Sky and Storm ( Warriors of Vis #1)(32)
CHAPTER XIV
The Lightning
HAVING LUNCH WITH THE in-laws was always a stressful affair. Sky wasn’t surprised it was even worse this time, the king and queen doing their best to show them how offended they were. Sky tried as best as he could to keep calm, smile, be polite. The very definition of the dutiful son-in-law. Storm couldn’t be asked to act the same way. He could barely hide his anger and disgust at his parents’ behavior. The queen, as her habit dictated, went through all the offenses the two of them had been guilty of, going back all the way to that weird mating ritual they had arranged for their son. The monarchs were still upset Storm had sent the Estas princess home sans a promise she’d carry his future heirs.
“Sky, your duty to your husband is to have him attend every function he is expected at,” the queen said, her usual sugary-sweet voice replaced by cold, sharp tones.
“He’s not my servant to keep my schedule. This is nonsense,” Storm muttered, shooting daggers at his stepmother.
“You mean I am your father’s servant?”
“My father has a secretary. You hardly know of all silly shows of dominance he has to attend. Or will you recite all the festivals he’s required to give blessings to? All the councils he’s expected to preside?”
The queen squinted her eyes, her lips pressed into a tight, deep red line. “You should show respect, Storm. You’re in the habit of acting like a spoiled brat.”
Storm smiled, the kind of cruel smirk that sent shivers down his enemies’ backs. “Respect is earned, my queen.”
When lunch was over, Sky felt the pressure lifting off his shoulders and he finally breathed with ease. He was used to keeping quiet and only speaking when he could tone Storm down, or contribute something as neutral as possible. Despite his efforts, he’d only managed to fuel the feud. Storm and his father’s wife were always opposing each other. Whatever the issue, they would disagree.
“Are you all right?” Storm asked, massaging Sky’s shoulders as they returned to their chambers.
“The more space separates us from the world, the better I feel.”
Storm chuckled and pushed Sky inside, locking the door behind them. “Yes, you, me, away from the world around us. Sounds exquisite.”
Sky relaxed even more as Storm wrapped his arms around him. Being wrapped up in Storm’s embrace made everything tolerable. Even the monarchs spending every waking hour plotting future matings of their son. Sky wasn’t selfish, he didn’t think so. Yet the idea of Storm having a concubine, royal or not, made him nauseated.
“I am sorry they keep talking about heirs and which concubine would bring us more lands,” Storm whispered as he kissed down Sky’s neck, from behind his ear to the hollow above his collar bone.
“I am a jealous husband. I don’t want to share you.” Sky turned in Storm’s arms, facing him. He caught Storm’s chin between his thumb and forefinger and placed a soft kiss on his husband’s lips. “But if you want a child, I will stand by you. Or step away and make room for a concubine.”
Storm growled and crushed their lips together. The kiss was hungry, desperate, and when it ended, it left Sky a needy, whimpering mess. “I understand you want to be selfless. I would never allow anyone to touch you. It saddens me you’d let some woman touch me.”
“I wouldn’t let them, unless you wanted them. You are the future king. You need an heir.”
Storm’s eyes softened and he smiled at Sky. He brushed away the tears Sky hadn’t even realized he’d shed. “I need an heir indeed. I will adopt one when the time comes, groom him to be a proper leader. Teach him, support him, show him right from wrong.”
“What if it’s a girl?”
“Then I better start praying she doesn’t take to warmongering and marries a capable general instead. I hear fathers are protective in the extremes. Can you imagine me on a battle field if my daughter was there?”
Sky snorted and relaxed on the bed. “If our daughter wants to go to war, let her go to war. We’ll make sure we eradicate the opposing army before she has a chance to step foot within fighting distance from them.”
Storm laughed, his head thrown back, his chest shaking. “And that is why I love you. Well, one of the many reasons.”
Sky felt lighter. Storm always knew what to say to make him feel better.
“I love you, Storm. More than anyone else in the world.”
Sky lifted his head enough to seal their lips together, his tongue hungry for another taste. He did his best to remove all the pesky clothing separating him from Storm’s skin. For a minute, Sky wondered what his hands felt like. Storm must have felt how Sky had changed. Long days of training had roughened him, no matter how many oils and balms Sera concocted. Sky liked that he was more like Storm now, more muscled, manlier. He enjoyed feeling he was becoming a true partner to his husband.
“Gods, it feels good,” Storm moaned, shimmying out of what was left of his clothes. “Touch me more, love.”
Sky rushed to please his lover. He caressed every inch of Storm’s skin that he could reach. It was thrilling to still have all these clothes on while Storm was naked on top of him. It made Sky think he was in control of Storm’s pleasure.
“You are wearing far too many clothes, my love.” Storm smiled and made quick work of divesting Sky.