Her fingers slid between his again.
“I love you,” she said, without hesitation.
The words did not strike him like lightning. They settled into him like home.
“I ken,” he murmured softly. “And I love ye, Lilly.”
He pulled her closer, holding her not with urgency but with quiet possession, the kind that came from trust, not hunger.
Outside, somewhere below, a faint burst of laughter echoed through the castle. Life returning.
And at last, there was nothing left between them but warmth and breath and the steady promise of what they were becoming together.
EPILOGUE
Kayden woke up with a start. He opened his eyes, seeking the warmth in his arms.
Lilliana lay asleep, her long lashes fluttering against her cheeks as she dreamed. He reached up and ran a finger along her jaw, enjoying the softness of her skin and the feel of her next to him.
These last few days had been a discovery, and he could not help but feel excited for what was to come. His eyes drifted to the windows. Even though they were quite thick, a little light peeked through at the edges, letting him know that it was still very early and the sky was just lightening.
He thought about getting up, but he could not make himself do it. Instead, his arms tightened around Lilliana, pulling her closer.
She stirred, squirming in his arms, and he looked down to see her lashes fluttering as she fought sleep. He ran a hand down herspine soothingly, willing her to fall back asleep. Instead, her eyes flew open and met his.
He felt her tense body relax slowly, and she smiled.
“Good morning,” she murmured hoarsely.
He smiled back at her. “Madainn mhath,me dear. How did ye sleep?”
She stretched lazily, still smiling. “I slept very well, thank you,” she said before nestling back into his side. “Especially after what you told me last night.”
“What do ye mean?”
She gave him a coy look. “You know, what you said about what we have being special.”
He raised an eyebrow. “But surely ye kent that?”
She tilted her head to the side like a puzzled puppy. “How would I know that?”
He took a deep breath. She was right. Being a green girl, she had not been exposed to physical intimacy. She’d just assumed what they had was normal.
“Ye are right. I apologize.”
She raised her head. “Youapologize? Surely hell has frozen over.”
He snorted. “It isnae that rare,” he protested.
“Well,Isurely have never heard it,” she teased.
“Ye exaggerate.”
She got up on her elbow, smiling at him. “Fine then, tell me another time you apologized to me.”
He stared at her for a long time. “Ye cannae expect me to remembereveryconversation we had,” he said while she burst into laughter.
“Then my point stands.” She grinned smugly at him.
