Three days after Senri left for Thavnair and soon after Raha left for his daily search into the Noumenon, a light knock on the door of their bedroom had Alisaie look up with surprise. At her uncertain invitation, while she didn't move for the spot near Sali's nest, her twin walked in and looked about the room with a hint of disappointment on his face.
"G'raha already left?" he asked with a frown, then walked over to her and the kitten who was busy playing with her favorite furry ball.
"Mhmm, you just missed him," Alisaie said, going back to pushing the ball for Sali to pounce at. "Something happened?"
"You could say so," Alphinaud sighed, then kneeled on one knee at her side, smiling a bit involuntarily at the cat's antics. "I'm afraid that the sudden reveal of their relationship wasn't the smartest idea… especially with Senri leaving right after."
Her gaze darted to the face nearly identical to her own and she frowned recognizing the worry on her twin's usually stoic expression. She shifted, pulling one of her legs close to her chest, and wound her arm around it, resting her cheek against its knee as she narrowed her eyes at him ever-so-slightly.
"Okay, what's going on?" she finally asked. Gladly taking over the role of Salina's caregiver during the kitten's 'parents' tasks (because yeah, it was beyond adorable that kitten kept calling her 'mom,' not to mention the memory of Senri's hilarious pout at that!) and Raha spend every free moment in the city's library during his lover's absence, she barely left the compound.
"You're aware what kind of reputation G'raha… enjoyed living here when he was young, yes?" Alphinaud asked carefully then nodded slowly when she scowled instantly. "Well, apparently… someone is stoking up these rumors for whatever reason. A few there are that should remember that otherwise, I believe. And Senri not being here, right after… has suspicions circulating that he's ashamed of that… slip of sanity, as I heard. Krile's fuming, swearing to find and, I quote, tear to pieces whoever found entertainment in digging that up… but I hoped to catch G'raha before he leaves and warn him."
Alisaie flinched, dropped her gaze to the kitten, and bit her lip with uncertainty.
There were precisely a few reasons she could imagine someone doing something like that – and even if not really knowing the true temper of the Warrior of Light and his blind devotion to his lover – it was a certain way to commit a very painful suicide. None would also realize that technically they were married – and mated, but that part was supposed to never leave the inner circle of the Scions. Y'shtola insisted that that fact was simply too unique and would put a target on G'raha's skin and make him all too tempting for anyone who wished to hurt or use her best friend. Also, now all of them were aware that it was possible thanks to their passengers and it was safer to keep that a secret. A very, very few would take well the news that the Warrior of Light was 'possessed' not to mention here it could lead to someone drawing the unwanted connection between that fact and 'Fandaniel' nightly activities since their arrival.
She didn't lie to Raha – she truly believed that what Senri was doing was right. Not really because it granted their group an easier cooperation of the Forum – but more because she was sick to her stomach thinking about all the innocent students in this city abused and made to suffer for the others' entertainment. As far as she was concerned and with all she heard of it… Senri was going too easy on some.
As for the reason why someone would think to bring up the redhead's reputation… she could only guess that it was some sort of naïve attempt to put a wedge between lovers. Unaware that it was Raha who insisted to keep their relationship a secret, maybe they thought Warrior was embarrassed about being with a man. None were aware that it was Senri who was absolutely unaffected by the female… charms, and with her experience in the area over the years… Alisaie could imagine some bitch stupid enough to think if she managed to get Raha out of the picture, she had a shot at the coveted position of Warrior's lover. She saw women doing many awful things lured by Senri's fame and beauty – sometimes almost embarrassed at the stupidity of her own gender. And she was sure that Y'shtola would agree that the gossip was usually a type of weapon wielded by women.
"Hmm…" she hummed under her nose, looking toward her twin. "When Senri is back someone is going to die."
Alphinaud sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as he stood up and headed toward the door of the room.
"Do warn G'raha when he's back?" he said calmly over his shoulder. "Hopefully the rumors will die down before Senri's done in Thavnair and back here," he added natively, then nodded toward her and left the bedroom.
Alisaie almost rolled her blue eyes, then sighed and focused on the kitten again.
"He can be so dense sometimes," she complained, delicately petting the soft fur when Sali sat up and tilted her triangular head curiously, looking up at her with her pretty, yellow eyes. "They die out or not doesn't matter… Senri's going to go on a rampage one way or another."
