DefyingHisFate

by MarieMedina

  Reese’s body quickened again. “So you could disobey them and be punished.” He turned away so Nathaniel wouldn’t notice he’d grown semi-hard again. “No rules. Yet.”

  “Can I say that I love you, or will you turn on me as you did before?”

  “Say whatever you like. They’re only words.”

  “Then why did you—”

  “I’m leaving.” Reese strode toward the door to get away from the prince’s questions.

  “Wait, please.”

  Reese stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “Yes?”

  “Now do you believe I love you?”

  Reese sighed heavily as he glanced over his shoulder. “I suppose I do. Only love could turn such a strong man into a fool.”

  Nathaniel held his gaze again, and Reese had to tear himself away. He slammed the door behind him and fled the palace, his cock aching. I won’t go back. Let him lie awake every night hoping I’ll come. But I won’t go back. He’ll only entangle me again, and then I’ll never be free.

  Chapter Three

  One Week Later

  Nathaniel accepted the drink Alexander offered him. They’d spent an entire day preparing for their father’s trial. Alexander’s twin, Henri, and their younger brother Rory had just left. Nathaniel downed the whiskey in one gulp and leaned his head back on the couch, his gaze wandering over the stones of the ceiling. The trial would be more like a formality, since Grayden’s guilt couldn’t be denied, but Nathaniel had welcomed the distraction.

  “Have you seen him since the day he came here?” Alexander asked.

  Nathaniel rose to pour himself a second drink. “What?”

  Alexander waited until he turned around to say, “Reese. He stormed out of here about a week ago. Ran right into me. He scowled until he saw who I was. Then he apologized and hurried away. Louis told me who he was.”

  Nathaniel flopped back down onto the couch. “I’m amazed you waited this long to ask me about him.”

  “What he does isn’t really my business. But you are.” Alexander sat forward, holding his drink in both hands. “You look terrible.”

  “Of course I do. I made a fool of myself yet again.”

  “But things are over between the two of you?”

  “That remains to be seen.” Nathaniel looked up at his brother, wanting to tell him yet too ashamed of his own weakness. “I won’t pursue him. I’m done hoping.”

  Alexander took a large gulp of his drink. “One of the worst things about being king is that you can’t tell people what you really think of them.”

  Nathaniel rubbed his eyes before looking over at his brother. “You can tell me anything. I can take it.”

  “Not you. Him. He’s obviously hurt you again.”

  “He can only hurt me if I give him that power.”

  Alexander actually rolled his eyes. “You believe that?”

  “I want to. I’m tired of feeling this way.”

  “What happened?”

  He treated me like garbage yet I went down on my knees for him anyway. I let him use me and flay my heart open. And yet I want him to come back. “He said he came to settle things. His words. And yet I think the situation is worse than ever. Even less closure than before, if you can believe that. We settled nothing.”

  “Perhaps you could go away for a while. Travel. Like you did before all this trouble started.”

  “I won’t run away this time. That’s what I was doing before when I stayed in the human world for months at a time.”

  “Then what do you mean to do? Simply wait around for him?”

  That’s what he asked of me. What choice do I have? “I told him I’d leave him alone.”

  “He obviously doesn’t love you, and you deserve better.”

  “I know,” Nathaniel said softly. He finished his drink and set the glass down. “I’m going to bed.”

  Alexander studied him. “Good night then.” He shifted to lean on the arm of his chair. “But you’ll let me know if you need anything?”

  Nathaniel nodded. “Of course. Good night.”

  Little could be heard in the halls at this hour. Almost everyone had retired for the evening, just a few maids and pages on duty, checking up on things and preparing for the next day. Nathaniel undressed as soon as he reached his room, but he stopped on the way to his bed. The balcony door was slightly open, and he drew his trousers back on to step outside. He saw no one, but then he walked over to check the trellis. The greenery seemed to have been disturbed, and he bolted back into the room to look around. Silence greeted him, but he still checked everywhere. Nothing. After securing the door, he moved to get into bed and found a note on his pillow.

  I came aching to sink my cock into you, but you weren’t here. I suppose I’ll have to find someone else tonight.

  Nathaniel wadded the note up, cursing himself because he half wished he had been there. He tossed the paper into the fireplace and waved his fingers, causing the note to go up in flames. “You’re right, brother,” he said softly, thinking of Alexander. “I deserve better. And I’m going to demand it.”

  His new resolve eased the ache in his chest.

  For a few minutes, at least.

  * * * *

  Reese left the tavern feeling dejected. Ale usually helped calm him down and ease his need, but tonight, it didn’t work. He’d cast his gaze about the room, but no one had caught his eye. No one was good enough for what he needed tonight, a long and hard rut inside a man who would take anything and everything Reese gave him.

  As he made his way home, the ache worsened. He remembered those long nights with Nathaniel. The prince had submitted to his every desire gladly. Reese could tie him up, tie him down, or even spank him until his cheeks glowed red and his cock leaked with desperate need.

  Reese came in through the back door and headed upstairs, not caring how much noise he made. His room felt hot and close, and he threw open a window as he freed his cock. He stared up at the moon as he stroked himself. He’d lain on the prince’s bed for three hours, naked and waiting. But Nathaniel hadn’t come.

