The Foxling Soldati (Soldati Hearts #2)(14)
Khalon and Riley greeted Pavoni and his court, with a clasp of hands, or in the case of the princess, a kiss to her hand. Once the greeting was done, Khalon waited for Riley to take his seat before sitting at his throne. Toka sat beside Rayner, and Rayner remained stoic, doing his best not to look at Toka, even when he felt Toka’s eyes on him. The hall broke off into chatter as everyone took their seats and conversed. Pavoni and Khalon exchanged polite conversation before Pavoni excused himself to visit with some of the members of Khalon’s court. Riley took that opportunity to get Rayner’s attention.
“Rayner, you wouldn’t lie to me. Do I really look okay? Because I kind of feel like a Christmas ornament.”
Rayner reached out to take Riley’s hand and lifted it to his lips for a kiss. “You are the most dazzling Christmas ornament I have ever laid eyes on.”
Khalon chuckled, and Riley wrinkled his nose. “Thanks.”
“He’s teasing,” Khalon assured Riley. He placed his fingers under Riley’s chin and turned his face so he could kiss him. It was sweet and quick, but still enough to stir the envy in Rayner just a bit. For some time now, he’d been asking himself why he couldn’t be so free in public with his affections for Toka. He could flirt with Toka, be playful, but showing any true feeling for him would arouse suspicion of something more, and that would rouse concern. It had begun to make Rayner’s skin crawl, to awaken a growing anger within him. For most, the line between servant and Soldati was clear, but for Rayner it became blurred the moment he’d laid eyes on Toka.
Toka leaned in to Riley with a sweet smile. “Would you care for a drink, Your Highness?” He looked to Khalon. “Your Majesty?”
“I’d love some of that fruity wine-not-wine thing Nestore makes,” Riley replied. “And maybe a couple of those meat-and-cheese pastry things. They are so freaking good. Okay more than a couple. Like, five.”
Khalon chuckled. “I’m fine, Toka. Thank you.”
Toka nodded and stood, his fingers brushing Rayner’s knee as he left, sending a jolt through him. Rayner managed to suppress a groan. He coughed into his fist and straightened, composing himself. Had the little imp done that on purpose? Surely he wouldn’t have. Pavoni returned, resuming his seat just as Toka approached with Riley’s drink and a plate of treats. He clearly knew Riley very well by now, seeing as how the gold plate included more than the five pastries.
“I must say, Khalon. Visiting your realm is always such a pleasure to the senses.”
Rayner gritted his teeth, doing his best to remain unaffected, as if he hadn’t noticed the way Pavoni placed emphasis on the word “pleasure” when raking his lewd gaze over Toka as Toka handed Riley his glass and a plate of treats.
“Thank you, Toka. You’re amazing,” Riley said with a bright smile, sitting forward and blocking Pavoni’s view of Toka as he sat. Pavoni’s attention was seized by a servant standing before Princess Verity with a silver tray of drinks. He brushed his fingers down the servant’s arm, and the poor foxling gave a start. He managed to regain the balance of his tray before anything spilled. Rayner felt for the foxling. Any intimate touch a foxling servant received in Khalon’s care was done so with their consent. They were unaccustomed to being manhandled.
“Perhaps later this evening, you might allow me the company of one of these tantalizing creatures.”
“Our servants are part of our court. They’re not whores,” Rayner said through his teeth, aware of Khalon’s wince.
Khalon quickly stepped in. “What Rayner means to say is, the servants of the Soldati court are held in high esteem. They have been serving my family for generations. I’m certain we can find other ways in which to entertain you and your court.”
“I look forward to this. Perhaps, to start off, you might allow me a dance with your enchanting prince?”
Khalon’s jaw clenched, his eyes darkening. The challenge in Pavoni’s gaze was not lost on Rayner. He was pushing Khalon. To Rayner’s surprise, Riley placed his hand on Khalon’s arm, his smile bright but not reaching his golden eyes.
“Of course. What’s one dance?” Riley stood, handing his plate and drink to Toka, who swiftly took it from him. “Could you hold this for me, please?”
Toka nodded, and Pavoni laughed heartily. “Well, now I’ve seen everything. A prince asking a servant rather than commanding. I can’t wait to see what other surprises you have in store for me, Your Highness.”
Riley’s regal cape billowed behind him as he descended the stairs. He held his head high, an intensity in his eyes Rayner had never seen before. Rayner sat in silence, aware of Khalon’s subtle hints of annoyance. The music started, and Pavoni swept Riley up in an animated waltz.
“I see Riley’s lessons are going well,” Rayner commented, impressed by Riley’s grace and fluidity as he moved. Khalon grunted, his eyes never leaving Pavoni and Riley. Pavoni’s hand moved from Riley’s back down to just above his ass. Khalon’s fingers clenched into a fist. It was clear Pavoni was attempting to stir a reaction from Khalon. He held Riley closer to him than was necessary, his grin all teeth, his hand squeezing Riley’s, and his face far too close to Riley’s.
Rayner shifted his gaze between Khalon’s growing fury and Pavoni’s blatant disrespect and lack of boundaries with a Soldati prince. Murmurs broke out through the banquet hall, the guests looking on in concern. Then Riley turned the tables on Pavoni. He spun Pavoni and took the lead. Rayner held back a smile. Pavoni had no idea what the hell had just happened. Riley pulled no punches, putting Pavoni through his paces, and at one point Pavoni looked as if he might not be able to keep up, even stumbling over his steps for a slip of a moment. When the dance was over, the hall cheered, and Riley bowed. He gave Pavoni a hearty pat on the back and walked off.