Vasily stood on the shore, tipping his head back and inhaling lungfuls of sea and salt, the cries of the gulls rending the air. “Are you sure you’re not a selkie, lad?” Mother asked. “I’ve never seen someone enjoy the ocean so much who wasn’t born to it.”
He laughed and shook his head. “Definitely not a selkie. I do love it, though.”
They stayed there, enjoying the soft breeze and the sunlight, and Mother reached out and tangled their fingers together. Vasily felt contentment wash over him. This was everything he’d imagined when he left home, and more besides.
Mother nudged him and nodded towards the steps, where the tail end of the queue was visible. “Are you sure you don’t want to go line up? Gold coin and the king’s luck?”
Vasily shook his head, smiling. “I don’t need the king’s luck. I already have you.”
If the heated kiss Mother pulled him into was anything to go by, he felt the same.
Vasily just hoped he’d still feel that way when he found out the truth.
ChapterThirteen
“Ican’t believe you let me sleep!”
Mother turned upon hearing Vasily’s voice, and his heart warmed at the sight of his lover with his hair still sleep-mussed and his shirt untucked. His cheeks were rosy, he was breathing heavily like he’d run the entire way from Mother’s cottage, and he was still gorgeous. “You needed the rest.”
“But the king and the prince consort will be here any minute for their ride, and I still have to—”
Mother stepped aside to reveal Blackbird and Shadow, both saddled and ready to go. “I did it, lad.”
He led the horses out and looped their reins over a post, and Vasily followed. He had that crease in the centre of his brow that appeared whenever he was trying and failing to be annoyed. “It’s not your job,” he grumbled.
Mother resisted the urge to kiss Vasily’s scowl away. “I’m the stablemaster. It’s my job if I say it is. Besides,” he added, stepping closer and sliding his hands into Vasily’s trousers in one smooth motion to tuck the tails of his shirt in, “you looked too pretty sleeping to wake you.”
Vasily huffed. “My hair was a bird’s nest and I still had your spend on my belly from when we fell asleep last night. Pretty’s not the word you’re looking for.”
“You’re right,” Mother said, sliding the hand that had been tucking Vasily’s shirt in lower and cupping his arse. “I meant to say stunning. Breathtaking. Perfect.”
Vasily ducked his head and gave Mother a reluctant smile, looking up from under his lashes, his cheeks pink. “Flattery will get you everywhere.”
Mother did so love it when he could make his boy blush just by being sweet. Part of him wondered what Vasily’s upbringing had been like that he was so swayed by the slightest sign of affection. But then Vasily cupped Mother’s face in his palms and kissed him long and slow, and Mother was distracted from thinking about Vasily’s past as he melted into his embrace. No matter how many times they did this, he still couldn’t get enough of Vasily—in his arms, in his bed, in his life. The past month had been better than anything he’d ever dreamed of.
The sounds of laughter and footsteps signalled the arrival of the king and the prince consort, and Mother pulled back with a sigh. He walked slowly over to the door—Vasily had fucked him with all the enthusiasm of youth last night, and Mother was still feeling it—and by the time they got outside, Leo and Felix were already astride their horses.
Felix raised an eyebrow at Mother’s hitching gait. “I was going to ask how the courting’s going, but you look like you’ve had a right royal rogering.”
Vasily tensed next to him.
“Flick, don’t,” Leo said, narrowing his eyes at his husband.
“What? It’s just an expression!” Felix said, eyes wide.
Mother got the feeling he was missing something, but before he could ponder on it, the steady clip-clop of hooves signalled the approach of Thomas riding over from the general stables. “Ready, sires?”
“I still don’t see why we need a guard,” Felix muttered. “I’m perfectly capable—"
“Of getting shot at, kidnapped, and falling off your horse, sire,” Thomas said, “and that was while youwerethe bodyguard.” Mother detected a glint of amusement in the man’s eyes, but his expression was otherwise implacable.
“Shall we ride?” Leo said brightly, and with a click of his tongue, he encouraged Blackbird towards the gate. Felix followed behind and once they were far enough ahead to give the illusion of privacy, Thomas joined them.
Mother watched them ride away, and whereas once he might have gazed wistfully and wondered if he’d ever have a partner of his own, now he reached out and ran his fingers through Vasily’s tangled hair, revelling in the fact that he got to do so. “They’ll be a while. Why don’t you go and get some sleep?”
“I’m fine,” Vasily said, leaning into Mother’s touch. He gazed at the retreating figures on horseback. “A king and a groom. Who would have credited it?” he said quietly, something almost wistful in his tone.
“Aye, an odd match but a good one. They’re happy as pigs in mud.”