  Reese stroked faster, angry that he’d wasted that much time waiting. He’d had one foot on the trellis before the idea of leaving that note had come to him. It had been left out of spite, and he hoped Nathaniel would lie awake all night thinking about what he’d missed by not being there.

  Reese came with a groan. But even as the orgasm washed over him, he didn’t feel the need wane. He cursed as he wiped his hand and then stripped his clothing off. He threw himself on the bed and stared up at the ceiling, his body still restless.

  Tomorrow. I’ll wait all night if I must. And I will punish him for this.

  * * * *

  Nathaniel found Reese reclining against a rock, his eyes closed against the brightness of the early afternoon sun. One of the smaller flocks of sheep milled around a few yards away, and one of Reese’s dogs sat nearby, wagging its tail as Nathaniel approached. He walked up to Reese and let his shadow fall over the man. Reese opened his eyes and blinked, then scowled.

  “I believe our deal was that you wouldn’t come to me,” Reese said.

  “Our deal? You mean your scheme to get what you wanted while giving me nothing in return.”

  “You said you’d be mine even if I wasn’t yours.” A smug smile spread over his face.

  Nathaniel shook his head. “I didn’t say that to you. You read it. Without my permission. I could’ve read you all the other versions, but I’d already made enough of a fool of myself. We don’t have a deal. I’m not going to live like this.”

  “Then you don’t have me in your bed ever again.”

  “I’m fine with that. I don’t want a rutting beast in my bed. I want someone at my side. Someone who will love me. You wanted things settled, and I’m giving you that. I want your love or nothing.”

  Reese looked away. “Then you get nothing.”

  I could keep talking, but it’ll just devolve the way it did last week. Though dozens of questions and plea
s and even goading comments ran through his head, he said, “I understand. And I won’t bother you again.” Nathaniel strode away, trying to keep his pace even.

  “You’ll be back!” Reese called.

  Nathaniel kept walking.

  “You will be!”

  As much as he wanted to turn back, to say more, he just kept walking. Instead of running away in tears, this time he walked away with his head held high. His chest still ached, yet it didn’t feel as heavy. When he reached the watering station, he unhitched his stallion and swung into the saddle.

  “Come on, Darius. Let’s go find some adventure.” He spurred the horse on and relaxed into the saddle as the wind whipped his hair. This land needed a strong prince, not a moping child. There was so much work to be done, and Alexander couldn’t handle it all alone. Nathaniel sped on toward the next village, a smile finally coming to his lips.

  Chapter Four

  Reese opened his eyes when he felt Daisy panting in his face. He pushed her away, but then she put her head in his lap. He glanced down at her. “Shouldn’t you be paying attention to the sheep?”

  She looked up but then put her head right back down. He patted her and then scratched behind her ears just as Colin came into view. The lad made his way over and sat on the rock beside the one Reese reclined against.

  “Want something to eat before you head home? Gretchen made dinner for me. Lots more than I can eat,” Colin said, holding up a cheesecloth sack.

  “She spoils you lads,” Reese said, pushing himself to his feet.

  “I know. That’s why we work for you.” Colin smiled and set his sack down. “Everything all right?”

  “Yes.”

  “You look miffed. Thought maybe you’d had to chase a few sheep down.”

  “Miffed?” Reese said, the word coming out harsh.

  Colin hesitated before saying, “Kind of. Guess I imagined it.” He drew his knees to his chest and looked out over the flock.

  “I’m tired. Nothing more.” Reese patted Daisy again. “Stay with Colin, girl. He’ll bring you home later.”

  Daisy looked up at him a moment before moving to sit by Colin, who placed his hand on her head but didn’t look back at Reese.

  Reese started to apologize but instead strode up the hill toward the road. Apologizing would only make it look as if he was in fact miffed about something. And he wasn’t. He wasn’t miffed about a damned thing.

  His mind whirled as he made his way to the village. Did that note really piss him off that much? Or was it because I waited a week to come to him? Did he know I was there and make me wait on purpose? Reese knew the upcoming trial probably kept the entire royal family busy, but he’d waited until ten at night. The old king was guilty—what could they be doing that would keep them at work that late?

  Reese stopped in his tracks. Had Nathaniel met someone? Had that been what had given him that confidence he’d shown today? Reese shook his head. That couldn’t be it. It simply couldn’t be. Nathaniel had been the one to go down on his knees, the one who kept going on about love. Even today, he’d said he wanted Reese’s love. He wouldn’t have come to Reese with such a demand if anything had changed.

  Yet, obviously something had changed.

  I never should’ve gone to see him and stirred it all up again. But that thought made him sigh. No one had measured up to Nathaniel in the past year. He hadn’t found the submission he craved in any other partner, not even when he went to the human world to find companionship. Certain humans were automatically entranced by the fey, making it easy to seduce them into anything.

  Memories from their last encounter flashed into his mind. Why did he hit his knees and suck my cock so willingly? There has to be more to this than a simple change of heart. A week ago, he was mine as surely as he was before we parted the first time.

