I grinned full out. “So sweet lies are acceptable?Hmm. Like saying that your morning breath doesn’t stink?”
My soul mate’s chest bounced softly under my head as he chuckled. “I didn’t even think of my breath before I woke you. I should have brushed my teeth first.”
“I did brush mine before you arrived here.” I laughed along with him. “I wasn’t in the right frame of mind, either. I think I used your toothbrush by accident.”
King Athon stopped laughing instantly and started thumping his head back onto his pillow. “Gross.I shall have to get a new one. You threw up then used my toothbrush! Do you not realize what I can smell?”
I laughed harder, my laughter ringing throughout the room and over his private balcony. “I said it was an accident! I didn’t mean to.”
My soul mate groaned again. “You are big trouble in a very small package, elf.”
“I will take that as a compliment.” I leaned up on my elbow to stare down at his ruthlessly handsome face. Then I bent to brush my lips over his slowly, morning breath be Fae damned. His mouth was delicious. I said softly, “I need to go. With my flight back to Gatlin Grove, and then flying again to the ocean with my king, it will be cutting it close to travel to Cosimian Trench by midday tomorrow.”
“I know. I must do the same soon, too.” My soul mate caressed his lips against mine again. “I need you to be safe in your travels. And don’t upset any Fae when you’re home packing.”
“I will endeavor to avoid them.” I chuckled under my breath. “But what in the Fairy kind of Fae are they? I’ve never read about anything like them before.”
“I asked Mamue when we went inside. They are woodland sprites from the dark forest.”
“Huh. I knew they looked like they belonged in the woods.” I sighed and pushed the blanket down, uncovering our naked bodies. With one last long, lingering look at my soul mate, I climbed out of bed using the stool he had gifted me. I looked down at the blood that had smeared all over my body, transferred from King Athon’s to mine with our sweat. Now,thatwas gross. I headed straight for the bathroom as my soul mate rolled over and pulled the blanket back over himself. “I need to shower and get this Fae blood off me. I cannot go into my Fae infested castle like this.”
“If you use all of my hot water, I will be upset.” He yawned grandly. “And only use one towel. I think I only have two left.”
I waved away his worry. “I will behave.”
“The day that happens, I will kiss your father.”
“I will hold you to that.” A finger waggle in the air. “And,please, make sure I am there to see it.”
