"Another month."
"Boy or girl?"
Her smile faded. "Boy."
Maris frowned at her sad tone. "You and his father must be excited."
She clenched her teeth as her eyes darkened with anger. "His father is a married man who ran back to his wife and blocked my calls the moment he found out I was pregnant."
He winced at the cruelty. "Oh, honey, I'm sorry. On behalf of the male species, I would like to thoroughly beat him senseless for being a bastard."
"Thank you, my lord."
"Please, call me Maris or Mari."
Ture approached with an amused expression as he caught sight of her feet in Maris's hands. "Are you two cozy enough?"
Her cheeks pinkened. "Maris did it."
Maris gasped indignantly at her quick exclamation. "Did I just get thrown under a shuttle? I hope someone got the serial number of it."
Smiling, Ture set a plate of cheeses with sauce drizzled over them and a separate plate of crackers. "Not at all. I appreciate your taking care of my girl. Someone needs to."
Anachelle made a sound of supreme annoyance. "He thinks I'm a stray dog. He even took me into his apartment to live until after the baby comes."
"I never thought you were a stray dog, sweets. Just down your luck, which sadly happens to all of us at some point." Ture poured more wine for Maris. Then he indicated the paste in a small bowl on the cracker plate. "That's a pate' with almonds and gixon. If you don't like it, let me know and I can grab you something else."
"It looks and smells delicious."
Ture pulled several small packets out of his pocket for Maris to use to sanitize his hands. "I'm making your Chipped Oryan myself so I better get back to it before it scorches."
As soon as he was gone, Anachelle leaned in to whisper. "It really is the best you'll ever taste, but don't feed Ture's ego. He's arrogant enough about his culinary skills."
As soon as Maris tasted the pate', he understood why. "Oh my God, this is fabulous!" He filled a cracker for Anachelle. "Would you like some?"
"Pregnant and hungry all the time... Absolutely. Thank you." She took it from him and reached for her bottled water that was near the napkins. "So what do you do for a living, my... Maris."
He smiled at her almost slip. "I'm the Andarion Ambassador for the Caron Empire."
She scowled. "Aren't you supposed to actually be an Andarion for that?"
He laughed at her confusion-- which was the typical reaction from everyone he met. "Normally. But the Andarion prince is a good friend of my best friend. He assigned me here before the Grand Counsel's death to ensure the safety of the true royal family."
She went pale. "Your best friend is Darling Cruel? The stupid bastard who just launched us into war against the League?"
Maris steeled himself at words that usually sent him into a murderous frenzy. Just not against pregnant women. "Darling is one of the most intelligent men who's ever been born. A little hot-headed, granted, but never, ever stupid. Nor is he cavalier with anyone's life. And I was there when it all happened. The League started this war over Zarya. They wanted to keep her in prison, along with Ture, and a number of other Caronese citizens. Darling is the sole reason any of them are alive today."
"And I will testify to that." Ture set a plate in front of Maris. He spoke to Anachelle. "You know I held no love of the royal family. That definitely changed when Darling, himself, along with Maris came into my prison cell and freed me and Zarya. I know of no other emperor who would have done that for anyone. And he had intended to leave in peace. But the League wouldn't allow him to do that. I stand with our emperor and will do so until the day I die."
Maris arched a brow at Ture's words.
Ture met his gaze. "I never forget blood debts. I've had too many people try to hurt me to squander the decency of anyone who protects my ass." He leaned down to whisper in Maris's ear. "I'm as loyal to friends and family as you are."
Those words, combined with his close proximity, set Maris on fire again.
Ture squeezed his hand then left them so that he could return to work.
Maris turned his attention back to Anachelle.
She held her hands up in surrender. "I trust Ture and as he said, I remember well how often he and Zarya wished much ill on the head of our noble leader. If you can convert them, then I'll defer to the three of you. Obviously there's much about the emperor I don't know, and I'm wise enough to know better than to trust the media and their whitewashed lies."
