Rayner returned to the banquet hall. It was getting on in the evening, and Rayner looked forward to retiring for the night. Perhaps he might try and sneak down to the servants’ quarters and spend the night with Toka. He shouldn’t while Pavoni was here, but Rayner was desperate to hold his foxling in his arms and make love to him.

  When he reached the platform, he was grateful to see Pavoni was dancing. Khalon seemed like he wanted to shift and curl up in his tiger form under the table.

  “Where’s Riley?” Khalon asked the moment Rayner sat.

  “In the gardens.”

  “Oh.” Khalon’s eyes were gentle, and he nodded his understanding, knowing the reasons Riley sought out the gardens. He sighed. “I’m thankful he finds solace there.”

  “He’s a complex creature,” Rayner admitted.

  Khalon smiled, his love for his prince evident in his expression. “That he is. Such a gentle soul.”

  “Except when he’s angry,” Rayner replied, chuckling at Khalon’s wide eyes.

  “Goddess above, you don’t need to tell me.” His eyebrows drew together. “Is that why he’s gone to the gardens? Has something upset him?”

  Rayner motioned to the dance floor where Pavoni was dancing. Khalon’s jaw clenched.

  “Of course.”

  “He doesn’t understand why we associate ourselves with the likes of him, and if I may be honest, I am starting to wonder the same. When did we begin fearing tyrants like Pavoni?”

  Khalon narrowed his eyes at Rayner. “I do not fear him or anyone like him.”

  “Forgive me. I chose my words poorly. What I meant to say was, when did we begin to tolerate creatures such as he? I know the risk is great, but by appeasing him, are we not giving him even more power over us?”

  Khalon did not reply. He simply turned his attention to Pavoni, his expression guarded, though Rayner knew his dear friend was giving serious thought to his question, which was good. The fact Khalon had not dismissed him meant progress.

  Riley returned, looking more cheerful with Toka at his side. He sat beside Khalon and kissed his cheek. Khalon took Riley’s hand, concern in his eyes. Although the question remained unspoken, it was clear as day.

  “I’m okay,” Riley said, smiling warmly at his mate. The two placed their heads close together to murmur soft words.

  “You throw such wonderful parties, Khalon. A little tame for my tastes but very sweet. If you’ll excuse me, I feel a change of scenery is in order.” Pavoni ran a tongue over his bottom lip as he leered at Toka. “I don’t suppose His Highness would allow me the company of his pretty foxling companion?”

  Rayner clenched his teeth, though he needn’t fear Toka joining Pavoni, not if Riley’s indignant glare was anything to go by. The man’s scowl was impressive. Rayner was surprised Riley didn’t try to choke the bastard.

  “Toka is my personal courtier. He doesn’t leave my side.”

  Pavoni arched an eyebrow at him, most likely surprised by Riley’s curt and swift refusal. He was obviously not expecting Riley to be so protective. “Oh. I see.” He bowed and turned to go, then paused. He met Khalon’s gaze. “You really shouldn’t encourage your prince to get so attached to a servant. Might give some the wrong impression.” He chuckled as he walked away.

  Was the man insinuating what Rayner thought he was?

  Riley took a step forward, but Khalon quickly drew Riley into his arms. “Come, my Prince. Let’s go to our bedchamber.” He nuzzled the side of Riley’s temple, and Riley relaxed against his mate. His pout was adorable. Riley nodded, then turned his big eyes to Khalon. Rayner held back a smile.

  “I’d really like it if Toka stayed in my old room next to yours. Please. I want him to be close.”

  Khalon gaped at him. “You want your servant—”

  “My courtier,” Riley corrected. “And my friend. I want him close, Khalon.” There was a determined set to Riley’s shoulder and an intensity in his eyes. There was no budging him.

  “Of course.” Khalon kissed the top of Riley’s head. “Toka may stay in your old room.”

  “Permanently? I mean, he’s a courtier, right? He shouldn’t have to be downstairs.”

  “We’ll discuss this later.” Khalon gave him a pointed look, and Riley didn’t argue. Instead he smiled up at Khalon and stood on his toes to kiss his lips.

  “I love you.”

  “I love you too,” Khalon replied gently. He took Riley’s hand and placed it on the crook of his arm. “Come. It’s been a long day.”

