“Lysi,” he murmured, sliding his hand through my hair. His brow furrowed. “Of course.”
“I—I would like that very much,” I told him, trying not to cry again. Only, it seemed my tears, even happy, came much too easily these days.
“It is done then,” he said. “Once we leave this place, we will journey north.”
“Time away from the fog, from the eastlands…” I started, unsure how to voice what I was thinking without sounding too selfish.
But Wrune finished the sentence for me, unafraid. “It will be good for us.”
By us, I knew he meant the entire horde.
Being so near to the fog, I knew it caused tension and turmoil. After the fog had burst forth from its western edge and swallowed it up, I knew there was even more fear than before.
Being away from this place…it would feel like a fresh start. At least for one season we could rest and recover. Recharge. So that when we faced whatever came next, we would be ready.
We would bestrong.
Leaning forward, I brushed a kiss against Wrune’s lips. Sealing our agreement and the hope I felt rising within me at the prospect of leaving this place behind.
There was so much uncertainty rumbling over Dakkar. Now more than ever.
But being in Wrune’s arms, it made me remember that I needed to savor these small moments. Because it was moments like these that I had fought so hard for.
“When the moon is full, Mina,” came his voice as his eyes recaptured mine, “I want to marry you again.”
“What?” I breathed, blinking in surprise. That was only in two or three days’ time. “You want anothertassimara?”
“Nik,” he said, his lips quirking. The first hint of a smile all night and I was extremely gladdened to see it. He had begun to relax. The longer he held me in his arms, the more his muscles loosened. “Just you and me. Under a bright moon. And I want to speak the vows to you, instead of simply having them marked into your skin.”
For a brief moment, my eyes flashed to myMorakkarimarkings, glittering gold in the fire’s light. I held my breath, realizing what he was asking of me.
“Ourtassimara…” he trailed off, swallowing, regret flashing in his eyes. “You only joined yourself to me because I gave you no choice.”
“And I forgave you for it, Wrune,” I reminded him softly. “We moved past that.”
“But I want to marry you knowing thatyouchoose it too,” he said. “That it isyourchoice. Because you already know my choice and it has been you.”
A warmth was building in my chest.
“Rei kassiri,” he whispered.My love.“I want to give you those sacred vows, untouched and pure.”
I gave him a grin, as my cheeks warmed and my eyes glittered. “Are you asking me to marry you,sailon?”
“Lysi,” he growled, sensing that I teased him. His hands clutched me closer. Between us, I could feel the pounding of his heart. It matched the rhythm of my own. “Please say that you will.”
I kissed him and I knew he felt my smile against him. Who knew that this horde king, who I’d once thought as cold and unfeeling as a statue, was actually aromantic?
“Lysi,rei kassiri,” I whispered into the kiss. “I will marry you again. I would love nothing more.”
His shoulders loosened. I swore I felt a relieved grin and when I pulled back, I caught a last glimpse of it.
Softly, sobering slightly, I told him, “But just so you know, Ialreadychose you.”
“Ohlysi?” he murmured, his eyes seeming to glow. A small smile lifted his lips. “When?”
I blew out a breath, not even certain I could answer that.
“Maybe when you first laughed for me,” I teased softly.
