“Good bread, right? And I feel the same way.”
“Pumpernickel is my favorite.”
“You told me an old friend used to call you Rafe. Tell me about that.”
Baffled by the subject change, Rafferty stared into a stunning set of eyes that showcased the beauty of being a dragon. Like Rafferty’s, the tiny scales were black, but Aleksander’s were ghosted with highlights of navy blue, which almost appeared to shift. Around his pupils were those two metallic circles unique to the High King, and Rafferty wondered why he had failed to notice how gorgeous the face was that showcased that remarkable gaze. His train of thought long lost, he shook his head to clear the strange moment of noticing Aleksander for the handsome man he was. “Huh?”
One perfectly arched black brow rose, and his mouth twisted slightly. “Was it an intimate friend? Is that why you don’t want to tell me? If things are over between you two, then I don’t see what the issue is in telling me about…well, considering your stance on sexuality, I assume it was a woman.”
Rafferty scowled with worry over the bite in Aleksander’s tone. “No, she wasn’t an intimate…geez, I never thought about having sex with her. Molly was the woman I wished I could have for a mother. She was at the house until she found out she was pregnant with Kendrick. I loved her, but she didn’t want anything to do with me after that. I never knew why, but it doesn’t matter now because she’s gone. I don’t remember her calling me anything but Rafe.”
“I apologize, it’s small of me, but I was jealous thinking about you with anybody else. I’m sorry about Molly. We have a memorial garden—that’s the area near the fountain and the gazebo. It started there when we nearly lost Dra’Kaedan the first time. When we learned about Kendrick’s mom, Dravyn and Killian planted a tree they created that blooms year-round with flowers in the color of Molly’s dragon. It was our little way of honoring her memory.”
“That’s beautiful. Could you show it to me?”
“I’d love to.” Aleksander smiled and pushed the plate closer to Rafferty. “Finish your snack first.”
Chapter 13
When Rafferty’s phone rang and he strode off the deck to speak to whoever was on the other line, Aleksander sat reflecting over the last thirty-some-odd hours since his mate had returned to Arizona. They were enjoying every moment, and it was significantly different from his first trip. Aleksander wasn’t sure if that was because Sullivan had stayed home, giving Rafferty more freedom away from the hotel, or if it was their friendship that had tilted the equation. Whatever it was, he was pleased.
Aleksander managed to talk Rafferty into eating all three meals with him, and they hung out every hour in between. They’d visited with other D’Vaires, watched a movie, and relaxed outside, talking about everything that came to mind. They’d discussed books they’d read—both of them happy to try any genre—what they had watched on television, and even a smidge of politics, though Aleksander had noted and cut it off when he realized how uninformed Rafferty was kept by his family. The last thing he wanted to do was rock the boat by pointing out the things that frustrated either of them.
The only weirdness was when Rafferty had refused the invitation to shift. Not only had Aleksander missed out on an opportunity to fly with his mate, but Rafferty had answered with displeasure clear on his features. That scowl Aleksander loved had appeared, but it didn’t hit him in the gut with the same intensity since it was paired with misery in his dark eyes. But they’d moved past it, and Aleksander couldn’t help but reflect that the following day he’d have to tell him good-bye again.
Aleksander cleared that disappointment from his mind as Rafferty stomped back to the deck and downed half his beer once he was seated.
“Sander?”
Pulling his lips in for a second so he didn’t grin like an idiot because Rafferty had given him a nickname, he gathered his composure to speak. “Yeah?”
“You’re smiling weird.”
“Random thought.”
“About?”
“I like it when you call me Sander.”
“Oh.”
“What was your question, Rafe?”
Rafferty broke eye contact and turned to the darkening sky. “You have any important events coming up?”
“Events? You mean like family stuff?”
“No, you’re a High King. I’m sure you get invited to all kinds of parties and important events.”
