Manlius stared at him. “A great sacrifice. A life.”
“Take mine,” Alexander said.
Manlius’ eyes widened. “You can’t,” he started, but Alexander lifted a hand to silence him.
“It’s mine to give. Besides, I should have died a long time ago,” Alexander said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “I was given a second chance. I got to fall in love with the most incredible man I have ever met.”
He paused, his expression softening.
“He’s angry with me right now. He said I was using him as a distraction. The funny thing is, he was right. And also so wrong. Because he’s my comfort. When things were hard, I found myself going to him without even realizing it. I needed his presence, his scent. Even when he was mad at me, just being near him calmed me.
“Why are you telling me this?” Manlius asked.
“Because I need you to help me save him,” Alexander said. “I like the idea of him growing old, finding love again, and being happy. Not dying here tomorrow. He gives so much of himself to the world and doesn’t take anything for himself. I want to give him what he gave me. A chance to live.”
“I can’t take your life, Your Majesty,” Manlius said, stepping back. Tears glinted in his eyes.
“I’m giving it to you,” Alexander said. “Please.”
Manlius shook his head.
“Please.”
“Fuck. Okay.” Manlius wiped at his eyes and shook his head. “You really need to tell Boaz how you feel.”
“I will,” Alexander said, turning toward the stairs. “Can I ask you for a favor?”
“After that? Anything,” Manlius said, following him.
Chapter 32
Boaz
Boaz couldn’t believe they were doing this. Having a wedding right before the world might come to an end.
He had seen the proposal already, heart-wrenching in its own way, but the wedding was even more intense. Dressed in his robes, Manlius stood beside a long table filled with lit candles and burning incense in his garden. Next to him was Killan, the Fae king, dressed in his royal regalia.
The couple had asked them both to officiate their union, and since Manlius’s house was the only place with a touch of magic, it had been deemed the most suitable place for the ceremony.
Though the space was small, people had squeezed in wherever they could, gathering to witness what might be the last happy moment of their lives.
Without even meaning to, Boaz’s eyes drifted across the crowd in search of Alexander. He had seen him earlier, and the sight had left his chest aching. The pain was nothing he could have prepared for. It hurt more than anything he had ever known.
“Fuck,” Boaz whispered as he wiped away the tears that suddenly slipped down his cheek. He couldn’t watch this. “Excuse me.”
He pushed through the gathered crowd and stepped into the house. A hand suddenly caught his arm and pulled him deeper inside.
Boaz was about to swing a fist at whoever had grabbed him, but froze the moment Alexander’s scent hit him. He inhaled, almost desperately, as if he had been starved of it.
“What are you doing?” Boaz forced out, trying to pull his arm free from Alexander’s grip. But the vampire only tightened it as he led him up the stairs.
Alexander pushed open the first room they reached and stepped inside, closing the door behind them and locking it.
“Alexander,” Boaz whined, as Alexander pressed him back against the door and crowded into his space.
Boaz tried not to lean into him, but Alexander’s warmth loosened his limbs, making it harder to think clearly.
“I’m not a distraction,” Alexander said. “And I’m angry that you’d even think that about yourself. You’re incredible. You draw me in without even trying. You pulled me into your world, even when you weren’t there. You’re… beautiful. I can’t stop thinking about you. I couldn’t even stop myself from wanting to be close to you. You mean everything to me.”