“Great flames.” Arach hung his head. “How did we ever fall in love after starting so terribly?”
I smiled, love bursting inside me, and cupped Arach's cheek to lift his head. “You fell first, that's how. You fell in love and, just like now, you regretted your actions. Don't worry about the particulars. Just keep to those key points and let the rest happen naturally.”
Arach's stare softened. “I will make sure that history repeats itself. I swear it, A Thaisce.”
“Good.” I lowered my hand. “Now, how about a dance with your queen?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
As much as Arach wanted to stay in Fire, I insisted that we return to the Earth Kingdom. We arrived late but were allowed in immediately, the Trolls knowing us by then. Our weredragon forms may have had something to do with that. Arach and I went straight to our guest suite for another round of sex before finally passing out in each other's arms. We didn't burn the bed, not even when we woke in the morning and had more amazing sex. We would have stayed abed longer, but after missing our host entirely the day before, I refused to ignore King Rory's request to join him for breakfast in his suite.
The last time I'd had this much sex with Arach, he'd been trying to get me pregnant. I had a feeling his motivations were the same. The passion was there, but so was determination. At least when we'd been trying for a baby, he'd been in love with me. He might be seriously interested now, but he wasn't in love.
At least, I hoped not.
With memories of the night before playing through my mind, I stopped just outside of King Rory's suite and turned to Arach. A terrible fear was slicing through me. I kept seeing Arach's tender expression as we made love. Was it making love? Not exactly, but close. He was falling, and I couldn't allow that to happen.
Lips trembling, hating myself, I said, “This is over.”
Arach cocked his head. “What?”
“I thought sleeping with you would make you lose interest in me. It's done the opposite.” I shook my head. “You're surprising me, but that's not a good thing. I shouldn't have spent yesterday with you. I shouldn't have allowed you to convince me to meet our court. Or to show my dragon to our people. This has gone too far. You can't fall in love with me Arach. Not yet.”
Arach burst out laughing.
I grimaced.
He kept laughing.
I stared at him.
He stopped laughing. “You . . .” He shook his head. “I thought I was arrogant.”
“It's not arrogant if it's true. See, that's what you don't understand. I know what's going to happen. I also know that if it happens now, the future will, excuse my French, be fucked.”
“Isfuckeda French word? I don't think it is.”
“It's an expression. Never mind that. Arach, you will fall in love with me. It's a done deal.”
“And you're certain I truly love you?” Arach lifted a cocky brow.
“Yes. The things you've sacrificed for me . . .” I trailed off. “I can't tell you, but that kind of sacrifice only stems from love.”
“Sacrifice?” he huffed. “Sacrifice is not love. You must get that nonsense from your goddess side. Those idiots love sacrifice.”
“Fair enough.” I snorted. “And no, sacrifice isn't proof of love. But believe me, I know love. I have that magic inside me.”
“Again, that's not proof.”
“Ugh! Forget about the love then. Just look at me. I'm a Dragon-Sidhe in . . .” I trailed off, snorted over what came to mind, then amendedKing Arthur's courtto, “King Rory's court. I've come through time. You know I'm telling the truth. You're calling me your wife, and I know you're not just humoring me so you can knock me up. I mean, you introduced me to the Fire Court as their Queen.”
“Knock you where?” Arach scowled.
“Get me pregnant, Arach,” I huffed. “I know you're more interested in that than pleasure. But you're not lying about believing me just so you can get me pregnant. You know I'm who I say I am because nothing else makes sense.”
Arach went serious. “Yes, I believe you,Wife. Of course, I believe you. And I introduced you to our court to give them hope. I'm glad I did.” He took my hand. “And yes, I do want you to have my child. I don't want to be left behind, all alone, with nothing of you to comfort me but a vow that you will return someday. It could be centuries before we meet again.”
I bit my lip.
