Chapter 15: Back on the bed.

KNEELING, RENDER COULDN’T believe how easily Daris got naked and on the bed of Nebos. The next king told him to kneel naked next to Tory, and he did. Some mysterious part of him found the alien’s authority arousing.

As he waited next to his love, his fire crackled. He was anxious but also excited. Worry was at war with his yearning. Render had no idea how to take someone’s innocence, but at the same time, he wouldn’t back down.

A bit of rebellion churned in his brain. Was he lied to about a black flame? If he took Toren and his fame was still white, he would have to think about everything his teachers taught him and what he did to insult the Lord and Lady before he was sent to the joint.

Daris stood at the foot of the bed, studying them. They’d been naked at the waterfall, but this was much more intense, probably because of what they would do next.