Radisq [Beyond the Veil 1] (Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Toby Aden

  Soon, he had reached the Water prince, who stood off to one side, and words erupted from his mouth on their own accord. When the Water prince had jumped into his arms, kissing him with untrained yet sweet lips, he had been unable to realize just what was going on until a soft tongue licked the seams of his lips.

  Like a sleeping beast, desire had roared awake within him and he was mere seconds away from taking the prince in front of the whole crowd, everyone else be damned. Just as rapidly as the kiss had started, though, the Water prince was yanked away from his arms.

  Radisq had been so consumed by the kiss that it did not quickly register with him when he was pulled away. He so wanted more, and he wanted with such single-minded dedication that it was relatively hard to understand why he was being denied.

  “Radisq. Cease!” Ilno shouted.

  “Son! Come to your senses!” the king growled beside his son.

  Still, it was like their words were falling on deaf ears. Radisq could only see Aaeren and only wanted back into the other man’s arms. He fought like a wildcat, trying to free himself from the grasp he was held in to go after the one man who made him burn like no other.

  When it was clear they could not get through, the king motioned to the guards holding Radisq back to take him in. With a quick nod and bow, the guards did as instructed, carrying a flailing Radisq away with them.

  “We apologize. Please, continue the party,” the king said, clapping his hands twice to resume the music. He then turned to Prince Aaeren. “If you’ll come with me, Prince of Light, we must talk.”

  Turning on his heels, the king flounced away, waving for the queen not to bother joining them as he exited the room. Aaeren followed behind the king, knowing fully well what was to be discussed. Finally, though he might not have been willing to have a mate, he had found his true mate and there was nothing that would separate them.

  The king shut the door to his private study and then proceeded to approach his wine safe. He pulled out a well-fermented mead and poured himself some.

  “Would you like some, Prince?”

  “I do not take mead, sir,” Aaeren refused with a slight shake of his head, his tone respectful. It was not that he did not appreciate a stiff drink but that the stronger mix of the mead did not appeal to him.

  Aaeren stood in the middle of the study, his stance the epitome of regal, his hands clasped behind his back and hair once more smoothed into place.

  The study, Aaeren noticed, was quite breathtaking in its glory. The walls were the aquamarine of the sea and a small fountain decorated the ends of the opposite walls. A shelf held numerous paperbound books. The windows were floor-length, adding to the simplistic beauty of the room.

  “You have imprinted with my son,” the king said, going straight to the core of the matter.

  “He is my true mate,” Aaeren confirmed with a nod.

  The king leveled him with a shrewd look. “And what are your plans if I decide to sanction the mating?”

  “Perhaps you should understand first that this mating does not require the blessing of anyone save your son and I, though it would be appreciated. However, once the mating is done, I will have no trouble residing here for a short while. But return we must back to the Fire Kingdom,” Aaeren said, stating his intent loud and clear and leaving no room for an argument.

  “And should Radisq not wish to leave?” the king asked with raised brows.

  “Then I will do my best to convince him otherwise. Should he wish to return on a visit at a later date, I will arrange it, but we cannot stay here. That is simply out of the question. If you fear for his happiness, I can assure you I will do all in my power to treat him as befits a mate. He will lack for nothing, and I will protect him with my very life.”

  The king nodded, obviously satisfied. “Then I approve of your mating under the condition that the mating ceremony be held here.”

  Aaeren nodded his concession. “I am sure my mate will appreciate that. Quickly, I will send a missive to my family. We should expect their arrival in two weeks. I will take my leave of you.”

  Giving a small bow, Aaeren turned and exited the room.

  Chapter Three

  “Lead me to the Water prince,” Aaeren commanded.

  As Aaeren stepped through the door, he immediately saw the guards stationed out there and, without blinking, instructed them to do his bidding, as he was unaccustomed to the layout of the palatial mansion. With a short bow, one of the guards turned and led the way, with Aaeren following as they both walked through the long, narrow passageway.

  The guard took him through a maze of corridors, through the twists and turns, until they came across a tall door and he was waved inside. Pushing open the door, Aaeren walked inside, immediately recognizing the place as a bedroom.

