Chapter 21

“He’s coming along beautifully. I have a buyer flying in next week and I think this handsome lad is what he’s looking for,” Ran said then gave the horse’s neck an affectionate pat. “Take him in for the night,” he said then turned to find Niall dodging and weaving his way around the grooms and trainers. “What’s going on?” Ran asked as he put his arm around Niall protectively. He rarely ventured this far from the house or visited the stables and he looked a little panicked.

“Nothing. Isla and Simon left and won’t be back until late. I was wondering if you wanted to have a drink,” Niall said then looked around the courtyard anxiously.

“We usually have a drink before dinner,” Ran reminded him as he led Niall around the side of the building.

“I’m in the mood now but I didn’t want to drink alone,” Niall said then smiled. It was large and tight and Ran didn’t like it.

“Sure… Let me run into my office and see if the veterinarian’s reports are in so I can look at them after dinner,” he said and Niall kept nodding.

“Wonderful. I’ll wait for you here and we’ll go through the conservatory,” he said as he pointed over his shoulder and Ran reached for him.

“What is it, Niall?” He insisted but Niall waved it off then raised his hand to shield his eyes from the setting sun. Niall’s hand blocked half of his face and Ran’s legs almost buckled as he stumbled. Icarus stared back at him and Ran was dizzy as he looked around.

“Are you all right?” Niall said as he reached for Ran’s shoulder. He grabbed Niall’s wrist and held onto it loosely. He couldn’t bear to have Niall touch him. Guilt crashed within Ran and a scream caught in his throat and he coughed to hold it back.

“Actually, I need to make a phone call and check on a few things. I’ll see you before dinner,” he said quickly then fled, leaving Niall blinking in shock. Ran waved as the last of the grooms left for the evening and ducked into his office. He shut the door then clapped his hand over his mouth to stifle another scream as the other twisted in his hair and tugged hard. Something fell in the storage room next to the office and Ran spun and his brows fell as he looked at the door. He rushed to it and pulled it open but aside from the horses staring at him over their stall doors, Ran was alone. “Which of you knocked?” He asked them as he took a few steps out then checked the storage room. He opened the door and flicked on the light and frowned at the pile of towels spread across the floor. “What the hell…?” He asked then grabbed the side of his neck as it stung. His hand was slapped away and he tried to turn but he was pushed back. The small room spun around him as he fell onto the towels. Icarus floated above him before a blanket was thrown over Ran and his face was covered.

“I can’t take any more of this,” Ran sighed as the canopy of a bed came into view. It was draped in Holland covers and weak light glowed from a nearby window. This is Gallahide, he realized as he raised his head but the entire bed was wrapped in covers and they were cocooned in simple white sheets. Icarus was naked and a tear dripped from his cheek, onto Ran’s chest.

“I had to,” he breathed then rose and stretched toward Ran’s lips.

“Don’t,” he said as he pulled his face away.

“I’m sorry,” Icarus said softly as he pressed a kiss to Ran’s beard then rested his head on Ran’s chest again. The hours passed slowly and they were silent until it became too much for Ran.

“Do what you will,” he said as he surrendered and they cried as Icarus rode him. Ran didn’t plan to argue or hesitate when Icarus asked him to drink but his heart shattered as he felt another hot sting in the side of his neck before he faded.