If only that had continued, Aleksander would not be burning with fury, but the family he’d trusted since 1369 had not taken care of Rafe. Instead, they’d reduced him to tears with their indifference and their defiance of the title Fate had given the High Kings. So when Aleksander was finally able to move, he lifted his lashes and wasn’t in a pleasant mood. His body was stiff as he sat up, and his beast was groggy inside him but driven to protect their mate. There was a desire to shift, but it wasn’t his priority—he needed Rafe.
Aleksander flexed his fingers to ease away the tension, then tossed back the covers. Although he had no idea how long he’d been in bed or what day it was, he’d soon find out. It was slow going but as he dressed, his movements smoothed out and grew close to normal. Deciding to forgo shoes, Aleksander strode out of his suite and headed for the great room, confident that he’d find Rafe easily.
“Aleksander!” Noirin yelled once she spotted him. A second later she was in his arms. Patting her, he was too pissed to be cordial.
“Where’s Rafe?” Aleksander demanded, his voice flat as she released him.
“Out for his jog,” Brogan revealed with a frown. “What’s wrong with you? Do you need Dra’Kaedan?”
Aleksander ran his tongue across his teeth while anxiety grew in the dark eyes of his best friend. “I want the entire family gathered in one hour, is that understood? They need to drop whatever the fuck they’ve got planned, and I will accept no excuses.”
“What the fuck is going on?” Brogan asked warily.
The sound of the door opening and shutting again shifted his focus. His feet didn’t carry him far, and he came to a complete standstill when Rafe walked in. Wearing shorts and chatting to his wolf, Rafe’s attention was fully on Mortis. Next to him was a wolf so large, Aleksander’s eyes widened. Rafe had told him Nox was big, but the animal trotting to him had to be at least four feet off the ground.
As excited as he was to get to know his wolf, Aleksander’s gaze went to Rafe, who’d stopped and was staring at him in disbelief. “Sander?”
The circles under his eyes took nothing away from his beauty, and soon they were running toward one another as Aleksander scooped him into his arms and buried his face in his neck. “Hi,” he murmured against his damp skin.
“Hi,” Rafe choked out. “Shit, I’m sorry. I’m all sweaty.”
Aleksander pulled away just enough to see his face. “Do you think I care?”
Rafe’s hands caressed his cheeks. “Are you real?”
“Yep.” Aleksander buried a hand in Rafe’s tangled hair and took his mouth in a deep, searching kiss as he desperately wanted to undo the time lost between them. Rafe’s arms wrapped around his neck, as he tilted his head to give Aleksander’s tongue better access to every delicious spot. It was not nearly enough so he pulled back. “Come on, I want some privacy.”
Rafe nodded, and Aleksander smiled at him. When he got a beautiful one in return, he brushed their lips together again, then reluctantly let him go. Taking his hand, he led him out. “Brogan, you have one hour to gather everyone.”
“Okay. All right, I’m on it.”
As they swept past the two wolves watching them, Aleksander ruffled the fur on both of their heads. “See you guys in a bit. Nice to meet you, Nox.”
“Hi. Be nice to Rafe.”
It was odd as hell to have a voice in his head, but Aleksander also thought it was cool. “I will,” he called out behind them. “Congratulations on your matebond.”
Pulling Rafe into their bedroom, he was fully prepared to strip him and reacquaint himself with every inch of his now filled-out body, but Rafe sat on the bench and tugged off his sneakers.
“I’m freaking out right now. Are you really awake? This is a dream, right?”
“How long was I asleep?”
Rafe stood and bit his lip. “Six weeks.”
“Are you fucking shitting me right now?”
“No,” Rafe replied, staring at his hands.
Aleksander walked over and lifted his chin. “I’m so sorry, love. I had no idea it would be more than a few days.”
A tear slid down Rafe’s cheek that Aleksander brushed aside. “I missed you, Sander. I really did.”
“I know,” Aleksander said, taking Rafe into his arms. “I heard you. Every word.”
“Shit. I half hoped you didn’t.”
