Chapter 18

LAUREL WONDERED IFhe should feel awkward, but steeped in the comfortable warmth of the dim room, he could only feel a lazy, satisfying afterglow. Even fully naked, stretched out beside Ash, he couldn't find it within himself to feel concern or worry.

The healer was supremely relaxed, eyes closed as his fingers tapped absently on his chest. Shifting onto his side so he could stare down at him, Laurel found himself marveling at the little details he hadn't noticed before, or at least hadn't taken the time to study before. Even if he'd attempted it, the man rarely sat still long enough to be studied, in any case.

Ash's hair was thick, messy, and probably in need of a trim, as the ends were just barely beginning to curl around his ears and the back of his neck. The lack of effort was somehow charming though, particularly how the strands seemed to shift depending on where the light was hitting from, a pretty array of autumnal hues.

His face was youthful and unsophisticated, even more so now that he was completely relaxed. His lashes, shades darker than the auburn rust of his hair, rested like shadows on his cheekbones. His expressive mouth looked innocent and honest, and not at all like it was capable of sending anyone's system into a completely devastating overdrive, though Laurel was now acutely aware that was far from the case.

Laurel's realization that he wasn't frigid, as he'd always suspected after Malory and all the men after, was such a relief he could hardly process it. It was a shock, but a delightfully welcome one. He felt as though he'd been hollowed out and filled with glimmering jewels.

"You're looking very deep in thought, gorgeous," Ash observed lazily, one eye cracked. "Thinking of me, I hope."

"Just wondering whether I should thank you, or if that would be strange."

"Oh, not at all," he retorted. "I accept cards, trinkets, gift baskets. Any of that is fine."

Laurel laughed a bit. "My dad and vatra want me to bring you over, so they can get to know you. You can have dinner with us."

"Tomorrow?"

"No." Laurel shook his head, flattered by the obvious excitement and enthusiasm in Ash's response. "My dad would kill me if I didn't give him enough time to prepare for a dinner guest. You'll have to give us a few days, if that's alright with you."

"Sounds perfect."

THE STAGE WASset, Laurel thought, nearly shaking his head with exasperation as he watched Minael nervously fuss around their spotless house.

"Dad, you can relax. Ash isn't the type of person to care about what someone's house looks like."

Heaving a sigh, Minael turned back to face Laurel, propping one hand on his hip. "You are expecting me to not care for when I'm officially meeting the man that my son is falling in love with?"

"Dad!" Laurel spluttered the word out, eyes wide. "Can you please not embarrass me tonight?"

Helio, who looked similarly harassed by his husband's statement, was frowning. "Laurel's right. There's no need for drama and hysterics."

When the doorbell rang, Laurel's muscles tensed with the need to answer it, but Minael sailed past him.

"Hello, Ash!" He greeted him with an elated pitch to his voice. "I'm so glad you've come to have dinner with us! Flowers for Laurel?" He couldn't help but ask, eyeing the wrapped bunch of colorful blooms in the man's arms.

"Actually, they're for you," Ash responded, holding them out. "As a thank you for hosting me and feeding me tonight."

"Oh!" Practically squealing with excitement, Minael whirled around to show them. "Do you see these, Helio? Aren't they lovely?"

"Lovely," Helio agreed, while Ingrid sprang up from her seat to fuss over them as well.

"Laurel must have told you that I love flowers."

"Lucky guess," Ash admitted, shaking his head at the man's excitement. It was obvious from the elaborate gardens outside. "But I'm glad you like them. You have a really beautiful home. Even from the outside, it looks like it's out of a fairy tale."

"Do you really think so?!" Ash wouldn't have thought it possible, but Minael's voice somehow gained even more enthusiasm. "I would love to show you everything. It's called, um…" He paused for a minute, trying to remember the word in his second language.

"A tour," Helio inserted placidly. Though Ash glanced back at Laurel's vatra with a bit of caution, he didn't really have any defense against Minael tugging at his wrist, forcing him to follow.

As he was led around the house, Minael chattering about each room, Ash couldn't help but marvel at the man's unique energy. He knew that the man was a sorcerer as well, though his aura wasn't much like the magic users Ash had ever been exposed to. It was insistent but gentle, serene but jubilant. He couldn't help but feel as though he were being systematically pelted with flower petals and glitter.

