Gary of a Hundred Days (The Unwanted King #1)

by Isabel Murray

I suppose that Gary of Ninety-Four Days didn’t have quite the same ring to it.

Half an hour ago—or more, depending on how long I’d lain unconscious on the council chamber floor—I’d been a king in robes. And now I was a fugitive in rags. I wasn’t what you’d call happy about the fugitive or the rags bit. But I was thrilled to no longer be king.

It was a rough plan, full of hope and holes, and probably doomed to fail, but what other choice did I have?

Gods, I didn’t want to be eaten. I refused.

He was squeezing a bit too hard, actually. I didn’t mind it. He was so warm. I’d been so cold for so long. I had been cold since they took me away from him. From Silverleigh, I mean.

Magnus smelled like home.

Eventually, though, I had to let go. ...did I? Yes. Yes, I did. This really wasn’t appropriate.

“My lord,” he said on an exasperated sigh. I writhed. Magnus tugged, reeling me in until I collided with his body. He cupped my face and tipped his head down to look directly into my eyes. “Gary,” he said softly.

I was nominally the king, I’d just been ‘assassinated’, and I remained clueless, beyond: political turmoil is happening.

“Are you a stable master or a spymaster?” I marvelled. “Neither.” He stroked my chin again. I tipped my head and leaned into it like a cat.

I was intimidated and embarrassed at the idea that while I’d been sitting around, twiddling my thumbs and journaling in solitary confinement like a fool, Magnus had been setting up a spy network and bribing everyone.

“Of course I came for you, Gary. I will always come for you. Always. You’re my⁠—” I gazed up into his dark chestnut eyes. What? I was his what? We were plastered together, from knees to chest. My arms were locked around him. He was holding my face. Somehow, I didn’t think he was going to finish that sentence with my employer. “I’m your…?” I prompted. He didn’t reply. Instead, Magnus leaned down and laid his lips gently to mine.

When Magnus kissed someone, it didn’t look awful.

I was a great admirer of nature. My preference was to admire it in the enormous books with beautiful illustrated plates in my library, and with a nice cup of tea. Maybe a scone.

“Oof,” and then, “What’s wrong? Is it a bear?” “No,” Magnus said in a rough voice, and kissed me again.

I hadn’t even thought about it. I was following him like a baby duck. I sighed. I’d follow him anywhere.

“You looked at me like you wanted to throttle me,” I said. “No, sweetheart. I wanted to throttle myself for letting you get hurt. I looked at you like I wanted to never let you be hurt again.”

“Gareth Augustus Lysander Rannock. Will you come out from under your blanket for me?”

“Follow where?” “Everywhere. Anywhere. Into future days. Wherever one goes, the other will follow.” “That’s terribly romantic.”

I’d spent the last three years absolutely oblivious to the fact that this fascinating man somehow wanted me—me, Gary—and then he just announced that we were married? I really felt like that was something you should tell a man.

“Not because I want it, Gary. That’s not how it works at all. Because we want it.” “How did you even know I wanted it without asking me?” “You’re not very subtle,”

“Such an expressive little face as you have. If you could only see the way you look at me. How often you look at me. Thinking you’re well hidden. My beloved, you have told me how you feel, over and over.”

Oh. “Yeah,” he said, brushing the backs of his fingers over a hot cheek. “You looked at me like that.” I could only imagine that I looked like a stunned mullet. There was no accounting for taste.

“I know, sweetheart,” Magnus said. “You were waiting for me.”

“One day, Gary. One day, you’ll feel a fraction of what I feel for you, and you’ll understand. Until then—” he lowered to kiss me and murmur against my parted lips, “—trust me.” I did trust him. More than anyone. I loved him.

I was beginning to think that I had heretofore unexpected depths to my character. I could very well turn out to be a complete minx. I’d teased Magnus on purpose at least three times now.

“No. I thought perhaps you had never allowed anyone to touch you like you were allowing me, and I thanked the gods for the honour.”

“Magnus. You really are very romantic. I had no idea.” “Just you wait until we’re not trying to flee the kingdom and I have all the time in the world to spend on you.”

“I didn’t want any lovers,” I said again. “But I think, perhaps, I’ve always wanted you.”

I felt securely located inside my body, inhabiting it in a way I never had before. It was terrifying. It was wonderful. I was utterly undone and completely safe at the same time.

I have a small property there. Grasslands, mountains. Space as far as you can see. You’ll love it. You can run forever. I’ve horses to train and breed. While I’m doing that, you’ll have a library and a garden to build from scratch. And we have a lifetime to spend together.”

“I shall be known as Gary, Bondmate of Magnus.” I cupped his face and kissed him softly. “The happiest man in all the lands.”

Gary pretended reluctance. It wasn’t at all convincing, mostly because after three strides, he was in the lead and towing me after him.

every kiss with Gary was like my first kiss.