“You see?” Pavoni sneered. “He was so inebriated, he doesn’t even recall how he made it to his bed, and he admits my brother was the last person he spoke with. I caught him red-handed, and what’s more, my poor sister witnessed the deed herself.” Pavoni straightened, his disgusted gaze moving from Rayner to Khalon. “I cannot accept this slight against my family, Khalon. I demand justice. As per Soldati law, I am owed recompense and call upon the right to choose which punishment the criminal is to receive, or the Soldati face war with the Orso.”

  Criminal? How dare he! Khalon couldn’t allow this. They had known Rayner for centuries, knew his character, his heart. He would never do what Pavoni accused him off. Toka clenched his fists at his sides, tears in his eyes. Even as he knew what Khalon’s reply would be, his heart refused to believe it.

  “Why don’t we discuss this in my study? I’m certain that between us, we can—”

  Pavoni was indignant. “My brother was almost defiled in your home by one of your men, and you dare attempt to placate me? I will not stand for this, Khalon, and neither will General Segreti.”

  Khalon was silent for a moment, his jaw clenched tight. When he spoke, his voice was rough. “What is your punishment?”

  “Twenty lashes before the whole of the Soldati court by my hands.”

  Tears rolled down Toka’s cheeks, and he shook his head, his heart splintered. Pavoni loathed Rayner. He would surely show no mercy. Rayner hung his head. He was left with no choice but to accept his king’s pronouncement, and Toka wished nothing more than to go to him, to hold him close and kiss away his pain. Riley stood stunned, disbelief on his handsome face.

  “And your recompense?” Khalon asked quietly.

  King Pavoni’s sneer was terrifying. He thrust a finger at Toka, and Toka’s world came undone. His knees grew weak, and he sank to the floor. No. Please, no.

  “You will gift me the foxling.”

  Riley rushed to Toka’s side, dropped to his knees, and drew Toka into his arms. Toka was numb as Riley ran a hand over his head. This can’t be. The horror was too great for Toka to accept, and his chest tightened. Breathing became arduous.

  “How dare you!” Riley fumed. “Toka isn’t anyone’s to give. What’s more he’s my personal courtier. You’re not laying one repulsive finger on him.”

  Pavoni snarled at Khalon. “Your prince has quite the mouth on him, Khalon. Might I suggest a firmer hand, seeing as how your mate clearly does not know his place.”

  Khalon straightened, anger burning in his eyes. “I’ll have to insist you watch your tongue, Pavoni, when you speak of the Soldati prince.”

  Pavoni let out a snort of disgust. “How can I forget when you continuously lord him over us. Regardless of who he is, your prince will gift me the foxling.”

  “Never,” Riley spat out.

  Pavoni loomed over Riley and Toka. “Then Khalon will simply take him from you.”

  Toka began to shiver uncontrollably. His life, his home, Rayner… all gone.

  Riley’s eyes widened, and he looked to Khalon. “You can’t.”

  “I can, and I will. Or you will face a war,” Pavoni snarled.

  Riley shook his head in disbelief. “Do you realize what you’re saying? You’d be sentencing the human world to death. Without the Soldati there to protect it, it’ll be overrun by demons. You’d let an entire species die?”

  Pavoni scoffed. “The human world is the Soldati’s cross to bear, not mine. What happens to those pathetic creatures is not my concern.”

  “Not your concern?” Khalon fumed. “Who do you think the demons will come for next when the humans are gone and the wards are destroyed? The Soldati keep our world from falling into chaos. You not only risk your own people, but those of every realm.”

  To Toka’s horror, Pavoni stepped up to Khalon, his voice a low growl. “I would watch the Soldati and every other realm burn just to watch your lapdog suffer. Decide. Turn over the foxling, or I promise you General Segreti and his army will be here before morning.”

  How could one man be so heartless? Toka shut his eyes tight, feeling the bile rise in his throat. He opened his eyes in time to see Khalon turn away from Riley, his eyes closed.

  “Forgive me.”

  “No!” Rayner grasped the hem of Khalon’s tunic. “Please, Khalon.” His voice broke, tears in his eyes. “You cannot let him take Toka.”