"This is gorgeous," he commented, gesturing toward a large glass sculpture, the focal point of their formal parlor. It was nearly as tall as he was, an abstract piece in an eclectic shape comprised of several long, slim pieces, twisting together fluidly, like jets of water, to make an ethereal sort of cage shape. In the center of the pseudo-cage was a fat, broad-faced flower.

"That's sweet of you," Minael said, beaming. "This is Laurel's. I have others of his around the house as well, but they are more small than this."

"Laurel collects art?" Ash questioned, surprised. He'd never mentioned it.

"Collect? No," he said, shaking his head. "This is a gift Laurel made for me."

"He made this?" Ash repeated, shocked. "I had no idea he…" Trailing off, he felt his brows furrow together. "Is this something he does a lot?"

Minael was somewhat puzzled by Ash's reaction. "In the past, yes. He doesn't make art anymore."

"He made this with magic, didn't he?" He asked, suddenly understanding.

"That's right. He uses his fire to…" Struggling for a moment to try and explain, Minael made a wide gesture with his hands to try and demonstrate. "Heat up and move around the glass."

"I understand," Ash assured him. And because he could sense that his grim reaction was giving Laurel's father a bit of apprehension, he forced a cheerful smile back onto his face. "Well, it's a lovely piece, and it goes so perfectly in the center of the room here. I'd love to see more."

"VERY SMOOTH WITHthe flowers," Laurel muttered softly, when finally Ash was sitting next to him at the dinner table and the first course of the food was being served, delicately flaky pastries layered with herbed cream.

"All pretty boys like getting flowers," Ash murmured back, shrugging. "It's just a fact of life."

"Are you calling my father a pretty boy?"

"Not if it makes you unhappy, sunshine," he promised, giving a completely innocent expression. "You can be the only pretty boy in the world for me, if you'd like it."

"Hush," Laurel hissed out, glad his family was engrossed in a different conversation for the moment. "How was your tour?"

"Very enlightening," Ash said honestly, but it was hardly the time to bring up what he'd learned about the art. He tucked it away for later.

"Are you liking everything, Ash?" Minael asked some time later, after the man had devoured a good share of the appetizer course and was enthusiastically chowing down on a very expensive cut of steak.

"Oh, yeah," he answered, after swallowing. High-society table manners weren't a strength, but he knew enough to know not to talk with his mouth full. "This stuff is even better than what they make at the castle."

"Oh, stop," Minael pleaded, though he was smiling coyly. "You're such a flatterer."

"I mean it," Ash said honestly. "This is the best food I've ever had."

"Laurel will have to be learning to cook for you then, no?" He asked, glancing meaningfully at his son.

Scoffing, Laurel regarded him with a dry expression. "Please." He despised cooking and cleaning. Though he had respect for the concept and admired the way Minael could be fulfilled by it, the idea of being a housekeeper filled him with dread.

"It's alright," Ash intervened agreeably. "I can just come here for dinner when I feel like it."

"Oh, of course," Minael agreed, again fluttering his lashes. "You're welcome anytime."

Observing the interaction between his husband and Laurel's new beau with complete neutrality, Helio was still reserving judgment on the rather unsophisticated healer. As for the flirtations, he was unsurprised. Mina had always been the most flirtatious person he'd ever known, wielding his innocently unassuming appearance like a pseudo-weapon. The song and dance of it all had always been like a game to him. When they'd first married, Helio had struggled with his jealousy regarding that particular trait, but he'd eventually accepted it was just part of who his husband was. Regardless, Minael was immensely, inordinately in love with him, so he'd never had a true reason to question his loyalty.

"Tell us about your family, Ash," Helio suggested, keeping his eyes locked on the man as he raised a glass of water to his lips.

Though it was the question he'd been dreading, Ash had already accepted the inevitability of it, and was glad he'd discussed it with Laurel when they'd agreed to him coming for dinner.

"You should tell the truth," Laurel had insisted after he'd asked what he should say about his lineage if the subject came up.

"You don't think your parents will find it off putting that I'm the illegitimate bastard of a married noble having an extramarital affair?"

