“We’ll eat first, yes? Breakfast is here.” He parted her folds, cleaning the stickiness from the night before.
Georgie lifted her sleepy head just enough to confirm that there was indeed food like he’d promised. Satisfied, she flopped back, her curls a tangle of black fanning out around her head. “Maybe I’ll eat second,” she said in a rasping murmur. “But you’re welcome to start now.”
Laughing, he hopped onto the bed, buried his face between her thighs, and took her up on that offer.
They settled into the sitting area not long later, George double-wrapped in an airy robe and his heavy arms.
“I’ll be right back,” Isahn whispered as he released her and stood from the sofa.
“N...” Her “no” fizzled out when she saw he was only going to retrieve a packet he’d left on the chair. “What’s that?”
“Two things. First”—Isahn lifted a bit of fabric and held it up for appraisal—“take off your robe.”
“Already?” she teased, even though she was already halfway to standing and loosening the tie. “What is it?”
“Stays. Try them on. I—” He coughed, embarrassed. “This is a bit odd, but I had my sister order them for you in Midlake. It’s the Selwassan version of your bubby bindings—”
“Strophium,” she corrected him.
“Strophium. I think they should offer more support, and hopefully help your back.”
George grinned as she grabbed the stays. This style laced up the front—she could put them on by herself. But he wanted to help, so he did.
They fit perfectly, hiking her soft mountainous breasts up into a shelf he longed to press his face into. Following the fabric down, Isahn’s gaze dropped to her navel, and on to her exposed sex.
When he groaned, she laughed. “Soon.”
In response, he swiped a finger between her legs, teasing them both deviously in the process.
Upon his retreat, she grumbled, displeased, and soft hands of touch magic tried to pull him back, but he kept moving, intent on retrieving her second present. Pulse hammering, the world blurred around him, as his focus landed solely on his future queen.
Taking two steps forward, Isahn stopped and dropped to his knee.
Georgie gasped as he opened the box, flashing the ring within as he began his well-rehearsed speech, “Georgetta Kastrumanos, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: You crept into my heart with all the subtlety of a lightning bolt. You’ve brightened my world and electrified my life. You give me purpose. I’d love nothing more than to spend forever, planted by your side, supporting you in every way I can offer.”
He stood, unable to bear the distance any longer, and cupped her face with a shaking palm. It didn’t matter that he knew what her answer would be, the situation was monumental, life-altering, and energy thrummed through him. He’dmadeit. He’d found the woman he wanted to spend forever with. “George, Georgie, Georgetta... Will you marry me?”
She lifted a hand to his cheek, her touch calming his nerves. With her other hand, she grabbed his wrist and squeezed. “Yes, Isahn, yes. Absolutely. Always. A million times, yes.”
Their kiss was soft and slow, tender, and brimming with silent promises.
“Oh, Isahn. My lord, my earl,” she drawled when they finally broke apart and he slipped the ring of gold, diamonds, and shifting alexandrite onto her finger. He’d chosen that piece in particular. The central stone turned from stunning turquoise in daylight to a rich purple indoors. It had its own sort of mirage, like her.
“About that—” Isahn cleared his throat.
“About what?” George narrowed her eyes.
“Well, I regret to inform you I cannot beyourearl as I am no longeranearl at all.”
“What? You’re not? How?”
Isahn laughed. “Solaelia is officially Countess of Midlake. I abdicated. Can’t have a Selwassan noble marrying a Domossan Queen, now can we?”
“You did that for me?” she breathed.
“Of course I did. I love Selwas, but I’ve fallen a little in love with Domos, too. And Georgie, I have fallensomuch further for you. I would do anything for you. l love you.”
“Was that meant to be a pun about social class? Because I’m going to make you king. You realize that, right?” She stood on her toes to press a kiss to the tip of his nose.