"Dad?" the kitten meowed happily, waving its tail and Alisaie grinned involuntarily, glad that her best friend didn't realize yet the fact the kitten recognized him as that. He would, eventually, but until then his pouts at Sali's calling her 'mom' were just too funny.
"Yes, honey," she cooed with a smile, rubbing the tiny ear to the kitten's loud, happy purrs. "Dad is going to kick some butts when he's back. Let's just hope that this is as far as it goes," she sighed, even as suddenly a pit opened up in her stomach.
Between her and Y'shtola's conspiracy, she saw enough to grow aware of just how vicious women can be in chasing a man. How desperate. She could only hope that the rumors were as far as it'll go – but in thought, she promised herself to keep slightly more caution around Raha until his mate is back and takes over.
After all, there are more than a few ways to get rid of a 'potential' rival, and gossip wasn't the only weapon toward which the women had a famous preference.
Diva Rhinima frowned, sniffing carefully the liquid in a tiny, translucent bottle, and only when she made sure that it was absolutely without a scent even for her sensitive nose, she closed the bottle carefully and smiled at the trader with a slight nod.
"Perfect," she said softly, handing the man the requisite amount of gil for the requested 'medicine.' "And you're sure it'll have a very specific effect?"
"Quite," the man, Lalafell enjoying the reputation of one willing to supply whatever was required for a big enough amount of gil without asking unnecessary questions, took the money with a bored expression. And knowing the rumors often circulating the Studium she could easily imagine that it wasn't the first or the last time he was asked for this specific liquid. She just never suspected she'll be in the need of it. "A few drops mixed in a drink or a meal and whatever man you have your eye on won't be able to resist. The effect is quite rapid, so I recommend being on hand when serving that. And as you requested, I adjusted the ingredients to have an especially potent effect on Seekers. Anything else I can provide you with?"
"No, that's quite enough, thank you," she smiled at the Lalafell, bowed her head politely, and hiding the bottle carefully in her pocket, turned around, hastily leaving the stall and heading toward the main plaza. She relaxed only by the huge crystal of the Aetheryte and slowed her steps, heading toward the Studium and her next lecture while that tiny bottle seemed to burn her body through her clothes.
It wasn't really her idea… at least not exactly. She thought reminding the people in the circle of her friends and collages of G'raha's 'eccentricities' and reputation back in the day with carefully schooled innocence whenever the topic of the Warrior came up would be enough for the man to… reconsider his pick. G'raha was cute – always was, if she was honest – but certainly not worth tarnishing the reputation of a hero famous across the lands.
Then one of her friends, when the topic came up in conversation the other day, almost absentmindedly suggested that maybe it wasn't exactly that G'raha was a passing fancy for the beautiful Seeker, but maybe the man simply preferred males. It wasn't that uncommon after all and the girl had the nerve to smile at her with a hint of badly hidden amusement, recalling her silent request to their group to leave her alone after she spotted the Warrior browsing the stalls that day. She looked almost ready to offer her 'sympathies' before Diva carefully waved the topic off, fuming internally.
Her friends simply couldn't understand that she fell madly in love at first sight with the beautiful Warrior! And the feeling of being special when he accompanied her to the Last Stand, putting her at the center of so many jealous and admiring stares was… intoxicating. The Warrior of Light was a man that seemed like a dream come to life – the staggering beauty of his unique looks, the fame surrounding his title, not to mention as famous fact that he seemed to be above such notions, like some sort of unreachable fantasy. Since his group's arrival in the city, after his looks seemed to make a mockery of the rumors, many, many girls and women she knew shared the notion that to be the one to have that beautiful man's interest would truly have to be a special person.
And after getting her hopes up – to be so brutally and publicly dashed… was infuriating! And by a man, no less!
But her friend's words got her thinking, she had to admit. If true, she couldn't help but think that it seemed like a cruel irony to have a man who is the epitome of any girl's fantasies to be of such preferences. If he was like some of her friends and simply didn't care about the gender of his partner, would at least make him… available. Reachable. She could hope, as G'raha so rudely suggested the next day… And if she thought about it, the slightly smug tilt to his smile when he said that made sense in that regard, too. If he knew for a fact that the Warrior preferred males – in his eyes he had nothing to fear from her as her gender alone put her out of any sort of… rivalry for the T'senri's attention.
