His eyes meet mine with a renewed sparkle of bliss. For a moment, I just want to get lost in those eyes, stare deep into his soul—where I find part of me. We’re complete now, together.
Whatever our bodies are doing is nothing compared to our souls. We keep a slow, steady rhythm. It’s just us, close together, feeling each other, the energy of our bond coursing through our bodies. It’s us, and that’s what matters.
Touching him is a blessing, and feeling him within me compares to nothing else in the world. If sheer joy was a physical sensation, it would be this. Our pleasure mounts and mounts, until we’re one body. One heart, exploding in pleasure and bliss together, his seed filling me. It’s where it belongs.
He collapses over me, then lies beside me, cups my face, and kisses my forehead. “Do you still want to know who I am?” There’s a renewed softness in his voice.
“I thought we agreed it didn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t. For you and me, it doesn’t. But you’re right that you should know. You asked me if I was the prince of the Nether Court, and I told you I’m not. I used to be, though. But my father died.”
“You mean you are…” I swallow, unsure if I heard it right, afraid of voicing what I think he’s saying.
“The king, yes.”
I close my eyes. Somehow, I can’t even be angry right now. A chuckle leaves my lips. “Well played, Azur, well played. You waited until I was in a great mood to tell me.”
He gives me a broad smile. “You’re in a great mood?”
“Yes, I am.” I slap his shoulder softly. “But I don’t like it that you hid it. And is it true? You want to destroy the Crystal Court?”
He runs his knuckles over my face. “I’ll figure out something. I don’t want to hurt Marlak, like I told you. Or Renel. We’ll find a solution, once the Witch King’s dead.”
“But… you’re betraying their trust. Astra?—”
“She knows. We faced the Witch King together, and… the subject came up.”
That’s surprising. “And she didn’t tell her husband or anyone?”
“I suppose not, which I truly appreciate.”
Well, they did face death together, so I suppose it makes a lot of sense. A disturbing thought then comes to me. “A crown is a target. It could endanger you.”
“It’s why I hide it. But I want you to know that my family was not evil. If they served the Witch King, it was for survival, not that it’s an acceptable excuse. I don’t want to follow in their footsteps. I want to make things right. Perhaps there’s a reason I have this transcending magic, a reason I’ll have to help defeat him.”
“I understand.” I kiss him on the lips. “But make sure you survive, because I do love you, despite all the secrets you kept from me.”
His smile is everything that’s stunning in the world. “I will.”
TARLIA
Renel traces the curve of my hips with his hands, each touch driving me insane, then he looks at me.
“You know I’m not a king anymore, right?”
“I noticed it. Why?”
“Remember when I said you could come to the castle and live with me? Well, that’s not… It’s not going to happen.”
I reach out a hand and caress his face. “I’m not upset.”
“No. But I was thinking about the future. My father left us an inn, in the south. I was thinking of managing it, and making aliving. I was wondering… if you’d like to come with me, and take care of it. It’s not royalty, like you’re used to, but?—”
“I’d love to.” And it’s true. I can’t help but feel excited about a future with Renel, no matter where or doing what. “And I can learn to work hard.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yes, of course it’s a yes. Yes, yes, yes.”
