He nodded against the crown of her head. “You know I don’t want to go, yes?”
His words warmed her, slowly but surely drying away her tears. “I know. I don’t want you to go either.” With a twist, she rolled to face him. Sliding one of her thighs between his strong legs, she burrowed into him, loving the way he dug his fingersinto her hair, claiming her. “We both have our roles to play. This is the best-case scenario. You can see what Peros is doing, and I can keep an eye on my father. When you come back...”
“We’ll make you queen.”
“We’ll make me queen.”
He nuzzled the top of her head with his chin, and George lifted her gaze to her perfect, patient, caring lord. How had she ever gotten so lucky?
The fear of all that could go wrong slithered down her spine again, but she paid it no heed. Instead, she threaded her fingers through his tresses and tugged him close, their mouths coming together in a gentle kiss that tasted of salty tears and torturous longing.
“I’m still here,” he whispered into her mouth. “And I’m not going anywhere, not really.”
“Just temporarily.”
He nodded once before capturing her mouth again, his hot tongue prodding for entry. So she opened for him, accepting him, molding to him as they tamped down their fears and spent the night in a haze of love and unadulterated need.
twenty-three
Isahn rides a boat.
“So,I’llbelieveIwas imprisoned in Nowosmont the past few weeks. I’ve got that part. How are we getting out there?” Isahn checked as he shoved his final tunic into his small pack.
“You know this,” George murmured from her seat on the edge of his bed.
“I know, but walk me through it again. Please?” He winked.
“You, Wynnie, and Dunstan take the dawn ferry out. You’ll be Wynnie’s aide, miraged as a Salskanan. Burke and Adda will be on the next boat—Burke’s escorting Adda on a supply run.”
Isahn nodded. He knew this, but hearing George walk through it, riding the relaxation of her voice, that’s what he needed to settle his nerves.
“Hildy and I go out last, on the late-morning run under the guise of a shopping trip. We’ll meet at Villa Senone, and Adda will brew the sleepy tea. Then we’ll mold your mind.” She blinked rapidly, as though fighting tears.
“Got it.”
“Are you ready?” she asked, rising from the bed. Though the early dawn light brightened the window behind George, the lamp on the table beside her lit her aglow, shining through her diaphanous gown and lighting the frizz in her hair ablaze.
His soft smile tightened at the realization this perfect memory would be gone in just a few short hours.
“Isahn, we have to go,” Georgie whispered, stepping toward him.
With his pack slung over one shoulder, he wrapped her in a tight hug that slowly slackened as he drew back enough to press his forehead to hers. “See you on the other side?”
His travel across the lake was only goodbye for a few hours, but neither of them was so ignorant as to ignore the obvious risks. King Gasparo could call on Georgie for any reason, delaying her travel. Isahn could be caught and questioned before even leaving the docks and not allowed to pass through. His mirage could fail, rousing suspicions. George could lose her damned token and be unable to cross the lake.
“See you in a few hours.” She smiled sadly, tilting her face up, in dire need of kisses.
Isahn was happy to oblige, craving the distraction and needing her in return. He started with a soft, slow kiss that spoke of his love for her. Then he allowed things to devolve a bit, peppering more along her jaw, down the slope of her delectable neck, and over top of her substantial bosom.
“Isahn!” she squealed, batting at him less than half-heartedly. “Wynnie and Dunstan are right outside the door.”
“This door?” he teased, pulling her firmly against him as he backed into the panel, rattling the wood.
“Ew, seriously?” Wynnie’s voice pierced through.
“I told y—”
Isahn cut George off with a deep kiss, therealone he wanted to give her. “I hate that I have to leave,” he murmured when they pulled apart. He was sorry he had to go, sorry he had to pretend to be Wynnie’s aide to cross the lake, sorry he had to race Peros to Selwas, and sorry that he had no idea what would come next. No matter what, he’d stick it out long enough to help George become Queen of Domos. Fates, he’d stick it out forever... if she’d have him.
