by Chris McHart
The king nodded to Gerome and, with a serious expression, walked toward him. The queen stopped to greet Alex, Sam, and the others.
The closer the king got to Gerome, the more tension filled the room.
Josh took a deep breath to ignore it. His hands were clenched to fists, though he didn’t know why. He was probably just responding to the tension.
“He looks so unhappy.” Anthony had stepped behind him, and he whispered quietly in Josh’s ear.
“Yes, he does. I know how much he hates that, but there’s no way out.”
“I know. But I still feel sorry for him.”
“Me too, believe me,” whispered Josh.
Anthony stood directly behind him, and his body radiated heat. If he leaned back a little, he’d be able to feel Anthony’s strong body. His arms could close around his waist, and Anthony could hold him.
Whoa. Where did that come from? Josh took a small step to the side and tried to get rid of the feeling. What had gotten into him? He’d almost been able to feel how Anthony’s arms would feel around him, how he’d hold him, press him against him. What the hell had happened there? Josh closed his eyes for a moment and tried to shove all those feelings from his head.
His eyes flew open again when Gerome’s loud voice filled the room.
“No, he won’t! Either with me or not at all!” Gerome’s jaw was tense as he stared at his father. “You’re forcing me to do something I don’t want to do. You’re forcing my mate to take on a role he doesn’t want. You’re forcing us to change our whole lives just because I’m the one to take this throne. Either I’ll go with the man who’ll do it by my side, or I won’t go at all.”
“Gerome–“ Luis placed a hand on his arm to calm him down, but Gerome ignored him. He stared at his father, and even Josh could feel the determination pulsing through the room.
“But it won’t be–“
“I don’t care. I don’t give a damn what the stupid tradition says. Either with Luis or not at all.”
“I’m not going to let you–“
“Decide.” Gerome interrupted his father again.
Josh had never seen him so disrespectful, and he certainly hadn’t expected to witness this kind of argument. But it seemed to mean a lot to Gerome to do something together with Luis.
“Think about it. You can get one of your other children to take the job. I don’t want it, and you know it. If I’m taking over, it’ll be with Luis.”
Gerome’s siblings walked slowly toward the door without making a sound. Josh understood. Should the king decide to not let Gerome take over, the complete succession to the throne would have to be reorganized. None of them wanted to take the job, and now they all tried to disappear from the king’s sight. Even the queen seemed uncomfortable faced with this fight.
“I can’t let you break tradition like this.” This time, Gerome at least allowed his father to finish his sentence.
“This tradition means nothing to me. Luis means something to me, and I will do it with Luis by my side. There’s no room for discussion, and it’s exactly as I intend to rule this circle. If you don’t like it, there are alternatives. I have no intention of keeping my mate waiting, not if he’s involved in any way. That’s the end of the discussion.” Gerome reached for Luis’s hand, laced their fingers and pulled him away. He leaned close to Luis’s ear and whispered something.
Luis closed his eyes for a moment then nodded.
“You’re going to ruin this circle. You’re destroying all our traditions and our achievements. Your name will be the one they’ll whisper, forever linked to the downfall of this circle. If you believe you want to carry this burden, do it. I’m not going to try to keep you on the right track.”
Gerome wouldn’t ruin the circle, no matter what the king said.
“I promise to do my best not to harm this circle, but my mate comes before the circle. He always has, and he always will. And now we can begin the ceremony.”
The king nodded, but he didn’t comment. His teeth were gritted, and his tight face showed he didn’t agree with Gerome at all.
The queen stared at the floor, studying the hardwood. Gerome’s siblings slowly came back into the room. None of them had come to Gerome’s aid or supported him in the fight against his father.
Cowards.
The big doors opened, and they all entered a hall. It was brightly lit, but not decorated. It wasn’t a wedding. It was a coronation. The elders would enter the hall from the other side once the guests had taken their seats. For some reason, there was a strict separation between friends and family and the elders.
On the occasions Josh needed to work with them, he’d gotten to know some of the elders. He couldn’t claim he liked even one of them. Most of them were arrogant, older men who only had themselves and their advantages in mind. Now Gerome would have to deal with them, which he didn’t look forward to.
They walked along the rows until they reached the chairs with their name tags. Josh sank into one of the hard wooden chairs then took Lucas from D. He’d watch him during the ceremony while Ash and D dealt with their own two children.
The elders entered the room from the other side and silently took their places. They all wore suits and expressions that’d be more fitting for a funeral than a coronation.
Even if this was a serious matter, it wasn’t that bad.
But maybe this had more to do with the fact that they were just as happy with their future king as Gerome was with them. They’d have to come to some kind of arrangement, because now that Gerome had gotten his way, nothing would stop the coronation.
A part of Josh wished the coronation would be stopped by some kind of miracle, but he didn’t believe it. It was just too unlikely.
As silence descended over the room, the king stepped on a small pedestal. The rear doors opened again as he nodded, and Luis and Gerome entered, hand-in-hand.
They were also both dressed in suits and just looked stunning. Luis’s more delicate features and blond hair were a wonderful contrast to Gerome’s darker appearance.
