Emilia almost collapsed in relief at Aiden’s final acceptance of the way things had to be. But Wren stared at him, his expression a mix of betrayal and heartbreak. “You can’t mean that.”
“I do,” Aiden said quietly, then he turned to Emilia. “If Wilburn is preparing something worse than he’s already done, we must move swiftly in your escape from the country. Go get dressed, love. And Wren and I will work on a plan together.”
She smiled at him, grateful on some level that he could be calm when she needed him to be. Even if it resulted in such pain. Hers, as well as theirs. But if there was one thing she had learned in the years since she’d first lost these two, life was sometimes pain. And at least this time she would have wonderful memories when they were parted.
She could only hope that would be enough.
* * *
Aiden
Aiden felt Wren’s anger toward him pulsing like a heartbeat, but he said nothing until Emilia slipped into the bedchamber and quietly closed the door behind her. Wren pivoted then and speared Aiden with a glare.
“What the fuck are you doing? How could you tell her that she should leave without us after everything we’ve been to each other these past few days?” Wren asked in an angry whisper so that she wouldn’t hear their argument.
For a moment Aiden only looked at him, taken in, as always, by the beauty of this man’s face, even in anger. His dark blue eyes were alive with the emotion, his hands trembled at his sides and there was a flush to his cheeks that was very like the flush that spread there when he was at the heights of pleasure. And oh, how Aiden loved him.
“Look at me,” Aiden said.
“I am!” Wren snapped back, folding his arms across his chest.
Aiden moved forward and placed a hand on Wren’s forearm, just as he had done earlier when they were talking to Emilia. He looked up into Wren’s eyes. “No.Lookat me.Seeme. Do you really think I want to let her leave? That I believe that’s truly the answer?”
Wren took a shaky breath and his expression softened as he stared at Aiden. “No. I know you don’t. I know.”
“And she doesn’t want to part from us, either. She wants to protect us from what she thinks is a hopeless situation. From destroying us.”
“Yes,” Wren said. “Because she is her. And she’s perfect.”
Aiden nodded. “She’s spent the last seven years without any control. Without any hope. I don’t want to be another man who takes that from her. Do you?”
“No.” It was said with no hesitation. “But if you don’t want this to end this way, what are you truly proposing?”
“We need to help her see that thisisn’thopeless. That leaving…leaving together…is the start of something new and wonderful, not the end of it. That we’ll survive it in every way that’s meaningful and get to start the life that we should have always been able to lead together.”
Wren stared at him for a moment and then his hands came up to cup Aiden’s face. For that moment, there was nothing else in the world but the two of them and the way Wren’s mouth lowered down toward his. They kissed, at first gentle, loving. Then with more passion as their tongues tangled and Wren’s fingers slid into his hair.
When they parted, Aiden was a little dizzy and leaned on Wren with a smile. “The things you do to me.”
“Nothing more than what you do to me,” Wren said, and pressed his forehead to Aiden’s gently. “So, my brilliant Aiden, what is your suggestion? Lead me into whatever plan you’re formulating in your head to keep Emilia safe and allow us to be together.”
Aiden kissed him once more and then backed away so he could actually think. “The best place we could go is Athawick.”
“You mentioned it before, when you spoke of what you’ve done during our time apart. It’s an island country, yes?” Wren said.
“Yes.” Aiden smiled. “Have you ever been?”
“No,” Wren admitted.
“I have. I attended with the Prince and his entourage during a tour there, as well as helped with some of the business arrangements between the two countries when the royal family came here.”
Wren’s eyes went wide. “By God, youhavebuilt yourself up. Why didn’t I know this in my research?”
“Because the matter was very sensitive, I suppose,” Aiden said. “And it was secret, so not even such a curious mind as yours could uncover it.”
Wren smiled at him. “I’m proud of you.”
Aiden felt himself blushing at that soft, yet powerful compliment coming from the lips of one of the only two people whose opinion actually mattered. “Thank you. The whole time I was there, enjoying the beautiful beaches and wonderful villages and people, I wished you and Emilia were with me. I could so easily picture us living in one of the colorful houses there, cozy and happy.”