“Actually, when Chrys and Elf gave me my title, I decided after a few weeks of being inundated to arrange for them to go through their office. Brogan took on the task of sorting my mail. Those go back to the Office of the Emperor and they send my regrets or whatever.”
“You don’t look at your invites?”
“I’m not going to attend them, so why would I? If there’s something that’s vital to the extended D’Vaire clan, I get personal invitations from my family members. Those are the only things I make appearances at. Why are you asking me this?”
“I don’t know.”
Frustration about Rafferty’s non-answer and the idea that he might suddenly care about the prestige Aleksander truly had no use for and never sought sharpened inside him. In his heart, he would always be the cursed king no one wanted, and there wasn’t a pile of invitations thick enough to fix that in his mind. If it wasn’t for Dra’Kaedan knocking on his door, he’d still be wandering through his mansion, wondering how to ever make his small family content. “I don’t believe you. Does my title matter to you? Because if it does, perhaps you should overcome your difficulties in coming to terms with our relationship. You’d have it for yourself and can attend whatever you want.”
Rafferty’s head whipped to Aleksander, and his gaze was startled. “I don’t care that you’re the High King. I don’t want to attend shit.”
“Then why are you asking me these questions?”
“I was on the phone with Sullivan.”
“And your family has realized that it might be helpful that you’re friends with a D’Vaire?” Aleksander laughed. “Your brother lives here. You could’ve asked him about the fancy parties I attend which numbers in the single digits for an entire year and like I said, they’re only family obligations.”
“Kendrick and I don’t even talk.”
“Are you friends with me because that’s what your family wants?”
Shifting uncomfortably, Rafferty broke eye contact. “Court Kestle wants an alliance with High Court D’Vaire.”
“You may assure your king that we are allies. Is that why you’re here, Rafe?”
“It’s why I came to your house the first time.”
“And since? Is that why you text me all day? Because that’s what your family wants?”
After crossing his arms, Rafferty did the same with his legs in pure defensiveness. His gruff voice was even deeper and rougher with emotion when he finally broke a silence that stretched for several minutes. “No, that’s not why we’re such good friends. I just get along with you. I was supposed to make a political alliance, not find someone who understands me like you do. I still can’t figure out how you always seem to know what I’m feeling or how quickly we’ve grown so close. I haven’t been around people outside my family, really. I don’t know if this is normal, but I like it. It’s important to me.”
“Hey, it’s important to me too, but I can’t be the High King your family wants. I’m not going to take them to parties or any other events. That’s not me. I can’t do it, and I don’t want to. I’m sorry if that disappoints you, but that’s not who I am.”
“I’m glad you’re not into it,” Rafferty replied, the tension in his shoulders disappearing. The other dragon grabbed his drink. “I like that you’re humble about your title and that what’s most important to you is your family. I respect that.”
“I respect you as well, and I know your family is everything to you too. We’ve got a lot in common, you know?”
“You think that’s why Fate put us together, Sander?”
Their
eyes met, and Aleksander wondered how to respond. It was the first time Rafferty had initiated any conversation about their matebond, and he wasn’t sure if he should be excited or not. What he did know was that there was a warmth inside him that grew with each conversation with Rafferty, whether in person or on their phones.
A relationship built on camaraderie and shared goals, one that grew into a tight bond was something Aleksander had fondly thought of, though he’d never dared to strive for since he was afraid of failing at the most important task of his life—loving someone with everything that he was and could be in the future. “I have a feeling that’s exactly why she put us together. Nothing is as sacred as two people who can connect based on a solid foundation of trust that grows into a fantastic friendship.”
Rafferty’s brilliant smile did even more for him than the sexy scowl. “I’m glad I met you. You’re a really incredible person.”
“I feel the same way about you.” Terrified of breaking whatever spell had befallen them to have Rafferty looking at him with such fondness, Aleksander grinned. “Want to go raid the kitchen for some ice cream?”
“You think Dra’Kaedan left any of that cake Noirin made?”
Aleksander laughed as he stood. “I’m not sure this house can handle another cake fiend. Let’s go find out.”
