The high lady and her remaining defenders stood on Lydel Island. The master had moved south with his entourage and waited on the coast of the mainland—except for the king’s enforcer who still stood at Bledmire.
Fuck. I had to—
Turning, I slammed into Kerune.
While yanking two blades from the sheaths at my side, I reeled backward, but I tripped over something, and my left leg gave out. Yelping, I crashed to the floor while Kerune stalked toward me with his fingers twisted to claws and my death in his eyes.
“Fuck you,” I hissed, and flitted back to Lydel.
I stood at the foot of my bed, panting, gazing feverishly around as if Kerune would follow.
He couldn’t. Our wards remained strong.
When silence ticked inside the room, I slid my knives back into their sheaths with hands that shook more than I liked. I leaned against the bed frame, rubbing my twitching thigh.
Vexxion walked out of the bathing area and over to stand beside me. “You got up early.” His sweet smile rose. “I thought I might find you taking a bath, but the tub is dry. Where did you go?”
“I . . .” I took his hand and urged him over to one of the sofas, sinking down on a cushion.
His face tensing with concern, he sat beside me. The fact that he didn’t tug me onto his lap told me he worried what I had to say might hurt him. Pain lanced down my throat. I climbed onto his lap, straddling him, and rose up to kiss him, putting my heart and everything inside me into our kiss.
He groaned and wrapped his arms around me, hauling me fully against him, before his head lifted. He looked from my eyes to my mouth and settled back at my eyes.
What is it?he asked, a hint of his vulnerability coming through in his tone.
I love you.
This sounds like . . .He raked his fingers through his hair, unsettling it in a wild way that made me want to smooth it. Kiss him again. Tell him I loved him a thousand times and more, however many it took until he no longer worried.
Our time was coming. We’d end this, marry, and finally be together without fear haunting us.
“I’ve touched each of the finger bones the pixies gave me a second time,” I said.
His curt nod jerked out. “What did you see?”
“Vera’s revealed the time with my mother when they knew they had to hide me.” My leg ached. Oh, how it ached. Almost as much as my heart. “I know why and how they did it. They didn’t dump me at the fortress. Everything that was done to me was necessary to protect me.”
His arms tightened around me, and when I pressed my cheek against his chest, he rested his chin on the top of my head. “How do you feel?”
I shrugged back my tears. “Better and worse, I suppose. Better because I know how deeply I was loved. Worse for all that I’ve lost.” I leaned back and looked up at him. “He stole everything from me.”
“Except Lydel.”
“I’ve taken as much of it back as I can.”
“He also didn’t steal me.”
“I’ll love you for this lifetime and beyond. Please know that.” Taking his hand, I pressed his palm against my chest. “Feel my heart? It beats only because you’re with me. Without you, I’ll be lost. I’ll wander forever.”
“You’re stronger than you know.”
“Your love gives me that strength. Nothing else.”
“Never discount who you are and who you will always be.” He kissed me and lifted his head once more. “I feel the same, as if I’m nothing without you. I only breathe and rest easy when I hold you in my arms.”
“Trust me. Know that nothing I do is intended to hurt you. Know that I don’t give myself to you with any intention of ever drawing back.”
I know this. I feel your warm touch on my soul.