"Good woman. Because Darling is one of the very few people I'd kill or die for." He tasted his food while she went back to folding napkins.
His eyes widened as the savory taste hit him full force. Ture had a definite gift.
"Told you..." She beamed with a bright smile. "Ture is a god in the kitchen. It's why they're lined up around the block to get in."
"How does he do it?"
She shrugged. "Stingy thing won't share that info. But I've seen many men and women, low and highborn, begging him to marry them for his pasta dishes alone."
Amused with her anecdote, Maris watched Ture. He was as fierce and organized as a battle commander as he checked food temperatures, presentation, preparation, and a thousand other things that left Maris's head reeling. It was truly an impressive feat. Ture moved like a dancer in a ballet. Graceful and good-natured. Whenever someone had a problem, Ture moved in to help and had them smiling again. Likewise, he stepped in to settle arguments between his workers. All the while maintaining a jovial temperament.
Truly, truly impressive.
And it was obvious that this restaurant was everything to Ture. It was here he came alive. Happiness shone in his eyes and even though he had to be exhausted, Ture had a light and easy step.
Maris had barely finished his dinner when Ture returned with two lush desserts. One was a chocolate mountain of steaming deliciousness for Maris and a strawberry and cream parfait for Anachelle whose entire face came alight when she saw it.
"I love you, Ture. Marry me!" She laughed as she grabbed a spoon and dug in.
Returning her laugh, Ture kissed her on the cheek. "If I were straight, honey, I would."
She sighed wearily. "Why are all the good men gay or dead?"
"Or married?" Maris asked without thinking. He cringed as she scowled at him and he realized how insensitive it was to say that to her. "Sorry. I forgot."
"It's okay. I was the moron who slept with him. Which I would have never done had I known he had a wife at home. That's what I get for thinking someone had integrity to not lie about their marital status."
Maris swallowed his food. "Some of us do."
"Yeah, but not enough."
He held his wine glass up to her. "I will heartily agree. I've had my heart carved out enough times to know whereof you speak."
"Yes...men suck."
"But not all." Maris winked at her.
"Present company and food gods who bring me sweets are always excluded." She dug in again with a gleeful greed.
As soon as they finished, Anachelle got up to take his plate. Ture appeared out of nowhere to tsk at her. Removing them from her hands, he carried them to the sink.
Sighing, she gave Maris a droll stare. "I feel like an invalid."
"I think he's taking revenge on you for the way I treated him while he was wounded."
She sat down. "Really?"
"Yes, it's true. I wouldn't let him lift anything. I was quite demanding."
"He was quite annoying in a very sweet and precious way." Ture poured him a glass of dessert wine.
Maris frowned at him. "Are you trying to get me drunk?"
"Depends...would it work?"
Maris smiled. "Sorry. I know my limits and I never go near them."
"Too bad. But this won't. It's barely alcoholic and it enhances the aftertaste of the chocolate. Try it."
Anachelle reached for another napkin. "You might as well. He's always right about food... People, not so much." She took her juice from Tur
e's hand. "Thank you, boss."
"You're welcome." He ran back to put out a fire.
Literally.
Maris started to get up, but Anachelle stopped him.
"Don't worry. Happens a lot with the newer chefs. Ture only freaks when it catches someone else on fire."
"Someone?"
"Cooking can be deadly."
After a few minutes, Ture came back to the table. "Was I right about the wine, or was I right?"
"Yes, you were. About everything. I honestly have to say that was the best meal I've ever eaten. Thank you so much for it."
Ture beamed.
Anachelle grimaced and let out an audible groan. "Ah no, you've fed the beast. Mari? How could you betray me so? I have to live with that massive ego that already takes up half the apartment!"
Ture rolled his eyes. "You need to go on home and get some sleep for me."
"I still have another hour on the clock."
"Don't worry about it. Head on before traffic picks up."
She grinned at Maris. "Dang, I should have gotten knocked up by a bastard jerk a long time ago." Rising, she paused by Ture's side and kissed his cheek. "I'll see you later."
