Khalon leaned back on his arms, his expression thoughtful. “I don’t know about average. An average human wouldn’t have adapted so quickly to all this.” He motioned around him, and Riley supposed he had a point.

  With a smile Riley lay down, his stomach doing a flip when Khalon did the same. They exchanged glances then turned their attention to the stars. As they lay there in companionable silence, it struck him then that adapting wasn’t so much a problem as having to leave it all behind.

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  “How bad is it?”

  Khalon walked through the village square with Rayner and Adira, who’d returned just before dawn from their stalking. They’d snuck out through the barrier in their tiger forms to inspect the grounds around the village and determine how many demons still lurked.

  “As expected, some gave chase to Captain Airaldi and our warriors while others have grown weary of waiting. I didn’t feel the presence of the dark demon,” Rayner informed him.

  “Nor did I,” Adira added. “It disappeared into the trees sometime before dawn, and I haven’t sensed its presence since.”

  Khalon considered this. “Do you suppose he followed Airaldi?”

  “I doubt it,” Adira grumbled. “The filthy beast knows Riley is still here.”

  “How long before Airaldi reaches the temple?” Khalon asked Rayner, his attention momentarily captured by Riley as he ran around the village square chasing the foxling children. After several minutes of petting his golden hair, they’d pleaded with him to play. Khalon smiled at the memory of Riley’s wonder when the children all shifted into their fox forms.

  The foxlings bounced around Riley, making him laugh. They hopped, darted here and there, and made gekkering sounds as they played. Riley seemed to be having a grand time, his childlike glee an endearing sight.

  “Khalon?”

  Khalon blinked at Rayner. “I’m sorry, what did you say?” Rayner gave him a knowing look and Khalon scowled at him. “Oh, be quiet.”

  “I didn’t say anything,” Rayner replied with a laugh.

  Khalon narrowed his eyes and poked Rayner in the chest. “No, but you were thinking it.” The only disadvantage to having a second who was as shrewd as Rayner was the scoundrel missed nothing when it came to Khalon.

  “As I was saying,” Rayner continued, ignoring his glare as usual. “It’ll be days yet before Airaldi and our warriors reach the temple. Once the path has been cleared, he’ll post half our warriors along the way while the others return to divert the remaining demons around the village. We’ll leave under the cover of darkness, stick to the path forged by Airaldi, and get Riley to the temple. The priestess will remove the mark, and you’ll be presented with a new prince.”

  Khalon gave him a nod. “Good.” Now if only he’d stop feeling the opposite.

  As if sensing his reluctance, Adira spoke, her voice gentle, which was most unlike her. “He doesn’t belong in our world, Khalon. He’s not strong enough to be a Soldati prince. Not physically. I admit Riley possesses great strength for a human and a good heart. He’s kind and patient. In truth he possesses many admirable traits expected in a Soldati prince, but there’s no point in you entertaining the idea of him staying in our world, much less as your prince. Especially if he’s truly Saugur. If by some miracle Riley survives the visions he’ll surely have, he remains mortal. A man. Even if he survives the countless dangers of our world, if he lives out a full life, Riley will die while you continue to live for centuries with a broken heart and no mate.”

  “Always the voice of reason, Adira,” Khalon replied softly, unable to help the ache in his heart.

  “Forgive me.” She lowered her head, and he took hold of her hands, bringing them to his lips for a kiss. Her concern and love for him was evident in her bright gray eyes.

  “That’s not a slight against you, my dear friend. I’m grateful for your sage advice. It may be difficult to hear at times, but necessary nonetheless. What manner of king would I be if I didn’t heed the wisdom of my treasured council?”

  Her smile was sad, but she accepted his words. He could never be cross with her. Adira might not always be the easiest to warm up to, but she was an exceptional warrior, and a greater friend. He let out a sigh and released her hands.

  “We have to get him home,” Khalon stated, his voice rough. Adira was right. He couldn’t afford to lose his heart to a man who’d leave him too soon.

  Rayner put a hand to his arm. “Khalon—”

  “No.” Khalon shook his head. He summoned a smile for Rayner. “You know as well as I do that it can’t be. The heavens are against us.”

  Rayner nodded sadly, accepting Khalon’s words.

