Nothing and no one would ever convince me that this man had known about my sister’s death and kept it from me. He might be holding things back, but I’d bet anything he did so only to keep from hurting me. Never to be conniving or sly.
“Up,” I said, tugging on the top of his pants.
He stood. “It’s alright to admit you’re mine because I will always belong solely to you, Minx. Truly.”
My throat hurt so much it was all I could do to swallow. “Nowyou tell me.”
I tugged his pants down over his hips, trying not to stare at his long, thick length.
“You’re stripping off my clothing. Seemed like a good time to declare myself.”
“You’re in pain. I’m giving you comfort. You might change your mind about this by morning.”
“Do you think that’s all this is?” He shucked his pants off, sending them flying to the corner, and straightened, latching onto my arms and tugging me fully against him. Holding me. “I’ve fought for my people my whole life. But you’re the first thing I’ve wanted just for me.”
“I’ve never been afraid to lose before. Not until you.”
“Minx,” he breathed, stroking my face. “They can call me king, rebel, monster. Whatever they want. But you’re the only one who gets to call me hers.”
If he kept speaking, I was going to cry.
I flung the covers back and gestured. “Into the bed.”
“See?” His lips quirked up on one side, but the smile held too much pain.
“What I see is a man who needs to sleep.”
“The Skathes must’ve known I would’ve followed them into the wasteland if it meant getting back to you. That’s why they fled. I would’ve torn apart reality with my bare hands. I’d burn the veil itself to keep you in my arms, and the fates know it. You ruin me in the very best way.”
He knelt on the bed and tumbled down, turning onto his back, looking up at me with lazy seduction in his eyes. His cock twitched. “Come to bed with me, Minx.”
This was the voice of a man who commanded armies. Who ruled every bit of the land in all directions.
Like he ruled my heart.
He watched as I stripped down to my undergarments.
Cool air bit my skin as I joined him, shifting over until my entire frame could be pressed against his.
He turned to face me, and we lay there, holding each other. Everything about this moment felt precious, from the soft luxury surrounding us to the warm weight of him beside me. His skin was fever-warm against mine, and I could feel his pulse everywherewe touched. In his throat, his wrist, and in the strong steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.
I swore Pherin snored. That Gavelle watched over her with patience.
The fire dimmed, the shifting logs a quiet reminder that even in the silence, we weren’t alone.
He scooted lower and rested his head against my collarbone, his arm heavy across my waist.
I held this man I’d fallen in love with, tracing my fingertips up and down the tense line of his spine, whispering into his hair. “You are the only one I’ll never turn my back on, no matter the cost.”
This was what love felt like. Not grand gestures, but this quiet intimacy. The privilege of holding a king while he slept, of being the one person in the world he trusted enough to show his wounds.
I was ruined for anyone else.
Completely, irrevocably ruined.
And completely, irrevocably his.
A tear slipped from the corner of my eye and trickled down my temple.