When the elders saw the two, a soft murmur filled the room. The tension in the room remained palpable, and Ash, who sat next to Josh, stilled. He sensed auras and tension, and most likely, those weren’t positive.
D wrapped his free arm around Ash’s shoulders. Josh threw a quick look at his best friend and saw how his shoulders had pulled up and his teeth were gritted. His eyes were closed, and his whole face was contorted like he was in pain.
“Quiet, please.” The king’s loud voice echoed through the hall, and the elders were silenced at once. Still, they glared at Gerome and Luis, visibly unhappy with this breach of tradition.
Apparently, it wasn’t usual for the king’s mate to be involved in the coronation.
The queen sat in the first row next to one of her sons, not moving and apparently completely lost in the things she witnessed. Josh couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the first breach of tradition of many that he’d experience with Gerome. He’d dared to marry his mate, he’d dared to abolish the mating laws, and, what was never said but was visible in every movement, he loved Luis more than anything else in the world.
In a world where society saw love as weak, it was extraordinary.
Gerome would have to prove he was a strong king despite his love for his mate and that he’d lead the circle in the future. It wouldn’t be easy because he refused to treat his mate as a property.
He’d done that once and he’d told Josh that he’d do everything in his power to never let that happen again.
“We have gathered here today as it is time for me to hand over the crown to my son. I taught him what I could to lead this circle. I hope he will prove himself worthy of the title and will do what’s best for all of us.”
Gerome and Luis stood before the king, looking at him.
“Kneel down, Gerome.”
A strange buzzing filled the air as both Gerome and Luis silently sank to their knees. The king took the
diamond-studded crown, which lay on a pillow, and held it over Gerome’s head.
Josh had never seen this crown before, so it was probably only used for coronation ceremonies. Normally, King Harold never wore a crown.
“I hereby transfer power over this circle to my rightful successor, Gerome.” With those words, the king closed his eyes and held the crown over Gerome’s head. The humming in the room grew louder.
It felt like energies or vibrations or –
Josh couldn’t describe it. Ash trembled next to him, then his body went limp. He slumped against D’s shoulder, and Josh reached over to draw their son to his own lap before he could slip from his father’s.
“Damn it.” That was D’s quiet voice. Josh looked at him, worrying, but D shook his head. “He was afraid this would happen,” D whispered, holding his partner.
Josh wasn’t reassured, but as long as D wasn’t worried, he’d try to stay calm.
Meanwhile, the king had opened his eyes and placed the crown on Gerome’s head.
“It is hereby done. Gerome is the new king of this Circle. Please rise, King Gerome.” King Herold hesitated for a moment, then added quietly, “Please rise as well, Luis, mate of the king.”
The crowd collectively gasped for air. Luis and Gerome jerked their heads up and stared at Herold. It probably wasn’t part of the protocol, as much as it wasn’t usual fact that Luis was up there at all.
Gerome nodded almost invisibly and rose from his knees. Luis followed a second later and together, they turned to the audience.
Luis’s cheeks were red and if Josh saw right, tears shone in his eyes. This recognition from the king after he’d been vehemently against Luis even participating, meant the world to him if Josh correctly read his expression.
“Thank you, former King Harold.” Gerome took his father’s hand, leaned forward and kissed it. The former king also held out his hand to Luis, who repeated the gesture.
Josh held his breath. Even though this second gesture didn’t look like much, it was, because it most likely was not part of the protocol. Since the old king had already addressed Luis as the king’s mate, it was probably another sign that he was part of the ritual.
Gerome turned around and looked at his mother, who sat in the front row and watched them with rapt attention.
“Mother, would you please join us?”
Josh saw the confusion on her face, which was also reflected on the former king’s face.
She stood and walked forward to the small pedestal, her shoulders straight. Taking a stand next to the former king, she watched her son and his mate.
Gerome took her hand and bowed before her. He didn’t kneel down, but he showed her respect, which – according to society – she didn’t deserve. “I bow before you, mate of the former king. I thank you for what you’ve done for all of us and for your support for our circle.”
Luis also took a step forward. He sank to his knees, took the hand of the former queen, and looked into her eyes. “Thank you for welcoming me into this circle. You are a great role model, and I hope to be able to lead this circle at the king’s side as you have done.”
The queen had gotten paler and paler, and when Luis rose again, she looked like she’d faint any moment.
Next to Josh, Ash started moving again. He looked away from the events on the stage and to his best friend. Ash opened his eyes and seemed confused for a moment, as he looked around and took in his surroundings. Then he saw Ian on Josh’s lap, watching patiently and smiling.
“Thank you,” he whispered. “I knew something like this would happen.”
“No problem,” Josh replied just as quietly. “Are you feeling better?”
Ash nodded and stretched out his hand to his son.
“Leave him with me. That’s all right.”
“Okay.” He leaned back against D, not seeming to be fully recovered yet.
Josh turned his attention back to the stage. Gerome and Luis left the pedestal hand in hand, followed by the former king and queen.
Murmurs arose, especially among the elders. They didn’t agree with the events, if Josh interpreted their tone correctly. Well, they’d have to get along with Gerome as king, and he’d definitely change things if this ceremony was an indication.