  “What are you doing?” Riley asked, his boyish laugh once again drawing Khalon’s attention.

  Khalon couldn’t stop his quiet chuckle as Riley sat on the ground, tears in his eyes from laughter. One of the foxlings had jumped into a large, empty flowerpot, his bottom sticking out and tail twitching. Khalon headed over and carefully took hold of the foxling, then pulled him out. The foxling barked, and Khalon put him down on his paws.

  “Careful, foxling, or you’ll get yourself stuck.”

  “I think he wants to play hide and seek.”

  At the mention of the game, the foxlings broke off into a chorus of cries and gekkering. Several ran circles around Riley then sped around Khalon’s legs.

  “Oh no. I’m far too big to hide in pots and shrubbery.”

  “Aw, come on.” Riley got to his feet and tapped one of the foxlings. “You’re it! Everyone hide! No hiding indoors allowed.” They all scattered, and Riley called out behind him as he ran. “Come on, Your Majesty. You wouldn’t want to disappoint all the adorable little foxes!”

  Beside Khalon, Rayner coughed into his fist, his eyes dancing with amusement.

  “Oh, be quiet.” Khalon took off down the cobblestone path, ignoring the sound of Rayner’s hearty laughter behind him. He wasn’t familiar with the village, so he sought out gardens and areas with dense greenery. Just then he remembered the garden where he’d stumbled over Riley the previous night. It contained a fountain, plenty of trees and shrubs, and when he ran in, he spotted the curtain of vines and leaves he’d seen last night. As he suspected, the curtain concealed a deep alcove. Most likely a statue or large vase had stood there at one point.

  A foxling bark nearby had him moving swiftly, and he pushed through the curtain, mindful not to break any of the vines. He ran into something soft.

  “Hey,” Riley hissed quietly. “This is my hiding spot.”

  Khalon didn’t budge. “This is the only place big enough where my scent will be masked.”

  “Crap, I forgot. They can sniff us out. Wait, you said your scent will be masked. How?”

  Khalon pointed at the tiny white blossoms sprinkled about the ivy. “These flowers will mask our scent.”

  Riley opened his mouth, and Khalon threw an arm around him, bringing him up close against him, clamping his free hand down over Riley’s lips as he shushed him. One of the foxlings was nearby. They stilled and Khalon listened, his sharp hearing catching the sound of the tiny foxling’s paws hitting the grass as she pounced through the garden.

  Khalon was aware of more than the foxling’s steps, like Riley’s hand on his chest, the other covering Khalon’s where he’d meant to remove it from his face. Khalon’s thigh was between Riley’s legs, and Riley all but rode him, their bodies pressed up against each other. Riley seemed unaware of their proximity until the foxling moved on, and Khalon stared down into gold-green eyes. He slowly moved his hand away from Riley’s mouth, but not before his fingers brushed Riley’s soft bottom lip as he pulled back.

  “Are they, um, gone?” Riley asked, sounding breathless. His pupils were dilated, and Khalon felt Riley’s pulse quicken. His scent changed, his arousal evident in the hard bulge pressed into Khalon’s thigh. As if realizing his response, Riley parted his plump lips, and Khalon could no longer resist.

  Khalon lay siege to Riley’s mouth, slipping his tongue between those luscious lips. Heat flared through Khalon, threatening to set him ablaze. He yearned to devour Riley, to tear off his clothes, and have him submit. He ached to sink his hard shaft deep inside the beautiful creature in his arms, to part his supple cheeks and bury himself to the hilt. Khalon groaned, kneading the tight globes of Riley’s ass cheeks with his fingers. In his arms Riley whimpered and rutted against him, his body trembling with his desire. Khalon’s fingers turned to claws and his canines elongated as he moved his mouth to Riley’s neck. His heart begged him to do it, to claim the mate he’d waited so long for.

  “I found them!”

  Khalon spun on instinct, tucking Riley behind him and baring his fangs, his heart pounding fiercely. Thankfully the foxling child was busy squealing with excitement with the approaching children at having found them. Behind him Riley let his head fall against Khalon’s back, his hand wrapped around Khalon’s wrist.

  “I thought foxes were quiet.”

  Khalon chuckled. The foxling children crowded the alcove entrance and Khalon tenderly shooed them. “All right, back to the square. Let’s repose for a moment. Then we’ll all go for a run in our feral forms.”

