Tomorrow.
Tonight, I would focus on my mate. We had waited too long for this. Our mating had been stolen from us by the Eye. All right, not stolen exactly, but muted. Tainted. We didn't get to fully appreciate it. And every sexual interlude that followed had been likewise tainted, either by the Eye, my fears, lies, secrets, or the looming war. This would be our first time together when we could truly relax and just enjoy the pleasure. No lies or secrets. No fear of exposure or death. Just Aras and me. And our love.
I was so excited to be with my mate that by the time the doors of the royal apartments closed behind us, I was shaking. Immediately, I swung Aras up and around in a circle, bringing him down into a kiss. He smiled as he kissed me, and our joy bubbled up until the kiss became laughter.
“I love you, Ly,” Aras said as I set him on his feet.
“I love you, Aras. My mate. I will love you forever.”
“And now we know that we have forever.”
“Nothing is certain but our bond, our love, and our will to fight for them.” I stroked the fur on his cheek. “But, Gods willing, we will not have to fight again.”
“You've done something no other Dragon King has, Ly. You formed a united army with another Dragon kingdom—a sea kingdom, no less. Even with your dread diminished—”
I interrupted him to say, “Our dread.”
Aras grinned brightly. “Even withourdread diminished, we will be seen as one of the most powerful kingdoms on the planet. No one will dare to threaten us or Morilren.”
“Not that it's common for Dragon kingdoms to go to war, but I agree with you. They may, however, seek to form their own alliances.”
“Is that so bad?”
“No. Maybe this battle will change more than Gavemor.”
“I'm sure it will, Ly. You have cast a stone into the lake of history and ripples are rolling into the future.”
“I hope so, Mate. But tonight I want to focus on the present. On you.” I took his hand and led him into the bedroom.
The balcony doors were open, emitting the night breeze, but I didn't close them. I liked the crisp air and the view of the sky. Somewhere in that vastness, a goddess smiled. I could feel her approval and pleasure. Our win was hers as well, and our love was proof of her wisdom. Or maybe the strength of her magic. Whatever had chosen us for each other, it was brilliant.
There was no rush tonight. We slowly undressed, then let our hands wander as they would—learning each other as we'd never had the chance to, with love infusing every touch. We eventually got tired of standing and got in bed, but only to resume our explorations more hedonistically.
“This is how our mating should have gone,” I said, smoothing my hand over the line of Aras's hip.
Aras's eyes twinkled when he countered, “But would it have? I mean, even if you'd told me, would you have been able to be so calm with me?”
“No, I suppose not. Not the first time, at least. But afterward, I would have done this.”
“You did, Ly. Don't you remember?”
I frowned and thought back. “Those days are poisoned with the Eye's presence for me. Anger and frustration also filled me. I wanted so badly to tell you. To announce it to everyone. My dragon tore me apart inside.”
“I can't fathom the kind of strength that took.”
I shook my head. “I don't see it as strength. I see it as foolishness.”
“You were tricked, but you did what you thought was best for your kingdom. Even when it hurt you.”
“But I hurt you too.”
Aras cupped my cheek to say, “You confused me. You angered me. Infuriated me, actually.” He widened his eyes, then chuckled. “And you tied me up in lust so tightly that even without the bond, I wouldn't have glanced at another man in desire.” He grimaced, then added, “You, however, were glancing all over the place.”
“Only to make you jealous. I was desperate to keep you with me, and I thought it made you want me more.” I sighed. “There were so many obstacles between us.”
“And we surmounted them all,” Aras declared triumphantly as he sat up. “Now, I want to surmount you.”
“I believe you need to drop the 'sur' to have that make sense,” I teased.