∞∞∞
“When am I going to see you again?” Aleksander asked, standing on the driveway next to Rafferty.
“I don’t know.”
“Tell your family it costs nothing to have you stay at the house, okay? And I mean it about the teleporting. Dra’Kaedan would be happy to help out.”
“I will.”
“Why don’t you go ahead and ask your father or your brother what they would like from me. How do they envision me helping them?”
Rafferty’s brows furrowed. “I don’t want anyone using you.”
“It’s not using me if we’re friends. I won’t do parties, but if there’s something specific they want an invitation to, I might be able to get them one. They’d have to do the hobnobbing alone.”
“I can ask.”
“Do you want to hug me good-bye?”
Affection for Aleksander swelled within Rafferty, and he gave a half smile as he accepted the embrace from him. It was delightful being against him; he was solid and comforting. There hadn’t been much physical touch in Rafferty’s life—he didn’t really invite it, and his family wasn’t outwardly demonstrative, but being in Aleksander’s arms was wonderful. When he had to pull away so it didn’t get awkward or allow Aleksander to notice how fat he was, Rafferty looked up into his striking face and stared at his lips.
They stood there with only inches separating them but no longer touching. It was as if they were both frozen in place, unable to break whatever magnetic power the moment held. For the first time Rafferty wondered what it would be like to kiss someone—and not anyone—only Aleksander. The past few weeks of creating the friendship that, in Rafferty’s mind, grew more intense with each passing hour had shifted something subtly inside him, and his thoughts leapt into pursuing the unknown.
Aleksander lifted a hand, slowly giving Rafferty plenty of opportunity to back away, but he didn’t move a muscle. The side of his index finger came to rest under Rafferty’s chin, and he rubbed his thumb over the scruff he’d opted not to shave because it would’ve kept him away from the D’Vaire mansion for a precious few minutes. In Aleksander’s eyes was all the caring that had grown between them. When Aleksander leaned toward him, Rafferty raised onto the balls of his feet to meet him halfway.
Their mouths touched ever so lightly, and Rafferty simply melted at the tender touch of his mate. Aleksander got closer while Rafferty’s world turned upside down. It should’ve panicked him, but there was no room for it when he was with Aleksander. Before Rafferty was ready, Aleksander pulled away and smiled. Instinctively Rafferty grinned and wondered what the hell to do now.
“It’s okay,” Aleksander said softly. “Just a kiss between friends.”
“I’m fine.”
“You promise?”
The spell was broken as Rafferty dropped back to the gravel heavily. There was no way to know what Aleksander was thinking or what it meant. “I don’t want to give you the wrong idea.”
Aleksander’s eyes closed for a moment as his expression blanked. “I know you and I have different…goals, we’ll call them, for the future. I don’t think just because we kissed that you’re ready to move in or anything. Still friends, right?”
“Of course.” Rafferty strode to the car while his emotions pummeled him. Unable to understand why his life was so complicated or why he couldn’t be normal, all Rafferty had ever wanted was to find some semblance of happiness. The crazy thing was that he thought he’d had it right up until the moment he met Aleksander—easily the best and most confusing experience. “Your friendship means a lot to me.”
The D’Vaire High King buried his hands in his pockets. “I feel the same way.”
After opening the door, Rafferty put his hand on the top and gave his attention to the man he’d made uncomfortable simply because he couldn’t be who he wanted. There was no way he could leave knowing Aleksander was ill at ease—not when he’d quickly become the most cherished person in his heart. “I liked the kiss. It was nice.”
“Me too, Rafe.”
Since his smile had returned, Rafferty climbed into the vehicle. Backing it up, he turned around, putting himself near where Aleksander was still standing. Once again, giving in to instinct, he rolled down the window. “Hey, Sander?”
“Yeah?”
