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It wasn’t, Aster thought, exactly his fault that Dante was angry.
Partially, perhaps, but not entirely.
“Why didn’t you say anything about this earlier?” Dante demanded from his seat in the open-air lounge, his face resting against a coiled fist in a guise of ease despite his acidic tone.
Knowing the anger wasn’t directed at him, not really, Aster put on a little pout and approached.
“It was supposed to be a secret,” he said, kneeling before Dante in a way he knew both embarrassed and thrilled him. “Master felt bad that you spent last holiday away from your citizens, and he thought we should travel to see you this year before the end of the season.”
Dante raised an eyebrow. “What if I’d been away?”
“I did mention that to him,” Aster said, “but—ahh, don’t be angry! He knew I would have access to your schedule and asked me to check with Gyro.”
“That fool,” Dante muttered.
“Now now,” Aster said as he petted Dante’s thighs. “Don’t be too hard on him.”
“I suppose you bribed him.”
“I did no such thing!” Aster cried, and it really was the truth, for Gyro had refused the offer and given Aster the information he needed for free. Being the Sun Lord’s lover had its benefits.
He circled a fingertip around Dante’s knee.
“Aren’t you happy to see me?”
Dante’s scowl deepened. “What would make you think otherwise?”
“Oh, I don’t know, perhaps the fact that you haven’t smiled at me once since I arrived.” Sliding his hands further up Dante’s thighs, Aster used them to steady himself and pushed upward until he could kiss his lips. “I really am sorry. I know you dislike surprises.”
Dante sighed and let himself be kissed for a while before he answered. “I suppose, as a familiar, you cannot help but obey him.”
“Does it upset you?”
“You cannot change what you are any more than I can.”
“Would you?” Aster asked. “Ruling this nation. If you could, would you renounce it?”
“Would you renounce that sorcerer?”
For a moment, Aster considered it, fluttering a hand over the strange, empty feeling in his chest.
“It’s different,” he said after a minute, avoiding Dante’s pointed gaze. “What I feel for him, what I feel for you—they can’t be compared. Without him, I would have no purpose, but without you…” He trailed off, uncertain what he meant to say.
“Timidity doesn’t suit you,” Dante said. Amusement had crept into his voice.
“No?” Aster said, feigning innocence. He crawled onto Dante’s lap and straddled his thighs. “Is that better?”
“My staff can see us.”
“I don’t intend to bite you, so it’s alright.” Still, Aster stroked the veins on Dante’s neck.
“What were you going to say?”
“Hm? Oh.” Aster was the one to frown while he made up an answer. “I had more free time without you around.”
“But significantly less gold.”
“You have made an exceptional business partner. I knew I’d seen potential in you all those years ago. To think that little brat has grown into such a fine man.”
“And you look exactly the same.”
Aster flashed his fangs. “Did you like me back then?”
“No.”
“You didn’t have to answer so quickly. You could hurt a vampire’s feelings!”
“Is that what you’d like to hear, that I’ve wanted you since the day we met?”
With a laugh, Aster flung his arms around Dante’s neck. “That’s better. You’ve wanted me ever since I walked into your palace. You waited for years until you could have me.”
“I could have had you at any time.”
“Shh,” Aster said and kissed him again. “Lie.”
Dante sighed. “Years.”
“Were you nervous when you asked to sleep with me?”
“Why would I have been—” Pausing, Dante cleared his throat. “Yes.”
“Is that why you shook through it?”
Dante swallowed. “I didn’t expect you to agree.”
“Despite your generous offer? Surely you knew I’d accept, considering the compensation.”
But Dante shook his head. “We had no relationship outside of business. We’ve hardly spoken over the years. For all I knew, you had any number of lovers.”
“Why me? You could have asked anyone.”
“I knew you would be discreet.”
“Ah.”
Dante took a deep breath and drew Aster against him. “Does the reason matter?”
“No, I suppose not. Not really. In the end, we both got what we wanted. My accounts are more substantial, and your techniques in bed are unparalleled. I’d say you had an excellent teacher.”
“Is that all you want out of this? Gold, and a skilled lover?”
“Most people would envy us just having one of those things,” Aster said.
“If you’ll recall, I made you an offer this time last year.”
“A generous one.”
“You’ve never given me an answer.”
Such a question had quickened his pulse. Aster could no longer look Dante in the eye. He pressed a cheek to his shoulder and looked out across the plaza. “Aren’t you bored with me yet?”
Dante sighed rather than answer and Aster supposed he had offended him, but he felt determined to make a point.
“Wouldn’t it be better if you take a wife or two? Shouldn’t you have children that I can spoil?”
Dante’s throat bobbed. “You would want children with me?”
That wasn’t, Aster thought, exactly what he’d meant, but he could not bring himself to extinguish the sudden wistfulness in Dante’s voice. Assuming a smile, he playfully nipped at Dante’s shoulder.
“My lord, are you wondering whether one of my forms can bear a child?” Aster sucked on Dante’s skin to draw the blood closer to the surface and took his time inhaling its scent, but he did not bite. “To be honest, I have no idea. It’s not something I’ve ever considered. My forms aside, it may be impossible for us to create life in the first place. That being understood, has your offer changed?”
“If I wanted to alter the terms, I would make it plain. I had no knowledge of your other forms this time last year.”
“The wedding,” Aster said plainly. “Would it be in Solaria?”
“Naturally.”
“Ah.”
Beneath his cheek, Dante’s chest rumbled with laughter. “If you must have all of the Light Territory’s attention, we’ll have two ceremonies.”
Aster brightened and sat up. “Will we ride through the city in an open carriage and wave to everyone?”
“If you insist.”
“Master can officiate the ceremony. Imagine the talk! The Grand Sorcerer himself.”
“Why not Father Olivine?”
“Oh, yes. Hm. I suppose he would be more appropriate.”
Dante gently patted his back. “We don’t need to decide today. It’s enough that you’re willing.”
Had he accepted? Aster supposed, by asking about the wedding, he had implied his agreement. Did that mean Dante was his betrothed? Aster had never considered marriage—indeed, he had never heard of such a thing, a familiar marrying.
He made a show of playing with the braids in Dante’s hair. “Is it really alright for the Sun Lord to choose someone like me? Won’t your citizens object?”
“There are bound to be objections to anything I do. You’re the one who taught me that.”
“Did I?” Aster said through nervous laughter. He took a deep breath, as deep as his lungs would allow. “Then—I suppose there’s nothing left to say but that I accept.”
Dante’s eyes widened and went liquid. In response, Aster cupped his face and kissed him sweetly.
“Don’t cry. Don’t cry, my lord. You’re supposed to be happy today. Aren’t you glad that Master insisted we come after all?”
He reached into his pocket and took out a handkerchief that he used to dry Dante’s eyes. As he worked, Dante captured his hand beneath his and held it in place.
“I couldn’t breathe,” he said. “The first time I saw you.”
Aster smiled. “More lies? It’s alright. You don’t need to flatter me anymore.”
“How do you know that what I said earlier was not the lie?”
Intrigued, Aster arched an eyebrow. “I suppose I don’t. You’ll have to tell me which is which.”
“I will, but not today.”
“How unfair! If not today, when?”
Dante kissed the center of Aster’s forehead and his cheek and the fourth finger on his left hand. “When you’ve waited as long as I did for your answer.”