“Almost certainly.”
“I’ll embarrass you…”
Darragh kissed him.
It was soft and gentle, a promise instead of a demand, which in Darragh’s head was perfect for their first kiss. Finn made a small, surprised sound and then melted into it, his hands fisting in Darragh’s jacket.
When they finally broke apart, both breathing hard, Darragh rested his forehead against Finn’s.
“You could never embarrass me,” Darragh said quietly. “You could tell the entire World Council exactly what you think of their latest trade regulations, and that they were all ugly to boot, and I’d still be proud to have you beside me.”
“That’s a terrible idea.”
“Probably.” Darragh grinned. “But you see my point.”
Finn laughed, still crying, but he was laughing, too. “I see your point.”
Darragh felt something settle in his chest, a rightness he’d never experienced before, and he held onto Finn probably for a lot longer than might be considered proper.
“We should probably head back,” Finn said eventually. “People will talk.”
“Let them talk.” But Darragh stepped back, keeping hold of Finn’s hand. “You know Helena will want to start on the contract details tomorrow.”
“What even goes into a marriage contract?”
“Everything. Your rank increases to king consort - that’s guaranteed. We’ll need to decide on the fidelity clause, the piss-off clause, living arrangements, responsibilities...” Darragh started walking, guiding them back toward the castle. “It’s actually quite involved.”
“The what-what clause?”
“Piss-off clause.” Darragh explained the World Council’s policy, watching Finn’s eyes grow wider.
“So if you break the fidelity agreement, I could take everything from you?”
“Theoretically. Though it wouldn’t apply once we’re intimate.” Darragh was sure his cheeks were bright red. “The World Council decided that once a couple has been physically intimate, the piss-off clause no longer applies.”
Finn was quiet for a moment. “Are all marriage contracts this complicated?”
“Usually more so. Especially for royal families.” Darragh squeezed his hand. “But we’ll work through it together. Helena will help.”
“Of course she will. She probably already has a draft prepared.”
“Almost certainly.” Darragh laughed. “She’s very efficient.”
They reached the castle entrance, and Darragh paused. “Are you happy?”
Finn looked at him, at the ring on his finger, then back at Darragh. “Terrified. Excited. Completely overwhelmed.” He smiled. “But yes. I’m happy.”
“Good.” Darragh kissed him again, quick and sweet. “Because you’re stuck with me now.”
“I can think of worse fates.”
They walked into the castle hand in hand, and Darragh caught sight of Helena watching from a corridor window. She gave him a satisfied nod before disappearing. Tomorrow, they’d deal with all the boring stuff that would make their marriage legal under World Council protocol. Tomorrow, Finn would probably panic again about his suitability for court life. Tomorrow, they’d start planning how to navigate the summit together.
But tonight, Finn had said yes. Tonight, Darragh had someone who saw him as the man and not the crown, and chose him anyway.
Everything else we’ll just figure out as we go.
Chapter Ten