“Thanks for making my first kiss special.” With heat rushing to his face, Rafe hit the gas, not giving Aleksander a chance to respond. Glancing quickly into the rearview mirror, Rafferty saw Aleksander fish his phone from his pocket. A few seconds later, his device beeped. Refusing to give in to the impulse to read it, Rafferty made it all the way to the rental car facility before he caved.
We’ve just found something else we have in common. It was my first one too. And it was perfect. Thanks, Rafe. Come back to D’Vaire soon.
A heart emoji ended the text, and Rafferty didn’t hesitate to respond with the same little red symbol. Only, he sent Aleksander three.
Chapter 14
Rafferty wasn’t in a good mood. In his room, trying to avoid looking toward the floor so he didn’t have to see his belly, Rafferty shuffled through the clothes in his drawers. It was a bevy of almost all browns, but he wasn’t stupid—he knew they were reds and greens that he couldn’t discern. Grabbing something plaid as he didn’t want to touch the large polka-dotted shirt Sullivan had just bought him, Rafferty tugged it on and tossed his towel onto the bed.
His boxers were quickly yanked on; then he covered them with supposedly khaki pants that were at least three or four inches too high. After he got his sweater over his head, he sat to put on socks that were much too dark for the rest of his outfit and shoved his feet into the only pair of shoes he owned, and they were just as ugly as the rest of his belongings.
It was a stark contrast to the impeccably dressed man Rafferty hadn’t seen in six weeks. Whenever he was around Aleksander, he had on a stylish button-down with the sleeves rolled up to expose his strong forearms, which he paired with casual slacks or dark jeans. There was certainly nothing as unattractive as Rafferty’s thick-soled sneakers in Aleksander’s closet. The High King preferred oxfords with rugged soles in his dragonskin. Rafferty had no idea why he was reflecting on inconsequential things like Aleksander’s wardrobe, but he missed the hell out of him, and every part of his day made him think of his close friend.
More than once, he’d brought up traveling to D’Vaire, but his family failed to see the point. Charlton was annoyed that Aleksander refused to go with him to any events, and his father refused to attend alone. Preoccupied with what everyone thought, he did not want to come across as some lowly peon with no important connections while he propped up walls with Sullivan. They’d put t
he idea of making the powerful D’Vaire name work for them to the side.
Charlton was dating heavily, and he had no idea what his father did to persuade the women, but they’d bought him a bevy of things, which thrilled him. There was hardly a night of the week he wasn’t gallivanting around the continent, thanks to the druid teleportation company. Rafferty’s mood soured further when he recalled that when they’d arrived, Charlton and Sullivan had both demanded they ignore any race other than dragon. Meanwhile, both men were hooking up as often as possible with anyone willing.
Not only was Sullivan on the prowl too, but he’d also found a few bars both near home and in neighboring states to hang out in. It left Rafferty home alone the majority of each day since the twins had always disregarded him. His time was spent texting with Aleksander and trying in vain to explain why he couldn’t go to D’Vaire when it was something they both wanted. Rafferty was kept up-to-date on all the colorful characters of D’Vaire and their activities. It filled him with envy as he’d like to have experienced those things with Aleksander.
Stomping into the hall after hanging up his towel in the bathroom, he went to the dining room for breakfast. Ignoring the other men already at the table, Rafferty piled on as much food as he wanted. If he was going to be stuck at the house, he was going to damn well eat like he preferred.
“Keep it up, Paunchy, and you’ll need a crane to carry your plate,” Nollan taunted.
Rafferty stalked past him to his normal seat next to Sullivan. “No one asked you.”
“Paunchy, be nice to your brother,” Charlton groused without any real heat.
“They aren’t nice to me; why should I return the favor?”
“Well, look who’s in a mood this morning,” Sullivan drawled. “Don’t disobey your king.”
“I think the rules should be fair. If you three can make fun of me, I shouldn’t have to pretend like it doesn’t hurt my feelings. I’m not going to be nice if I’m not given the same courtesy.”
Heart of the High King (D'Vaire, Book 19) Page 10