Free Union by Annabelle Jacobs

Nykin’s leather-clad ass.
    Nykin was half-hard already, and he could feel Ryneq was in much the same state.
    “You need to stop that. These pants won’t hide anything, and I have to walk across the room to the main doors in front of everyone.”
    Nykin laughed, burying his head in Ryneq’s shoulder, then dutifully shuffled back so they were no longer touching. They stayed like that for a few moments longer, getting themselves under control.
    “I’ll see you later.” Ryneq eased Nykin back, both hands on his shoulders. “Don’t get undressed. I want to do it.”
    Nykin swallowed, his mouth a little dry suddenly, and nodded.
    “Later, Nykin.”
    Nykin slumped back against the wall and watched Ryneq cross the room, heading for Cerylea’s private quarters with Eldin, Nysad, and Cerylea close behind him.

Chapter 6

     
    C ERYLEA ’ S ROOMS were an identical layout to Ryneq’s but decorated in soft shades of blue and purple instead. She led them over to the table and chairs in the sitting area and poured everyone a drink.
    “So,” Ryneq began, rolling out the map that Nysad had brought with him. He tapped his finger on the dark line marking the border between Rodeth and Torsere. “How did Seran manage to get from the palace all the way over to his castle in Rodeth without getting caught?” He looked up at Nysad. “Tell us everything you got from the merchants.”
    Nysad leaned over the map. “We picked them up here.” He pointed to just below where Ryneq had his finger. “One of the patrols was on its routine border sweep when they spotted them.” He sighed and leaned forward on his hands staring at the map. “I don’t know how he avoided all our patrols, including the dragon riders, but the merchants were positive Seran had returned to Rodeth. They said the castle was a hive of activity, and rumor was that they were preparing for the arrival of the current leader of Athisi.”
    “Slippery Rodethian eel!” Ryneq spat as he pushed back from the table and walked over to the large double doors at the back of the room.
    They opened out onto Cerylea’s balcony, and even with them closed, Ryneq could hear the celebrations going on in the courtyard. He should be with Nykin—today was essentially their wedding day, for all intents and purposes—but he was stuck here instead, discussing something that might turn out to be nothing after all. But his duty was to protect his people, and thank the Gods Nykin understood that. Ryneq had every intention of making it up to him later.
    “So.” Cerylea’s voice—clear and commanding—pulled him out of his thoughts, and he turned back around to face the table again. “If we assume the worst—that Seran has renewed his allegiance with Athisi and is planning another attack on Torsere—then we need to do what we can to protect ourselves.”
    Both Eldin and Nysad hummed their agreement. Everyone in the room was aware of what Cerylea was thinking, but Ryneq asked the question anyway.
    “You want to move the wedding forward?”
    Cerylea nodded, and Ryneq sighed, thinking of everything that would entail. “By how much?” They weren’t due to leave for another two weeks yet, and the wedding itself wasn’t scheduled until another week after that.
    Cerylea sat back in her chair and sighed. Ryneq suddenly noticed how tired she looked, and wondered how he’d managed to miss it before. He’d talk to her about that after they finished here.
    “If the elves agree to accommodate us earlier, how soon can we be ready to leave?” she asked, eyeing the three men around the table.
    Eldin spoke first. “The dragon riders are ready when you are. I already have the names of the riders who will accompany the boats and those who will stay here to patrol.” He paused then, shifting a little uncomfortably in his seat.
    Ryneq had an idea of what was on his mind, and he wanted to nip it in the bud before things got awkward. “While Nykin is on duty, he is under your command, Eldin.