Because he'd been deliberately harsh with his wording, he hadn't been surprised at Laurel's mild wince.

"If they do, then it's better to tell them earlier so they can start getting over it."

He'd received permission to be honest, but still the thought of causing tension between the family left a sour taste in Ash's mouth. Still, he had no other viable option.

"I live with my mother in a town out on the edge of the kingdom. I've been taking a train back and forth to see her while I'm staying here."

"Just the two of you?" Minael wondered, tilting his head, though he found it sweet that the healer made such an effort to visit. He hoped his children would visit him frequently when they lived away from him, too.

"Yes, it's always just been the two of us."

"And your mother is a magic user, from the house of Erisola?" Helio asked for clarification. He'd done a small amount of research on the family after Ingrid's concert. They possessed a particular strain of healing magic that was very different to the typical skill set found in a sorcerer.

"No," Ash said, shaking his head. "She's not a magic user. My father is from the house of Erisola." He was well-versed in keeping his cool, but he could feel his skin dampening, his heart knocking against his ribs. Despite that, his voice was mild and cool. To his relieved surprise, he couldn't feel much tension radiating from Laurel at his side. As he'd promised, Laurel apparently wasn't overly hung up on his unusual situation of birth.

"Are your mother and father separated?" Helio asked. It was strange enough, as well as culturally frowned upon for a magic user to be with a non-magic user, let alone actually breed with them.

What would happen, Ash wondered, if Laurel's parents objected to their courting? Would he end up causing a rift between them when they were finally beginning to reconcile after what Laurel had admitted to him was nearly two years of strain? Was he doing the right thing, risking their reconciliation? Would it be better for him to keep a safer distance from Laurel until he was no longer housed under their roof? But in the same vein, he understood that in the world of high-bred nobles, there would be no reason for Laurel to ever leave their care until he was moving in with his chosen spouse.

"They aren't separated, no," Ash admitted. "In truth, I've never met him."

"Your father?" Helio asked, somewhat sharply now.

"Right," he reiterated. "He was already married to someone else when I was born. He already had children with his wife. When my mother told him about me, he didn't believe that I was his."

"In other words, he was unwilling to accept responsibility for his actions," Helio finished, the distaste in his voice obvious. For a practical-minded perfectionist that prided himself on his dependability, the concept was the ultimate display of scum.

Though Laurel had stayed quiet, Ash felt the sorcerer's hand on his thigh, giving him a light squeeze, encouraging him to keep going. "That's the way I see it, though my mother saw it differently, I think. This probably isn't appropriate conversation for the dinner table, but… The entire ordeal was very difficult for her, and I don't think she ever fully recovered from his rejection. He'd seduced her, promising that he would leave his wife for her."

"It must have been very difficult," Minael acknowledged softly, brows drawing together as he spoke. Because he was aware of the privilege that having a husband like Helio granted him, he knew that raising their children had been easier for him than most. As a result, he found it impossible to imagine doing it without the strong support system of a spouse.

"It was hard for both of us," Ash admitted. "But overall, I know that I'm lucky to have inherited his magic. It's been very helpful in allowing me to have a career that fulfills me emotionally as well as financially."

"The fact that you have inherited the very rare magic exclusive to the Erisola bloodline is proof enough of your genealogy," Helio pointed out, looking pensive for a moment. "But I do have friends who are considered to be top of the field in paternity law. I'd be happy to get you in touch if you or your mother ever wanted to pursue legal action against him."

"No," Ash said quickly, though he was mildly touched at the consideration. Then knowing that his refusal probably sounded stiff, he tried to soften his voice before speaking again. "As far as I'm concerned, it's in the past. She's in a good place now, and I would hate to reopen old wounds."

"It seems unfair," Minael pondered with a slight frown. "But I can understand your decision for that."

As Ash went further in explaining how his mother's intense depression had kept her from working to support them as a child, and how he had built their home with his own hands, Laurel watched his vatra's expression carefully. He was taking the news of Ash's lineage better than expected, but the sorcerer knew that he was very good at masking his feelings.

"Do you feel that you're a caregiver of sorts?" Helio finally asked, after listening patiently to Ash's explanation of his unconventional childhood. "Is that what fulfills you?"