  “Tell me about it,” Riley muttered. He waved good night to Adira and Ezra, who were busy chatting with some of the guests, then turned to Rayner with a big smile. “Good night, Rayner.”

  Rayner bowed. “Sweet dreams, my Prince.” He met Toka’s gaze. “Good night.”

  “Good night.” Toka’s eyes lingered on Rayner before they were forced to part ways. The guests all bowed as Khalon bid them good night, some of them leaving the banquet now that the king and his prince were departing for the evening. Rayner stood and watched them go. Unable to help himself, he followed Toka with his eyes. Hours. It had been but hours since he’d kissed Toka, since he’d had him in his arms, his body pressed to Rayner’s, his soft skin beneath Rayner’s touch, and yet Rayner yearned for Toka like a starving man hungered for his next meal.

  Rayner almost growled when someone stepped in front of him, blocking Toka from his sight. It was Prince Merlo. The bear prince was much smaller than his brother, with big brown eyes and a full mouth. He was rather strapping and quite attractive, with wavy brown hair reaching just below his ears. As an Orso prince, Merlo was tall and muscular, but not to the extreme of his kingdom’s warriors or his king. He was also gentle and quite shy, which was uncommon with the Orsos. It was a shame Merlo did his brother’s bidding without question. He seemed like a good man. Was it possible Merlo was afraid of his own brother? It would certainly explain a lot. Pavoni was known to have quite the temper. Rayner wouldn’t be surprised if the man treated his family as poorly as he did everyone else.

  “Rayner, how good to see you again.”

  Rayner bowed. “Prince Merlo.”

  “I’d been hoping to at least get the chance to talk to you. The evening went so quickly.” Merlo ran a hand over his sleeve, his cheeks somewhat flushed. He looked uncomfortable.

  “How are you enjoying the festivities?” Rayner summoned a smile and reminded himself that Merlo was not Pavoni. He deserved the benefit of the doubt.

  “I’m not fond of these sorts of things, but my brother insists I attend. He says stuffy books are for weaklings.” Merlo frowned, clearly disagreeing, but again not speaking against his brother.

  “My king loves a good book, and he’s hardly a weakling,” Rayner said gently. He might as well be polite. It wasn’t Merlo’s fault he had no backbone or that his brother was who he was.

  Merlo’s eyes went wide, and he shook his head. “Oh, I wasn’t implying that, um, forgive me, I—”

  “Calm yourself, Your Highness. I was merely implying that perhaps your brother is mistaken in that regard. Khalon is a powerful king, and he finds much joy in a good book. If you would allow me to be so bold,” Rayner prompted, smiling when Merlo nodded. He leaned in and whispered to Merlo, “Keep reading.” He winked at Merlo and made to leave when Merlo caught his arm.

  “Would you at least share a drink with me?” Merlo asked, his big brown eyes hopeful.

  “My apologies. I was on my way to my quarters for the remainder of the evening. Sleep well.”

  “Please, Rayner. Just one drink.” Merlo’s expression was troubled, and Rayner didn’t have the heart to deny him this one request after he had so terribly humiliated the man. It hadn’t been his intent. He doubted Merlo even cared. Pavoni was the one who’d taken it as a personal slight.

  “Of course. One drink.” Rayner accompanied Merlo over to one of the tables where he took a seat.

  “I’ll have one of my Orso fetch us our drinks. What can I get you?”

  “Surprise me,” Rayner said cheerfully. “Thank you. It’s very kind.”

  Merlo’s smile was big, lighting up his face. “My pleasure.”

  Merlo stood, and an Orso promptly appeared, taking Merlo’s order. Perhaps Rayner had been quick to judge Merlo. He shouldn’t have cast the man in the same light as his brother. In truth, Merlo had never wished Rayner any ill will or looked at him with any malice. Regardless, Rayner was eager to see Toka. One drink, a few pleasantries, and Rayner would seek out his beloved. Considering Riley’s old bedchamber was in the same wing as Rayner’s, no one would think anything of him being there. All he had to do was sneak to the end of the corridor where the royal bedchambers were. The guards would see him, but at this point, he hardly cared.

  “Here you go.” Merlo handed Rayner a glass of what appeared to be Nestore’s fruit wine.

  “Thank you.” Rayner took the cup and toasted, “To a bright future.” He took a sip of the sweet wine, wrinkling his nose at the bitter taste. “It would appear Nestore went a bit light on the sugar with this one.”

