“I especially love that you haven’t let anyone shackle me this time. You’re a wonderful captor.”
“A much better one than you.” Syla smiled and pushed her hand through his tangled hair.
“I didn’t let anyone shackle you either.”
“Youshackled me. And let them poke drugs into me.”
“I’m sorry. That was inconsiderate.”
“It was. I don’t know why I brought you a tart.” Syla lifted the pan from the table with a smile that suggested she would, despite her suggestion that it was inferior because it had been baked a few days earlier, enjoy sharing it with him.
“Because you’re a wonderful, forgiving, and magnanimous woman.”
“I am.”
They rearranged themselves in a sitting position in bed, leaning against the wall with her leg atop his, their shoulders touching, and they split the dessert in half. At the first bite of deliciously spiced baked apples with their buttery pastry topping, Vorik’s eyes rolled upward.
“I reallydolove you.” Vorik wrapped an arm around her shoulders.
She leaned into him. “Good. I need that. I need you.”
“You absolutely do,” he assured her with a kiss to her temple. “I look forward to helping you get your kingdom and your castle back. Especially the kitchen.”
“It’s an important room to control.”
“Oh, absolutely.”
Vorik had no idea what his future would hold, and if soldiers would throw them both into a dungeon cell as soon as they arrived, but they would be together. That was enough.
THE END
