He needs to do this. For her.
“She’s perfect just the way she is,” he whispers. “I like her hair down.”
The queen shakes her head and heaves a sigh. “I suppose we’ll all have to get used to your elven ways.”
The warmth in Arisanna’s eyes is unmistakable, and she mouths a thank-you to him when her mother isn’t looking.
He can’t put words to any of the thoughts and feelings in his head as he returns her gaze, but somehow she seems to understand how desperately he loves her all the same.
“WhyamIsosleepy?” Rominy asks. “None of this is even real.”
“Are you sure you don’t wish to go to bed?” Elowyn mumbles groggily where she leans against his side on the sofa in their little cottage. The sun set hours ago. At least, it felt like hours. It’s impossible to say how much time has passed outside their dream world. She can barely keep her eyes open, though. Her exhaustion from the real world seems to be seeping into their heartlanding.
Rominy sighs as he rubs his eyes. “I think I’m going to fall asleep soon whether I want to or not.”
Elowyn can’t call up words to respond, but a moment later, her eyes flash open when he lifts her off the sofa.
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kept you up,” he whispers. “I wasn’t thinking. Just relax now, love. I’ve got you.”
She gives in to the exhaustion coursing through her and curls against his chest as he carries her to the little bedroom with the big bed.
“Do you want to sleep in this?” he asks. He seems in no rush to put her down as he eyes the white gown she changed back into after their dinner negotiations concluded earlier.
“This is fine,” she murmurs.
With a nod, he lowers her to the bed, and she crawls under the covers. The silky sheets are cool against her skin, and she floods them with heat from her fire magic. That’s better.
Her gaze lands on Rominy where he stands with his back to her as he tugs his loose linen shirt over his head. He’s so strong, for a human.
He glances over his shoulder at her, and she smiles. “You’re very nice to look at, my love.”
That nervous laugh of his escapes his throat, and he scratches his brow. “I recall you saying as much by our waterfall.”
“Mmm. Yes. And I recall all the words your eyes shouted as you looked at me.”
“I’m pretty sure there were actual words involved.”
“I remember those, too.”
“So you’re just going to watch me now?” he asks as he turns to face her.
“I am your...wife. Am I not?”
The corners of his mouth tick up, and he nods. “You are definitely my wife.” He strips to his small clothes and crawls under the covers beside her. “This bed is really soft.”
“It’s not like an elven bed. We sleep on moss,” she whispers as she snuggles against him.
“You what? You sleep on moss?”
“Yes. But I am enjoying these human beds. They’re so comfortable. Especially when you’re in them with me.”
“I’m still processing this idea of a bed made of moss. Do you gather it?”
Weary laughter fills her. “No, we grow it. Well, I don’t. But plant wielders do.”
“That’s fascinating.” He wraps his arm around her, and she nestles closer, resting her hand over his heart.
“I love you, Rominy,” she murmurs as her eyelids grow heavy again.
