Zercy (The Nira Chronicles, #2)

by Kora Knight

“You soothe me,” the king murmured, sounding reflective. Somber. “The light in my black night. You are mine.” He pulled Alec closer. Pressed his nose against his ear. “My Alick,” he mumbled. He was falling asleep. “I hope those humans you wait for never come.”

Zercy suddenly felt like Alec’s stars. Like Alec’s home.

“Alick…” Alec opened his eyes and met his gaze. “Stay,” the king murmured. Alec frowned. “What do you mean?” “When your people finally come for you. I will let them all go. All of them…. If you stay.” Alec’s ribcage squeezed tight. “Zercy… I… I’m responsible for my team.” Zercy nuzzled his cheek. “Let them go, Alick. Choose me.”

“They’re my home.” Alec held his gaze. “Maybe I’m theirs, too. Maybe they miss me… like I miss them.” Something dimmed in Zercy’s eyes. “I would like to be your home. If you left me, I would miss you more than they.”

Zercy turned his head and smiled a little. “Because you are here, distracting me, allowing me to enjoy a bit of peace. Tonight, when I gaze at the stars in the sky, I think not of my troubles, but of you.”

Zercy eased onto his side and cupped the back of Alec’s head, then pressed his lips to Alec’s and murmured softly, “You have always been this to me. My shelter inside the storm. That quiet melodic music that soothes my beast.”

Zercy’s eyes dipped to Alec’s mouth, then slid back up to Alec’s stare. “You are everything to me,” he rumbled. “I want you to know this. That I put you above all I hold dear. Nothing means more to me. Not my kingdom. Not my crown…” His hips started to move. His black lashes fluttered. “Not even life, or Nira herself. I live for you.”

Zercy’s hips slowed to a stop. A soft thrum curled in his throat. “I am your home,” he murmured roughly. “Just as you have become mine.”