Prince of the Stable

13. The "Young Royal"

Back in his rooms, a hot bath was being poured into a tub easily big enough for two. Ro sighed happily at the sight. He had his clothes off before the serving girl finished filling the tub and her cheeks bloomed at his lack of modesty, but when he threw himself wholeheartedly into the task of disrobing Aiden while kissing him senseless, she ran with a shocked squeal.

"Ro..."

He kissed away Aiden's protest. "I love the way you say my name," he whispered.

The water was cold and liberally splashed across the smooth stone floor before they found their way to the bed.

~*~

Aiden found the clothes he'd left behind fit Ro better than they did him. Four years of shovelling shit had given him broader shoulders than he'd had before. He wasn't about to start planning a new wardrobe, though. He was sure it hadn't been lost on Ro that no one had given Aiden any signs of welcome. He knew it was because they didn't know what Teritha and Orina thought, which made it all the more hurtful. He was fair certain they-the fairies or his father or the whole damn bunch of them-would try to separate Aiden and Ro. He supposed the perceived perversion of it could have been accepted if they hadn't shown up naked with Ro's mouth hovering over his cock. It wasn't like he needed heirs. But between the public evidence of his uncommon tastes, and Ro's bona fide royal blood being from the wrong side of the blankets.... He pushed his hand through his hair in frustration. He hadn't said as much to Ro, not yet, but he knew it wouldn't come as much of a surprise.

Even in Clearhaven, happily ever after was just a story to tell children.

A discreet knock at the door drew his attention, and he opened it to find servant in livery. "Lord Auden is here to see you, Your Highness."

Anthony. Well. This should be interesting. "Show him in, please."

The man started at the please, but nodded.

Anthony burst through the door almost immediately, and Aiden smiled wryly. They'd known each other since they were what? Four and five years old? Normally he would have just breezed into Aiden's room without formalities. Then again, Anthony hadn't been rushing to Morwich for chummy visits.

Ro was still dressing in the bed chamber and he called a warning, "Company, Ro. You almost ready?"

A muffled curse was his only reply.

"Anthony..."

"Damn, Aiden." Anthony pulled Aiden into a brief hug. "You said, uh, later. Didn't know you meant four years."

"Sorry, got in a bit of trouble. They didn't tell you where I was?"

Anthony grimaced. "I got sort of confrontational. Your father sent the family fairy over to talk to me. Her visit consisted of making certain I'd become violently ill if I even thought of going to Morwich."

"Bitch."

"Hey, don't say shit like that out loud. So is it true? Your princess is a prince? There's a lot of, hmm, scurrilous gossip."

Aiden smirked. "Most of it's probably true." He turned to the other room. "Ro?"

Ro stepped into the doorway. He was partially dressed, missing a waistcoat and jacket, and shoes, Aiden noted. His hair was a messy dark halo, the white ruffles of the shirt collar framed his chin, and he looked as breathtakingly beautiful as the first day Aiden had seen him. He'd meant to be watching for Anthony's reaction. Instead all he could think of was how little it would take to divest Ro of those clothes.

Anthony cleared his throat and Aiden felt himself blush. He moved to Ro's side, and Ro took his hand, his only sign of nerves. "Ro, this is my friend Anthony. Um, Lord Auden. Anthony, Ro. Um, Robert..."

"Ro," Ro said, cutting off Aiden, and Anthony said, "Anthony" at the same time as they shook hands.

"Don't you dare call me Lord anything," Anthony added with a smile. He glanced from Ro to Aiden and said, "You know, Aiden This explains a few things."

Again Aiden's face burned and he looked away, then up at Ro when he squeezed his fingers. His nerves were hidden in a calm face, a half smile on his luscious lips. Aiden smiled at him in reassurance and felt reassured himself. This was who he was, and what he wanted, and he wouldn't hide or be ashamed. "Ro makes many things clear for me."

Anthony's eyes flickered to their entwined fingers and back, but he didn't say anything, just kept smiling. "What are we standing around for? There's a tray of some delicious something or other..." He started fussing over the tray, ignoring how close Ro sat to Aiden, snuggling under his arm so they were in contact from chest to knee. Aiden liked it, he liked that Ro was possessive and perhaps a little jealous, and he liked how right he felt nestled there at his side.

When Anthony looked up, his smile faltered again, only for a moment, and he offered Ro a pastry. "Ro, I'm so glad Aiden finally found a... someone special. I have so many embarrassing stories to tell of his childhood." He grinned. "Things a..." he blinked, searching for the right word.

"Lover?" Ro offered with a smirk.

"Yes, a... lover should know. Not now, of course, but I would like to invite you both to dinner?"

"Are you sure it's wise, throwing your lot in with ours?" Aiden asked.

"Wise? Goodness, Aiden, when has that ever been a factor in what I do? You are my oldest and dearest friend, and my loyalty is to you. And your, erm, Ro."

"Is there an easier word for you?" Ro suggested with an edge to his voice.

Anthony's fair face turned pink and Aiden couldn't help but snicker. Anthony had never been one to blush, even as a child. "Ro, if I may be so familiar on such short acquaintance, I won't pretend this isn't difficult for me. But I always knew something about Aiden was... different. I didn't know what, and I didn't care, because he's a good and true friend. So yes, I'm going to be awkward around you. I'm going to say things without thinking that might hurt or have us all blushing like idiots. But I know this curse was broken by true love, so yes, I accept you as Aiden's... lover, husband, whatever word you want me to use, and I will stumble over it until I'm used to it."

"He's as bluntly honest as you," Ro said, looking at Aiden. "I didn't think it possible."

"We've engaged in our share of assholery," Aiden admitted. "But yeah, he's a good man."

Anthony snickered, leaning back.He already seemed more comfortable. "Ro, everyone is referring to you as the young royal. What title should I address you by, formally? Duke...? Lord...?"

Ro coughed and grinned slyly. "My rightful royal title is bastard."

Anthony's stare turned from one to the other and he suddenly laughed uproariously. "That," he said, wiping at his eyes, "is perfect."

Aiden rolled his eyes and took the opportunity of his friend's laughter to steal a kiss from Ro. "One way or another, everything will be fine," he said softly. Then after Anthony's outburst, he said, "How many, d'you think, will support us?"

"Everyone, if the King announces your inheritance and your lovely companion goes with you. I can't imagine he's all that happy about your true love."

"He was happy enough to leave me in Morwich, at Orina's say-so," Aiden said with narrowed eyes, "And I've presented him a solution that satisfies both myself and my uncle. I think my father believes I want my inheritance above all things."

Anthony shrugged and rose to his feet, and Aiden and Ro stood as well. All three men walked to door. "Oh Ro, If you're a royal bastard does that mean you were raised in the palace?"

"No, no," Ro said easily. "I never knew who my father was. My mother raised me in the House of Red Silk, and I stayed on after her untimely demise."

"The..." Anthony didn't look as if he heard of it, but suspected what it might be. "What, uh, did you do there?"

"I was a whore," Ro smiled sweetly.

Anthony's eyes widened in shock, travelled the length of Ro's body and back, flashed to Aiden and suddenly his entire face turned the brightest red Aiden had ever seen, "I think your head's going to explode," he remarked and Anthony all but ran out of the door.

Ro gave Aiden an innocent look. "Should I not have said that?"

Aiden laughed.