And the unfairness of it had her insides burn. She wanted him – like she never wanted any other man in her life and to know she simply couldn't have him… seemed like a bad joke.
So, growing maybe a bit desperate… she was reminded of that Lalafell and his business. And that had a spark of hope bloom in her chest. Maybe beautiful T'senri simply… didn't consider the alternative? She heard of it happening occasionally around the city when someone was… confused with their sexuality until they met the 'right person.' And when she asked the Lalafell for his… expertise in her woes (of course, without mentioning the name of the man she was pinning over) he shrugged and stated that he had just a thing to have her chosen male reconsider his misgivings for the fairer sex. An aphrodisiac that was so potent that 'her' male wouldn't be able to care about the sex of his partner, mad for the release. And if she plays her cards right, he suggested, maybe afterward the man decides that in the end, he did like the females more… and her 'fixing' him like that would make her quite special indeed.
Maybe even material for the position of the wife of the famous, beautiful Warrior. The thought that all this ordeal could lead to a tantalizing fantasy of bearing him absolutely beautiful kits with his ink-black hair and gorgeous pale eyes was too much to resist – and had her pay the man the absolutely ridiculous amount of money he required for the 'medicine' and his silence.
And when her conscience and years of teaching ethics seemed to put pins in the bubble of her desire and fantasy… she silenced them by reasoning that she was simply doing him and the world, really, a favor. He seemed just too special and beautiful to be wasted bound by his ideas of his preferences. And her plan was simply a way to… expand his horizons, that's all.
Now, liquid in hand, she just needed an occasion to get the Warrior to drink it – and preferably alone with her. Or somewhere she could get him alone shortly after. Which was the biggest issue with the whole thing, honestly. Not only was he seemingly completely gone from the city along with some of the Scions – but considering his last words to her, he was aware of her history with his current lover. Seekers' similarly to males of her own race were quite famously possessive by nature and her stupid… curiosity in her youth would put her at the bottom of the list of people he would consider a trustworthy company to share a drink with.
Thankfully, she had just the idea of how to solve that conundrum. The whole city heard by now that the closest friends of the Warrior, the Levellieur twins, were famously disowned by their father. Now, however, after the whole… appearance of that dreadful Ascian, the Forum seemed to reconsider their position on the presence of the Scions of the Seventh Dawn and their Champion in their city. She could easily imagine that by now Fourchenault Levellieur was probably regretting his hasty decision in dealing with his progeny. The decision that his wife and mother of the twins, Ameliance, was quite openly against. She wasn't close enough with Fourchenault, but she shared a collage with his wife and it should be easy enough to pass over an innocent suggestion on how to help her husband and wayward children reconcile.
A party to celebrate the return of the twins into Old Sharlayan's fold should be just a thing to lure the beautiful Warrior back to the city. Suggesting to invite all of the Scions and especially their Champion as a sign of goodwill on the twins' parents' side and the whole idea, in general, should easily enough gain her an invitation. And once there and able to corner the man alone, she with her penance for expensive perfume, knew all too well that there's more than one way to get that liquid in his system. Pah, considering the Miqo'te noses' natural sensitivity and the lack of trust she's bond to receive, spraying it in his face hard enough sounded like a safer bet than trying to convince him to drink or eat anything she would offer. And Levellieurs' mansion seemed just like a perfect place to find a quiet enough place away from the party when he's eager enough.
Shivering involuntarily at the idea of that, Diva grinned, unconsciously touching the pocket with the bottle and sped up her step.
Though he was more than excited by the idea of the medallions Nidhana and her people were working on, being stuck at Great Work, poked and probed to let the alchemists figure out how to reverse-engineer how his 'Blessing' worked was increasingly frustrating.
Splayed out on the wooden bridge nearby the place the alchemists worked, far enough to give him much-needed privacy but close enough for a call if he was needed, T'senri folded his wrists behind his head and for the lack of something better to do, enjoyed the glorious sight of the grand starlit sky above him. The sounds of the settlement drew quieter some time ago and he was slowly growing confident that perhaps at least this night he can slip away unnoticed for a few bells to indulge in the relief of his lover's company… when his linkpearl beeped, reminding him of its existence.
Barely moving his hand to his ear without looking away from the gorgeous sight he wished he could share with his beautiful prince, he smiled involuntarily when his fingers brushed the blue crystal of his earring right before he picked up.
"Yes?" he hummed.
