“Always, Elowyn. Until my end of days.” He presses a soft kiss to her wet hair and leads her to the bed, where he hands her a plate full of waffles. “Eat up, love. That treehouse won’t build itself. Unfortunately.”
His words make her laugh again, and she reaches for her fork and does as he says.
That Part’s Unnecessary
Episode 92
“Idon’twanttoget out,” Arisanna whispers as she leans back against Cerian’s chest in their enormous bathtub.
He holds her close and rests his cheek on her wet hair. He’d stay here with her all day if their absence would go unnoticed.
Their fathers might think it best to leave them be, but Arisanna’s mother would surely worry, and the last thing he desires is her knocking on their door. Or worse, barging in.
“I don’t even know what time it is,” Arisanna says as she traces a pattern on his knee. It’s a good thing he’s not ticklish the way Elowyn is.
He turns to look at the large window across the room, where the sun hangs far from its zenith. “It’s still early enough that our absence shouldn’t be noticed.”
She sighs contentedly against him, and he tightens his arms around her, pushing his heat into her.
“I love being married to an elf,” she whispers. “My elven fire wielder.”
“You love it now. Perhaps not when I almost set the rug on fire.”
She chuckles drowsily at his words. “Even then.”
Heglances at the charred spot on the small rug beside the tub. They’ll need to pay to replace it. Hopefully, the hotel owner won’t hold it against them.
He’s not eager to explain to Father how the rug was ruined, but surely Father will understand.
At least it’s a small rug.
“Why don’t I get out first again?” Cerian nuzzles Arisanna’s neck and presses his lips to her silky skin. “Then I can help you.”
“I suppose. It will be lonely without you, though.”
A smile tugs at his lips as he resists the urge to laugh. “I promise not to go far.”
“We’re really married now, aren’t we?”
“We were married before. Banish all the thoughts of others’ expectations from your mind. None of it matters.”
“Just be yours?”
“Always mine.” He kisses her cheek and gives her one last squeeze. “I’m going to get out now. As soon as my hands are dry enough to spark, I’ll help you, all right?”
She nods and gives him room to crawl out from under her, and he quickly grabs a towel while she leans back in the tub until only her head and shoulders are above the waterline. With a soft sigh, she slides her eyes closed. She looks so content. He’d keep her here in this moment forever if he could.
He dries off and finds his leathers again. Both their clothes seem to have dried overnight, thank the fates. By the time he finishes dressing, his spark has returned, and he collects a dry towel for Arisanna.
“Are you ready to get out?” he asks softly as he gazes down at her. Did she fall asleep? Maybe she should take a nap. It didn’t occur to him that he should have let her sleep longer after keeping her up late last night. He needs to remember she requires more sleep than he does.
“If I have to.” She smiles up at him. “Has your spark returned?”
His lips threaten a smile to match hers. “It has.”
It grows stronger by the moment as he looks down at her, but he keeps that to himself and blankets the air above the water with his heat.
She lifts a hand to him, and he takes it to steady her as she stands. It’s an intimate moment, and she briefly meets his eyes while he wraps the towel around her.
