Watching Fala get dressed was an exercise in willpower. It was very hard to keep myself away from him while he covered up all that delicious skin.

Damn, I loved him. And...AND... he loved me. I couldn't stop smiling and those beautiful eyes caressed me as we finally left his room to go to breakfast. I couldn't help brushing against him as we walked, and his sweet soft laughter lit my heart like fireworks.

If this was what being in love was like, no wonder Dad held on to his passion for Aunt Dru for decades.

We ran into Harlyn outside the balcony, and he bowed to both of us. My love bubble burst when I saw the balcony.

"There's no way we can eat out there," I declared sharply.

"Why ever not?" Fala frowned at me.

"Look at that!" I gestured at the huge stone tier through the open double doors. Birds were singing and flitting around, some even landing on the railing and hopping in and out of the potted plants around the area. "It's a security nightmare. Anyone could take a shot at you out there."

I stood my ground when Fala stared at me like I'd spoken some kind of gibberish.

Harlyn cleared his throat to get our attention. "There is a screen of sorts," he explained. "It doesn't block the air or the sun but does stop any projectiles that could cause injury. The former Domai was...not well-liked. The same security measure is in place on every window, balcony, and patio around the manor."

"Thank fuck," I sighed. "How do you engage it?"

Harlyn moved to the side and pressed his hand on a tile beside the door. A quiet hum followed by a brief flash outside indicated the screen was active.

"Thank you, Harlyn," Fala smiled at his Steward. "Can we go out now?" he asked me.

"Harlyn, I'll need whatever files you have on the staff," I said. "I need to do background on every single person that works here. Including you."

I thought Harlyn was going to protest but he relaxed, and his smile grew when he nodded. "Of course, Commander. I'll compile the files and have them for you after breakfast."

"You're not offended?" I asked, watching him.

Despite Fala's assurance, I needed to be sure. I wanted to have this man on my side going forward. That would be difficult if I pissed him off from the jump. Dad taught me that the best way to ensure your house ran smoothly was to respect the woman of the house and the staff.

Harlyn glanced at Rafal. "May I speak plainly, Your Grace?"

"Always," Fala assured him.

I thought he might regret that at some point in the future, but hey, not my house.

"I am relieved, not offended, Commander," Harlyn said to me, "that someone is finally taking some steps to secure His Grace and this Manor. I have been concerned since I came on, but His Grace never stayed here long enough to implement anything for the long term. I am grateful to assist you however I can, Commander."

"Much appreciated Harlyn. Members of my Ranger unit will be arriving soon. Please have them escorted to the lower garden and see to their comfort until I can come to sort them out."

"Of course, Commander. Anything else, Your Grace?"

"I'll take those links I asked for in my study after breakfast and please move the Commander's things into the chamber adjoined to mine," Fala requested quietly and put me right back in my love bubble. "He'll be sharing my quarters from now on."

"Excellent, Your Grace," Harlyn bowed with another smile. "Please enjoy your breakfast."

Out on the balcony, I felt like purring when Fala announced our status to our family. I was overjoyed and had never felt so settled in my life. Finally, I belonged to someone who knew everything about me and wanted me anyway.

Fucking glorious.

Even watching him eat gave me pleasure. All I could think of was what those hands had done to me this morning. Heat prickled across my skin as I daydreamed about what we could get up to next.

Not one man had impressed me enough to bring out my submissive self. Only two women had managed it, but neither of them kept me interested very long. I learned very early in my explorations that I liked being controlled. I enjoyed being bound by ropes, leather, and even chains, but the less physical force my lover had to exert, the more it excited me.

Only Rafal had managed to control me with his voice alone.

And gods-damn it was fucking hot. His grip on my hair just made it that much more exciting but the low growl of command in his words is what held me captive. I had never heard him sound so powerful and dominant, and it sealed the deal for me. There was no fucking way I was leaving this man.