“Thank you for keeping me company.”
“Watch the nibbling, I don’t need a hickey,” Rafe muttered. Aleksander grinned when Rafe squirmed. Although he might be complaining, he was trying to move closer, not farther away.
“I really want to make love to you right now. And my dragon wants to bite the fuck out of you.”
“I need a shower,” Rafe insisted, digging his nails into Aleksander’s back.
“Why?” Aleksander murmured against his mouth, then kissed him. Grabbing a handful of Rafe’s muscular ass while his tongue moved alongside his mate’s, he grew hard. There were words he needed to say and emotions he had to express, but he suspected they were both desperate to give in to their baser desires. Which was why he was shocked when moments later Rafe pushed him away and literally ran into the bathroom.
“Just give me a minute,” he yelled as the water came on.
“We’re just going to get sweatier,” Aleksander argued. Following him into the space, he found Rafe with his hand under the stream adjusting the temperature.
“Yeah, but I’m gross and stinky. If this isn’t a dream, I don’t want our first time together again to be nasty.”
Aleksander simply enjoyed the skin he bared when he yanked off his shirt. “It’s not a dream,” he murmured. Rafe slid his shorts and underwear down, baring his hard cock. His mate was no longer skin and bones but had honed his body with hard work for the past six weeks. There were thick muscles everywhere, and what Aleksander liked best was how healthy he appeared. When Rafe stepped into the giant shower, Aleksander strode over and stopped him from closing the glass door.
“What’re you doing?”
“Joining you,” Aleksander informed him, stepping in fully dressed.
Rafe’s laugh was the most beautiful music Aleksander had ever heard, and he shook the wet hair out of his face so he could hold his mate close.
“You’re crazy,” Rafe accused.
“About you…absolutely,” Aleksander said and reunited their mouths. Running his hands over Rafe’s water slicked skin, he squeezed his glorious ass. Rafe’s response was to undulate against him as he tried to get some relief for his dick.
“Clothes need to go,” Rafe managed between kisses.
“Uh huh.” Aleksander focused on simply using his tongue to torment and delight Rafe; he had no concern for anything beyond that, but his mate wasn’t having it. When Rafe got his hands between them, he cursed as he tried to undo buttons while Aleksander found his hole. Rubbing the puckered skin, he groaned, thinking about being inside him but knew neither one of them was going to make it that far.
“So motherfucking unfair,” Rafe complained, wrenching open Aleksander’s belt and tugging on his zipper. When he made contact with Aleksander’s dick, he was the one swearing. Slipping the tip of his finger inside Rafe, he took a small step, not allowing his other half any space to fondle him. Still, the warm hand cupping him through his wet jockeys was enough to make him burn with more need. With a frustrated huff into his mouth, Rafe finally released him and shoved hard on Aleksander’s drenched jeans, which barely budged.
Without any lube, Aleksander didn’t want to hurt Rafe, so he went back to squeezing one pert cheek as he held him. “I love you so much,” he cooed to the man he adored.
“Love you too,” Rafe said, tearing his lips free. “But you seriously need to lose these clothes.”
“I don’t know, you still think this is a dream?”
Rafe smiled, and his blue eyes were filled only with equal parts affection and lust. “If it was, you’d already be naked.”
“Good point.” Not want
ing to wait any longer himself, Aleksander stepped away from Rafe’s questing hands to yank his half-buttoned shirt off. Tossing it over the shower door, it hit the floor with a loud slap. The pants were not as easy to get off, and Aleksander had to open the glass to get rid of them. Once his mission was accomplished, he backed Rafe into the tiled wall.
Their lips met as he hauled him up, and Rafe obliged by wrapping his legs around Aleksander’s waist. As their cocks lined up, they both moaned. Leaning his weight toward Rafe, Aleksander snapped his hips as he moved against him. One of Rafe’s hands found its way into his hair, and they had no choice but to end their kisses when Aleksander’s fangs elongated.
