Page 17 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

Xander's life improved greatly after his first lesson.

Nevan couldn't be with him constantly, and Xander wasn't yet at the level where he could defend himself with magic, so there were times when he suffered cruelties heaped upon him by his stepmother.

But his stepbrothers had stopped tormenting him entirely.

They were too busy trying to butter up their mother.

Because not a day went by that they didn't do something accidental but terrible to her.

“You're brilliant!” Xander said as he strode into the stable two days later for their morning lesson. “How do you come up with all of those little tricks to play on her?”

Nevan shrugged. “Fairies are born mischievous. And our favorite targets are humans. It's—”

Nevan's head spun, and he suddenly vanished, but his voice remained to whisper, “Someone is here.”

“What?” Xander looked toward the stable door just as Leo slipped in. “Leo?”

At first, Xander assumed Leo hadn't come to visit him because he was busy trying to find proof of Xander's nobility.

But as the days passed, Xander began to wonder if Leo had forgotten him.

The thought had stung, but learning magic kept him from dwelling on it.

Now, Leo was there, and Xander was acutely aware that Nevan was as well.

“I'm sorry I couldn't come sooner.” Leo strode over to Xander and pulled him into an embrace—and a kiss .

A soft sound of surprise came from the space Nevan occupied.

Xander pulled away.

“Don't be upset with me,” Leo begged. “I didn't have a choice. My father is . . .”

“Yes?”

“There's something I need to tell you, Xander.”

Xander stepped further back. “Good tidings never follow such words.”

“I . . . I'm the Prince.”

Xander blinked.

“Did you hear me?”

“You're the prince of what?”

Leo snorted a surprised laugh. “Of this kingdom. My father is King Bessaren. I'm Prince Leovar. Leo is a nickname.”

“Leovar,” Xander murmured, his heart dropping to his knees.

There had been a progression of emotions with Xander as far as Leo was concerned.

At first, he'd thought a romantic relationship would be impossible between them.

But Leo kept coming back. The impossible turned into difficult.

The difference in their status would be an obstacle.

Xander had known from the start that Leo was a nobleman.

That much was obvious. But if Leo was the Prince, things were back to being impossible.

“I see,” Xander said.

“That's all you have to say?”

“I thought you were busy trying to discover proof of who I am. I thought that was why you were gone for so long.”

“I did do that, and I found something.”

“What did you find?”

“The record of your family births has been stolen. I had a man I trust search the Hall of Records himself. It's gone.”

“How does that help me?”

“It won't, not yet. But I'm the Prince. I've ordered an investigation. Every man who works for the Hall of Records will be interrogated until I find the one who stole that book for your stepmother.”

“You believe she stole it?”

“Of course. She probably destroyed it. It's proof of your existence.”

“And when you find the thief, what will you do?”

“We go from there.”

“Go where from there?”

“What do you mean?”

“I'm grateful for your help, Leo. If you can prove that I am my father's son, it will change my life. But even if I am proven to be Duke Vesmalden, I will still be unsuitable for you.”

“Xander.”

“No. I don't want useless hope. I want the truth.” Xander slashed his hand down. “You're the Prince. Not just some nobleman. We can never be together. Not publicly. You'll have to marry someone and produce heirs.”

Leo gaped at Xander.

“Why do you look surprised? Am I wrong? ”

“No.” Leo grimaced. “I'm surprised that you're right.”

“You're surprised I'm right or that I know all those things that are correct?”

Leo frowned. “Um. The latter.”

“I see. So, what is it that you want from me? Sex in secret? How long? Will it make it easier to keep me a secret if I'm a duke? Or will that make things more difficult for you?”

“Xander, please.”

“Leo.” Xander sighed. “There was a time when I would have been fine with hiding our relationship indefinitely. But then you said things. You did things that made me want more. Now, I don't think I'll be satisfied with just sex.”

Leo smiled softly. “Neither will I.”

“Don't lie to me.”

“I'm not lying.” Leo drew closer and took Xander's hand. “I want to be with you. I want something real. Public. I would walk down the street holding your hand if I could. That's what I dream about.”

“That's all it will be—a dream. A prince can't be with another man. You have responsibilities to the kingdom.”

Leo let go to rub his hand down his face. “I know! My father just informed me that he wants me to marry a woman!”