"Absolutely," Ash answered without hesitation. "But to be transparent, I feel that my natural instinct to provide and nurture more than likely stems from the fact that my powers are centered around being curative."

Helio privately agreed that the thematic elements of Ash's magic had probably helped to shape his personality, as he'd witnessed similar phenomenons with Minael, Laurel, and Ingrid. But regardless of where it stemmed from, he could imagine the healer being someone that could take care of Laurel the way he wanted and expected his children to be taken care of.

As Minael and Ingrid asked more questions about the town Ash lived in, charmed by his anecdotes, Helio considered his feelings. Laurel was becoming recognizable to him again, no longer the bitter, wounded stranger he'd been after Malory. But would he revert back to that low point if things didn't work out between them? But he'd chosen Malory, pressured Laurel to make things work with him, while his son had chosen Ash of his own free will.

Once the meal was wrapping up, and Ash was once again eagerly devouring the fruit-topped cake that Minael had slaved over for the final course, Helio reminded himself that as a business executive, he often only had his own instincts to go on in judging others. And he very rarely made poor judgment calls.

"Ash," he started, sitting up in his chair and regarding the healer with intently dark eyes. Laurel recognized the tone of voice very well, and tensed a little. "My intention isn't to offend you, but I have to be honest with my expectations when it comes to my family."

"I wouldn't want you sugarcoating anything for me," Ash retorted, leaning forward in his seat, returning the resolute gaze. "I'd respect your honesty."

"I can appreciate that you've made something of your life, given your very unfortunate beginnings. And I admit that I find your determination and perseverance a very admirable trait. While it may be early for me to say this, and I don't intend to put pressure on the relationship you have with my son, I can say that you wouldn't be someone I would be opposed to seeing him with. However," he continued, ignoring Laurel's glare. "Though I can understand that your personal circumstances aren't your fault, I'm afraid I can't allow Laurel to discard our lineage, no matter the reason for doing so. I will only approve of your courting if you're willing to take our name in marriage, if it does come to that."

Looking somewhat shocked at the last statement, Ash felt himself blinking as his mind whirled with understanding. "Y-yes, that's what I… I mean, that has always been my intention were we to advance in our relationship to that point." He'd made that known to Laurel early on, though he was sure the sorcerer wouldn't want his parents knowing they'd already had discussions of that nature. "I would never consider putting him or any future children we may have at a social disadvantage."

Giving a small nod, Helio threaded his fingers together in front of him. "As long as you're agreeable to that, then I have no objections to you or your relationship."

Though he despised these types of conversations, discussions about his future as if he weren't even present in the room, Laurel was used to them. When you were born into a high-ranking noble family, you were made aware very early on that you would always be an extension of the name. He knew that was largely the reason Helio had been so disappointed in the erratic, shameful actions he'd taken after being so broken by Malory. But the sheer relief at not having to fight to be with Ash was so palpable, he could hardly complain.

"I want to talk to you alone," he whispered, as Minael pranced around the table, collecting empty plates and cheerfully chattering about what a lovely evening it had been and how happy he was to get to know Ash. Laurel knew how much his father hated conflict and had probably been fretting about how Helio would receive the healer.

Excusing themselves politely, Ash followed Laurel into his bedroom, leaving the door open a crack behind him. The last thing he wanted after receiving Helio's approval was to make it appear as though they were retreating to do something lewd together in private. Not that he would have minded ending the night by sucking Laurel off again.

Despite that he'd made a point of not latching the door closed behind them, the moment they were out of sight from the hall, Laurel had snaked his arms around Ash's neck, pulling him in for a long, deep kiss.

"I've been wanting to do this since you got here," he murmured against the healer's mouth, practically purring at the feeling of Ash's large hands gliding down his long, narrow torso to rest on the subtle curve of his backside.

"I know." Gripping Laurel's slim body, he pulled so there was nothing between their forms.

"You know everything, don't you?"

"Not everything," Ash admitted. The sinful way Laurel's tongue was pushing up against his was driving him crazy.

Breaking the seal of their kiss, he leaned back a bit to look into Ash's emerald eyes. "I just wanted to thank you for being so amazing tonight. You're so good at talking to my parents, especially my vatra."