"Miss you," the low, soothing voice of his mate had his heart stutter instantly and he closed his eyes with a silly, lovesick grin as he let his hand return behind his head and his tail tapped with enthusiasm against the bridge. "Are you alone?"
His heart instantly tripled its rhythm, his eyes shot wide open and he rose on his elbows and looked around carefully.
"I am," he replied finally. "I was starting to hope I can slip away to you soon, my heart."
Before he could even finish, the characteristic flash of black aether accompanied the connection breaking off and his lover's crimson irises flashed with humor before he promptly planted himself in his lap.
"Like I said… I missed you, Snark," he whispered softly when T'senri eagerly sat up and wrapped his arms around him securely. Sighing with apparent relief, Raha coiled his arms around his neck and buried his face by his throat, snuggling into his embrace tightly.
"Something's wrong, my prince?" T'senri asked, nuzzling against his mate's shoulder as the hint of… uneasiness, maybe, resonated from his beautiful soul.
"No…" his mate sighed against his skin. "Not really… Just, yeah, missed you, my beautiful beast, and I have news, too," he coiled around him even tighter. "We are all invited – with special pressure put on the need of your attendance – to a party back in Old Sharlayan, love. Apparently, the twins' parents wish to make amends for their father disowning them."
"High time, I would say," he said with irritation, though running his hand soothingly over his mate's back. He knew him enough to know he was upset about something… and hoped that he will tell him without the need to ask his immortal passenger. "But a party…? I'm not a fan," he admitted sheepishly, tightening his arms around his lover and placing a tender kiss on the tattoo on his throat.
"I was…" Raha took a deep breath and swallowed thickly, then sighed and leaned away to look into his face with more than a hint of uncertainty. "Well, I know, but I was h-hoping that you wouldn't mind attending… this time…"
Only smiling in encouragement, he raised his hand against his mate's cheek and didn't let his expression twitch when Raha flushed furiously and wrapped his hand around his, dropping his gaze as he nuzzled his cheek into his touch.
"Tell me, my prince," he whispered, his heart simply aching at the return of his lover's uncertainty and apprehension.
"The rumors about me… are back," his mate finally gave in with a tiny, tired sigh and T'senri felt a delicate kiss of frost in his veins but simply waited, knowing he will slaughter whoever dared to put a dent in his mate's so hard won self-confidence. "And… considering you left right after… well, that show at the harbor…" he trailed off, blushing even darker and biting his lower lip with uncertainty.
"…they question my commitment to you?" he guessed, feeling that too-familiar ice in his veins thickening. When the love of his life swallowed audibly and nodded delicately, tossing him a quick, shy look from under his dark-red lashes… No, he wouldn't slaughter them – something more along the lines of what he did to Maran seemed like a more fitting punishment for whoever dared to question his devotion to his mate. "I am sorry, my heart," he said quietly, putting his other hand over his cheek and pulling him closer until he could rest his forehead against his. "I didn't consider the timing," he admitted, holding his lover's gaze.
"I…" if possible, his blush grew darker and the flash of shame in his expressive eyes had the beast in his chest roar with rage and hunger for the blood of whoever put it there. "I know it's stupid, Snark," he closed his eyes. "I shouldn't care about what others…"
"Unless it's the same bunch of senseless morons who already turned part of your life into hell," he said slowly, wrapping his arms around him possessively and pulling his mate in a tight, comforting embrace. "People who isolated and neglected you… now trying to tarnish our relationship using what they did to you as an excuse. I get it, Raha… I do, and I'll be incredibly grateful and proud to accompany you to that party and show them all how wrong they are, my prince," he added, nuzzling against his throat affectionately. "You know I've been dying to dote on you in public," he purred teasingly when his lover chuckled sheepishly but gladly melted into his embrace.
"Th-thank you, Snark," he whispered and T'senri fought not to grind his teeth at the still-present note of embarrassment in his lovely voice.
He didn't know who yet… but someone is going to pay dearly for this. Even if he will have to tear Old Sharlayan piece by piece to find those responsible.
You and me both, Ares growled aggressively. I'm getting really fucking fed up with those mortals, Senri, and that place day by day seems like it is in a need of a more… thoughtful cleaning. I find your punishments entertaining and fitting… But I'll not stand for this, my boy. Either find those responsible or I'll make it easier on the both of us – and have every single mortal who entertains these… ideas in that city slit their throats. Raha took enough abuse from them for a few lifetimes and I will not have our efforts in helping him regain his self-confidence wasted by that apparent pit of vipers.