  Pavoni marched over to Rayner and grabbed a fistful of his hair, jerking him away from Khalon. “Begging suits you, you contemptable creature.” He released Rayner, growling out the words over his shoulder as he headed to his room, Prince Merlo and Princess Verity quickly following. “Come morning, I will have what I’m owed, or I give Segreti the order.”

  Toka scrambled to his feet, ran to Rayner, and threw himself into Rayner’s embrace. The tears fell as his world came apart around him. He didn’t know what he feared most, being taken by that beast or never seeing Rayner again. Rayner ran a hand over his head, over his face, as if desperately attempting to come to grips with what was happening.

  “How can you do this?” Riley demanded as he faced Khalon, tears in his eyes. “How can you give Toka away like he doesn’t mean anything? He’s not a piece of property!”

  “I will not risk war for a servant,” Khalon roared. “You are not in your world. You are in mine. It’s time you learn what it is to be a Soldati prince.”

  “If being a Soldati prince means giving people away, giving in to assholes like Pavoni, then you can keep your fucking title!” Riley grabbed the crown off his head and threw it at Khalon’s feet. Toka saw Khalon flinch, saw the pain in his eyes, and the wetness that followed as he watched Riley storm away, leaving pieces of his princely garb along the way. He stopped halfway down the corridor and turned, a tear running down his flushed cheek. “You’re not the man I thought you were. You should have left my soul in limbo. At least you couldn’t hurt me there.” Riley turned and marched off. A door slammed somewhere in the distance, and Khalon blinked through his tears. He sniffed and straightened, his gaze turning hard. He didn’t look at them when he spoke.

  “The law has spoken. Toka leaves tomorrow with Pavoni, after the flogging.” Khalon turned and headed in the opposite direction Riley had gone, toward his study. The door slammed shortly after. The king’s pained roar resounded through the hall and struck Toka’s heart, as well as Rayner’s, evident by his jolt. They were all magically connected to their king, and although they would not feel his pain the way Riley would, they could sense it inside them.

  Rayner cupped Toka’s face, his bottom lip trembling and his voice breaking when he spoke. “Forgive me. Please forgive me, because goddess knows, I will never forgive myself.”

  “I don’t know what happened, but I know your heart, Rayner. I know you would never do such a thing. Can you recall nothing at all?”

  Rayner shook his head. “No. I don’t understand. I barely drank at the banquet, I’m sure of it. I have never lost my senses. I don’t know how this came to pass, or why Merlo was in my room, why I was naked.”

  Toka ran a hand over Rayner’s hair and kissed his lips. “You are innocent.”

  “I have to speak with Khalon.” Rayner stood, and Toka followed Rayner as he darted into his bedchamber. He swiftly pulled on trousers and a shirt before running out of the room to Khalon’s study. Toka was not permitted without reason, but what better reason could there be than the destruction of his life?

  He slipped inside as Rayner marched over to Khalon, who stood facing the large window overlooking the gardens, the same gardens where Riley’s favorite spot was. Toka sat in one of the wingback chairs and remained silent, his arms wrapped around himself.

  “You can’t allow this,” Rayner said, coming to a halt behind Khalon.

  Khalon didn’t turn to address Rayner. He continued to stare out the window when he spoke, his voice calm. “We are talking about war with the Orso, Rayner.”

  “You know what Pavoni will do to him. Toka won’t last a week at his hands. The man is a monster!”

  “Rayner, I know you care for him—”

  “If you know how I feel, you wouldn’t go through with this. You’re sentencing Toka to degradation and hell, Khalon. The only reason Pavoni wants him is because somehow he discovered Toka means something to me. He knows taking Toka wounds me more than any lashing could.”

  Toka closed his eyes, letting Rayner’s words wash over him. He held back his tears, refusing to give in. Not here, not now in the king’s study. How had Pavoni known? They had been so careful.

  Khalon shook his head, but he said nothing.

  “If this concerned Riley, you wouldn’t think twice—”

  “Riley is a prince!” Khalon spun around, his eyes filled with pain and anger.

  “And that makes his life worth more than Toka’s?” Rayner growled.

  “Toka is a servant. It is what he was born into.”

  “When Riley was killed, you offered to pay any price to have him returned to you, and that was before you knew he would accept his title of Soldati prince. You agreed to pay a price, any price, in exchange for his human life.”

