Mother’s brow creased. “Of course not.”
“Then why do you care if anyone sees?” Vasily forced the words out. He’d foolishly thought Mother actually wanted to court him, but he should have known better.
He was a dalliance, nothing more.
As he stepped back, Mother followed, placing one hand on his forearm. Vasily desperately wanted to pull away, but Mother’s touch was far more comforting than it had a right to be. His brow was creased, but his voice was soft when he said, “I’mproudto be courting you, Vasily Petrov. But I won’t have it bandied about as gossip.” He snorted. “Ashamed, my eye. The truth of it is I can’t wait to walk up to the castle with you on my arm and show you off as mine.”
The band around Vasily’s chest loosened and he found himself able to breathe again. “Really?”
“Really. Look at you. You’re young, charming, and gorgeous to boot. Whywouldn’tI be proud to be seen with you? But there’s protocol to consider. Youworkfor me, Vasily. It’s only proper that I let His Majesty and His Highness know that we’re courting and get their approval before they hear it from their valet or one of the guards.”
Vasily had to admit that the desire to follow protocol was understandable, especially for a man like Mother, who was as proper as they came when royalty was involved. He wondered fleetingly what Mother would say when he found out about Vasily’s heritage and shoved the thought aside to deal with later.
“I suppose that makes sense.” He placed his hand over Mother’s where it still rested on his forearm and rubbed slow circles on the back of his hand with his thumb. “And now I understand your reasons, I’m happy to be discreet until you’ve spoken to them—although surely those two would be thelastones to object to a romance between their grooms.”
Mother gave a wry smile. “Aye, well. There’s one rule for the rich and another for the rest of us. Not that I begrudge them their happiness,” he hastened to add. “Lord knows King Leopold deserves someone in his corner with the job he has running the kingdom, and I’ve always liked Felix. But I imagine it’s a different world when you’re a prince, isn’t it?”
“I imagine it is,” Vasily said, thinking about the stifling luxury of the palace he’d grown up in and the obligations he’d avoided by hanging around the stables.
“I was thinking I might talk to His Majesty and His Highness today,” Mother said, pulling him out of his thoughts. He leaned in and pressed a kiss to Vasily’s lips, gentle and reassuring, and Vasily kissed him back.
“Talk to us about wha—oh!” Prince Felix said, striding into the stables and stopping short.
“Why are you standing in the doorway, Flick—ohhhh,”said King Leopold, coming to a halt next to his husband.
Vasily pulled back, his face burning. “Sires,” he said, addressing them both as he ran a hand over his mouth, mortification washing over him. He’d never been caught kissing anyone before, and he wondered if they’d get in trouble.
Felix tilted his head, regarding Vasily steadily. Unable to take the silence, Vasily blurted out, “I’m sorry about kissing in the stables!”
Mother snorted, and to Vasily’s surprise he didn’t seem the least bit taken aback. “Trust me, these two have done much worse in here.”
“That was one time!” Felix said.
Mother raised an eyebrow, and Leopold elbowed Felix in the side and whispered something in his ear. Felix blushed. “Fine. Two times. But that second one was for old times’ sake.”
Vasily blinked and decided it was better not to ask.
“Your Majesty, Your Highness,” Mother said, “I plan to court Vasily. I was going to come and ask your approval today.”
For all that Lilleforth wasn’t Koroslova, some lessons had been so deeply ingrained they went right to the marrow of Vasily’s bones, and he couldn’t help the way his gut clenched in trepidation at Mother’s bold declaration of his intention to court another man. He’d thought he was moving past the long-held shame about who and what he was, but his shoulders curled inward and his gaze dropped to the ground despite himself.
Mother glanced at him before reaching out and tangling his fingers in Vasily’s, and it helped. Vasily took a deep breath and straightened up, giving Mother’s hand a grateful squeeze.
Mother returned it.
Leopold looked between them and his face split into a grin. “Mother, have you finally found yourself a paramour?”
“Yes, sire. With your permission.”
“You don’t need permission. I’m quite happy for you both to court whoever you please,” Leopold said. “It’s none of my business.”
Mother nodded. “Thank you, sire. It just seemed right to ask, what with Vasily being under me and all.”
Felix let out a choked laugh.
“Hisposition!”Mother said, his eyes widening. “Hisposition’sunder me!”
Leo looked like he was trying very hard not to laugh as he said, “Give up, Mother. You’re not making it any better.”
