Page 7 of His Noble Savior (Folk of Vale #3)

Richard

It’d taken Richard a moment to realize that Lilian, more than anything, wanted to be close to him. Richard didn’t know why. Lilian had gone through hell, and Richard would’ve expected him to shy away from touch, but the opposite was the case. Lilian shook when he lost contact with him. At the same time, he didn’t seem to want to impose and avoided asking for what he needed until it became unbearable. The best way forward, Richard decided, was to offer and wait for Lilian to accept.

That night, Richard extinguished all lamps except one. Lilian was in an unfamiliar environment, and if he woke up during the night, Richard wanted him to know where he was and that he was safe.

They climbed into bed, Lilian staying on the far side of the mattress, his shoulders stiff, his thin body trembling. Was he uncomfortable with sharing a bed after all? Should Richard have made it clear that he was obviously going to be a perfect gentleman? It hadn’t crossed his mind because hurting Lilian was so far from his intentions, he hadn’t realized there might be a need for clarification. But thus far, Lilian had shown no fear of him. His rising unease likely had the opposite reason.

Time to test a theory. Rolling his head to the side to face Lilian, Richard extended an arm in invitation. He could’ve touched Lilian had he unfurled his fingers, but he didn’t want to scare him. If he was wrong, and Lilian jumped out of bed and ran from the room, Richard would have to look for another way to get him a good night’s sleep. But he didn’t think he was wrong.

He wasn’t. Lilian took one look at Richard’s outstretched arm and scuttled into his embrace. He snuggled into Richard’s side, lying half on top of him, nestling close. Richard hugged his thin body and petted his hair. After it’d dried from the wash, it had turned sleek and smooth, revealing the full beauty of its light blond color. Under Richard’s fingertips, it was softer than silk. Lilian calmed as Richard held him, his breathing going slow and deep.

Lilian slid an arm over Richard’s middle. “This is so nice.”

“I thought it was what you craved; I just wasn’t sure how to broach the subject. Frightening you was the last thing I wanted. Given what happened to you, and that we’re in bed…” Richard ran a hand over his face and shoved his fingers into his curls, forming a fist. “I didn’t want you to feel unsafe.”

“I’ve never felt safer than with you.”

Before he realized what he was doing, Richard placed a chaste kiss on top of Lilian’s head. Lilian melted against him.

“If you ever want to talk about what happened, I’ll listen. But if you prefer not to, that’s fine too. I just want you to know the door is open.” Richard threaded his fingers into Lilian’s hair.

“Feels good.”

“You’re not in pain?”

“No,” Lilian said. “Not anymore. My bruises are gone thanks to the healing oil.”

“Good.”

“The faerie oil helped too. It didn’t hurt when you applied it. My insides had been in pain for months. I’m so grateful you made it better.”

Richard’s heart ached. “Of course.”

Lilian curled his fingers in Richard’s nightshirt. It didn’t take him long to drift off, and soon, Richard followed suit.

When he awoke in the morning, sunlight was streaming through the sheer curtains. Lilian was draped across him in the same position he’d fallen asleep in. Richard didn’t dare move. Lilian wouldn’t have gotten much sleep surrounded by his captors, and Richard was glad to provide him with a comfortable environment where he could let his guard down and relax. He lay still, listening to Lilian’s breathing, feeling his chest rise and fall.

A couple of hours passed before Lilian stirred. A soft moan escaped him as he stretched, a hand roaming Richard’s chest. Then Lilian blinked his eyes open and smiled. “I slept so well.”

Nothing came between them after that. During breakfast, Lilian sat in Richard’s lap. As long as they touched, Lilian was calm. Richard got into the habit of keeping at least one hand on him at all times, providing the reassurance Lilian craved. It went without saying that he stayed above the waist, ensuring Lilian knew he would never betray his trust. The only times Richard touched him intimately was when he applied faerie oil. Richard was especially courteous as he tended to Lilian’s most private wound. The injury was healing well, but Lilian still got sore in between, needing the ointment several times a day.

The cook put great effort into the food she prepared for Lilian, and judging by the sizable portions he devoured, he enjoyed it. Within a few days, his gauntness gave way to a slender figure. His formerly washed-out appearance gained color, his cheeks turning rosy. With the dirt and bruises gone, his hair clean and satiny, Lilian was radiant, an air of timid happiness blooming.

As time passed, a quiet confidence grew in Lilian, evident in his upright posture and the smiles he threw Richard whenever they talked. Not only Lilian’s body was mending, his soul, too, was healing.

One morning, Richard awoke, as so often, with Lilian lying half on top of him. It’d become their default position as Lilian was a side sleeper, and Richard preferred resting on his back. Normally, Lilian slept far longer than him, catching up on the endless nights he’d missed. But today, he was smiling down on Richard, his pink eyes gazing at him with dizzying warmth. Richard lost himself in them. They were the color of kunzite, a rare and precious gemstone of a pale rose color with a hint of gorgeous purple. Once Lilian was back on his feet, he’d return to the Spring Court and find a man or woman worthy of him, someone who loved him with his whole heart.

“What’s wrong?” Lilian asked, eyebrows pinched in concern.

Richard blinked. Had he been frowning? “Nothing.”

“You looked like you just had a particularly painful thought.”

Richard reached out and tucked a strand of Lilian’s silky blond hair behind his pointy ear, earning a bright smile. “No. Everything’s fine. How about you? Any pain?”

Lilian’s lips thinned. “I’m a bit sore again.”

It was to be expected. At least he wasn’t constantly in pain anymore. Richard nodded and rolled away to fish the faerie oil out of his nightstand drawers. They applied the oil every morning and evening, and it was easier to keep it by the bed.

Under the duvet, Lilian slipped out of his breeches and covered up with a towel before pushing the blanket aside. He lay back, his hair raying out on the white pillows as he spread his legs, granting Richard access. Over time, these motions had become a comfortable routine.

Richard moved between his thighs and placed his fingertip on Lilian’s opening. He gave him a moment to adjust to the sensations of the faerie oil, then rubbed across the wrinkled rim. As always, Richard stroked Lilian until the tension in his sphincter eased away.

“I’m ready,” Lilian said, holding Richard’s gaze.

Richard dipped inside. He watched for signs of pain or distress as he slid deeper and spread the oil, but Lilian remained relaxed. Richard bottomed out, causing Lilian to gasp. His hole squeezed Richard’s finger.

Tight. Hot. Slick. Richard’s mind blanked. And hidden by his nightwear, his body responded.