That's why I love you, he admitted freely, hiding his bloodthirsty grin against his lover's throat and purring soothingly to help him relax.
He was fine playing the hero people around him needed. He was fine protecting others – as it appealed to the softer side of his nature. Alphinaud over the years beat into his head over and over that people needed the symbol of his title to look up to and to feel safe – and he was used to acting out that role. He was comfortable as the Warrior... as long as none threaten what he held dear.
And nothing and no one held a higher place in his heart than his Raha. He was everything he ever wanted and his dream-come-true… and he barely – thanks to their immortals' schemes – got his beautiful prince to fully trust in his devotion. To not hesitate – fearing the rejection he was so used to in his youth – and know that T'senri yearned to fulfill every need of his heart, soul, and body. And to have someone try to ruin it for whatever reason…?
Ares's ultimatum didn't sound like a threat but a promise.
Out of consideration for his title, he would go to that party and prove to whoever dared to doubt his heart that it sang only for his crimson-eyed Allagan prince… and if that doesn't work to shut up the naysayers, he didn't mind letting his immortal have a go at them.
Maybe that will finally teach them that his lover is off-limits.
"Senri?" his mate's whisper against his neck tore him out of the reverie and he tightened his arms around him.
"Yes, my heart?" he hummed, closing his eyes and nuzzling against his shoulder as his tail eagerly wrapped around his waist possessively.
And his beautiful prince utterly blew his mind, without another word but still flushed beautifully as he leaned away just enough to catch his mouth in a deep, hungry kiss while fisting his hands in his hair after carelessly pushing off his bandana. His delicious taste filled his mouth as every shaky, shared breath filled his head with the intoxicating scent of mixed spices thickened with his mate's need. T'senri's body reacted on instinct, growing painfully aroused so quickly he grew dizzy with it, whimpering his utter bliss under his lover's mouth as his hands greedily tugged at Raha's tunic – unbearably grateful that his mate didn't bother with the vest or belt before the jump – itching for the incredible heat of his skin. That his mate soon started to roll his hips shamelessly against his, swallowing his needy sounds like he was starving for them…
Before they broke apart for air, T'senri was more than half out of his mind, curling his hands around his lover's hips eagerly as Raha tugged his black vest open impatiently and pushed it off his shoulders, trailing sweet, sharp bites down his throat as he rocked his hard flesh into his painful erection.
"Rrraha…" he rasped, too aroused to be able to keep back his fangs as he let his head drop against his lover's shoulder and dropped his hands to the bridge under them to not tear his mate's favorite outfit with his claws. "Need you," he mewled mindlessly, arching under him and gasping at his mate's next insistent thrust.
"Me too, my beast," his lover chuckled breathlessly, shakily raising off his lap just enough to hastily remove his pants – blowing his mind even harder – as soon he dropped back and eagerly tugged Warrior's pants open and off his hips. "I did… m-miss you terribly…" he admitted, curling one hand in T'senri's hair almost brutally as he bit his lower lip with a choked growl while lowering his other hand between them and preparing his body for him. It was becoming a new norm in their mating – not that they minded – with T'senri's poor self-control over his new, sharp claws and his refusal to accidentally hurt his beautiful lover. Spent, he found it easier to control – and indulge in much softer, tender lovemaking. But with how stuck he was here those last few days… his claws scraped against the bridge when an impatient, petulant whine he was not proud of slipped his mouth.
That his lover didn't seem to mind, instead catching his lips in another devouring kiss and using it to tease his fangs, had him whine harder under the assault at his senses, his inner beast on full display and hungry for its master as lust tore at his insides relentlessly. His prince shifted above him, feeding him his insanely arousing growl-purrs as he took him, sinking onto his aching cock with a choked groan of relief. When he pulled back from the kiss, it had T'senri mewl his name shamelessly, trailing his starved gaze over his mate's beauty as his Raha bit his bruised lips, resting his hands over Warrior's shoulders as he began to ride his dick in the earnest.