We would fight about it, but I was planning to finish my courses remotely. It had nothing to do with being with him -mostly- and everything to do with protecting him. Dad's heads-up yesterday planted the notion, so that was that.

I watched my man eat....my man...oh, damn.

I was finally free to enjoy my fantasies about him, instead of burying them. Hell yeah.

Another wave of heat swept over me and a flash of Fala in the shower, holding me up easily made me hard. Nobody I fucked could do that. Just pick me right the fuck up and hold me like that. Fala's strength was sexy as fuck. And just like his beauty, he didn't think anything of it.

He had no idea just how remarkable it was that he could effortlessly lift a wriggling fully grown seal or a naked and horny Ranger. I mean, he spent the earliest years of his life depending on his arms to get around. As soon as he could stand, he worked on those legs, and gods, he was just hot and hard from top to bottom.

I jumped when Fala dropped his fork and hissed at me.

And, yeah, I wasn't sorry he knew exactly what I wanted him to do to me. I had to shove the excitement that conjured up in the brain box. Having Griz go military on me helped.

Don't stop...

I blinked at Fala and saw him smile, quiet and sensual, just for me.

I like what you were thinking...I just wasn't expecting it

Oh, damn. I had to adjust the napkin in my lap as Fala fed me images of what he could do to me.

It was all I could do to not lose my load at the table. I reckoned I had it coming -ha!- since I had already bombarded him with my lustful fantasies.

But holy fuck. Fala's carnal ideas made my fantasies look like child's play compared to what he was thinking.

I couldn't wait to explore our mutual desires.

Near the end of our meal, Harlyn hurried over to whisper to me and slipped a data crystal into my hand at the same time. He was so slick about it that I don't think even Fala saw the exchange.

"Your Rangers are arriving, Commander. They're having breakfast in the lower garden."

"They'll want something stronger than coffee," I told him. "Just water it down by a third. I need them sober for now."

With a nod and ghost of a smile, Harlyn left to handle that, and I got around to asking Fala to wear a homing device. The little homer would be inserted under his skin behind his ear and would be invisible unless you knew it was there.

It was something I thought about in the shower last night. I mean, it was gonna be impossible for me to be with him every moment of every day. The easy agreement to both the beacon and the com lifted my spirits even further.

I had a moment of worry when Fala argued against waiting for me, but he gave in on that too. Either I was an awfully lucky bastard, or my man was seeing more than lust in my thoughts.

Of course, I was a lucky bastard. Awfully.

And yeah, Fala probably was Seeing all kinds of shit in my head. I tended to be split-brained, with my thoughts whirling from one thing to another from moment to moment like a herd of puppies chasing falling leaves. I hoped the brain box would hold steady and not cause Fala too much distraction.

I followed Dad to the foyer and waited until he had his coat and hat to speak again.

"So, things worked out," I stated the obvious.

His smile was tender as he squeezed my shoulder. "I couldn't be happier for you, son. Be patient with him, yeah? Dru never wanted him to be raised under constant guard. She made sure he was never alone but had to be damn crafty about it."

"Yeah, I heard how crafty Aunt Dru could be," I muttered. "Did you know she Influenced him to the point where he didn't even know she was sick?"

Dad shook his head and his green eyes looked sad. "She fought with herself about that constantly, but you know him. If he knew how frail she truly was, he would never leave home. She didn't want him trapped looking after her."

"Yeah, that's what Ash said, but still. It just feels so manipulative. And it broke his heart to pieces."

"Yeah well," Dad sighed. "Sacrifices are made for the greater good." He frowned at me. "Remember that Rams. Sometimes, you have to do something that you don't want to do, to accomplish what you need to do."

I nodded, holding his eyes. "I understand," I said softly.

I mean, I was gonna be picking a huge fight with Fala once he found out I had no intention of returning to university or deploying.

I walked Dad to his carriage and made my way around the side of the Manor to the gate that would lead me to the lower garden.