  “He was still my mate, chosen by the priestess. He bore my mark, Rayner. I’m sorry. Toka is a gentle soul, and I know he’s come to mean a great deal to you, but you cannot expect me to expose our kingdom to war, to death, for a foxling you can never mate with.”

  Toka flinched at Khalon’s words. They were the truth but still hurt. The two men faced each other, anger rising dangerously, their fists at their sides. It hurt Toka’s heart.

  “I can if you change that blasted law!”

  “It is law. Always has been, always will be,” Khalon spat out.

  “You are the king, Khalon. If you can’t help your people, who the hell will?” Rayner swallowed hard. Toka stifled a gasp when Rayner dropped to his knees before Khalon and clasped his hands together. No, Rayner. Please. Toka shook his head. Never in the whole of Rayner’s life, had he begged. Toka could barely stand the ache to his heart at the sight.

  “I beg of you, Khalon. There must be some other way. Do not give Toka to that beast. Spare him. I don’t care about the flogging or what happens to me, but as your dearest friend and brother, I am begging you not to do this.”

  “Get up,” Khalon growled.

  “Khalon, I have never asked you for anything.” Rayner’s amber eyes beseeched his king.

  “Get. Up.” Khalon’s jaw clenched, and he closed his eyes. “You disgrace yourself.”

  Rayner got to his feet, his fury evident in his hardened gaze. “And what of you? You’re supposed to be my brother!”

  “Stop,” Khalon pleaded.

  “I have loved you like no other. I have fought for you, bled for you, done everything for you because I love you, Khalon, and now you would let this monster take the one who matters most to me?” Rayner shoved Khalon, and Toka jumped to his feet. “You miserable bastard! You’re supposed to love me as I love you!”

  Khalon looked on the verge of shattering. “Rayner, I do love you, but you can’t expect me to risk our kingdom, or the human world. I can’t let them die. Not again. You of all people should understand more than most.”

  Rayner shook his head. “I understand that Riley was right. You are not the man we believed you to be.”

  “Please, no more!” Toka stepped forward, tears blurring his vision. He couldn’t stand to see any more. He wouldn’t let them hurt each other like this. “I will go with Pavoni.”

  “Toka?” Khalon blinked, as if he had only just realized Toka was there.

  “Your Majesty, I do not wish anyone to be killed in my name. I won’t let either of you put yourselves or your kinship at risk for me.”

  Rayner crossed the room in three strides. He took Toka’s hands in his. “Toka, you won’t survive—”

  “Rayner…” Although his heart was breaking, Toka summoned a smile. “Should the worst come to pass, then I will die happy, knowing I have your affections, having been touched by your hands and kissed by your lips. Knowing you would have me as your mate if you could… It’s more than I could have hoped for.” He turned to Khalon and bowed his head. “You are a kind and noble king. Forgive me for any pain I may have caused you and yours. Cherish our prince. He is like no other. And forgive my impertinence, but perhaps you might grant me one favor?”

  “What is your request?” Khalon asked, his voice quiet.

  “That you allow me to spend my remaining night with Rayner.”

  Khalon nodded. “Your request is granted.”

  Toka nodded his thanks and laced his fingers with Rayner’s. He bowed, nudging Rayner to do the same. A deep scowl came onto Rayner’s handsome face, but he bowed nonetheless, then allowed himself to be led out of Khalon’s study. Toka headed for Rayner’s bedchamber.

  “Not there,” Rayner said, his voice laced with anger.

  Toka turned and smiled, his heart swelling with love. He placed a hand to Rayner’s cheek. “I would have your bedchamber filled with sweet memories of us, Rayner. When you lie in your bed, it’s me I want you to think of. Please?”

  Rayner let out a heart-wrenching sigh. “Yes.”

  “Come.” Toka led him into the room and closed the door behind them. Rayner’s bedchamber matched him perfectly—all solid woods carved with simple designs. The room was adorned with a combination of rich navy and black, with silver accents. It was warm, inviting, practical. Bookshelves lined one wall and more books were stacked on the small table beside the chaise lounge that sat across the hearth. Toka would have loved staying here, lounging against Rayner before a roaring fire, listening to his husky voice as he read. It was best he not fantasize about what could never be.

  Toka tugged at the rope by the wardrobe, and within minutes a knock sounded at the door. He answered with a warm smile and friendly greeting.