  No matter where he looked, the chamber was painted to blend in with the surrounding sea blue-green, a complete contrast and fascination from his own room back at the Fire Kingdom. If not for the lump on the bed, he would have missed his mate completely. Walking slowly, he approached the sleeping Water prince until he stood over him. In sleep, Radisq looked so beautiful, yet innocent and peaceful, that Aaeren could not resist reaching down to touch.

  Blue-green eyes sprang open and locked onto his blue ones, arresting Aaeren in his spot. A smile stretched across those plump red lips, just ripe for the plucking. Sucking in a deep breath, Aaeren hissed through clenched teeth as he tried to control his baser instincts, which were screaming for him to immediately jump his mate’s bones.

  Leisurely, Radisq sat up in bed, his eyes never leaving the Fire prince’s. His gaze, a loving caress over Aaeren’s features, consumed all he could take in of the other man. With a hand outstretched, he awaited the Fire prince’s response, patient to see whether the other man would accept his silent offer or deny him.

  Aaeren eyed Radisq’s hand and then the prince’s face, his heart going pitter-patter as he regarded who his life-mate was to be. Destiny and fate had chosen this prince as the one most compatible with him, but even still, he wanted and needed to be able to know this man inside and out. Sliding his palm onto the other man’s hand, Aaeren moved to sit on the bed with his prince.

  “We did not complete our introduction earlier,” Aaeren said with a twinkle in his eyes.

  Blushing fiercely, Radisq bent his head, hiding his face from Aaeren as he was overcome with a bout of shyness. With a hand under his chin, his face was lifted and then turned back until he raised those eyes of his, hiding behind thick lashes, to gaze at his fierce Fire warrior.

  “What is your name, little one?” Aaeren asked tenderly, brushing a thumb across Radisq’s cheek.

  “I am called Radisq the Fair,” Radisq answered, hypnotized by those blue eyes as though they peered deep into his soul.

  “My fair prince. Would you do me the honor of having me for a mate?”

  Blushing, Radisq nodded. “Yes, my fierce prince.”

  Radisq bit his bottom lip, peering up at Aaeren through his thick lashes, which he then fluttered, ducking his head once more.

  “Would you join me in announcing our nuptials?” Aaeren inquired.

  “Yes, my prince. It would be my pleasure.”

  “The lot will be disappointed that they were not your mate, but this is rather fortunate for me. I will cherish you, but first, we must get to know each other.”

  “A splendid idea,” Radisq said with a grin that quickly dimmed. “I—may I ask where we would reside?”

  “Of course.” Seeing the reticence in the prince’s gaze, Aaeren nodded, having a clue as to what the issue was. “You are but on the verge of your first voyage. I understand the reluctance to leave one’s homeland, but I myself have toured the four kingdoms and have been pleasantly surprised. If you wish it, I would accompany you on this voyage and it will also serve as our matingmoon. Will that be acceptable?”

  “You will really do that for me? Even though we have only just met?”

  “But of course. You are my life-mat
e. Wherever you go, I go, and wherever I go, you go as well. We are a partnership. We will kill two birds with one stone should we take your tour as our matingmoon after the ceremony. We can save the Fire Kingdom for last, since that is our destination.”

  “So we will live in your home, then,” Radisq said.

  “I am the next in line for the throne. Soon after our nuptials, it is tradition that I ascend the throne since my father will step down. I am aware that this may overwhelm you, which is why it makes sense for us to take a break, using your voyage as our matingmoon before the coronation.”

  “That is plausible. However, you are forgetting something,” Radisq said with a frown.

  “Please enlighten me, my fair prince.”

  “I am also the next in line for my father’s throne. I am an only child, as you know.”

  Aaeren stood up and paced, recognizing the dilemma. “Yes, yes. I did not think of this. My apologies. Hmmm. This does seem complicated.”

