No Secrets Needed by Ann Anderson

Author:Ann Anderson [Anderson, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Gay, Fantasy, Romance
Publisher: Less Than Three Press, LLC
Published: 2016-05-11T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Sixteen

Circumstance kept them from making a formal announcement the morning after Raquel gave birth to her twins, and obligation stalled any meeting for another two weeks. When it finally came time to inform the king and queen, Rafe was a bundle of nerves. He almost called it off, because he couldn't find anything to wear. It took Jaq sitting him down, handing him an outfit, and kicking him out of the house for Rafe to gather enough courage to hail a carriage and head to the castle.

When he arrived, his hands shook. Get it under control. He shook his hands out, hoping there wouldn't be a large audience. When he was escorted into a hall, all of Trint's family appeared to be there. And there stood Trint, a contrite look on his face as he stepped away from his parents' side and moved to stand beside Rafe. Tanequ was watching them, an excited smile on his face. Trint had told him how he'd been keeping his brother informed of their developing relationship. Rafe thought it was cute, and to see at least one happy face was a balm along the thorns of his nerves that poked him. Everyone else appeared confused.

"Hello, Lord Rafe," Queen Sunei started, her face a smiling mask that held a hint of cunning. Rafe knew she'd take the situation and change it any way she saw fit.

"Your Majesties." Rafe bowed to them, dredging up everything he'd studied in the etiquette books Trint had lent him after they'd agreed it was time to announce their intent to court. "It is an honor to be here."

Some of Trint's older relatives perked up, their attention sharp on Rafe. And Trint stood beside him, his presence a welcome shield against any doubts that might have still plagued Rafe.

"I present to you gifts." He reached into his pockets and pulled out two small boxes.

A guard stepped forward to take them and open off to the side. If it were anyone else, it would have been seen as an insult, but he was dealing with royalty, and many of the rules that applied to everyone else were void in their presence. They waited until the guard and another, most likely one of the few magic users in the kingdom, checked the contents before the boxes were closed and handed to the king and queen. Terror gripped Rafe tight around the throat. What if they didn't like the gifts? Before more thoughts could sink their sharp claws in his mind, the boxes were opened, and their faces showed blank surprise.

When they looked at him, Rafe continued his rehearsed speech. "I hope you will look favorably upon me as I court your son, Trint."

There was a low murmur at his word choice. He could have said any one of a dozen phrases, but they had already started courting, and Rafe would not start back at the beginning just because he had been insecure. That wasn't Trint's fault, and he shouldn't be punished.

Before Queen Sunei could speak, her husband snarled, "You make it sound as if you've already begun a courtship.

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