Ture slung the towel in his hand over his shoulder then turned back to Maris.
"How long have you been friends?" Maris asked.
"A good five years. She's an angel, but the baby's father is the son of a senator. I don't know which one. That bastard has made her life hell. He had her thrown out of her old apartment and has been causing all kinds of trouble for her."
"Why?"
"He wants her to leave the planet and vanish. My fear is he might have her killed."
Maris saw red at that. "You want to move her to the palace for protection?"
Ture cringed. "I would hate to impose."
"I can speak for Darling. The place is large enough no one would even know she was there. And he would extend the invitation himself if he were here, especially given it's one of the CDS family members who's harassing her."
Ture loved how protective both Maris and Darling were of those around them, even strangers. "I can ask her, but we commoners are a little intimidated by the places you frequent so naturally."
Maris smirked. "I don't know what you're talking about. I see nothing common about you, or Anachelle."
Ture smiled at the unexpected compliment. That was why he loved Maris so much. No matter what he said or did, the man made him feel special and comfortable.
Safe and protected.
Wanted.
Things he hadn't felt since he was seventeen and his father had caught him kissing his first boyfriend and thrown him out of the house.
You're disgusting! Damn you to hell! I can't believe I buried my daughter and not you! Get out. I hope you die of an infection before any of my friends find out about you!
To this day, neither of his parents would speak to him. And the cold brutality of their actions was nothing compared to the words they'd said that were still branded into his soul.
The worst part? His parents had called his boyfriend's mother and father to tell them, and in retaliation, his boyfriend had beaten the hell out of him for it. Ture still bore the scar on his left cheek from his boyfriend's class ring that had torn into his face as Devilyn rained punches down on Ture's face.
But that was a long time ago and he refused to think of it anymore.
Maris stood up and looked about awkwardly. "How much do I owe you for the food?"
"No charge, love. My gift of thanks to you. For everything."
"Thank you, then." Maris hesitated. "I guess I should leave you to your work."
"I'd rather you stay."
Maris swallowed hard at words that meant a lot more to him than they should. You need to go.
But he didn't really want to. "Are you sure?"
He nodded. "We're only open for another thirty minutes, anyway."
"Then I shall wait here."
Ture adored the way Maris phrased things. He was so proper and yet flamboyant and fun to be around. Some of it stemmed from the fact that he still wasn't completely fluent in Universal, and some of it was that he liked to keep others off-kilter where he was concerned. "Actually, you'd probably be more comfortable in my office while we close down. I tried to get Ana to use it, but she has a weird aversion. She's afraid the rest of the staff will hate her for her special treatment." Ture led him to the backroom that was furnished with a small desk covered in papers and a wall monitor and comfortable leather sofa. "You don't have to stay here, but it is where I spend a great deal of my time."
Maris gave a curt bow. "Then I shall be here when you finish."
Ture turned away then spun about so fast that Maris barely realized he'd done it. Before he could react, Ture pulled him into his arms and kissed him with a passion that made his head reel.
Maris growled deep in his throat as he wrapped his arms around Ture's lean, ripped body and held him close. He hungered for Zarya's friend a lot more than he should. A lot more than made any kind of sense to him.
Ture slid his hand down Maris's back and pressed his hips against his until he felt the fact that Ture was as hard for him as he was for Ture.
Damn it.
Why couldn't his body, for once, listen to his brain?
"This is a mistake," he breathed against Ture's lips. He knew it with every part of himself.
Fisting his hand in Maris's hair, Ture teased his earlobe with his tongue, sending even more chills over his body. "I swear to you, Mari... I won't ever be your mistake. Let me give you the love you deserve."
Those words carved themselves into his heart and burned with an indescribable pain.