  Merlo hummed his agreement. “Still, quite delicious. I must admit, the Soldati have the most exquisite food of any realm I have visited. Such mouthwatering decadence.” The heat in Merlo’s eyes was unmistakable, and Rayner cleared his throat.

  “Perhaps I should be going.”

  “At least finish this drink with me, Rayner. Surely you don’t loathe me that much?” His expression fell, and Rayner sighed.

  “I don’t loathe you at all, Merlo.” It was the truth. “Forgive me if I have done anything to make you believe so.” He took another sip of his drink and made a mental note to speak to Nestore about this batch of fruit wine.

  “Would it really have been so terrible being married to me?” Merlo placed his hand over Rayner’s, and Rayner gently pulled his hand away. “Forgive me.” He sat back, looking deflated.

  “Why were you willing to marry me, Merlo? Because you wanted to or because your brother wanted you to?” Rayner pushed his fingers underneath his tunic’s collar and gave it a tug. He was suddenly feeling quite hot under his clothes.

  Merlo worried his bottom lip with his teeth and shrugged. “My brother could have chosen worse. You’re a good man. You would have been kind.”

  Rayner’s vision grew blurry, and he blinked away the growing drowsiness. He was certainly ready to turn in for the night. Wait, was Merlo still speaking? Rayner had completely tuned out. He closed his eyes for a moment.

  “Rayner? Are you all right?”

  “Yes, forgive me. What did you say?” His vision blurred again, and he blinked at the encroaching fog. “I’m… not feeling so well. I should go. Excuse me.” He stood and threw a hand out to steady himself.

  “Oh dear. I think the drink was a little stronger than anticipated. Perhaps that was why it was so bitter. I thought it was just me,” Merlo said, laughing softly.

  Rayner nodded before excusing himself once again and leaving the banquet hall. As he headed toward his room, everything became hazy.

  “I feel awful,” Rayner grumbled, uncertain to whom he was speaking. Where was he? What had he been doing just now? “I think… I think I should lie down.” An arm wrapped around his waist, and he tried to move away but faltered.

  “Let me help you.”

  The voice was soft and gentle. “Toka?”

  “Can you not see me?”

  Rayner put one foot in front of the other. His head was throbbing, his vision a blur of colors. His limbs were heavy, and he felt as though he were drowning in liquor, but surely he hadn’t had many. Had he?

  “Everything’s fuzzy,” Rayner replied, closing his eyes. That helped. “I’m glad you’re here.” Rayner smiled despite his lethargy. “My little foxling.”

  “Your foxling?”

  “Yes,” he huffed. “You promised you were mine, remember? You gave yourself to me.” He leaned into the warm body, nuzzling the soft hair. Rayner inhaled, frowning at the unfamiliar scent. “You smell different.”

  “I came searching for you and ran into Prince Merlo in the hall. I tripped, and he caught me. I must have picked up his scent.”

  “Oh. That was nice of him to help,” Rayner mumbled. “Will you come to bed with me? Watch over me?”

  “Of course.”

  Rayner sighed. “Tell me you love me again.”

  “Oh, Rayner. You have no notion of the depths of my feelings for you. Now, take me to your bedchamber, and I’ll help you into bed. Poor thing. You can barely walk.”

  “I’m okay,” Rayner said, his words sounding slurred to his ears. “You’re here. Everything’s okay.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Toka could barely believe it.

  He sat in the middle of the giant four-poster bed, smiling like a dope. A royal bedchamber! Even if this was the only night he spent in one, he was thankful. He recalled the first night he’d shown Riley to this very room. It was warm, with the soft glow of candles and wall sconces. The wooden four-poster bed was colossal, as was the wardrobe in the corner. Across the room was an expansive stone fireplace with a wine-colored chaise lounge in front of it. The walls were decorated with intricately woven tapestries of tigers frolicking, and beneath the furniture, a matching rug stretched across the wooden floor. Despite the room’s size, almost triple that of his bedchamber downstairs in the servants’ quarter, along with its opulence, it wasn’t imposing. Perhaps because Riley had stayed here, Toka thought of the room as cozy and inviting. If Rayner were here with him, his evening would be even more perfect.

