The Foxling Soldati (Soldati Hearts #2)(18)

Merlo’s smile was big, lighting up his face. “My pleasure.”

Merlo stood, and an Orso promptly appeared, taking Merlo’s order. Perhaps Rayner had been quick to judge Merlo. He shouldn’t have cast the man in the same light as his brother. In truth, Merlo had never wished Rayner any ill will or looked at him with any malice. Regardless, Rayner was eager to see Toka. One drink, a few pleasantries, and Rayner would seek out his beloved. Considering Riley’s old bedchamber was in the same wing as Rayner’s, no one would think anything of him being there. All he had to do was sneak to the end of the corridor where the royal bedchambers were. The guards would see him, but at this point, he hardly cared.

“Here you go.” Merlo handed Rayner a glass of what looked like Nestore’s fruit wine.

“Thank you.” Rayner took the cup and toasted, “To a bright future.” He took a sip of the sweet wine, wrinkling his nose at the bitter taste. “It would appear Nestore went a bit light on the sugar with this one.”

Merlo hummed his agreement. “Still, quite delicious. I must admit, the Soldati have the most exquisite food of any realm I have visited. Such mouthwatering decadence.” The heat in Merlo’s eyes was unmistakable, and Rayner cleared his throat.

“Perhaps I should be going.”

“At least finish this drink with me, Rayner. Surely you don’t loathe me that much?” His expression fell, and Rayner sighed.

“I don’t loathe you at all, Merlo.” It was the truth. “Forgive me if I have done anything to make you believe so.” He took another sip of his drink and made a mental note to speak to Nestore about this batch of fruit wine.

“Would it really have been so terrible being married to me?” Merlo placed his hand over Rayner’s, and Rayner gently pulled his hand away. “Forgive me.” He sat back, looking deflated.

“Why were you willing to marry me, Merlo? Because you wanted to or because your brother wanted you to?” Rayner pushed his fingers underneath his tunic’s collar and gave it a tug. He was suddenly feeling quite hot under his clothes.

Merlo worried his bottom lip with his teeth and shrugged. “My brother could have chosen worse. You’re a good man. You would have been kind.”

Rayner’s vision grew blurry, and he blinked away the growing drowsiness. He was certainly ready to turn in for the night. Wait, was Merlo still speaking? Rayner had completely tuned out. He closed his eyes for a moment.

“Rayner? Are you all right?”

“Yes, forgive me. What did you say?” His vision blurred again, and he blinked at the encroaching fog. “I’m… not feeling so well. I should go. Excuse me.” He stood and threw a hand out to steady himself.

“Oh dear. I think the drink was a little stronger than anticipated. Perhaps that was why it was so bitter. I thought it was just me,” Merlo said, laughing softly.

Rayner nodded before excusing himself once again and leaving the banquet hall. As he headed toward his room, everything became hazy.

“I feel awful,” Rayner grumbled, uncertain to whom he was speaking. Where was he? What had he been doing just now? “I think… I think I should lie down.” An arm wrapped around his waist, and he tried to move away but faltered.

“Let me help you.”

The voice was soft and gentle. “Toka?”

“Can you not see me?”

Rayner put one foot in front of the other. His head was throbbing, his vision a blur of colors. His limbs were heavy, and he felt as though he were drowning in liquor, but surely he hadn’t had many. Had he?

“Everything’s fuzzy,” Rayner replied, closing his eyes. That helped. “I’m glad you’re here.” Rayner smiled despite his lethargy. “My little foxling.”

“Your foxling?”

“Yes,” he huffed. “You promised you were mine, remember? You gave yourself to me.” He leaned into the warm body, nuzzling the soft hair. Rayner inhaled, frowning at the unfamiliar scent. “You smell different.”

“I came searching for you and ran into Prince Merlo in the hall. I tripped, and he caught me. I must have picked up his scent.”

“Oh. That was nice of him to help,” Rayner mumbled. “Will you come to bed with me? Watch over me?”

“Of course.”

Rayner sighed. “Tell me you love me again.”

“Oh, Rayner. You have no notion of the depths of my feelings for you. Now, take me to your bedchamber, and I’ll help you into bed. Poor thing. You can barely walk.”

“I’m okay,” Rayner said, his words sounding slurred to his ears. “You’re here. Everything’s okay.”





Chapter Five


TOKA COULD barely believe it.

He sat in the middle of the giant four-poster bed, smiling like a dope. A royal bedchamber! Even if this was the only night he spent in one, he was thankful. He recalled the first night he’d shown Riley to this very room. It was warm, with the soft glow of candles and wall sconces. The wooden four-poster bed was colossal, as was the wardrobe in the corner. Across the room was an expansive stone fireplace with a wine-colored chaise lounge in front of it. The walls were decorated with intricately woven tapestries of tigers frolicking, and beneath the furniture, a matching rug stretched across the wooden floor. Despite the room’s size, almost triple that of his bedchamber downstairs in the servants’ quarter, along with its opulence, it wasn’t imposing. Perhaps because Riley had stayed here, Toka thought of the room as cozy and inviting. If only Rayner were here with him, his evening would be even more perfect.