Page 40 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

The image of Prince Leovar kissing someone else chased Xander through the halls until he was running.

When he came to a stop at last, he was lost. Xander turned in a circle, seeing only the same plants and polished marble that decorated every hallway.

Beautiful but unchanging. That was the first realm, he realized.

All of it, from the floors to the people, remained unchanged.

His grandfather looked like his brother.

How old was he? And why did he need Xander's mother there if he was still so youthful?

A terrible weight crashed onto Xander, pushing him to his knees. There he was, surrounded by the most beautiful things, and he longed for a horse blanket spread across hay. A blanket with Leo lying upon it .

But Leo had never been his. Not completely. And Xander knew then that he could have nothing less. He needed a man who would give him everything, so he could give his everything in return. A man like—

“Your Highness?”

A pair of black boots came into Xander's line of sight. He looked up shapely calves, corded thighs shown off by buttery leather, a trim waist, nipped in by a vest of embroidered silk, broad shoulders, and then that beautiful face framed by impossible hair.

Zane crouched to bring their faces in line. He cupped Xander's cheek. “Come with me, my Prince.”

Prince. The title made Xander huff and turn away.

“Ah. You are feeling adrift.”

He looked back at Zane. “What gave it away?”

Zane laughed suddenly, braying with it, and then clamped a hand over his mouth. “Oh, my! I apologize. You took me by surprise.”

Xander's lips twitched. And that was when he saw the truth in Nevan's words.

He could move on. A first love was a beginning and an end.

Because it was meant to be. Leo had done his job and introduced Xander to pleasure he never thought he could have.

Now, he knew what he wanted. And you have to know what you want in order to pursue it.

“Help me up.” Xander held out a hand.

Zane stood up and then helped Xander to his feet. “How about a walk?”

“You don't give up.”

“Not when I see something special that my heart tells me it wants.”

“That was pretty.” Xander grinned. “Almost as pretty as you.”

“Ah, the Prince is learning to flatter. And after only a day. Well done.”

Xander frowned. “Is that important here?”

“No, of course not. I was only making light of a courtier's tendency to flatter. It's a court thing, not a First Realm thing.”

“Oh.”

“Look, you seem like you could use some peace. Let me show you where I go to find some. Once we're there, if you want to be alone, I'll leave you to it.”

“All right.” Xander snorted. “Either way, I need someone to lead me out of this maze.”

“Oh, I see.” Zane hooked arms with Xander and led him away. “You were exhausted from exploration, that's why you were on the ground.”

“Frustration, more like.”

“And there I was, thinking you were brokenhearted.”

Xander's throat closed up. Luckily, Zane didn't speak again.

Not until they were out of the castle and meandering down a softly glowing garden path.

Lush plant life grew to either side in differing heights, some of the exotic varieties bent over the path to tickle Xander with their closed blossoms. Through the lacy overhang, stars glittered, looking so much brighter there than they did where he was from.

He inhaled something sweet. “What's that smell?”

“Night blooming jasmine. Isn't it lovely? ”

“Yes.” Xander breathed in again, closing his eyes and trusting Zane to lead them.

The path beneath his feet changed, becoming less solid. When he opened his eyes, Xander found that Zane had led them off the path to a wall of vines. The fairy waved his hand, and the vines parted, revealing a grove bathed in moonlight.

“Beautiful,” Xander whispered and left Zane to step into the light. He turned slowly to take in the pale flowers that seemed to bloom in every inch of the circular space, their faces lifted to the moon. “The scent is incredible.”

“These are called star blooms.” Zane came in and closed the vines behind him. Ambling around the perimeter, he trailed his fingers over the flowers, releasing even more of their scent, and then lifted his fingers to his nose to breathe it in. “Try it. They perfume your skin.”

Xander ran a hand over a few flowers and then lifted his fingertips to his nose. Indeed, the scent had been transferred. “How magnificent.”

“Here, have a seat.” Zane waved to a boulder peeping through the blooms. It had an indentation perfect for sitting, with a raised portion to serve as a backrest. “I love to sit here and stare at the stars.”

“Zane, thank you for bringing me here.” Xander shook his head. “This is a gift.”

“You needed it, and I wanted you to see something special your first night here.”

“I have seen something special,” Xander said as he held Zane's stare.

