Aquiver (The Duskriven Chronicles Book 2) by T.D. Cloud

Author:T.D. Cloud [Cloud, T.D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Createspace
Published: 2018-05-14T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

The bedroom was cold when he wasn’t touching Navidae, and even with the man just on the other side of the room, Khouri still felt the distance somewhere in the pit of his stomach. It churned uneasily, nagging him like a persistent thought. He looked down at the bedspread beneath him, at the heavy ruby and silver bracelet glittering around his wrist. A new gift for a special night, Navidae had said. Pretty as it was, it wouldn’t change who Khouri was beneath the finery.

He swallowed again, rubbing at his arm. Maybe he was having second thoughts about all of this. Maybe it had been a bit preemptive to desire an invitation to a party where he most certainly didn’t belong.

“The hardest thing about one of these events isn’t the planning, sweet bird,” Navidae announced from within the wardrobe, half a dozen potential outfits slung over his arm as he perused what was within. “You may think it is, but it isn’t. Any oaf could plan a party. It’s dressing for one that requires a certain finesse most are woefully lacking.”

“Sounds like a lot of effort,” Khouri murmured, trying to look something other than nervous when Navidae turned and came towards the bed with his selection of clothes for himself. Khouri had been easy to dress. Navidae had set out his outfit the night before, whispering to him how ravishing he would look in the webbed gown. It clung to his body but failed to keep much of the chill out, the spidersilk dyed black and woven wide to showcase his skin beneath. His legs were covered thankfully by a tighter weave. He was growing accustomed to the revealing outfits. What he wasn’t accustomed to yet was the thought of eyes on him that didn’t belong to Navidae while wearing one.

A hand settled beneath his chin, tilting his gaze up to meet Navidae. His lover was still largely undressed, wearing only a pair of tight trousers and a pair of knee high boots. A turquoise teardrop hung from his neck in the hollow of his collarbones, a matching accessory to Khouri’s earrings. “The best things usually are,” Navidae crooned, throwing down his garments beside Khouri before dipping down to claim his lips in a kiss. He pulled away, tucking a lock of hair behind Khouri’s ear. “You look forlorn, pet. What’s wrong?”

They matched now, linked by the jewelry, and yet it didn’t feel enough to soothe Khouri’s worry. Khouri swallowed, weighing his words before he spoke. The last thing he wanted was to be left in the bedroom while Navidae went off to another gathering without him.

“I’m…” he began, leaning into his lover’s hand as it stroked his cheekbone. “I’m not a noble,” he settled on saying, looking into Navidae’s dark red eyes. “Will they really be alright with you bringing someone like me to a party like this?”

The laugh his words earned was equal parts mirthful and derisive. Navidae patted Khouri’s cheek and stood back up, grabbing a shirt from the pile at random and tugging his arms through it.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.