Sky and Storm ( Warriors of Vis #1)(6)
“Good morning, brother,” she said through clenched teeth.
“Get the fuck off my husband and move from my seat,” Storm said, grabbing the back of her chair and pulling it further from Sky.
“Oh, he’s your husband now? Since when? We all know you’d fuck anyone else but him.” She turned and laughed in his face, waiting for his comeback. Did Sky really have to tell everyone they had not slept together? Storm turned to glare at his husband, but saw the shame and pain coursing his face and relented.
‘That is none of your fucking business, you heartless bitch. Move now or I’ll drag you by the hair.”
For once Cloud did as she was told. As Storm sat down, a servant came in, announcing the king and queen had already had breakfast but would join them all at the feast tonight. Another celebratory meal gathering all the noblemen in the city to eat, drink, and pretend to be in awe of Storm’s might. As if, after six—no, it was seven now—long years of conquering the entire world, anyone expected anything but a victory from him.
Storm quickly sent a thank you to the gods. He couldn’t take his father’s presence so early in the morning and his wife was definitely too much at any time of day.
The prince watched Sky pick at his food, rearranging it in his plate instead of eating. Sky’s breakfast consisted of two boiled eggs, cut into smaller bits, some cheese, and cucumbers. It wasn’t much, but it still looked like an effort for him to eat. Storm covered his eyes with his hand, suddenly feeling fresh anger bubbling just under the surface. He couldn’t believe how little care Sky had for himself. His appetite gone, he accepted the strong tea a servant poured him and drank it quietly.
As he sipped his tea, taking it scalding hot, the pain of the burn lulled his fury enough that he didn’t do anything reckless. He hated Sera’s little tricks that had deceived him. He hated himself for not paying more attention to his husband. In truth, it had been too difficult. Storm had dreaded what he’d find out. Sky was closed off whenever Storm approached, and he always felt like he was banging his head against an unbreakable wall.
“Aren’t you eating?” Sky asked in a weak voice. Storm’s eyes snapped at him, his eyebrow arching at the untouched food on his husband’s plate.
“Aren’t you?”
Sky picked up a piece of cheese and placed it in his mouth, chewing it vigorously. Storm wanted to scream at how slow and painful the whole process seemed. Instead he picked up a plate and filled it with an assortment of eggs and meats.
Right after breakfast, Cloud managed to snatch Sky again, mumbling something about preparations for tonight’s feast needing their attention. They wanted to know what other plans for expansion Storm had. Storm wondered what they’d do when he reached the end of the world and subdued every land out there. Would that keep their greed at bay? He waved it off though, he was happy in battle. He loved the thrill, the roar of his army behind him, the exquisite taste of victory. As long as there was a war to rush into, he could deal with everything else.
When Storm was finally done with his father, he was in no mood for a feast. The king had however insisted.
“Storm!” his father yelled after him. Storm turned to see him frowning, more than he usually did, his lips pressed in a thin line, his fists clenched. “You will come tonight and you will meet everyone.”
“Nothing will come of it, father.” Storm failed to shield the anger and discomfort he was feeling, no matter how hard he tried to keep his voice even.
“Well, you’re fucking everyone but your husband, might as well take an official concubine and have some children,” the king said, placing a heavy hand on Storm’s shoulder. Storm was a foot taller than his father, yet he still felt the same pressure he did as a child when the king was squeezing him like that, his dark brown eyes boring into Storm’s.
“I will never do that to Sky,” Storm said, clenching his teeth and forcing himself not to slap his father’s hand away.
“Oh, you wouldn’t do what your duty as a future king requires, but you would have him looked at as if he were diseased by the entire capital? You should hear the whispers.” The king shrugged, a touch of honesty in his features. “Maybe young ones would distract him as well, not just your concubine.”
Storm squinted and frowned, taking one step closer to his father. “How do they know?” he hissed.
“Servants, boy. They talk. Everyone here knows you’ve never touched Sky. I can’t for the life of me understand why you insisted on marrying him.” The king turned away and left Storm standing there.
“I will meet whoever you pulled out of your imaginary breeding pens, but I am not doing this to Sky, ever!” He turned and stomped away, heading for his chambers. He hoped to find Sky there and talk to him before everyone showed up for this festive dinner. A little warning would probably help his husband through the feast. Even if nothing but Sky’s ego would be hurt, he should be warned a horde of women were about to throw themselves at Storm.
Storm found their chambers deserted, so he started searching. A young girl who was refreshing their flowers told him Sky had already left with Cloud. That bitch again! Growling, Storm bathed quickly and got dressed in the clothes that Sky had lain out on the bed for him. He smiled at the outfit, black leathers, boots, a pristine, white shirt and a dark red tunic with golden embroidery. Sky always chose clothes that made Storm look regal yet kept the warrior style he preferred and felt most at ease with.