“Please fucking bite me,” Rafe begged breathlessly, baring his throat. It was an invitation Aleksander would not deny, and he licked up a spot on his neck and sank in his teeth. His release was so fast and hard that Aleksander never made a sound as his muscles locked. Rafe shouted loud enough for them both as he painted them with come.
The almost too hot water pelted their skin as they held each other in an ardent embrace that spoke of love and longing. When Aleksander was able to gather his wits, he tenderly nuzzled where he’d bitten him and simply held Rafe close as their breathing slowly leveled.
“I’m so glad you’re awake,” Rafe whispered so quietly, Aleksander nearly missed the words.
“I wish I’d been with you this whole time,” Aleksander said with a soft kiss to his ear.
“I was willing to give you three days, but this six-week thing…that was fucked up.”
Aleksander lifted his head and liked the smile on Rafe’s face. “Did you see the size of that wolf?”
“Just wait until they try to climb into bed with us,” Rafe replied, holding on to Aleksander’s shoulders and getting his feet back onto the tiled floor.
“That’s not happening.”
“You try arguing with a sentinel,” Rafe muttered. “I really do need to shower.”
“Let me help you.” Aleksander grabbed the shampoo and grinned as he worked it into Rafe’s curls.
“Is it stupid that we just had sex, but I feel so awkward right now?”
“Just enjoy it.”
“What was it like for you? You said you could hear stuff?”
Aleksander guided Rafe under the spray and rinsed out the suds from his locks as he grabbed the soap. His plan was to cleanse every beautiful inch of Rafe, and he got to work while his mate blushed and squirmed. “Yep, I heard you loud and clear. I loved that and I’m so glad you wanted to be with me. That was pretty much it. I wanted to get up or open my eyes or something, but it was basically like being in a void, I guess.”
“Was it scary?”
“Until I heard you, yes.”
“I’m sorry…not just for that but everything.”
Aleksander set aside the soap and took Rafe’s face in his hands. “Babe, you don’t owe me any apologies. We have a lot to talk about, including your misguided notion that I hold any fucking thing against you, but first I have High Court D’Vaire to deal with, which is going to happen shortly. Speaking of which, who was the person taunting you?”
“I’m not starting a war in this house.”
“You didn’t start it, Rafe, but I’m sure as fuck going to end it.”
Chapter 65
Although Aleksander would’ve preferred to keep Rafe to himself as he tried somehow to make up for six weeks of separation, there were things that had to be done. Cognizant that days were passing, he’d had no idea it was that long and wanted to slap his own arrogant face for not believing that he would be out for more than three days. Rafe was understandably traumatized, and he should’ve taken greater care to make sure he was protected while he slept. His mate’s assessment of his character was accurate—Rafe had loyally stood by his family and had trusted that they would adjust to his sexuality. What he got for that faithfulness was a brutal, harrowing experience he shouldn’t have survived.
It made sense that he was sensitive to family matters and wasn’t sure who to trust. Aleksander considered himself lucky that Rafe had not held any of himself away from him once he’d regained his lost hope. After everything he’d endured, it was fairly simple to figure out that it was going to take Rafe time to come to terms with his past and his new version of reality. His dragon was also still missing, and Aleksander believed Rafe hadn’t coped with that loss, as he’d never built the proper relationship with his beast. How his mate had the strength to get up each morning was a marvel to Aleksander, and he hadn’t exaggerated when he’d told him that he was his hero. As far as Aleksander was concerned, there was no greater example of dignity and fortitude than Rafe.
So knowing that the D’Vaires had distanced themselves while Aleksander was comatose pissed him off. Rafe required support, and their court should’ve provided that when he was in need of it most. Instead, one person under his roof had cut into Rafe with deep claws, and the others had shut him out of their lives, making him feel miserable and unwanted. When Aleksander emerged from the bathroom after wringing out his drenched clothing, he found Rafe standing there in jeans and a T-shirt.
“Have I told you how good you look?” Aleksander asked, walking over to take him in his arms.
“I hope I gained enough weight to make Dr. Suricata happy. I don’t want to get fat.”
“Considering how much you exercise, I wouldn’t worry about that.”