"So prrreatty, my Rrraha…" he rasped, carefully keeping his claws off his skin as he smoothed his hands to rest around his mate's hips as he let his back fall back against the bridge. Hoping he thought to rise the shield – but not really caring at this point – the sight alone was nearly enough to have him spill. Reminiscent of their first time, the utter beauty of his lover as he took his pleasure in him against the backdrop of the starlit sky and made even more pronounced by the gentle sounds of the ocean... The way his mate leaned over him, resting his hands on his chest and mewling his pleasure as he used his grip to make his beautiful body rise and fall onto his cock while rolling his hips to give him as much bliss as he could… When Raha opened his eyes to meet his enamored, dazed stare, Warrior was almost surprised by the sight of the pair of crimson irises. And seeing the hint of humor and affection in his prince's eyes, he smiled sheepishly, knowing his mate knew where his mind drifted off to.
"It's one of my most… t-treasured memories, too," his lover chuckled breathlessly, shakily wrapping his hands around T'senri's on his skin while he arched back above him, when Warrior's thrusts grew harder, harsher, so much more confident now in how to best pleasure his lover. "…oh, fuuuck… S-Snark…" he whimpered needily, letting him control his beautiful body's movement, and he used that permission to perfection, grinning gleefully despite his own raging need as he brought his lover over the edge twice before he was satisfied with the glory of his pleasure.
Only when his Raha sagged against him bonelessly, mewling his pleasure, he rolled them over and pulled his thighs around his sides while he buried his face against his lover's shoulder. That in mere few strokes his prince wrapped himself around his body possessively and bit him with a little, aggressive snarl… it sent him over the edge with a raspy mewl-purrs of his mate's name, chanting it in a blissed-out haze as his whole body shook and trembled with the bliss if their mating. He drowned in the boundless pleasure of it, enjoying the much softer touches across his back and delicate kisses and bites that trailed over his throat and shoulder, returning them eagerly and purring near-deafeningly at his mate's affectionate ministrations. Enjoying it no less than the sex itself, he almost forgot all about the reason for his lover's uneasiness.
Almost.
Until… the connection between their souls dimmed suddenly and Raha's hand sank into his hair, tightening in a warning and he stilled utterly, knowing it wasn't Raha anymore.
"My patience is limited, Senri," Damon cooed against his throat and he didn't need Ares's quiet 'uh oh' to recognize the spike of temper in the immortal's normally soft-spoken manner of speech. "I'll say it once – because I despise repeating myself – do take care to handle well that party, my boy, or the punishments you deliver will feel like a child's game in comparison to mine, are we clear?"
"Like crystal," he whispered and that hand relaxed, giving his ear a delicate pat before their connection returned to the forefront and Raha didn't seem aware of the switch as his blissed-out purrs resumed. "I love you, my prince," he said, nuzzling against his throat affectionately even as a part of his mind grew almost curious about how that would look.
I told you, boy: spectacular, Ares hummed with consideration. And believe me, he's never bluffing.
"I love you too, my Sun," his mate sighed with obvious relief, tightening his arms around him possessively.
"Good," he chuckled, then sighed and rose above him to place a loud, playful peck on his lover's beautiful, bruised lips. "So… we're going to first party as a couple on this shard," he wiggled his dark eyebrows meaningfully. "Do you mind, my beautiful prince, if I steal your idea?"
"Huh?" Raha frowned with confusion, tilting his head curiously. "What do you mean?"
"That…" he cleared his throat and let maybe a slightly shy smile tilt his lips. "…I would like t-to use this occasion to make it official, Raha. Let them choke on their stupid rumors when I propose to you, my heart?" he grew uncertain when his mate's crimson eyes grew almost comically huge, and his mouth dropped open. "I mean… you already agreed and the ceremony itself can wait until we're back in Eorzea… and after we visit my mom, if you really… really want that… But, I would love if we…"
"O-okay…" his mate cut him off, blushing beautifully as he wrapped his hands around T'senri's cheeks. And his grin, bright and happy, had the Warrior's uncertainty melt away in a flash, replaced by the love so brilliant it felt like his heart will burst with it. "I'm… I'm yours, Snark. Like you're mine. If you are really sure… let them choke on that," and the slightly smug, perhaps a little mean tilt to his beautiful lips only worked to make him love his prince that much more. Especially when his ruby irises flared with the possessive fire.
Raha's temper was flame to his frost… and those senseless morons had no idea what they were toying with when stoking the blaze. T'senri was ready to embrace the inferno the same way his prince tamed the vicious bite of his beast…
…were they as ready to burn…?
A part of him couldn't wait to find out.