I hadn't visited Fala here, but when Lanton held power, he was in the habit of throwing lavish parties. He invited all the influential Peers, which included my parents.

My mother married Dad for status, and Dad apparently only married her cos Nonna Annaliza told him to. I mean, he watched the woman he loved marry Lanton, so I suppose the only way he got to see her in public was to attend those stupid parties.

Although Lanton knew he had to turn Karami over to Dru's offspring, he strutted around like he held some sway over her. Fucking idiot. Even as a lad, I knew he was a piece of shit.

The children were relegated to the lower garden during those parties, watched over by our various nannies. I had fond memories of that garden, not just with Fala but with several of our cousins and my brothers. Rome and Reggie were remarkably kinder to me when surrounded by our peers, so I looked forward to our time here.

I heard my Rangers before I saw them. Of course, being soldiers who trained and worked in the wild, they were loud, and manners were...well...few and far between. When you had to hunt, kill, and field dress your supper before cooking it over an open fire, etiquette wasn't a consideration.

Harlyn stood off to the side with a handful of footmen, looking alarmed at the coarse behavior of twelve of the finest Rangers I ever served with. All of them had at least three years more service on me, some had seven, but not one of them resented me. I earned my rank, and they all witnessed and often assisted in my climb to Commander.

I softened my steps and stood watching them laugh and eat together. Presently, I issued a sharp whistle.

The change in demeanor was immediate and startling if you didn't know it was coming,

Every Ranger stood away from the table and snapped into rigid attention with one fist pressed to their hearts. Harlyn's look of shock was comical, but I swallowed my laughter. I mimicked their stance and returned the salute.

"At ease, Rangers," I ordered and moved forward.

The first to reach me was my favorite Scout, Major Garalt Krynz. He usually acted as my second in command and we had been paired since our first mission. This man knew me as a Ranger longer than anyone else I served with. I continued to learn from him and tried to model my behavior as a Commander after him.

"Commander Thorne, sir," he nodded with a smile. His iron-gray eyes were sharp and cool and clashed with his white-blonde hair. "Good to see you."

"Same goes, Scout." I clasped his forearm at the elbow as he did the same to me.

I was a little concerned about the next Ranger because he was a former sex partner. I never messed with anyone I served with, so I didn't expect to see him assigned to my unit. I fucked him more than once, which was a rare thing for me, but it seemed to make him think he meant something to me. I would have to put that to rest quickly. I mean three screws over two years was not a declaration of commitment.

Nothing and no one was going to jeopardize my future with Fala, and possibly Miss Kayla. Damn, that was gonna be a fun time.

Tobias Herzi was a handsome man, a little shorter than me with dark hair and bright piercing blue eyes. He was muscular but lean, much like Rafal. Thinking it over, I realized all my male encounters were physically similar to the man I loved. At least I was true to form.

"Ramsi," Tobias greeted me warmly. Instead of a single arm, he cupped both my elbows and moved to touch his cheek to mine.

I broke his hold immediately and put some distance between us before I nodded at him. "Tobias, good to see you," I said quietly.

The hurt and confusion in his eyes was a damn shame, and I didn't give a shit about it. Tobi was gonna have to suck it up and move on. I hadn't seen or slept with him in six months. If he hadn't gotten laid in all that time, that was on him.

"Rangers, fall in," I raised my voice and the chatter stopped.

They quickly lined up in two neatly staggered lines in front of me and I stood with my hands clasped in the small of my back.

"Rangers," I locked eyes with each of them. "We enlist with the single purpose of guarding our Sovereign, the Rightful, Virtuous Monarch of Ankher. Today, you are the first to earn this honor. Grand Domai Rafal Fanche is the Designated, uncrowned King, and it is our duty, our honor to guard him."

"Holy hell," my combat master, Captain Kiko Pluhme whispered. Her dark brown eyes glistened with tears. "Truly, sir? We are King's Guard?"