  Reese glanced around for Nathaniel’s stallion as he wandered through the village, but he didn’t see it anywhere. It seemed he’d either taken the north fork and headed for the next village or doubled back to return to the palace. As he continued walking, Reese wondered what else Nathaniel had written, what else he’d considered saying. The one piece of paper Reese had managed to get his hands on had been filled with desperate, pleading words. “I’ll be yours even if you won’t be mine.” He wrote that. I saw it.

  Reese found himself outside the tavern, poised to go in, but he turned away. It was far too early for that. There was probably plenty to do back at the house. Gretchen stood out in the back pen feeding the chickens as he walked up. She gave him a wave and said nothing. He strode over and watched the chickens pecking around.

  “Need something?” she asked, one eyebrow raised.

  “No. Just about to go out back and,” he paused, thinking, “chop more wood.”

  “All right. I think there’s plenty, though. You should rest after taking the early watch. I’ll start dinner in about an hour.”

  “I’m fine.”

  “Colin told Bill you were tired.”

  Reese frowned as he looked up at the sun. Had he really wandered in the village long enough for Bill to have run into Colin and made it back here? More time wasted, it seemed. “I’m fine. Can the lot of you stay out of my business?”

  “You said you were tired. Stupid to get angry at people for caring about you, you know. Don’t say anything if you don’t want it repeated.” She threw down the last of the feed and exited the pen, shaking her head at him. “Man up and tell Nathaniel that you love him too before you drive yourself and me mad.” She took off for the house in a huff, muttering to herself.

  “I don’t love him!”

  She slowed and turned her head to look at him. “Then you don’t want the message he left for you a few minutes before you got here?”

  Reese bolted after her and caught up. “What message? Just now?”

  Gretchen laughed, stopping as she doubled over. “Your face! And you say you don’t love him.”

  Something inside him clenched, and it was only partially to do with his sister’s teasing. “Stop toying with me. Tell me what he said!”

  She sobered and said, “I was lying. I haven’t seen him all week. Not since he and Sebastian came here.”

  He stared at her in disbelief. “How could you do that?”

  Her mouth fell open. “You’re mad I told a tiny little fib to get a reaction out of you when you’ve treated a man who loves you like shit?” She shook her head. “Oh no. You have no right to be angry or hurt. I’m trying to help your stupid, stubborn ass. You’re throwing away a precious gift, and I am not talking about anything that happens between the sheets.”

  He backed away. “I’ll be out back.”

  “You’re lucky to get a second chance. You better go and make this right!” she called.

  He didn’t turn around. A second chance? Yes, I suppose I did get one. But it hardly matters now.

  * * * *

  One Month Later

  Nathaniel smiled at the woman who handed him the bag of potatoes. He felt sure she’d been pacing herself so that she always handed her next item to him instead of to one of the other two men. The cart was almost empty now, so he needed to decide if he wanted to talk to her. Everyone knew he’d found his cariad. They also knew he and Gretchen had decided against the match. No one knew the true reason why, but that didn’t matter. Plenty of men and women had made their interest known the past few weeks. Nathaniel hadn’t been with a woman since he was nineteen, more because he liked to be dominated and manhandled than because of any lack of attraction. The idea of being with someone warm and caring, and loving, appealed to him more now. Having been in a purely physical relationship for all those months had certainly altered his perspective.

  I’m ready. Not to sleep with anyone, but talking? Dinner? A walk? I can handle that.

  “That’s the last of it,” Louis said at his side. “Just put them here.”

  Nathaniel did so, then he dusted his shirt off. Though far from the palace, this village had been hit hard
when the former king and his troops came through. Grayden had burned buildings when people had refused to cooperate, and he’d even destroyed their crops and taken the food they’d had stored up when he left, in retaliation for their lack of support.

  The trial had gone quickly and smoothly. The king had been sentenced to death, and the execution would be in another week. Once again, his royal blood made the rules different, so things moved slowly. While he knew seeing his father die would hurt somewhere deep down, Nathaniel longed for it. The kingdom needed closure.

  “What else can I do? What next?” Nathaniel asked.

  Louis smiled. “Maybe sit and have a rest, Your Highness. You’ve done more these past weeks than I’d have thought possible.”

  “There’s a barn raising later, right?” he asked.

  Louis actually chuckled. “Yes, though I think they have more than enough men. But you could help back closer to home. Your brother was supposed to help find a new location for a well, but with your elemental abilities being as strong as his, you could do it. He intended to do it tomorrow morning, but I’m sure men would be available to begin the work this afternoon.”

  “I can do that. South of the mill, is it? Think I remember Alexander saying something.”

  “Yes, the farm just over the hill. A young man named Garren. On his own since his parents died in … well, in the conflict.”

  The smile faded from Nathaniel’s face. “All the more reason for my family to help. Thanks.”

  Louis nodded solemnly and went back to his ledger, walking over to the driver of the cart that had brought the supplies.

  Nathaniel gave the woman who’d smiled at him one last look before heading over to Darius. “Come on, boy. More work to be done.”

  Darius snorted as he was drawn away from the water trough. Nathaniel laughed. “What are you complaining about? Your work is done once we get there.”