Chapter Eleven

Orion was grateful to have some time to himself before the reception the Carntan royal family was holding for him and Vincent that evening. Talking to his sister was always exhausting. She was a bundle of beautiful energy and Orion had been so pleased to see that her marriage hadn't changed that. It was clear she and Jaxon were in a true love match, and from the things she said, Jaxon cared deeply for her and respected her opinions. Before he started getting dressed, Orion sent John to find a messenger so he could get word to Onyx. All it said was "Olivia is being Olivia," an inside joke Onyx and Evangaline would understand and take comfort from.

It wasn't so easy coping with Olivia's constant demands for information from home. Orion and Onyx had done their best over recent years to hide the decline of their father from her, and those protective instincts still held true. He kept his answers brief – that their mother was fine, Onyx and Evangaline sent their love - and then quickly launched into a brief outline of what happened on his wedding day.

"Tell me." Olivia had grabbed both of his hands, as Vincent was prone to do sometimes. "You have to tell me, I'm just dying to know. What's Vincent like in private? Tell me. Tell me. Does he break wind, or scratch his butt, or pick at his face when no one's looking?"

Orion had to laugh. "I don't spend a lot of time with my husband without someone else around, and why would he pick at his face? He has flawless skin."

"You're right. I know that." Olivia sighed. "Vincent is just so well put together, sometimes a girl has to dream that a person has flaws, don't you think? I mean, I am so lucky that Jaxon accepts me so readily and is wonderful to me in every way, but if I look at someone like Vincent who is just…Vincent. Flaws would make him appear more human somehow. Surely you feel the same way about him?"

Orion had been saved from answering as John had come to let him know it was time to get ready for the reception. He assumed he had John to thank for ensuring he had a room of his own as well, something he thought about as he quickly washed up and started to put on the clothes John had left out for him.

There was no denying that Vincent stirred feelings in Orion he rarely felt, but three days of talking about politics, policies, and sharing humorous stories did not a relationship make. Orion had gone into his marriage not believing he'd have any feelings about Vincent at all, but his sister had been right. Vincent did have a way about him, and while Orion was the last person to fawn over another, he couldn't deny Vincent had an impact on him. Vincent's attention was almost addictive, and Orion wasn't immune. But something still held him back, even if he wasn't sure what that something was.

"Tonight's the test," he reminded himself quietly as he buttoned up one of the beautiful waistcoats Vincent had bought him as a wedding gift. It was unlikely Vincent would even realize it was one of his gifts, but if he did, then Orion wearing it was a show of his appreciation.

The truth was, and Orion would only admit that to himself and never mention it to another soul, he was nervous. The past three days had been mostly just him and Vincent. Yes, there had been staff and guards around. That was normal for a traveling crown prince and his consort.

But Vincent's reputation for being a player on the party scene was established lore, Orion wasn't convinced his ability to hold an intelligent conversation was enough to keep his husband interested among a sea of people who all agreed with Vincent's every word.

"There's only one way to find out." Nodding at his reflection, Orion ran his hand over his hair one last time and went out to the small sitting room just as there was a knock on the door. Before he got to it, the door opened and Vincent came in, a big smile on his face.

"You're wearing one of my betrothal gifts tonight." Vincent palmed his own chest. "I'm honored, I truly am. I knew the color would suit you."

"It is one of the most beautiful pieces I have in my wardrobe, thank you." Orion felt his cheeks heat at the praise. "You're looking very handsome yourself."

Vincent twirled. His outfit was similar to the pants and robe he wore to get married in, but this time the color combination was a deep purple and black that did suit him. "I'm glad you like it. Are you excited about this evening?" He held out his arm for Orion to take. "We've not talked much about what you enjoy socially. Do you dance?"

"I know how to." Orion slid his hand in the crook of Vincent's elbow. "I'm not sure how good a partner I might be."

"Just let me lead," Vincent said with his trademark grin. "I won't let you embarrass yourself."

That's not what I meant. But like ninety-nine percent of what Orion thought, he kept that to himself. He was sure his husband would have no shortage of dancing partners at the coming event.

/~/~/~/~/

Vincent was almost giddy with excitement, although he made sure to keep that under wraps as he escorted his husband downstairs to the great hall where the reception was being held. He and Orion bowed to the King and Queen of Carntan, and then took their places next to Jaxon and Olivia at the end of the receiving line. Olivia was looking particularly pretty in a pale blue gown and flowers in her hair. Hmm. Orion would look good in that color too, Vincent thought, noting how similar the siblings' coloring was.

Both of them had the same shade of dark hair, although Olivia's was longer and styled up on her head, while Orion's was a lot more natural. But the shape and coloring of their eyes and their complexion were very similar. I must get him some shirts in pale blue. That would bring out the color of his gray eyes.

Working the crowd and being on the receiving line, were actions Vincent had been used to since he was twelve years old. There was a standard protocol everyone the world over respected. Equals air kissed each other, society family members bowed or curtseyed in front of royalty. Reception guests were expected to show their respect to the royal family and the move on into the great hall where tables were laid out and ushers showed various families to different chairs. Seating was determined according to the society family status with higher ranked families seated closer to the royal table and fanned out from there according to family rank determined by the World Council.

Of course, Vincent wasn't that kind of prince – one who adhered to protocol every minute of every day. By the time he'd become an adult, he'd realized that if he was ever going to be able to enjoy intimate company with others, it was likely only going to happen with someone who wasn't a royal.

In a word, royal family members were prudes…for understandable reasons. Royals set the examples society families and others lived to emulate, and so their behavior was consistently held to a higher standard than others. But Vincent had always held that life was for living and he just didn't have it in him to be the aloof sort of presence most society family members expected from their royal family members. Because of his position as the heir to a country, it's not like anyone was going to disapprove of his behavior, with the exception of his mother and she adored him.

It did cross his mind, after the sixth person he'd enjoyed private company with, just danced up onto the receiving stage and air kissed him, both sides, before dancing off again, that his new husband might get the wrong idea. Orion was standing between him and Olivia, and he appeared happy to share random comments with his sister, although he never said anything directly to Vincent himself.

Things must be fine, Vincent decided, as he smiled at yet another person he knew more intimately than others.

"Crown Prince Vincent, it's just so wonderful to see you again." Lady Violet from Rinsing, a small town on the outskirts of the capital gushed at him, stepping forward, her full bosom straining to escape her tightly corseted top. "I do hope you'll be staying in Carntan for a few days. You've been missed so much." Instead of air kissing on either side of him, she actually kissed both of Vincent's cheeks, grinning widely and ducking off before he could object. "We'll talk later and make a time to meet up." She laughed as she headed into the great hall.

Oops. Vincent glanced at Orion. He was saying something to Jaxon. Vincent thought he heard something about a horse, but he couldn't be sure because at that moment, the lord of the household stepped forward and announced the meal was about to start. He probably didn't notice, thank goodness. I'm sure everything will be fine.