This was the hope and dream of every Ranger, Trooper, and Sailor in the Imperial Army of Ankher. To be chosen to guard our Sovereign was the highest honor, the greatest duty we all lived for. To be called upon to possibly give your life in service to the Virtuous Ruler of Ankher was the epitome of our lives.

"We are," I confirmed.

I let them chatter in excitement and awe. More than one wiped away tears of joy and gratitude, and all of them wore smiles of pride. I was glad I was able to share this with these fellow Rangers. More would be coming to fill out several squads of Rafal's full bodyguard, but these twelve would make up the inner circle, the most trusted with his safety.

"Now, His Grace has never had a true Guard," I told them, quieting their chatter again. "So, we have some challenges. He is not accustomed to being shadowed, so we have to be discreet and respectful of his space and give him time to adjust to our presence. You will be the core of the Guard, and at least two of you will be on call at all times. We will work out the scheduling later, as I have to accompany His Grace on errands today.

"Tobi, you'll get the lay of the Manor grounds and deploy your squad on exterior patrol. Kiko, you have the interior. I want you to know every way in and out of this place by sunset and deploy your squad to cover them. Garalt, you, and another of your choice, will join me on Escort duty.

"All others will be doing background on the Manor staff. You will go through their files and know these people's deepest secrets and how much they pissed last night by the time I get back this evening.

"Rangers, ready?" I finished with a shout.

"Ready, sir!" they shouted back.

"Dismissed."

***

I found Fala in his study with Harlyn nearby. He was finishing up a link with a woman wearing so much cosmetics I couldn't begin to guess her true skin color.

Fala sat back with a light shudder when the link closed.

"Fun times?"

"Gods no," Fala laughed.

"Well, the Rangers are sorted, if you're ready to go. Harlyn, they'll need an office to work in near their quarters."

Harlyn got moving and Fala pushed away from his desk and strolled over to me.

"How many?'

"Twelve to start."

He traced a fingertip across my lips so lightly it tickled. I flicked my tongue out and moistened his skin. I smiled when the green flecks in his eyes pulsed and shimmered.

"Behave, Commander," he whispered, and I shuddered.

Gods damn. His voice was so sexy.

"I'm a lost cause, Sir." I insisted. The brain box was falling to pieces and his fishing net was unraveling.

Fuck. I was hard and yearning in a heartbeat.

"Shh," he pressed that fingertip to my chin and walked me back until my calves hit the sofa. "Quiet, now."

I swallowed when Fala's other hand slipped down my side to one hip. He reached around to my ass and cupped one cheek, making me whimper in reaction.

"Mm," he purred. "I love that sound. I've never heard it from you before. Is it just for me?"

"Only for you, Sir," I managed, floating in a cloud of arousal.

"My Commander," he sighed and brushed his lips across my cheek. "Is this real for you, Ramsi?"

The question snapped me out of my sensual daze. "What? Fuck yeah, it's real. What the hell, Fala?"

Those beautiful eyes studied me. "You're so young," he murmured. "I don't want to take you away from what's waiting for you out there in the world."

"There's nothing out there I want more than I want you," I told him.

"How could you know that, though?" he persisted. "If you stay here with me, you'll never know what you're missing out there. The adventures, the lovers you could have."

"Rafal." I stood away from him and cupped his face. True fear darkened my heart as I watched him avoid my eyes. "Please," I whispered, and he finally met my gaze. "This right here, right now, with you is everything I have ever wanted since I was a lad.

"No one I fucked from the first to the last time mattered to me. I wanted you. I always wanted you. The idea that you of all people could hold me back is the purest bullshit I've ever heard. You hold no one back, Fala. You inspire people. You inspired me.

"I became a Ranger instead of a Trooper to be near you. I worked hard for my rank to impress you. I studied engineering and munitions for you.

"Don't you fucking dare tell me I'll be settling or losing out if I stay with you. The choice is mine, gods damn it, and I will always choose you."

