Page 57 of If the Shoe Fits (Rainbow Tales #2)

Xander sat with his betrothed at the royal table, enjoying a celebration feast less than an hour after Leo had passed his challenge.

The Shining Ones were surprisingly joyous about Leo's victory.

It had never been done before, and that made Leo a type of hero.

At the very least, he was worthy of their prince.

The room was full of bright, beautiful, beaming people.

All but Zane.

Xander's gaze shifted to where the beautiful Shining One man sat at a table off to the right. Zane hunched over his food, ignoring the people talking and laughing around him. Men tried to flirt with him, but he didn't speak. He barely ate. With Leo's win, Zane had lost.

So had Xander, for that matter. What a bittersweet day it was. He knew he should be happier, and he was happy. He was happy and relieved that Leo had won. But that part of his heart that belonged to Zane bled.

Leovar suddenly stood up.

The dining room went silent. Zane still didn't lift his head.

“Thank you all for being so gracious and accepting me as your realm has,” Leo said. “I am ready to take my place beside your prince.”

The Shining Ones applauded .

But then Leo went on. “However, I've learned something from the challenge. The magic has shown me things about myself and your prince. I know now that I cannot stay here indefinitely.”

“What?” Xander surged to his feet. “We're going to be married.”

“I know.” Leo took his hand. “Believe me, I want to marry you, and I will. But a passive husband sitting beside you doing nothing is not what you need. You need a link to the other realm. Don't you see? You are a child of both. Like the shoes—you need anchors, my love. When I become King—”

“You swore to give that up!”

“Xander, you know I don't want to rule. But this isn't about me.

Not entirely. It's not even entirely about you. This is about our people and our realms.” He lifted his free hand to Xander's cheek.

“We can still have each other. In fact, we need that bond. Through you, I can live longer and ensure the peace between our realms. Through me, you can return to the human realm to visit, and so can any other shining one. Think of it—our two races finally acknowledging each other. The paths open. There is so much we could share.”

“Humans can't come here.”

“But shining ones can go there. Why have doorways if you don't use them?”

“So, you want to marry me and then return to your castle?”

“No, love. I want to marry you and stay here. But when the time comes and my father passes, I will begin living in two worlds. I will visit here but live there. My mother and kingdom will need me.”

“Leo, I don't want that. ”

“You will when you hear what else I have to say.”

Xander went still.

“You need more than me, Xander. Two shoes. Two anchors. Two loves. I see that now. And I'm at peace with it. There is a reason you feel so deeply for Zane when you are already in love with me.”

“No,” Xander whispered. “Leo, I promised you—”

Leovar let go of Xander and slashed his hand down. “You made that promise out of guilt. Now, make a promise out of love. Promise to love me as much as you do now, forever. Promise to only grow your love for me.”

“I promise,” Xander said. “I don't need to make that promise. I know that's what will happen.”

“Good. And I promise the same. Do you believe me?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Then you should feel confident in letting me go. I asked a lot of you once, but now, I'm willing to give as much in return. Be my husband here, but let me marry another there.”

“What?!”

Leo held up a hand. “You know it will only be about duty for me. I will find a woman to bear me an heir. I will be the King my people need, but I will also be your husband. I will visit you here, and then we can be together.”

“Son of a bitch,” Xander hissed. “Again with the heir.”

“It matters to humans because we don't live forever.”

“You will if you stay here.”

“No, he won't,” Xander's mother said gently.

“What?” Xander looked from her to Leo .

“You are immortal here because you are part Shining One,” Princess Levania said. “But Leovar is wholly human. There is no magic in him, not even when he lives within a magical realm. He will grow old, my son. And he will die. All while you remain as you are.”

“And you will need my son to keep the peace with you,” Leo said.

“No.” Xander backed away.

“Don't you see, Xander?” Leo motioned outward with a hand. “This is why fate brought us together. This is our destiny. I'm ready to accept it now.”

Xander stared in the direction Leo motioned . . . to Zane.

Zane had looked up at last, and his wide-eyed stare was locked on Xander.

“This is why I'm not enough for you,” Leo said. “You have two destined loves.”

Looking back and forth between the two men, Xander remembered his wish.

He remembered the tingling. The glow in his hands.

Had he done this? But even as he thought it, something warmed him, and peace settled into his chest. He knew then that this was fate.

The last part of Leo's trial had been real. Leo had made his choice.

Now, Xander had to accept it.

“You will marry us both,” Leo said, waving Zane over. “A human prince to form a bond with the human realm, and a Shining One noble to guide and love you here when I cannot. That is, if Zane accepts.”

Zane strode over, passing Leo, and stopped before Xander. Xander stared at him.

Dropping to one knee, Zane took Xander's hand. “I would do anything for you. Even share you. But this isn't my choice. It's yours, Your Highness. So, tell me. Tell me now and end my torment. Or prolong it for eternity. Will you marry me?”

“Both of you?” Xander whispered. He looked from Zane to Leo. “Are you certain?”

“I am,” they said in unison.

Feeling the tingles wash over him again, Xander held out his free hand to Leo. Leo came forward and took it. As he united the two men, both of Xander's hands started to glow. A soft murmuring spread around the room.

“From the ashes, I have risen, and it's hard for me to shake them off. But for you, both of you, I will. I will be the man you need me to be. I only ask that you be open with me. Tell me what you need if I'm not providing it. That is the only way this can work.”

Zane stood up and nodded. “I need you . Tell me you love me, and I'm yours.”

Xander looked at Leo.

“I know you love me.” Leo smirked. “The question is; do you love him?”

“Yes.” Xander looked at Zane. “I love you.”

Zane slid a hand behind Xander's head and pulled him into a kiss as the entire room burst into cheering and applause. Even the King stood up to clap for the trinity of lovers.