And then the lovers left, followed by the King's Guard.
“Now, we're leaving,” Vax said, as if daring the Gods to deny him again.
“Not yet,” I said.
“What?” Vax growled.
I ran over to where my diamond necklace lay forgotten on the floor and snatched it up. Holding it aloft like a prize, I declared, “Now, we can go.”
Chapter Forty-Five
It felt as if I returned to Shasenai a different man. A weight I hadn't realized I carried was gone. Vax and I had stopped at his treasure room to rebury the Eye, but that wasn't what gave me relief. It was walking through the palace with Vax and feeling as if I was home. It was being home with him and knowing that no one was after us. No one would try to tear us apart. I was the Sea King's mate, and he was mine. This was it. Him and me. Forever.
As we entered our bedroom, I looked around and finally saw it as mine. Because Vax was mine. Everything he had was mine now. But all I wanted was his heart. No, that's a lie. All Ineededwas his heart. I wanted all the other stuff too. I can't help it. I'm a pirate.
“Come here,” Vax whispered and pulled me into an embrace. “It seems as if we've been parted for years.”
I squeezed him tightly. “It does. And I never want to go through that again.”
“You won't.” He eased back, but only to bend down and kiss me.
Forever tingled on his tongue, teasing me. The future was no longer uncertain. It was ours. No collars or chains or goddess stones. Just us and our love.
All right. Us, our love, and a little magic.
Vax nuzzled his way out of our kiss and stood back. With a grin, he said, “Take your clothes off.”
“Youtake my clothes off,” I shot back.
His grin widened. “It will be an honor and a pleasure, Mate.”
With gentle hands, Vax removed my clothing. While he worked, I did the same for him. We laughed when we got tangled up in each other and had to lean back or step out of our boots so we could then step out of our pants. Those smiles stayed in place until we were finally nude. Then they turned savage.
Vax picked me up and carried me to bed. Eyes on fire, he laid me down and then lay down atop me. When he held himself up on his forearms, I pulled him fully onto me, needing to feel his weight. The pressure comforted me, and my arms tightened around him.
Vax chuckled in my ear. “I won't be able to enter you like this.”
“Just stay here a moment.” I sighed.
His body relaxed, and he nuzzled his face into my neck. “Yes, you're right. We need this more.” He breathed in deeply.
“I love you,” I said.
“With all three of your hearts?”
“Yes, of course, you brat. With all three of them.”
He grinned against my neck. “We are never leaving this city again.”
“Yes, we are. And do you know why?”
Vax pushed himself up to look at me. “Why?”
“Because I know you will protect me from anything that might hurt me.”
His stare went tender. “Yes, I will.” Then that tender look turned into a grimace. “As long as you don't do foolish things like storming off without me or using magical stones not meant for you.”
“I was trying to save us.”
