She savored the soft brush of Evren’s thumb against her hand. She fought the sleep so desperately trying to take her for fear that when she drifted off, all she would see was the faces of the men she’d killed.
“I’m here Lu,” Evren whispered against her ear. Her body relaxed the best it could.
“Evren,” she whispered, her eyes drifting shut.
“Yes?”
“Are you taking me to Valebridge today?” She smiled at her poor joke, knowing his answer before he’d speak it.
Visions of ivy and hunters danced behind her eyelids. She was sore and tired, but being in his arms had already healed her.
He came for her. He saved her.
She saved herself.
Evren kissed her hair as their horse climbed a hill.
“No, Lu,” he said. “Today I’ll be taking you home.”
Epilogue
Four years later
“Really, Lu? More ivy?”Evren shook his head when he entered their shared room at the Jade Guild.
Tallulah laughed, her entire body shaking as she did. “I quite like it, don’t you?”
She glanced around the room. The walls were now completely covered in the viny green foliage.
Evren joined her on the bed, shaking his head again.
“It’s nostalgic.” She winked.
“I like whatever you like.” He kissed her quickly before pulling a book from the nightstand.
Tallulah smiled at him before returning her focus to the vines creeping over the ceiling.
She could hardly believe it’d been four years since they fled Davenport and showed up on Evren’s uncle’s doorstep. Four years since their life started at the Jade Guild. Four years since she took the lives of two men.
It hadn’t been easy. In fact, much of it had been dreadful. His uncle wasn’t happy to be harboring a fugitive of the kingdom. But as soon as he realized it meant Evren was home to stay, that Evren would take his place as Lord, his uncle’s hate had lessened.
And over the years, slowly but surely, Tallulah and Thaddeus had formed a relationship of their own. Playing games of chess and giving Evren a hard time were just a few of the ways they enjoyed spending their evenings.
They were here, and they were safe.
Often, Tallulah ached for her greenhouse. For her magick she hadn’t touched since the day she killed those men. But when she looked around at all the life she created with just her hands, she didn’t feel as sad.
She shook off her thoughts and scooted toward Evren at the top of the bed. He bit his lip as he read his book, a habit he’d formed in the last few years. Smiling, she leaned in and kissed his neck. Then his ear. Then the freckles across his nose.
“Well, hello.” He tossed the book to the side and pulled her onto his lap.
She laughed and wrapped her legs around him.
Sometimes she couldn’t believe this was all real. That they were here, and he had chosen her. But when he looked at her with those eyes, with such passion, she couldn’t imagine her life any other way. Guilt plagued her the first year they were here when Thaddeus locked up the Guild. But when she’d heard the other Guilds followed suit, locking their doors hoping to cut ties with King Roman, her guilt lessened. Now she was grateful for their refuge.
“Come here.” Evren pulled her down into him.
Tallulah smiled just before his lips met hers. His tongue parted her lips, taking her for a deep kiss, and she moaned. Evren was a man of few words. But when he loved something, hereallyloved it.
