I sigh in annoyance.Fine. I swear to listen to you.
Lorcan’s head tips to the side, as though to urge me to add some more weight to my promise, perhaps even his full name.
Don’t you trust me,mate?My question elicits a brisk snort from the Shadow King.
I trust that your will is as unbendable as mine. I trust that your heart is in the right place.
But not my head?
I’m just glad I’ve a bargain to collect in case your head and heart attempt to run away with your prudence.
Pounding interrupts our little talk. I frown because I don’t think the knocking came from his bedroom door.
It didn’t. Come.He twines cool, smoky fingers around mine and tugs me into a stone chamber that resembles my closet, only larger.The Siorkahd is waiting for us in the war room.
Us?I expect him to fling one of his tunics atop my head, but instead, he jostles a row of hangers to palm the gray stone behind them.
Yes,us. I believe it’s time my future queen has a say in state decisions.
You’re giving me a say?
His eyes lock on my wide ones.Why do you sound so surprised?
Because queens—Lucinqueens—are usually tasked with throwing memorable revels and looking pretty on their husbands’ arm.
Would you rather I make you throw revels and parade you around in lavish frocks?
I start to roll my eyes when a deep groan echoes through the torchlit closet. I freeze because the sound pitches me back into the cavern beneath the mountain. Have the Fae found a way to crumble Lore’s castle?
Forty-Nine
Shh, Little Bird. My castle isn’t crumbling. It cannot be crumbled.His shadows swirl around me.You’re safe.He must realize I’m not convinced because he repeats it twice more.
Then what—what was that?My skin is still covered in goosebumps, and my muscles are primed to spring.
That was a secret passageway that leads into your room.Lore gestures to the stone opening.
My eyes are pitched so wide that I cannot even blink.
Mórrígan helped build and enchant our castle. Even though I explained Crow mates didn’t keep separate quarters, she insisted on building my future wife a space to call her own. Your great-great grandmother said that the woman who ended up paired with the likes of me would greatly appreciate her foresight.
The shocked circle of my lips finally thaws into a slow smile.
Care to explain the nature of your amusement, Behach Éan?
Just thinking that Mara was a wise woman.
He harrumphs, which only makes my grin expand.
You are ratherintense.
You didn’t seem to mind myintensitythis morning.He skims the edge of my smile, then traces many other edges on my body with his silken shadows.Or last night.
I’ve never been so glad to be so full of edges.I do love your intensity, Lore, but I also love the idea of having a space to call my own.I think of my tiny bedroom back in Tarelexo with its paper-thin walls and teeny closet. Not that I had many outfits to fill it with, but the idea of owning a space so large that it comes with a private bathing chamber . . . it’s the stuff of fairytales.
He sighs and gathers me into his arms.I’m glad I could give you something you’ve never had.
I press my cheek against his chest and link my hands around his narrow waist, drinking in his strong heartbeats.