Ash reached for Ian, taking him back on his own lap. He looked calm and muttered a thank you as he drew his son on his lap.
Josh stood up, resting Lucas on his hip before lining up to congratulate the couple.
He stood behind Sam as he felt a larger body closing in from behind.
“I didn’t know you were a dad.”
“I just borrowed him. No worries.” Josh turned around and grinned at Anthony, who’d bent down to whisper into his ear. His full beard was cleanly combed, his hair tied to a ponytail as always and his eyes shone.
He looked stunningly good.
“Too bad. Somehow it suits you.”
“What suits me? A kid on my arm? Or two?”
“Yeah, kind of.” Josh took a small step back to lean closer to Anthony. He raised his head to whisper directly into Anthony’s ear, cautious after the last time he’d made the joke. “I wouldn’t mind practicing a little more.”
He felt Anthony’s cock twitch against his ass.
“I think it’s possible to get some practice in, if you want…”
“Can’t hurt, I guess. We can meet later, if you’d like?”
Big hands landed on his hips, and a shiver raced through Josh. Oh, yeah, that sounded like a really good idea.
“Absolutely. Let’s decide later where we’ll go.”
“Sounds good. Damn, now I’m looking forward to it a little too much. Probably not exactly what the others should see.”
Anthony stepped back from him, and Josh’s back suddenly grew cold as the warm body no longer pressed against his back.
Strange. Something was missing when Anthony stopped touching him, even if it didn’t make sense.
“What did you think of the ceremony?” Anthony asked, changing the subject.
“Beautiful, even though I wasn’t sure how the king would react. Gerome managed to break about all of the traditions, I think. But I really loved how he showed that he’d do it with Luis by his side. I think it’s an important signal for Luis, and it’s also necessary for the elders to know that a new era started. Gerome is most likely going to make them change their ways.”
Anthony stepped forward until they both waited next to each other. “Yes, I think there’ll be a lot of changes. And none will be bad.”
“I think so too.” They took another two steps forward and almost stood in front of the new royal couple. Josh rested Lucas a little differently on his shoulder and noticed that he’d fallen asleep. That was a new one.
They stepped forward in silence, then they stood in front of Gerome and Luis, who accepted the congratulations.
Josh reached Gerome first and pulled him into a hug. “I have no idea if this is appropriate, but I’m refusing to shake your hand.”
Gerome laughed quietly. “You’re not the first person to ignore any protocol here. Everyone else has hugged me.”
“Then it’s good. Congratulations, even though I know you wanted something else. But I have to say, you really did a great job with Luis, and I think you created a good basis to lead this circle together.” Josh stepped back from the hug and saw Gerome nodding.
“Yes, I’m hoping so. And I hope that I don’t regret having broken with all traditions right at the beginning. On the other hand, I just don’t care because Luis is more important.”
“I don’t think you’ll regret it. Some people will have problems with it, but you’re going to have to deal with that anyway. I have the feeling they’re gonna have to get used to more things.”
Gerome laughed and nodded. “Yeah, that’s quite likely.”
Josh stepped aside to let Anthony talk to Gerome. He looked at Luis and also pulled him into his arms. “Congratulations.”
Luis returned the hug and
nodded. “Thank you. It was much nicer than I’d imagined, since my mate didn’t want to back down.”
“Does it bother you?” Josh stepped back and looked at Luis.
“No, not at all. I never expected it, but I think it’s very good that he did it. I mean, I know how he sees many things, but getting that confirmed in front of all those people is still nice. At least it reconciled me a little with the fact that we’re apparently really the royal couple now.”
“I’m sure you both will be able to handle this. As long as you don’t lose each other, everything should be all right.”
“Yeah, I think so, too.”
Josh stepped to the side, waiting for Anthony to congratulate Luis. The two hugged each other and exchanged a few words, then Anthony joined Josh. “I think there’s a buffet now, and then we can get out of here. At least when you’ve got rid of your burden.”
Josh looked at the sleeping child in his arm. Lucas was damn heavy now that he was thinking about it. Maybe it was time to look for his stroller and to put him in there.
“Yes, that’s a good idea. Did you see the strollers somewhere? I’d like to put Lucas down so he can sleep. I don’t think I have to carry him on my arm all the time.”
“No, I didn’t. Should I look around or take him?”
“No, I can carry him. Just help me find the stroller.”
Anthony looked through the crowd, and since he was about a head taller than Josh, he spotted it faster than Josh.
“D’s over there, and I’d say he’s about to put one of the monsters in a stroller. Then Lucas’s should be there too.” Anthony pointed across the room. He expected to put down Lucas then meet up with Anthony again, but the big man followed him silently.
Murmuring still filled the hall, but it didn’t seem to bother the twins or Lucas. Next to Ian, Ria was also lying peacefully in the stroller.
“I’ve got something here, too,” Josh said when he reached D.
“Thank you. They want me to watch the three of them. Ash is getting himself something to drink.” A smile formed on D’s lips as he looked at his sleeping children.
