“Ryc, I don’t have a gift to return,” I finally manage to say.
He gives me a confused look. “You still haven’t readThe Joining.”
I clamp my mouth shut and he laughs.
“Didn’t you promise Lilith you would by the end of the week?”
“I promised I would. I never promisedwhen,” I retort and his laughter grows. “It’s no fault of mine Lilith has little experience in bartering with demons.”
“I would be concerned if she did,” Ryc laughs. He pulls the ring from the box and sets the box aside. “You’re not expected to have a gift right now. That is, unless you’d like to be married this instant.”
My wide-eyed, silent stare causes him to laugh again.
Taking my hand, he holds the ring over the end of my finger.
“Do you accept my gift, Vestaris Moonshadow?” he asks, his eyes never leaving mine.
The sound of my name upon his lips is enough to leave me drunk.
“The last time you gave me a gift, it came with your attention,” I say, my voice rather breathy as my heart pounds. “What comes with this one?”
Ryc smiles and gods, I forget how to breathe.
“My heart, little love,” he answers gently. “And all the years I have left in this realm. Until I find you again.”
I wasn’t expecting such an answer.
Not one so brutally beautiful.
My voice leaves me and head whirling, heart pounding, I nod.
He barely has time to place the ring on my finger before my hands are on his face, drawing his lips to mine. The taste of him too easy to drink.
He is mine and I am his.
Desirous heat shoots through me, a flame he stokes with little effort. My hands fly to his shirt, undoing the first three buttons with a fluid ease. His laughter breaks our kiss, and he nips playfully at my lower lip as he draws back.
“You’ll be made to spend the entire day in bed if you keep on,” he warns and the timbre of his tone tightens my stomach.
“We’re not going to?” Gods, I sound like I’m pouting.
He laughs again, kissing my cheek. “No, little love, we’re not.” He kisses the corner of my lips. “Today, we’re joining Ollora to celebrate the autumnal equinox.”
We’re going to venture into the city?
“Openly,” he adds with a smile.
Openly?
My jaw falls slightly agape as I realize what it is he means.
We’re going to enjoy today…as an engaged couple.
He’s presenting me to Ollora as its future Sovereign Queen.
Shit.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
