“It does.”
She bit her lip as I skimmed my hand down her arm. Her back arched as she said, “And how do you feel about being a Primal now? You don’t seem surprised.”
“I think I got all the surprise out of me when I saw the eather swirling around me the first time,” I replied, which was true. “I’ve had some time to process it.”
Her worry thickened as she said. “But this wasn’t something you expected when you agreed to the Joining. Neither did Kieran. But…” She pulled in her lips and then released them. “So, you’re okay with it? With being a…Primal of Death?”
My hand went to her waist as I shifted onto my knees. I crowded her until she was flat on her back and beneath me. Her scent, sweet and warm, surrounded me. I kissed her shoulder. “Are you?”
A fine shiver danced over her skin. “Yes.”
I nipped at her. “Then so am I.”
She stared at me. “You make it sound like my feelings are the only thing that matters, Cas—”
Kissing her, I captured her words with a sweep of my tongue over the seam of her lips. She opened for me at once. And, gods,just one kiss, and I was full of need for her. I wanted nothing more than to sink into her tight, wet heat. And I would if the kiss continued for much longer.
With effort, I lifted my head. She pulled back with a breathy sigh, her slightly unfocused gaze searching mine.
I understood what she was looking for. “The moment I saw the essence around me, I knew it was the essence of death,” I told her. “TheDeminyenthing is a shock, but I still feel the same.” Mostly. “And I’m sure some things will take some getting used to, but I’m okay with that. All right?”
Exhaling softly, she nodded. A moment passed. “I think it’s far past time we start acting like a King and Queen.”
“Unfortunately, you’re correct.”
She reached up and brushed my hair back from my eyes. “That means you need to move.”
“I know.”
Her lips curled up. “You still haven’t moved.”
“I’m working on it.” I gave her one more quick kiss and pushed myself up and off the bed. Standing, I stretched my arms, trying to loosen the too-tight muscles.
Her heady, sweet scent increased, heating my blood. Lowering my arms, I looked over my shoulder.
Poppy lay on her side, arms crossed over her breasts. Her lower lip was between her teeth as she eyed me.
“Poppy.” Her name rumbled from my chest.
She groaned. “Please put some clothes on.”
I grabbed my breeches and pulled them on as I glanced out the window, seeing that the sky looked the same as when Aydun was here. A frown pulled at my lips. My suspicions about the Fate messing with the time grew. Because night should’ve fallen by now. Securing the flap on my breeches, I shook my head. “You can look. My modesty is now protected.”
“Modesty,” she huffed.
Grinning, I faced her. Much to my disappointment, she had already pulled on the sleeping gown. My gaze lowered to the robe lying in tatters under her. Recalling what she’d said about it—or tried to—I asked, “You said you got the robe at Mount Lotho?”
“Yeah.” She glanced at it and cringed. “I think it belonged to Penellaphe.”
“ThePenellaphe?” I walked to where I’d laid the robe that I’d given her before she felt the pull to the other realm.
“Yes, that one.” She paused. “She’s married to Holland.”
“Really?” I picked it up and walked it over to her. “I didn’t know the Fates were the marrying type.”
“Me, neither.”
I held the robe out to her. “Was she there?”