  “What I have not yet said is that I am able to relinquish the throne, but only to my offspring. This means that within the year I must birth a child and name him king, leaving my parents to act as custodians of the throne until such time as the child is grown. But the child must be birthed within the year or I must ascend the throne,” Radisq explained.

  “A child? Within the year? You would have a child with me?” Aaeren appeared flushed, but whether with excitement or dread, Radisq could not tell.

  Radisq stood, watching his mate. “Of course. You are my life-mate. It will be a pleasure to birth a child of both our loins. Do you not want a child of our union?”

  “But of course I do.” Aaeren approached Radisq where he stood by the bed and lifted the prince off his feet, swinging him around. “I did not ever give thought to having a mate or think that I would find mine this early or even that I would be planning a family. I am glad you will allow our mating and carry our child, even though I am a bit wary of the time limit, but I will accommodate all your needs, my mate, and take great pleasure in creating our child.”

  Radisq laughed, his voice ringing like a melody, soothing and touching Aaeren’s heart. With his hands around Aaeren’s neck, Radisq brought his mate’s mouth closer and sealed them together in a passionate kiss.

  “It pains me that we must wait till after the ceremony before I can claim you. Damn the law,” Aaeren said with a groan.

  Radisq gave a delighted laugh, excited at his mate’s passion. “And when is the ceremony going to be?”

  “Two weeks. We’re holding it the moment my parents and court advisors get here. I don’t think I will be able to wait those two weeks, though, without touching your delectable body.”

  “If it helps, I do not think I will be able to resist you for that long, either,” Radisq said with a flirty smile on his lips.

  “Good,” Aaeren said, taking Radisq’s lips between his once more in a sweet kiss.

  Aaeren sucked on Radisq’s lower lip, peering straight into Radisq’s eyes without letting go. This was his mate, the one who balanced him out and belonged to him for all of time. The euphoria that washed all over him was unlike anything he’d ever know. A mate was a sacred thing among the fae, and having found the one person who completed him, he couldn’t for the life of him remember why he’d resisted finding a mate.

  Radisq melted into Aaeren, feeling giddy and satisfied all at once. Somehow, having to leave his home to reside somewhere else didn’t seem like such a stretch anymore. Not if he got to wake up beside this gorgeous male for the rest of his life. Somehow, his feelings had already started to grow, but even he knew that he would need to get to know Aaeren better for the feelings of love to solidify between them.

  “Kiss me properly. Don’t tease me.”

  “Not teasing. Savoring,” Aaeren responded.

  Still, he took Radisq’s mouth in a simmering kiss, giving his mate what he wanted. He angled Radisq’s head to his satisfaction and drove his tongue into Radisq’s mouth, tasting the sweet nectar awaiting him there.

  Soon, the passion of the kiss they shared consumed them wholly. With dilated eyes and red, kiss-swollen lips, they both pulled back, disheveled, panting hard, and staring at each other in wonderment.

  “I love your hair,” Radisq whispered, fingering the long strands.

  “I keep it because it grows back so quickly.”

  “Don’t ever cut it,” Radisq said, still absorbed by the play of light in those red silky strands. “I would love to see it splayed on the bed when we finally make love,” Radisq said, biting his lip as he traced his hand through Aaeren’s hair, moving down the length of it until he reached the tip next to Aaeren’s ass.

  Aaeren sucked in a breath, arching into Radisq’s touch. “Yes.”

  Radisq’s other hand brushed Aaeren’s sensitive, pointed ears, tracing the skin there. Radisq was rewarded with a moan from Aaeren as the other man closed his eyes and fell into the touch. Aaeren’s cock was hard to the point of breaking, and with Radisq tracing his ears, it felt as though his mate was giving him a hand job.

  “Stop or I will come right now,” Aaeren said in a groan, his body language seeking more of the touch, contradicting his words.

  Smiling mischievously, Radisq continued teasing Aaeren. His hand moved over a spot behind Aaeren’s ears, and the other man came in his pants with a loud shout, his body shuddering at the feeling of ecstasy that overcame him.

  Aaeren fell into Radisq’s arms the moment his release subsided, burrowing his face into Radisq’s shoulder and using his nose to trace up and down on Radisq’s neck.