Rafe burrowed into Aleksander’s chest. “Why did you call a family meeting tonight?”
“I’m sorry, I’d rather spend it with you, but I don’t feel like this can wait.”
“What can’t wait?”
“Rafe, you’re their High King, and they hardly treated you with the respect you deserve.”
Straightening, Rafe frowned. “That’s ridiculous. I don’t want them genuflecting when I walk in the room or being anything other than themselves.”
Aleksander kissed his nose and let him go so he could grab his hand. “I’m not going to argue with you about this. You’re going to insist until the end of time that it’s my title and my family. That’s not reality.”
“Sander,” Rafe growled. Aleksander tugged him out of the room and down the hall. “There’s no reason to make a big deal about anything. You need to figure out what’s going on, so you can deal with issues.”
“I love you, but that’s not happening tonight.”
“Dammit, I knew I shouldn’t have said anything,” Rafe muttered.
“Of course you should have, I’m your best friend.”
They didn’t get a chance to say anything else since Aleksander was in no mood to carry on a private conversation with an audience. As he’d asked, the living room was full of D’Vaires, and they were silent as Aleksander stalked in with a reluctant Rafe trudging in behind him. If he let go of him, Aleksander was sure Rafe would take off, so he kept their palms locked, and they were forced to sit in unison. Rafe was wearing the scowl he loved, but Aleksander wasn’t going to give in to his desire to smile. Instead, his jaw flexed as he studied the men and women staring at them.
“I appreciate you adjusting your schedules for this impromptu meeting,” Aleksander said, cradling Rafe’s hand between his. “I want to assure you that Rafe has asked me not to speak on this topic. His opinion is that you should be free to treat him however you wish and that he is more my mate than High King. While I would love to respect his desire to not make a big deal of this, I am afraid I simply cannot.”
Taking a deep breath, Aleksander allowed the anger boiling in his veins to flow freely. “In 1369, Fate made me a king and since then, I have dedicated myself to doing whatever I could to give you the best lives possible. This dragon court became a sanctuary because Dra’Kaedan and Blodwen believed each person under our roof was so warm and caring that we could provide the perfect environment for those that are scarred or hurting. We’ve grown and we have even endured betrayal, which brought us closer. It strengthened our resolve, and we renewed our vow to make this a home where pe
ople could thrive.
“Since I was boy, I wanted a mate, though I hardly thought it was possible. Everyone is aware of my struggles and now knows that I hid my sexuality. No one was more surprised than me when Rafe walked through that front door. While some of you know why he suddenly stopped texting me and wound up in need of a sanctuary with only months to live, his appearance and demeanor when he arrived spoke of a man who’d been horribly victimized. Even if he were not your High King, I would’ve expected you to do whatever it took to give him a sense of security. I believed we were the type of family that would provide the nurturing Rafe needs as he comes to terms with everything that has happened to him in the past year or so.
“Instead, the fucking minute I go to sleep to provide his wolf with a mate, you treated him callously in defiance of his title and with no concern over what he might be feeling. When he called meetings, apparently there were no issues you felt he was worthy enough to resolve. If he walked into a room, it fell silent and D’Vaires scattered in the wind with none of you willing to engage him in conversation. It didn’t stop you from availing yourself of his expertise in weapons, but that was the only time you interacted with him as the weeks passed. And there is one of you that used words to strike at him and dig more scars into his already battered soul. Accusations were leveled at him, and he was even suspected of faking the extensive injuries that nearly robbed him of life.”
Aleksander rose, and Rafe had no choice but to do the same. “You are free to come to your own conclusions. You are free to like who you want, and you are free to your opinions. But allow me to remind you that this High Court belongs to me and to Rafe. If you find the prospect of giving him the respect that he damn well deserves impossible, then, by all means, let us know. I’d be happy to transfer you out of D’Vaire to wherever the fuck you want to go. I’ll even help you pack your fucking bags, because no one is going to treat my mate like shit.”
Heart of the High King (D'Vaire, Book 19) Page 47