  Riley cleared his throat, and Khalon felt himself flush. “Oh, well, in Riley’s case, perhaps he can run with us in his human form. Go on now.”

  The foxlings cheered and took off. Once they were gone, Khalon stepped out. He held out his hand for Riley and helped him through the curtain.

  “Why did you send them away?” Riley asked. “I’m not tired.”

  “No,” Khalon agreed, stepping up to Riley, his voice husky as he spoke. “But you look deliciously disheveled, as if you’d been ravished by a lustful beast.” Riley’s cheeks flushed beet red, his mouth hanging open. Khalon couldn’t help but chuckle. He kissed Riley’s cheek. “You’re adorable.”

  Riley let out a huff and straightened his clothes before holding his head high and walking off. Khalon followed, enjoying the view very much. Hide and seek had quickly become his favorite sport.

  The rest of the day went swiftly, with Khalon and Riley playing with the foxlings until Riley was too tired to stay upright. Flora and Lasa decided to have dinner in the garden so Rayner, Adira, and Ezra could join in as well. Riley ate his weight in potatoes and currently sat snoring softly against Khalon’s shoulder.

  “It would seem the foxlings have exhausted him,” Flora said as she leaned into her mate with a sigh. The two were taken with Riley and enjoyed feeding him at every opportunity. Riley happily obliged, stating he didn’t want to be rude by rejecting their succulent dinners. More like he couldn’t get enough of all the food and attention. He seemed to thrive on both. That and coffee.

  Khalon glanced down at Riley, smiling warmly at his slumbering face. “I fear those foxlings would tire the most steadfast of Soldati.” He wrapped an arm around Riley and lifted him to his feet as he stood. “Come, young Riley, it’s time for bed.”

  “Just one more chapter,” Riley mumbled, his voice laced with sleep. He didn’t even open his eyes.

  “Chapter?” Lasa asked, bemused.

  Rayner chuckled. “It appears our prince has a habit of falling asleep with a book in his hand, much like a certain king.”

  Khalon let out a haughty sniff. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m nothing but the paragon of kingliness.” They all laughed, and Khalon dismissed them with a wave of his hand. “You all are spending far too much time around Rayner. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m taking Riley to bed with me.”

  Flora and Lasa giggled, and Rayner let out a bark of laughter while Adira and Ezra gaped at him.

  Khalon realized his faux pas. Honestly, they were worse than foxling children. “I meant taking him to bed along with me. I’m going to bed. He’ll be in his own bed. You know what, Rayner—”

  “Be quiet? Yes, I know,” Rayner said with a laugh.

  Bastard.

  Khalon managed to rouse Riley enough to get him to amble alongside him, though his eyes remained closed and he leaned into Khalon, an arm wrapped around Khalon’s waist. With a grunt Khalon tucked Riley under his arm as they strolled. It wasn’t far to Flora and Lasa’s cottage. Tinia was staying two doors down with relatives while her mothers borrowed her bedroom after insisting Riley take theirs. Khalon had mostly kept guard, napping in intervals as he watched over Riley. He would have to sleep elsewhere tonight.

  “Today was nice,” Riley said, his contented sigh making Khalon smile.

  “It was,” Khalon admitted quietly. It was easy to forget the real reason behind their village retreat. If he wasn’t careful, he could fool himself into believing he’d whisked his prince away for a few days of recreation. How long had it been since he took time away from hunting demons? He couldn’t even recall. His court was exceptional at taking care of his kingdom while he was on the hunt with his warriors, and with no prince to come home to, it was easy to stay away. Fighting made him forget the emptiness in his heart. It kept him from the reminder he was half of a whole.

  With Riley pressed up warm against his side, it was the first time he felt reluctant to leave. As they reached the cottage and Khalon opened the door for them, he paused, his heart aching. This was an illusion. He was yet incomplete, and Riley wasn’t his prince.

  “You okay?”

  Khalon lowered his gaze to meet Riley’s, his eyes now appearing more gold than green. “How do your eyes do that? Appear as if they change color.”

  Riley shrugged before letting out a yawn. “Lighting, I guess.”

  “I guess.”

