The Solstice Prince by SJ Himes

Author:SJ Himes [Himes, SJ]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Realms of Love: Book One
Publisher: SJ Himes
Published: 2017-11-24T05:00:00+00:00

Letting go of his control was always easier than reestablishing it. Like a horse given its head, his gift slipped free and moved from his hand up the king’s wrist, his arm, and even further. His awareness swept along King Llyr’s body, and sank within.

Long years had left their mark; aching and inflamed joints, old broken bones, scarred tendons from tears and sprains, along with old lacerations that ached in the cold and wet, and eyes that didn’t see as clearly as they once had in years past. Despite the king’s extensive injuries from his youth, he was in fair health for a man his age…but it was his age that was slowly killing him. Humans, barring magic seen only in fantastical tales, had a limit on their lifespan, and the king was solidly ensconced at the end of his.

Jaime sighed, heart heavy, and withdrew just enough to open his own eyes and look up at the king. “Your organs are failing, Your Majesty.”

Eyes cloudy with age but still holding a sharp intelligence met his own, and Jaime quailed inside, but held firm.

“That is what Eames said, and the younger one with the odd name,” King Llyr grumbled, but with some humor. Jaime relaxed a fraction, hoping the bad news the healers bore would not be punished. It was doubtful, since logic told him that any man who could raise a man like Maxim surely could not be the type of monarch to punish so unfairly. “What else do you see, young Buchanan?”

“Injuries long healed, from battle and trauma. Sword wounds, and quite a few.” Jaime answered quickly enough, thinking that those present would already know of these, and he wasn’t revealing anything too private. “And joints that ache in the winter.”

The king harrumphed, trying to settle into his pillows. Jaime sat forward a bit and pushed a pillow into a better position. The king gave him a sharp glance, and Jaime realized he’d done so without thinking about anything except helping a patient. A blush burned on his cheeks, but he didn’t drop his gaze.

“You’ve a soft heart, don’t you lad?” The king asked, though the way he did told Jaime it was rhetorical. He gave the king a small smile and realized he was still holding the man’s hand. It was cold, and Jaime put his other hand atop it, trying to warm the thin fingers. “Give us a moment.”

Jaime jolted and lifted his head to see everyone preparing to leave. The king gripped his hand, holding him in place, and Jaime settled down. “Maxim, my son, I’ll not harm your dear love. Out.”

“Yes, Father.” Maxim held the door for his mother, the queen leaving quietly, and Master Eames and Greaves slipped out as well. Jaime soon found himself alone with the king, and he turned back to the monarch, curious and slightly terrified.

“I’ll not eat you,” King Llyr said with a small half-smile. “But I wanted to talk to you without all those worried glances.”

“Majesty?”

“Do you care for my son?” The king’s question caught him off guard, and Jaime’s eyes went wide.

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