  “Mate. My beautiful mate,” Aaeren murmured in wonder.

  “Yes, yours. Always yours,” Radisq responded with pleasure, excited to know that his mate found him as desirable as he found the Fire prince.

  He knew everyone considered him to be breathtaking, but somehow, he’d never taken their praise to heart. Coming from his mate, though, it pleased him that Aaeren found him to be beautiful. Especially since he considered his mate to be the most gorgeous fae he had ever met.

  “Aaeren…”

  Aaeren sucked in his breath and pulled back to peer at Radisq.

  “What is it?” Radisq asked, alarmed.

  Aaeren shook his head, using one hand to caress Radisq’s cheek. “It’s the first I’m hearing my name from you lips. I-It does things to me. Right here.” Aaeren tapped his other hand against his chest. “I love hearing my name from your lips. It sounds…different.”

  Radisq sighed, relief and pleasure pouring out of him. “Aaeren,” he repeated.

  “Say it again.”

  “Aaeren,” Radisq whispered, and Aaeren swallowed the words with his lip.

  The kiss was soft and sensual, slow and unhurried. Passionate but not overly so. It was just right as their auras blended together, creating the perfect harmony. Aaeren broke the kiss and rested his forehead against Radisq’s.

  “I want to pull you into me and never let go. I want to hold you forever, to feel safe and at peace in your arms,” Aaeren said with a sigh.

  “I want that, too. Gods above, if only I could absorb you into my skin. You’re like sunshine, different but familiar, like I’ve known you my whole life. You are the other half of my soul,” Radisq answered back.

  Aaeren broke into a full-blown smile, his lips curving at the edge, making him look more breathtaking than usual. “What a pair we make, my delicious mate,” Aaeren said, trailing his fingertips down Radisq’s spine.

  They stood flush against each other, not a single space between their bodies as they touched from head to toe. Radisq wrapped his arms around Aaeren’s back and rested his head against his mate’s broad chest, feeling at home as they nestled together.

  “Would you like to take a walk with me?” Aaeren asked.

  Radisq pulled his head back to peer up at Aaeren. “The ball is still in full swing.”

  “Not tonight, solas mo chroí. On the morrow. Tonight, we announce our mating and the ceremony.”


  Light of my heart. Radisq mused, the words heating him up on the inside. He nodded slowly, a smile blossoming on his face as he watched the answering response on Aaeren.

  “Though I have not officially asked, I would like to do so with a gift for you. Will you accept me when I ask you to mate me?” Aaeren asked, suddenly reverting back to protocol.

  “I would never reject you. In the short time we have known each other, I have come to care for you.”

  “As have I.” Aaeren kissed the top of Radisq’s head and then smiled, holding his hand up for Radisq to take. “Let us freshen up before showing ourselves to the lot, hmm?”

  Smiling, Radisq slipped his hand into Aaeren’s, and together, they walked into the bathroom to wash away the evidence of Aaeren’s release before finally exiting the bedroom. They met the guards outside the door, nodding briefly to them to follow as they walked back to the grand hall where the ball was being held.

  Chapter Four

  As the princes walked into the ballroom hand in hand, the sound of the music dying away, the ear-splitting grin the queen bestowed on them didn’t go unseen. The crowd split, making way for the two princes as they walked toward the dais where the king and queen sat tracking their forward progress.

  Finally, they came to a stop before the rulers and gave a short bow, their hands still joined together as they addressed the court.

  “Prince Aaeren of the Fire Kingdom. I come to ask your acceptance of my mating with Prince Radisq the Fair.”

  “This is your wish also, my son?” the king boomed in a loud voice.

  “Aye, Father. I have accepted Prince Aaeren as my intended,” Radisq said with a nod and a grin.

  “Then so be it.” The king clapped his hands twice. “A cheer to the new couple.”

  Voices rang in congratulations, and even though a few suitors were upset at the loss of their chance at gaining the attention of the Water fae prince, they grudgingly accepted the outcome since true mates were indeed a cherished thing among the fae.