Zane smiled and ducked his head as he waved at the seat again. “Go on. ”

Xander sat down and looked up. For a few blessed moments, he felt the peace that Zane promised. But then that terrible image in the bowl came back to taunt him—Leo kissing another man.

Surging to his feet, Xander grabbed Zane and hauled him into a kiss.

At first, Zane held back, but then, with a groan that sent shivers down Xander's spine, Zane responded.

His hands wrapped around Xander and pulled him closer.

His lips molded to his. His tongue teased Xander's, pulling him in, then following him back.

And the taste—Zane tasted like the stars he loved.

It was new and yet familiar. And it instantly drove away the image of Leo.

All Xander could see was Zane. He needed more.

Maybe if he took Zane in that pretty place, he could forget Leo.

Nevan was right. This eased his pain. Maybe it wouldn't last, but Xander didn't care.

He just needed some peace, and Zane had offered it.

Xander pushed and pulled at Zane's clothes. His hands slid under the silk shirt to touch warm skin. Smooth skin. Hard muscles beneath. A long cock pushed into his thigh. He rubbed his palm over it.

Gasping, Zane tore away. They stared at each other.

“This is too soon for you,” Zane whispered. “I only wanted to give you a chance to catch your breath. Someplace away from the court. Instead, you've stolen the air from my lungs.”

“Then you don't want me?”

“I do. Very much. But I don't want you to regret this later.” Zane pushed Xander back onto the stone seat. “Let's compromise. Just a taste.”

His hands spread over Xander's thighs, moving up. Up to Xander's erection. Zane rubbed it through Xander's pants. Xander's hips jerked up, pushing himself into Zane's touch.

“More?” Zane asked.

Xander nodded.

Zane untied Xander's waistband and opened it, spreading the panels as Xander's shaft burst out.

Zane blinked, eyes widening. Then, licking his lips, he bent his head.

He stopped with his mouth hovering over the blushing tip and turned his gaze up to meet Xander's.

Holding his stare, Zane opened his mouth.

Warm breath hit Xander's throbbing shaft.

“Oh, fuck,” Xander moaned. “Do it. Please.”

Zane lowered his mouth, and wet heat encased Xander.

As Zane sucked and licked Xander's head, tongue twirling around the tip, his eyes closed to give Xander a reprieve.

Xander looked down and part of him expected to see Leo's dark hair.

It was shocking to see all of that pale lavender spread over his thighs.

But thrilling too. Someone else wanted him, and that felt good.

Nearly as good as the things Zane was doing to Xander's cock.

He leaned back, stroked Zane's hair, and stared up at the stars.

The pleasure increased. Xander couldn't keep his stare on the sky.

He looked down and pushed back that fall of impossible hair so he could watch Zane move up and down his shaft, his mouth greedy and generous at the same time.

The sounds he made—moaning with the wet sucking—sent thrills through Xander.

His balls tightened. And then Zane looked up again.

His lavender eyes looked silver in the moonlight.

He seemed made of magic. And his stare pierced Xander to his core.

With a roar, Xander arched his back, lifted his hips, and came in Zane's mouth .

Stars. There were stars in Xander's eyes.

He saw them even with his lids shut. They burst apart and rained through him, casting their rapturous light in places he didn't know could feel pleasure.

His entire body vibrated with delight. With lust fulfilled.

And then he was falling. Floating back to the ground, his hand tangled in silk. No, not silk. Hair.

Panting, Xander lowered his head to see Zane cleaning his cock. Sucking it clean diligently. Then he tucked Xander into his pants, tied the flap closed, and looked up at him. With his elegant hands set on Xander's thighs, and his hair streaming about him, he was a fantasy come to life.

Xander cupped Zane's cheek, barely able to lift his hand from the lethargy. “That was incredible. Thank you.”

“I'm glad you enjoyed it.” Zane rose, pausing halfway up to kiss Xander's cheek, and said, “I'll leave you to that peace now, my Prince. I hope you find it. And after your heart is at peace, I hope you'll find me.”

With that, Zane left.

Xander could hardly believe it. The man had given without taking anything in return.

Gift upon gift. No expectations. Xander should have felt guilty about taking, but he didn't. He stared up at the stars and enjoyed the relief Zane had given him.

He basked in the smell of flowers and in the solitude.

Within it all wasn't peace exactly, but he did find hope.

Broken things could be mended, even hearts.