  Toka wanted nothing more than to go to his love, but he didn’t dare. It wasn’t his place to do so. Also, Riley had asked him to remain in this room. It was sweet how concerned Riley was for him, and the way he’d protected Toka from Pavoni was like nothing Toka had ever seen. He would always be grateful to Riley. Mostly it was the moment Riley had told Khalon that Toka was his friend that had squeezed at Toka’s heart. Although Riley didn’t quite understand how a prince and servant could never truly be friends, Toka held the sentiment close to his heart.

  Growing quite sleepy, Toka blew out the candles and turned down the lights. He’d bathed and dressed in the nightshirt and robe Riley insisted Toka take from the wardrobe. As he climbed into bed under the lush duvet and snuggled up into the luxurious feather pillow, he let out a sigh of contentment. With a great big yawn, he closed his eyes and thought of Rayner slipping into bed with him. It brought a smile to his lips. Rayner had looked so handsome at the banquet. It had been difficult to keep himself from sneaking glances at Rayner, and even more of a challenge not to touch him when he sat right beside Toka. Soon, he told himself. Soon he would be in Rayner’s arms once more.

  A bellow startled Toka awake sometime in the middle of the night, and he scrambled out of bed, his heart pounding fiercely. He threw the bedchamber door open, stumbling out into the corridor, forgetting about his bare feet. His heart stilled at the sight of Rayner on his knees outside his bedchamber, nothing but a blanket wrapped around his waist, which he clutched tight to his naked torso. What terrified Toka most, was the sword King Pavoni had to Rayner’s neck.

  Khalon and Riley emerged from their bedchamber still dressed in royal garb. Perhaps it wasn’t as late as Toka thought. Had he been asleep such a short time? Khalon and Riley hurried over to Rayner and Pavoni. Toka slowly and quietly followed. He kept close to the wall, knowing he had no business being out here, but he couldn’t go back to his room. Everything in him screamed to go to Rayner’s side, to bark and snap at Pavoni for daring to threaten his love. Rayner looked frightened and confused, as if he couldn’t grasp what was happening. His eyes were red, and his chest heaved. Why was he naked?

  “What is the meaning of this?” Khalon demanded, glaring at Pavoni. Toka edged nearer, making certain not to move too quickly and draw attention to himself. He tiptoed a few feet closer to Riley, remaining against the wall.

  “This jackal is a disgrace to the Soldati and your name,” Pavoni growled. “I knew he was a scoundrel, but this is beyond the pale, Khalon.”

  “What is his crime?” Khalon ground out through his teeth.

  “In a drunken stupor, he attempted to force himself upon my innocent brother!”

  Riley gasped, and Toka clamped a hand over his mouth to stifle his cry. Anger rose through him, and he gritted his teeth to keep quiet. That was a blatant lie! Rayner would never commit such a heinous act, no matter how into his cups he might be. He was an honorable man. He would never take someone against their will. Never.

  Khalon stared at King Pavoni. After seeming to snap out of his trance, he turned his gaze to Rayner, his eyes filled with fear for him. “Speak.”

  Rayner shook his head as best he could with the blade held to his neck. “Khalon, you know me. I would never bring such disgrace to myself, to you, or the Soldati. When have I lost myself to drink? When have I ever behaved dishonorably? I swear to you—”

  “Lies!” Pavoni spat. “You reek of spirits, and my brother said you could barely walk. You asked him for his aid in escorting you to your bedchamber, where you dragged him in and tried to have your way with him. Look at him!” Pavoni thrust a finger at the red-faced, disheveled prince, his shirt collar and sleeve torn and trousers undone. His hair was tousled, and his neck had red marks.

  Princess Verity stepped forward, tears in her eyes. “It’s true. I was heading for the guest wing when I heard my brother’s distress. I should not have gone in, but I feared for him. I opened the door and saw Rayner… on him. I heard my brother… beg for Rayner to stop. I ran to fetch my king. He dragged Rayner off my brother and brought him out here.”

  Rayner met Khalon’s gaze, his chin lifted in defiance. “I did not force myself on him,” he ground out through his teeth.

  “How did you get to your bedchamber?” Pavoni demanded. “The truth.”

  Rayner’s eyebrows drew together, and he frowned. “I can’t recall. I remember the banquet hall, speaking with Merlo, and then nothing until I found myself dragged from my bed.”