‘If I’d revealed the secrets here to Raven of all people, they would have hunted me down and killed me.’ He takes my hand, playing with my fingers. ‘It was bad enough I left like I did. I’m glad I did, though. Because I wouldn’t have met you.’
‘Stop distracting me,’ I breathe. ‘I need you to show me everything.’
‘Now?’
‘I don’t know. Is it open at night?’
‘It is, but more for vampires. Do you want more stew?’
‘No. I want answers.’
‘We can go out now. Or we can go back to bed and try to sleep. I’ll show you around tomorrow.’
I raise my eyebrows. ‘Tryto sleep?’
He shrugs. ‘I can’t guarantee I’ll be sleeping much. Not if I’m in bed with you, with nowhere to go and no one to interrupt us. Especially with how loud you are.’
My breath catches. ‘I can be quiet.’
‘I hope not. I like how you sound when you’re unleashed.’
I blush, heat curling at my core. ‘Well, then.’ I stand up and take our dishes to the sink. I run the water, filling the bowl, squirting soap. Michael comes up behind me and kisses my neck, his hands sliding down the curve of my hips.
‘I need to do this first,’ I gasp, as his touch becomes more intimate. ‘What if someone comes in here?’
‘Then hurry up.’
‘If you help it’ll be faster.’
He groans, grabbing a tea towel to dry the dishes as I wash them. My entire body is tingling with anticipation, evidence of his arousal apparent.
‘Enough,’ he says, grabbing my hand when I go to put the dishes in the cupboard. ‘Leave them. We can apologise tomorrow.’
‘For leaving the dishes out?’ I say, as he pulls me towards the stairs.
He glances back at me, a wicked grin on his face. ‘For how loudly I’m going to make you say my name.’
Oh, darkness.
ChapterForty-Two
THE HEART OF THE FOREST
Iwake in Michael’s arms. His face is relaxed in sleep, light soft on his full mouth, catching the gold in his hair. I drop a kiss on his shoulder.
‘Hey.’ His eyes open, and he smiles. And it’s just this perfect moment as we gaze at each other. For a moment I let myself imagine how it could be if there was no crown, no world to change. No Joaquin. If we could stay here together and live our lives, among green leaves and the scent of fresh-baked bread.
He sits up, throwing back the covers. I clutch the quilt, enjoying the view as he rummages in his trouser pockets. He returns to bed a moment later.
‘I have something for you. I meant to give it to you on your birthday, at the ball. But you know how that turned out. I’ve been carrying it with me ever since, waiting for the right moment. And, well, this feels like it.’ He holds out his hand. A small velvet pouch sits on the palm. I take it, opening it to reveal a delicate silver ring.
His stormy gaze softens, the way it only does for me. ‘It was my mother’s.’
I tip it into my palm. Tiny silver flowers studded with diamonds twine around an opal, which glimmers with green and pink fire. ‘Are you sure … I mean, I can’t take this.’
Michael takes my hand in both of his. ‘There’s no one else I want to give it to,’ he says, his voice soft, his eyes iridescent in the gold light of morning. ‘Consider it a promise. That I’ll always be there for you. Wear it on whichever finger feels right.’
There’s a lump in my throat as I slide the ring onto my ring finger, on my right hand. It fits perfectly. I look at it, then at Michael.
