knocked away. He landed on the nearest branch, then hopped from branch to branch, smiling inwardly.

  “Clever little fox,” the voice said in Toka’s head.

  Toka wiggled his butt and made the leap onto a branch of the next tree, ignoring the tiger jumping and swiping at him. As expected, Toka soon ran out of branches, and he soared through the air and landed gracefully in a pile of leaves. They fluttered up in the air before cascading down, and Toka darted away.

  “When I catch you, you’ll have to give me anything I desire.”

  Toka wasn’t prepared for the silky words, and he faltered, his paw catching on a rock, sending him tumbling. Oh sugar! He changed to his human form and sat up, eyes narrowed as a familiar shadow stretched over him. A hand appeared before his face, and with a groan, Toka accepted and slipped his hand into the fairer one on offer. Unlike the Soldati, who had the appearance of larger, stronger humans, foxlings wore much of their animal features in their human form. Toka’s hands and feet were a smoky color that traveled up his forearms and calves to fade into his bronze-colored skin, whereas Rayner was fair all over. Toka had never known a more handsome Soldati. Rayner’s hand was large and warm, enveloping Toka’s. Cheeks flushed, Toka was pulled to his feet.

  “You cheated,” Toka mumbled pitifully.

  Rayner’s amber eyes sparkled with mischief, his husky laugh sending a shiver through Toka. Why did the man have to be so darned handsome?

  “Perhaps,” Rayner admitted, placing his hands on Toka’s waist as he edged closer, and then he walked Toka back against a tree. Rayner smelled wonderful. Of sandalwood, juniper, and cedar with something else mixed in, along with a scent unique to Rayner, one Toka would know anywhere.

  “What… is it that you desire?” Toka’s breath hitched as the black of Rayner’s eyes spread, leaving slivers of molten amber. Rayner’s proximity was doing awfully naughty things to Toka’s body, especially when Rayner eliminated the distance between them, his knee between Toka’s legs.

  “You’re trembling,” Rayner said, his sinful lips inches from Toka’s temple and his breath hot against Toka’s skin. He brushed the back of his fingers down Toka’s bare arm before bringing them to rest under his chin, tilting his head back.

  Oh goodness. Toka swallowed hard. His eyes widened slightly, and his lips parted when Rayner dropped his gaze to Toka’s lips.

  “What I desire, my little fox, is a kiss from those sweet lips.”

  “Anything,” Toka breathed, curling his fingers into Rayner’s sleeves. He loved the way Rayner eclipsed Toka’s slighter frame. The breadth of his shoulders was impressive, leading to an expansive chest with muscular arms hidden under the billowy black sleeves of the shirt he wore beneath the chestnut-colored jerkin. His thighs were powerful, his calves strong and sheathed in black leather boots. Rayner exuded more than strength, power, and confidence. He radiated an inescapable sensuality, one others couldn’t help but gravitate toward when he was close.

  “You shouldn’t make such promises.” Rayner brushed his lips over Toka’s. “I have a very wicked imagination.”

  Toka whimpered, making Rayner chuckle. “You’re teasing me,” Toka said with a huff, turning his head away. Rayner took hold of his chin and turned his head back to meet his gaze.

  “Oh, but I’m very serious, my little fox.”

  “I… I am your little fox, Rayner. Only yours, should you wish to have me.” Toka dropped his gaze to his fingers, his cheeks burning. He was uncertain where this forwardness had come from. He supposed Rayner’s own boldness toward Toka as of late spurred him on. “I’ve not allowed anyone else to… touch me in such an… intimate manner in quite some time.”

  Rayner appeared stunned. “You’ve been saving yourself for me?”

  Toka nodded. “From the moment I met your gaze, I knew there would be no other.” The day Toka stood before Khalon, the newly crowned Soldati king, Toka’s life changed, and not for the reasons he’d expected. The previous king and his court departed the Soldati realm, and Khalon and his court were presented with their new servants. Toka was one of the many foxlings who would be serving Khalon and his court. As Rayner stood proudly beside his king, Toka’s heart and body were seized by the unspoken promise in Rayner’s amber eyes—a promise that Toka would one day be his.

  “Your words humble me,” Rayner whispered as he leaned in and brushed his lips over Toka’s before he poked out his tongue to lick at Toka’s bottom lip, drawing a gasp from him. “They also stoke the embers of desire within me. You are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on. I have never felt envious of my king until the day your mother presented you to him. Deep in my heart, I knew Khalon would never lay a finger on you, yet a secret part of me feared he might lose himself in your beauty. I wanted you for myself, even if we could not mate. I yearned to have you.” Rayner laid siege to Toka’s mouth, his tongue plundering, dueling with Toka’s own.

