“Hello?” Aurion snapped his fingers. “Anyone home? We were discussing Silvermane. Important political things. Remember those?”
“She looks like a goddess,” I finally managed.
“She looks like your wife in a dress.”
I dragged my eyes away from Wen long enough to glare at my brother. “You are objectively wrong.”
“I’m realistic. She looks nice but you look like you’re about to pass out. Or cry. Possibly both.”
“I think it’s sweet,” Daphne said.
“You think everything is sweet.”
“Not true. I don’t think you’re sweet.”
“I am devastated.” Aurion winked at her.
I wasn’t listening anymore. I was already moving toward Wen, crossing the room like she was magnetic north and I was a compass with no other direction. Very dignified, very kingly. Not at all like a lovesick puppy who’d forgotten he was supposed to be hosting the most important political gathering in decades.
She saw me coming and smiled, that secret smile that was just for me, and my brain completely gave up on functioning.
I reached her and pulled her close immediately, my hand settling on her lower back. “You are absolutely ravishing tonight, little mate.”
She raised an eyebrow, clearly fighting a smile. “Ravishing?”
“I am expanding my vocabulary.”
“For what purpose?”
I leaned down to murmur in her ear, low enough that only she could hear. “So I can adequately express how desperately I want to fuck you later.”
“Adequately?” She pulled back to look at me, challenge in her eyes. “Aim higher.”
“Enthusiastically? Thoroughly? Worshipfully?”
“Keep going.”
“Until you forget your own name and can only scream mine?”
Her cheeks flushed and I felt a surge of satisfaction. “Okay, you’ve been practicing.”
“Chapter twelve fromDelightful Sinswas very instructive.”
She laughed, the sound making my chest tight. “Save it for after, Your Majesty.”
“You are cruel, my Queen.”
“You love it.” She was beaming at me, and I had never seen a sight more fucking beautiful.
“Desperately. Hopelessly. Pathetically.” I mumbled, my brain still not working properly.
“That last one wasn’t sexy.”
“But honest.” I pulled her closer, not caring that Aurion and Daphne were watching us with matching smirks. Not caring that I had seventy guests arriving any minute. Not caring about anything except the woman in my arms. “I saw you and forgot how to function.”
“I noticed. Aurion was waving his hand in your face.”
“I did not notice Aurion. I only noticed you.”