I finished with a hard bruising kiss, biting, and sucking his lips to mark him. I invaded his mouth, forcing him back toward the desk until he stood his ground.

He caught my wrists and held them behind me, forcing my chest to press against him. I swallowed and whimpered when he dropped light kisses along my jaw and down my throat.

"I love you desperately, Ramsi Xavr Thorne," he whispered. "I am humbled and honored to be yours."

"Thank fuck," I sighed and wriggled free of his grasp to throw my arms around him. I plastered my body to him and listened to his heartbeat to wash away the fear of losing him to his own noble leanings.

I don't know how long we stood there before a cleared throat made me lift my head.

"Ah," Remus smiled at us. "There are more Rangers arriving and I think Griz made a wedding planner cry."

"Well," Fala sighed. He brushed a kiss across my forehead before he stepped away from me. "I'll flip you," he winked at me.

"No chance," I laughed. "My Rangers are way easier to handle than your Aunt."

Remus laughed at us as we left the study. In the hall, a group of Rangers stood waiting for us. Garalt and another Scout, Master Sergeant Ulys Cohl, nodded at us from either side of the door. I was delighted to see them in place, already. Gari had a knack for anticipating my orders which made him an ideal second.

Harsh laughter drew my attention to the group of Rangers down the hall. The man speaking, Mario Jaymz, was a lazy, slovenly, poor excuse for a soldier, barely made Corporal in his fourth year and I couldn't imagine why he was there. I served with him once and never had the dumb luck to draw that shitty lot again. I ended up doing his work and mine.
He was the youngest son of a small Barony of Yamba. The story was that his mother was at her wit's end and hoped the military would straighten him out.

So far, it hadn't.

"Just sayin', it's a cushy post. He's gotta be humpin' the boss, though, can't say I'd be shocked. Thorne is a shifty fucker, and a slut to boot. Wonder how many slurps it took to land this one."

Remus stood with his mouth agape in shock. My temper spiked as I caught Kiko's dark brown eyes over the speaker's shoulder.

"Shut your filthy mouth, Mario!" another Corporal snapped. I recognized Andru Sylvn as a Tracker who served with me almost as long as Garalt. "Commander Thorne earned everything he has. He's very close to the Domai. Don't you remember him telling us about him? They were lads together." Sylvn's light brown eyes darted to me and Fala.

"Nah, Thorne's got his tricks though. Lucky bastard always got away with everything."

Rafal moved on silent feet to approach, and I kept pace with him. Remus stayed where he was, fuming.

Kiko watched us and cut her eyes to the sloppy Corporal.

"You got one chance to mind your mouth, Mario," she warned.

Mario scoffed and waved her concern away. "What's he gonna do, fire me?" he laughed. "I'd work for him, but he'd hafta earn it on his knees. From what I've heard he's worth that much."

I saw fury darken Kiko's eyes and I shook my head at her. With effort, she kept still. Rafal stopped just behind Mario and the man finally noticed us. He jumped a foot when he realized how close we were to him and swallowed hard.

Fala held his watery blue eyes for several seconds.

"Commander Thorne."

His voice was silky and quiet in the silence, but strong. I moved up beside him and he wrapped his arm around my waist to pull me against him. He turned me in front of him, so I was facing him, my booted foot settled between his. I watched his steady pulse at the base of his throat until he spoke again.

"These are your people?" Rafal went on.

"They are," I sighed, and tossed a glare at Mario over my shoulder. "It seems some of them have forgotten that they are your people too."

None of them could tell cos they didn't know him, but Fala was furious. The green flecks in his eyes were pulsing with it, and the pupil was shrunk to a pinpoint in a field of blue-grey lead.

Last time I saw him like this, he was dropping Robin on a tavern floor.
His thoughts were locked down like a vault and I was grateful for his control, and awed, not gonna lie. I was sure I couldn't handle his temper and mine, and just as sure that he was doing exactly that on the fucking fly.

