I blinked. “Oh, my. You went to a bad place quickly.”
The King grimaced. “I suppose I do that. Especially when it's something important to me. My fears surface.”
“You're afraid?” I whispered. “Already?”
He pulled me closer and suddenly, I was secure. In so many ways. My hands slid up his arms as his arms went around me, and I settled my palms on his chest.
“Do you know about Dragon mating?” Rian asked gravely.
As if his fear had shot through his belly into mine, a terrible constriction gripped my chest. “Yes. I admit it concerns me. But all relationships have the potential to continue or end.”
Rian's eyes tightened. “Yes, you're right. It's just . . . I know this is only our second outing, but I want you very badly, Galin. Desire is usually something I savor. If anything, there's an edge of anticipation as I wait to see if my lover is my mate. I've been searching a long time for him.”
“But not with me?”
“With you, my anticipation sours.” He made an apologetic face. “That sounds terrible, but it's only because you've already gotten in.”
“Gotten in?”
“Here.” He took one of my hands and moved it slightly, settling it over his heart. “I can feel you taking hold.”
“And that scares you?”
“Yes. Not that you could be my mate, but that you aren't.”
Oddly enough, hearing that Rian was as worried as I was comforted me. It strengthened me. He already cared. I was near his heart, if not in it already. What a powerful feeling. And knowing it, knowing he was open to love, opened my heart as well. It opened it enough for Rontor to start slipping out.
Pressing my palm onto Rian's chest, feeling his heart beat through my glove, I said, “We cannot live in fear, and we certainly can't love in it. Forget the magic. Forget tomorrow. There is always only now. This moment, now this moment, nowthismoment. We can take these moments and gather them to create a foundation for the next to come. We can enjoy every one of them. Or we can ruin them with what may or may not be. I choose to revel in what we've found. I choose joy and hope and that anticipation that you spoke of.” I lifted my hands to cup his face. “Let's anticipate good things instead of bad.”
Rian's eyes went glossy and his throat worked. He opened his mouth to speak, but all that came out was a growl—a deep, claiming sound that drove him down to me. His lips covered mine as his arms tightened around me, lifting me off the ice to be consumed. The cold on my cheeks burned away under his searing kiss, and I was transported into a tropical paradise.
Suddenly, Rian's tongue pulled back, his body bucked, and, with a cry from both of us, we tumbled to the ice. Rian wrapped himself around me and jerked back, directing the fallso that he took the brunt of it. Our landing drove a grunt from him.
Sprawled atop the Dragon King, I stared down into his shocked face, my expression doubtlessly as surprised as his. Then, in perfect unison, we burst out laughing. We laughed and laughed until we wept, and when we finally settled, we stared at each other, a feeling of peace sweeping over me.
Holding the King's stare, I leaned down and brushed my lips over his. “Nowthatwas a magical moment.”
Chapter Twelve
“I'm flying on the ground!” I cried as I shot around the edge of the skating area holding Rian's hand.
It had taken a good hour, but I had finally adjusted to the mechanics of skating. Once my body had learned the proper positions and movements, it became easy. I pushed a foot forward, then out slightly to get the leverage to propel myself. And again. And again. I didn't need to hold Rian's hand anymore. Now, it was purely for pleasure. And what a pleasure it was.
“You are,” Rian said, his eyes alight and his grin so big, it took up half his face. “And you look beautiful.”
“And warm.” I winked at him. “I'm starting to sweat under these layers.”
“Are you ready for a break?”
“One more circle.”
“I should have taken your thinner cloak and handed it off to one of my knights.”
“It's fine. I may just remove the fur cloak.”
“Oh, but it's so lovely on you.”
“You'd rather I sweat and look pretty than be comfortable?” I lifted a brow at him.