"You don't need to thank me," Ash said, brushing his knuckles over Laurel's hips as he spoke. "I'm grateful for their understanding of everything, and I'm relieved. Your vatra seems to accept me, and I think your father adores me."

Snorting, Laurel tried to summon up an appropriately displeased look. "I can't believe you flirted with him all night, right in my face."

Chuckling lowly, Ash at least had the presence of mind to wince. "I wasn't flirting exactly, just…"

"You were flirting," Laurel corrected him, shaking his head, though it was clear he had no real anger regarding the display.

"Forgive me," he pleaded, eyes sparkling with mischievous humor. "It's just that he's very easy to flirt with. I'm afraid I am, too."

"Yes, you're two provocative little peas in a pod," the sorcerer said flatly, nudging Ash to his bed so they could sit.

"As long as you know that I'd never seriously look at anyone else when I have you, Laurel."

The words, unbearably romantic in Laurel's opinion, sent a pleasant shiver up in his spine. "I know you wouldn't."

"You're the sun to me," Ash promised, taking the other man's hands in his once they'd settled onto the soft bedspread. "The center of my universe. You're so bright and beautiful and you make everything around you brighter and more precious just for being in your presence."

"The sun can be dangerous, too," he reminded the healer, though his heart was aching in his chest at the words. "It can burn you if you aren't careful."

"It's worth the risk. You're worth the risk, Laurel."

Swallowing thickly, Laurel put forth a great deal of effort to keep his voice light as he answered. "You're really too good at this."

"You love it," Ash retorted, skimming his fingertips over golden locks of hair.

Unwilling to admit anything, Laurel moved a shoulder. "I'm not opposed."

Amused as always by his prickly irritability, Ash could only smile. "It feels like there's something else you want to tell me, sunshine. Am I wrong?"

"Well, not exactly. It's just a thought I had."

"Go ahead."

"Well, I was thinking now that you've had a chance to sit down with my parents, I guess it's my turn with your mother, but…" He paused, let himself absorb the obviously cautious expression on Ash's face, understanding with certainty now that he was making the right decision. "But hearing you explain her, I get now that it isn't really a good idea yet, right?"

"Laurel…" Though he grimaced a bit at his companion's resigned tone, Ash was grateful and relieved for his tact. "I'm sorry. But not yet."

Sighing, Laurel dug his fingers into one of his plump pillows, bringing it to his chest. "I understand."

"I know you allowed me to be honest with your family about myself, and I'm grateful to you for that. It's wrong of me to hide you away for my own convenience, but my mother's only association to nobility is what happened between she and my father. In her mind, that's what it means to be highborn. To be manipulative and cruel and self-centered. You have to imagine how she'll feel when she finds out that I'm in-" Cutting himself off as he realized how close he had been to admitting the depth of his feelings, Ash shook his head before beginning again. "That I'm courting a blue-blooded aristocratic magic user, just like she did."

"It's selfish of me, I know, to expect you to put her or yourself in an uncomfortable position. If I forced you to do that, I'd be confirming her feelings about how people of my status are."

Unbelievably touched by his understanding, Ash reached out to stroke his shoulder. "She's not like your parents, you know. She's more childlike. She's going to need time, but I'll try and explain everything to her this weekend. That way when she finally meets you, she'll have had time to adjust. But I'm sorry that you're disappointed."

Giving a small nod, Laurel hugged the pillow tightly. "It's alright. It isn't your fault. You'll come with me to see everyone before you leave, won't you?"

"That's right," Ash remembered suddenly. "Nero and March will be back from their honeymoon tomorrow."

"We're all meeting tomorrow night, to talk."

"You want me to come with you?"

"I said that, didn't I?" Laurel said, pouting a little as he averted his gaze toward the window of his bedroom. "Unless you don't think you'd like it."

"Of course I'd like it, sunshine. Anything that makes you happy is something I'd like to do."

Sliding his gaze back over, Laurel gave him an inquisitive look. "Anything?"

"You only need to ask."

"I'd like it if you kissed me some more before leaving tonight."

Eyebrows quirking a bit as he processed the request, Ash felt a slow smile spread across his face. "You should have asked for something more difficult."