"I'll leave them to you, then." Fala pressed a kiss to my temple, another to my cheek, and a softer one to my lips. "Meet me downstairs."

"I will, Sire," I nodded.

Fala let me go and the Rangers behind Mario came to attention and saluted him.

"Sire!" they cried at once.

"Rangers," Fala nodded to them graciously before he moved away down another hall.

I waved Remus after him and Garalt didn't break stride as he led Ulys after our Sovereign.

As soon as I was sure Fala was out of earshot I turned and threw a left hook that laid Mario out on the floor at my feet.

"The fuck," I growled, "is he doing here, Sylvn? I linked you not him. Explain yourself, Ranger."

Andru swallowed. I never lost my temper in front of them but I was damn close right then.
"Apologies Commander. He was with me when I got your call. He wanted to tag along, but I told him to mind himself."

"So, he's your mess to clean up."

Andru paled and nodded jerkily. "Yes, Commander."

"Then fucking handle it!" I snarled.

Andru snapped a salute and bent to yank Mario off the floor. "Up and out, Ranger," he muttered. "You blew it for yourself, you're not blowin' it for me."

Mario stumbled, clearly dazed, and thankfully didn't speak again as the Tracker dragged him away.

Kiko moved up and gave me a quick salute. "I don't know how he got this far, Commander. The fault is mine."

"Harlyn would've stopped him if he knew he wasn't welcome," I sighed. I knew she wouldn't rest until she paid some kind of penance, so I added, "Tonight after last sweep, you can lap the perimeter of the Manor House fifty times."

She saluted again and relaxed. "Thank you, Commander."

Sylvn returned, looking disheveled, and stood before me with his head lowered. "Commander."

"Captain Pluhme will deal with you, Corporal," I told him. It would give her a sense of satisfaction, and keep me from breaking the man's jaw. "I don't want to see you again until breakfast in the lower garden tomorrow."

He saluted me. "Yes, Commander."

"The rest of you meet me in the forward drawing room in ten minutes."

I nodded to Kiko and left them there.

Fuck me sideways. It wasn't even lunchtime yet.

I found Fala in the library with Remus, Ash, and Griz.

"Silk!" Griz spat. "She wanted to put me...me... in fucking silk!"

Fala wore a tolerant expression and the buzzing bundle at the back of my head that I realized was him was laughing his ass off.

"Well, she deals with such things regularly, Auntie," Fala said.

"I told her," Griz breathed, clearly incensed. "We are both soldiers. What else would we wear but our dress uniforms?"

Griz gave a frustrated growl and stomped away from the men to take her anger out on a pile of wedding catalogs.

"Well," Fala sighed. "It appears we will have to plan this wedding ourselves. Could you grab Harlyn for me, Pop?"

Looking grateful to escape, Ash left the room and Remus went to pour a short gin for Griz. He approached her carefully and held it out.

She snatched the glass, slammed it, and flung it on the table among the tattered remains of the catalogs.

"I don't want to wear some concoction of wasted frippery that will be completely useless," she muttered.

"And you won't, Auntie," Fala assured her. "We'll have your uniforms laundered and pressed for the ceremony. We'll work it out and you will have a lovely wedding. I promise you."

She heaved a sigh and dropped onto a sofa. "I'm so sorry," she murmured. "I just...She wasn't listening. She was treating me like I didn't know what I wanted."

"I know," Fala sat next to her and pressed a kiss to her forehead. "And the mistake was mine. I shouldn't have put something this important and personal in anyone else's hands."

"You couldn't know she'd be a patronizing cuntfly," Griz muttered, and Remus choked on his drink laughing.

One of my fellow Rangers asked me once in boot camp where I learned to swear. I proudly named Griz as my inspiration. The woman was gifted, I swear to gods.

"No," Fala smiled. "I couldn't. Don't worry, Auntie. Harlyn will help us put on a fine wedding."