“What?” Xander whispered.

“Just as you so astutely noted, I have a duty to produce heirs.” Leo waved his arm out.

“I haven't been able to visit you because my father has planned a party for me, and he's been insisting on my input.

There are garment fittings, cake tastings, fucking flower arrangements!

I'm supposed to choose all of this stuff so I can attract the perfect wife. As if the flowers I choose are going to bring me a woman who will be perfect for me.” Leo rolled his eyes.

“My father's inviting every eligible woman from all the noble houses. All of them. Including those who live in other kingdoms!”

Xander had to lean against a stall to keep from crumpling. “Then this is already over.”

“No!” Leo grabbed his hand again. “Look, I know this is unfair to ask of you, and it's too soon to decide anything, but there may be a way for us to be together.”

“What way?”

“I told my father that I would never be able to make those heirs with a woman.

He said I would need to find a woman who would agree to an arrangement.

That's why he's only inviting women from the nobility—not any royals.

He thinks I'll be able to convince a woman to accept the status of princess in exchange for allowing me to bring a lover into our bed.”

“What?” Xander jerked his hand out of Leo's. “You want me to have sex with you both?”

“No!” Leo held up both hands. “Just me, but with her there so that I can . . . release into her so that she may conceive.”

“I'm going to vomit,” Nevan whispered.

“What did you say?” Leo asked.

Xander shot a glare in the direction of Nevan's voice, and then said, “I said, 'I'm going to vomit.'”

Leo's expression crumpled. “I know it's ridiculous and insulting. It's probably other bad things too. It disgusts you. That's understandable.” His expression softened. “But I also know I could find men who would agree to it. Several.”

“Several?” Xander crossed his arms .

“I do. But here's the problem with that—I only want you. I think we could have a future together, Xander. And being my lover would have its perks. Not the least of which would be living in the palace. I'd free you. Even if I never find proof of your parentage, I could still give you freedom.”

“No, Leo. You'd only put me in a prettier cage.”

“Xander, please. At least think about it.”

Xander shook his head.

“A day!” Leo cried out. “Think it over today, and I'll return tomorrow.” He ran out of the stable as if a monster were chasing him. “Just think about it!”

Xander stared after the Prince, his heart pumping once more. Except now, it seemed to be intent on sending all of his blood into his face. “He's gone. You can reveal yourself.”

“The lover of a prince.” Nevan snorted. “And he thinks he's offering you a great gift. Freedom—ha! When I'm done with you, you'll be far freer than he. If only he knew that you're royalty too.”

“But I'm not.”

“Yes, you are. You're just unacknowledged.”

“Without acknowledgment, status is nothing but words.”

Nevan strode over to Xander and looked him over. “You love him.”

“No, I don't.”

“Oh, yes.” Nevan sighed. “That changes things.”

“No, it doesn't.”

“Oh, yes, it does. ”

“How?”

“Tell me, Xander. If you could have the relationship you want with that boy, what would it be?”

Xander shrugged. “I can't have it.”

“I know you've only just begun to learn magic, but surely you know by now that nothing is impossible when you have power like yours.”

“Like mine?”

Nevan looked as if he'd swallowed something sour.

“Yes, like yours. You have more magic than I do.

I don't know how that's possible. I assume Princess Levania's blood is stronger than I thought. Whatever the case, you will be even greater than I one day. So, now that you know what power awaits you. What do you want, Xander?”

Xander looked from Nevan to the stable door. “I want it all. I want a status to match his, his respect, and his love.”

“And what else?”

“I want to marry him. Can you make that happen, fairy?”

“That's pretty much those three things you asked for, wrapped up as one.” Nevan grinned. “Give me a day to come up with a plan.”

“You're serious?” Xander gaped at him.

“Of course, I'm serious! Why would I go through that ridiculous conversation with you if I wasn't serious?”

“But I thought you meant later, when I got to be powerful.”

“You're powerful now, but you're right—there are things you can't do. So, I will fill in the gaps, as it were. ”

“Nevan.”

“What?”

“You are the best friend I've ever had.”

For a second, Nevan's expression softened, but then he smirked. “That's really fucking depressing, kid.”

Instead of being insulted, Xander burst out laughing.