‘Really, Melek? You think you’re going to make love to me and I’ll forget that you called me a hardass?’
I huffed, then landed carefully on the balcony, before letting her down, holding her until she found her feet—and not letting her go when she tried to turn to walk inside.
Her head tilted. “What is it?”
“Come. Look.” I took her hand, and drew her back to the edge of the balcony, to look down over the sprawling land before us—the palace gardens, and forest directly below. The distant city lights to the south. To the east, the mountain ranges that were hugged by the Shadows of Shade. Beyond them, the rest of the continent, all of it now under our rule, by one means or another. If we’d been able to see far enough east, we’d see all the way to Ebonreach, where our Governors awaited our return in a few months.
“Everywhere we’ve been, Yilan—and everywhere we might go. Everyone we love is down there somewhere.”
She sighed and softened against me, leaning into my side. I put an arm around her, and held her close.
“We truly are blessed,” she breathed.
I nodded. “By the hand of God Himself.”
It was a beautiful, sober moment, and one I drank in, knowing I’d remember it—until it was ruined by my smartass mate, poking me in ribs, right where she knew I was most ticklish. I flinched, and glared down at her, only to find her finally smiling.
“We even know for sure you have a soul.Thatwas a relief!”
When my face went blank, her expression fell.
“Melek, I was joking—”
“I know. That’s not what I’m worried about,” I said grimly.
She frowned. “What is it?”
I took a deep breath. “Now we just have to figure out ifyoudo.”
Then I happily kissed away her spluttering protests, and thanked God she was mine.
THE END—or is it?