  Toka surrendered himself without question. Whatever Rayner desired of him, Toka would give freely and eagerly. Rayner’s heat enveloped Toka, and he closed his fingers around fistfuls of Rayner’s sleeves, fearing Rayner might slip away. It wasn’t his first kiss from Rayner, but it was the most heated by far. Toka lived for those moments when Rayner sought him out, stealing a kiss when no one was looking. The kisses were sweet, affectionate, and took Toka’s breath away each time. This kiss threatened to send him to the stars. It lit a spark inside him, and he foolishly wanted more. Rayner’s mouth was warm, and he tasted of the sweet wine he’d had earlier.

  The feel of Rayner’s hand sliding down Toka’s side made him shiver, and he brought his legs together as tight as he could around Rayner’s knee in the hopes of easing the rapidly growing desire in his groin. Rayner moved his hand underneath Toka’s knee-length tunic to cup him through his undergarments, and Toka had never been more grateful for his bare-legged servant’s attire. He gasped, throwing his head back, and Rayner took advantage, nipping at Toka’s exposed neck.

  “Oh heavens.” Toka whimpered as Rayner caressed him through his clothing.

  “Is that a yes?” Rayner whispered in Toka’s ear, and Toka gasped.

  “Yes,” Toka replied through his panting breaths. Never had he expected to be treated as an equal. Rayner stole kisses, but now as he freed Toka’s shaft from his undergarments before removing his own from his trousers, he had asked tenderly, as he would a lover. Rayner palmed both their erections, and Toka feared he might spill his seed all too quickly. They were both already leaking, and Rayner used the pearly drops in place of lubricant.

  “Rayner,” Toka breathed, the pressure and friction of Rayner’s hand as he pumped their shafts together was blissful torture. Fiery heat flared through Toka’s body, his muscles aching in the most delicious way. Never had he yearned for anything or anyone the way he yearned for Rayner. Rayner trailed kisses up Toka’s skin to his jawline, his husky voice low and gravelly when he spoke.

  “You are a gift, Toka. A beautiful, precious gift.”

  Toka cupped Rayner’s face, and brought him down for another scorching kiss. Rayner moaned into Toka’s mouth, and Toka arched his back, thrusting into Rayner’s hand as the pleasure rolled through him like a storm. Rayner quickened his pace, and Toka sucked on Rayner’s tongue. He gave in to his wicked desire and nipped at Rayner’s bottom lip before licking at it.

  “Sweet goddess above,” Rayner said through a groan. He crushed Toka between himself and the tree, his hand losing all rhythm as he gasped and panted. “Toka, will you forgive me… for being… selfish?” he panted.

  “Yes. Anything,” Toka promised.

  “Don’t let anyone else touch you like this. Don’t give yourself to anyone but me.”

  Toka’s release thundered through him, and he dug his fingers into Rayner’s shoulders, his strangled cry muffled by Rayner’s lips. As the heavenly pleasure racked him, Toka feared his body wasn’t strong enough to contain the blinding white light that flared inside him, desperate to break free. Rayner’s own orgasm quickly followed, and he groaned into Toka’s mouth. Toka’s body trembled, and when he moved his lips from Rayner’s, his reply was a mere whisper, but loud enough for Rayner to hear. “I promise.”

  Rayner let his head rest against Toka’s, and Toka used the underside of his tunic to gently clean Rayner’s hand. He tucked Rayner into his trousers before tucking himself away, his cheeks burning at the knowledge of what they’d done. Toka couldn’t help his smile, and when he looked up, he found Rayner watching him, his eyes sparkling brighter than any diamond. His smile was wide and just for Toka.

  “Thank you.” Rayner brushed his lips over Toka’s. “Would you—”

  A fierce roar echoed through the woods, and Toka gave a start, his heart beating wildly. It was Khalon.

  “I swear it’s as if he knows I’m enjoying myself.” Toka giggled at Rayner’s deadpan expression when he spoke.

  He gave Rayner a playful shove. “Go on. Your king summons you.”

  “Oh, I see how it is,” Rayner teased, drawing Toka into his strong arms. “When he’s being a pain in the backside, he’s my king, but when he’s being magnanimous, he’s our king.” Rayner growled and nipped at Toka’s neck. The scoundrel.

  Toka couldn’t help his laugh. “You are a rogue of the worst kind, sir. Charming foxlings with that handsome face and naughty smile. Having your wicked way with them in forests only to leave them pining for your touch.”

  Rayner paused. He looked worried as he studied Toka. “You don’t really believe that, do you? That I have my wicked way with other foxlings?” He brushed his fingers down Toka’s jaw. “I promise you, you’re the only foxling I desire.”