  “Sansone, thank you for coming.”

  Sansone bowed, his long sandy hair falling over his brow. He was a wisp of a young man, a tiny fennec foxling with big dark eyes. What Sansone lacked in size, he more than made up for in speed and agility.

  “Good evening, Toka. How may I be of service?”

  “Would you be so kind as to replace Rayner’s bedding? Have the old ones incinerated.”

  “Right away, Toka.” Sansone bowed, and he was off, whizzing over to the bed, gathering all the bedding in his small arms, then dashed from the room, nothing but his slender legs visible as he hurried off. Within minutes he had returned with new bedding. How the foxling could see over the mound of pillows, duvet, blankets, and sheets was beyond Toka, but Sansone did not miss a step. He darted around the bed, until it was perfectly made, not one crease on the duvet or pillow. He bowed. “Is there anything else I may do for you?”

  “That’s all, Sansone. Thank you.”

  Sansone bowed again, turned, and bowed to Rayner before scurrying off. Toka closed the door. He found Rayner standing at the stone hearth. He stoked the dwindling fire and leaned one arm against the mantle. Toka joined him, wrapping his arms around Rayner’s waist and letting his head rest against Rayner’s back. Rayner’s hand covered Toka’s. They stood together in silence until Rayner’s soft voice broke through.

  “You must leave.”

  “I beg your pardon?” Toka released Rayner and stepped back. Rayner turned, reached for Toka, and brought him into his arms.

  “Pack light and get as far away from here as possible. We’ll simply tell Pavoni you ran away. I would go with you, but then Pavoni would blame Khalon for allowing our escape. Most likely he would believe Khalon was involved. I cannot allow Khalon or the Soldati to pay for my crimes.”

  Toka was stunned. Run away? Even now, Rayner was thinking only of Toka. “He’ll hunt me down, Rayner. What then? He’ll find a way to blame you, and who knows what he’ll demand next.” Toka shook his head, his heart filled with sadness despite his warm smile. “This is for the best.”

  “For the best? This is a nightmare! I will never forgive Khalon for this. He—”

  “Is like a brother to you.”

  “A brother?” Rayner scoffed. “If he were my brother, he wouldn’t wound me in such a manner. He’d never allow this disgrace.”

  “Don’t be cross with Khalon,” Toka pleaded. “He’s our king, with an entire realm filled with innocent people who depend on him to keep them safe. It’s his duty to put their needs before his own. Your brethren Soldati, Adira, Ezra, Riley… I would no more put them in harm’s way than I would you.” He put Rayner’s hands to his lips for a kiss. “You know I speak the truth. I want to do this.”

  “You are better than all of us.”

  Toka put his hands to Rayner’s cheek. “You will always have my heart. I love you, Rayner.”

  “And I love you. Forgive me for being a coward. For not confessing my love sooner. Now it comes the eve before I lose you, forever. I thought we had more time. I was never in any rush, believing I had forever with you. I believed I had time to confess my growing affection, my love. Time to change Khalon’s mind about that insufferable law. Time to memorize every dip and curve of your body. A lifetime of seeing your beautiful face, of cherishing your timid smile and those radiant eyes.” He wrinkled his nose as he tried to remain in control of his emotions. “I can’t do this. I can’t let you go.”

  “Please, Rayner. If I’m never to see you again, I wish this night to fill my heart so I may cherish it and look back on it always. Make love to me.”

  “Yes.” Rayner brought his lips to Toka’s, the warmth of his mouth, the taste of his lips, the feel of Rayner’s body against his own was something Toka would carry with him as long as there was breath in his body. He laughed joyously as Rayner swept him up in his arms and carried him to the bed, where he laid Toka down gently, his eyes filled with so much love, all for Toka.

  Slowly, Rayner undressed Toka, his hands caressing as he revealed more and more of Toka’s naked body. He left trails of scorching kisses against Toka’s skin, his tongue tasting, teeth nipping. He took one nipple between his teeth, and Toka feared he might lose himself right then. Rayner toyed with the nub, nibbling and licking, teasing, and sucking. When he finished lavishing attention on the pebbly nub, he moved on to the other nipple. Toka slipped his fingers into Rayner’s hair, a low moan rising from his throat.