Wanting to believe Ture in spite of a past that had taught him better, Maris met his gaze and saw the sincerity that emblazoned there. Could he trust it? "Ture... I can't be hurt anymore. I'm tired of it." Clenching his teeth, he winced at the bad memories that scarred him soul deep. "See, here's what's going to happen should we tangle our lives. You're going to tell me that it doesn't bother you that I'm in love with a straight man, thinking you can drive Darling out of my heart and life. For a few days, weeks or months, we'll have fun. But after awhile you'll start to get annoyed when Darling calls and I take it, no matter what's going on or how naked we are. Then one day or night, I'm going to call you darling and you won't know if it's an endearment or if I'm pretending you're him. Then you'll start hating me and this will end badly. It always does."
Ture scowled at him. "Good grief, Mari, what kind of insecure assholes have you dated?"
He laughed bitterly. "They're not insecure until they date me."
Ture pressed his forehead against Maris's in a way similar to how Maris held Darling at times. "Yes, they were. Because I can swear to you that I will never be jealous of your love for Darling. It's the loyalty and love you have for him that I treasure. It shows the true depth of your character and heart that you can be there for him without question or hesitation when there's nothing more to be gained from it than platonic friendship." He kissed Maris's forehead. "I don't want to drive Darling out of your heart or replace him in any way. I just want to share you sometimes. Believe me, I understand split and heavy obligations."
Still, Maris was unsure. "You say that now, but--"
"I will say it tomorrow, too." He took Maris's hand into his and led it to his groin so that he could press it against his hard cock. His gray eyes burned Maris deeply with their love and sincerity. "Just think about it, Mari. Trust me. If you're still here when I close, then I can promise you a night you won't soon forget. And if you leave... I'll be heartbroken. But I'll understand and we can go on as nothing more than civil, platonic friends."
Yeah, but like Ture, he wanted more. He craved the same fairytale that Darling shared with Zarya. To have that one person in his life he could count on. To go to sleep and wake up in the arms of someone who would grow old with him. Someone he could trust not to hurt or judge him for things he couldn't help.
So
meone who accepted him, faults and all.
Maybe his family had been right. Maybe he didn't deserve anything.
Still, he hoped.
And he hated himself for it.
Praying he wasn't about to make another awful mistake, Maris nodded.
Ture pressed his face against Maris's hair so that he could inhale his scent. "I won't hurt you, Mari. My heart is scarred and in pieces, too. I don't trust lightly, but I want to trust you."
Those words brought tears to his eyes. He cupped Ture's face in his palm. "I will be here. Waiting."
"Then I will close quickly...before you change your mind." He gave him a light kiss then pulled away.
*
Terrified Maris would grow bored and leave, Ture rushed to close and get everything cleaned and cleared so that his people could go home and he could be with Maris. But for some stupid reason, it took twice as long to do the simplest task.
Please don't leave, Mari...
Damn you, fate, for conspiring against me.
By the time he returned to his office to do the last bit of paperwork, he had a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach that he was too late.
It evaporated the minute he opened the door and found Maris sleeping on his couch. A slow smile spread across Ture's face as he noted how very boyish and sweet Mari appeared. His long legs were bent, and yet they still dangled over the edge of it. He'd taken his jacket off and used it as a makeshift blanket while he had his head resting on his arm. Never had he seen Maris more at ease.
Or more delectable.
The need to rake his hand over that luscious sight was so compelling that he wasn't sure how he resisted. But he didn't want to disturb him until he could give Maris his full attention. Silently, he started for his desk. But the instant he moved, Maris shot off the couch into a lethal pose.
He relaxed as soon as his gaze focused on Ture. "Sorry. I should have warned you that I'm a light sleeper."
No kidding. One who came awake like a soldier, ready to battle.
Ture filed that away as a warning not to make any sudden move while Maris slept. "No problem. I have a little bit of paperwork to finish in here, and I didn't want to disturb you."
Maris picked his jacket up from the floor. "Do you need me to leave?"
"No." Ture blushed as he realized how fast and forceful that response came out. "I mean--"
Maris cut his words off with a laugh. "Why are we so nervous around each other? I haven't danced around a man like this since the days before I told Darling I was gay, and I was terrified he'd find out and hate me."