Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 96695 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 483(@200wpm)___ 387(@250wpm)___ 322(@300wpm)
“I might not like some of it, but I won’t be miserable because I will have Everand. Together, we’ll be able to work together to make the lives of everyone in Branem better. I like that idea.”
Augustine huffed. “So instead of bossing Dorian and me, you’ll be able to boss around an entire country.”
Hugo groaned. “Thanks so much for your confidence in me.”
His brother shoved a hand through his blond hair, making it look even more chaotic, and stared a bit befuddled at Hugo, as if he was still trying to convince himself that Hugo was happy with his choices.
Stepping closer, Hugo placed a hand on his shoulder and squeezed. “I am happy. Everand is everything I have ever dreamed of in finding a mate. Even if he weren’t a prince, I would still marry him in a heartbeat.”
Augustine’s face smoothed, and he wrapped Hugo in a tight hug. Hugo’s heart melted. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d hugged his brother like this. He spent most of his time wanting to strangle him.
“I’ll still get the horses ready. Just in case,” Augustine murmured against Hugo’s shoulder.
Hugo shouted, “Menace!” and shoved his brother away. Augustine cackled and ran for the doors, dodging Hugo as he took a swing at him.
Hugo walked out of the stables, crossing to the castle while contemplating whether he had time to warn Captain Ryze to watch out for Augustine. At the very least, he needed to keep his younger brother away from King Victor and some of their other foreign dignitaries, or they’d be facing another threat of war.
As he entered one of the main corridors, he glanced up at the grand ornate clock ticking away and sighed. His wedding was an hour away. There wasn’t enough time to track down his husband-to-be. Not that it made much sense. They’d be seeing each other soon enough and have an entire lifetime together. It was just that he wanted one more stolen moment, one more kiss as fiancés before they took this enormous step.
Hugo trudged up the stairs, heading to the room he’d been using the past few days. The queen had demanded that he be moved out of Everand’s wing because they didn’t trust them not to sneak together on the day of the wedding. That morning, servants had barged into Everand’s room and hustled Hugo out, barely giving him enough time to wrap up in a sheet. He hadn’t even gotten his morning kiss.
As he reached the floor where his rooms were located, he heard a strange hissing sound coming from the wall on his left. He paused and glared at the spot, but there was only a large portrait of one of Everand’s ancestors. He was about to continue when the wall opened and a hand shot out, grabbing him by the wrist. A yelp escaped him as someone hauled him into the darkness. The wall closed, and his captor shoved him against cold stone.
“What the—”
“I’ve been searching everywhere for you!”
“Everand!” Hugo cried in relief. Soft lips cut the name off as they covered his own. Hugo moaned, welcoming Ev’s tongue inside while wrapping his arms around his lover. At last. They kissed again and again, ravenous kisses where their tongues tangled and teeth hit. There was no getting enough. It was as if they’d been separated for years rather than hours.
Strong hands stroked along Hugo’s chest before attacking the fall of his pants. Hugo gasped and broke off the kiss as Everand’s fingers grasped his soft cock, stroking it. “What are you doing?” he demanded in a harsh, low voice. There was only a thin bit of light in the secret passageway, thrown by a tiny lamp burning a distance away. Hugo could barely make out Everand’s features, but he could feel Everand’s smile into his cheek.
“I want to fuck you one last time. As my fiancé. My boyfriend. My secret love.”
“But…here? The servants use these passageways, right? We’ll be caught.”
Everand shook his head, rubbing his lips on Hugo’s neck. At the same time, he continued to stroke his dick, stirring it to life. His other hand slipped into the back of his pants. Those long fingers dug into his ass, inching closer to his hole. Fire licked through Hugo’s body, and he nearly moaned.
“Not today,” Everand whispered. “The secret passageways have been closed, locked, and guarded to protect all the guests. Can’t have anyone putting all those foreign rulers and ministers in danger.”
Hugo opened his mouth to ask how Everand could use the passageways, but all that left his throat was a low, needy moan. He was hard, and Everand was sucking on his earlobe. As crazy as this was, Hugo wanted it too, this perfect stolen moment they would remember for the rest of their lives.
“Yes,” Hugo hissed.
Everand pulled his hands free of Hugo and stepped away. “Turn to face the wall and shove your pants down.”