  Khalon smiled softly, then ushered Riley indoors. He didn’t know why he followed Riley into the bedroom. As if he might get lost along the short walk through the cottage. He stopped inside the doorway of the cozy room peppered with floral patterns and gossamer curtains. It was light and romantic.

  “Well,” Khalon began somewhat awkwardly, “good night.” He pointed behind him. “I’ll be in the sitting room, should you need me.” Good heavens, what was the matter with him? He turned and quickly left the room before he did something he’d truly regret. Riley was going home, and that was the end of that. Why was he bloody pacing? More importantly, why were his thoughts consumed by Riley? All Khalon could think about was the taste of Riley’s soft lips, the feel of his supple body against Khalon’s, his hands on Khalon. Blasted hell!

  Khalon marched toward the bedroom. He had to put an end to this once and for all. They weren’t meant to be. Riley was a reasonable man. He’d understand. What happened today in the alcove couldn’t happen again.

  “Riley, I must—” Khalon came to an abrupt halt inside the doorway, his gaze transfixed on the curves of Riley’s sinewy figure. Sweet merciful heaven! Riley was beautiful.

  Unlike the Soldati, who were all great in stature, with thick, muscular frames befitting warriors, Riley was sleek, his muscles subtly defined and smooth as if he were carved from pristine marble. His shoulders tapered into a slim waist Khalon could easily wrap his large hands around, and his spine curved in the most delicious way before rounding in a pert backside. He stood in only his snug black trousers, his chest and feet bare. His golden-blond hair fell roguishly over one side of his brow. Khalon had never seen such a stunning creature.

  Riley darted his pink tongue out to lick his bottom lip, and he bashfully rubbed a hand up his arm, as if the gesture might somehow shield his nakedness from Khalon.

  “I… Forgive me.” Khalon spun on his heels to leave, but Riley caught his arm.

  “Wait! Please.”

  Despite the warning in his head, he remained still. “I shouldn’t be in here with you like this. It’s not proper.”

  “What did you come to tell me?”

  Khalon tried his best to avert his gaze, but he felt the heat coming off Riley. The pull to take him, claim him grew fierce. This was a perilous situation. If Khalon wasn’t careful…

  “Khalon?”

  Khalon made the grave error of meeting Riley’s gaze. His pupils were dilated, the black almost taking over and leaving a sliver of green-gold, because now they were more green than gold. Absolutely stunning. Everything about Riley was exquisite. What had he come here to say? Riley’s eyes widened slightly, and he put his hand on Khalon’s chest.

  “I can hear it.”

  “What?” Khalon’s voice was low and gruff. Riley’s touch burned through his clothes to his skin.

  “Your heartbeat.” Riley snapped his head up, his smile lighting up his face. “I can hear your heart. It’s incredible.”

  Khalon pushed Riley into the doorway with a feral growl. He crushed his lips over Riley’s, groaning at the whimper Riley let out as he opened his mouth to Khalon. Their tongues tangled, and Khalon pressed his thigh to Riley’s erection, exploring Riley’s skin with his hands. Fire burned through Khalon, and he moved his lips to Riley’s neck, where he sucked, licked, and nipped at his soft skin. He slipped his fingers into Riley’s feathery locks, taking fistfuls of it. Riley moaned, arching his back up as he pressed himself into Khalon as much as he could.

  Riley’s bare shoulder called to him, and Khalon felt his canines elongate. He licked the skin, and the tribal markings under Khalon’s clothing shifted, the bands on his wrists spinning in anticipation. With a gasp Khalon tore away from Riley.

  “I’m sorry,” Khalon said roughly. Riley seemed puzzled. His lips were pink and swollen from Khalon’s kisses, his chest rose and fell with rapid breaths, his skin flushed a wonderful shade of pink. He appeared decadently ravished. Khalon stepped out of Riley’s reach. “Forgive me, I came to say we shouldn’t indulge in such acts, and here I go betraying my own judgment.”

  “Oh.” Riley’s disappointment squeezed at Khalon’s heart. “Because I’m leaving?”

  Khalon nodded.

  “I don’t suppose you… You could ask me to stay,” Riley said hopefully. The words made Khalon foolishly happy and simultaneously wretched. Riley had given him the opportunity to save them both from further heartache, and Khalon would make use of it.