Charon growled. “I’ll place myself in front of the entrance to the royal tower. No one will get in.”
Hart squeezed my hand, and we left the destruction behind us.
Hart led us down a too-wide hallway and up one of the castle towers. We had so much to do. Dethroning Rodric had only been the start. The lists running through my mind had no end. Kavios needed us to keep working.
The stairs were endless, and my exhaustion overtook me as I started to giggle on the way up. Hart raised a brow.
“Charon’s going to curl up in front of the door to the tower? Will he even fit down that hallway?”
Hart shook his head. “This castle was designed with a dragon in mind. My father always hoped that, one day, Charon would want to work with him.”
Another giggle erupted from my throat. “After holding him captive?”
Hart shrugged. “I didn’t say it was a particularly intelligent hope.”
“At least it explains why all the doorways are so big.”
The warmth of Hart’s hand surrounded mine, and I let him drag me forward. We had so much to do, but I finally understood that I couldn’t do it all tonight. I almost unraveled with each step. Establishing a kingdom wouldn’t be a quick or easy process. This wouldn’t be a sprint to a finish line. It was now our lives.
When I stumbled, exhausted on my feet, Hart scooped me into his arms.
“This is where you grew up,” I said, leaning my head against his chest. It felt so good to be here. The comfort of his arms, the strength of his hold, and the anticipation of what a future free of meddling goddesses could be. There had been so many moments in the throne room when I didn’t know if we’d ever make it to … this.
Hart’s chin tapped the top of my head in what I assumed was a nod. Then he balanced me on one arm as he opened the door.
“I can walk.”
He shook his head. “We’ve made it this far. Surely, you wouldn’t take carrying you across the threshold away from me.”
Tingly effervescence popped on my tongue like candy, marking his joy. I tilted my head up to ensure his lip curled into my favorite smirk. Then I hmphed and snuggled further into his chest.
The room was dark, and most of it was draped in white sheets. Hart pulled them from the bed and set me down, then he prepared the rest of the room. Candles were lit above the fireplace and in the hearth. In the bureau, he found a too-large tunic for me to change into.
With a glance, I realized what a mess I was. I shouldn’t be anywhere near the bedding. I stood, and he made a whine of protest.
“I’m covered in blood,” I said.
“I’ll return with water for a bath,” Hart said as he strode toward the door.
I didn’t want a bath if it meant he’d be away from my side for any length of time. He shot me a glance as he pulled the door open, and I wondered what emotions he sensed from me. It reminded me we had more to talk about with the flavor of our feelings in general.
To my utter delight, two young men stood in the open doorway, with steaming buckets of water in hand. “Alysa sent us with these,” the first boy said.
Hart frowned but let them through to the bedroom’s connected washroom. When the water filled the tub and the boys were gone, Hart scooped me up again.
“You’re going to give me unrealistic expectations about our future together,” I said.
“I can carry you anywhere you need to go,” he replied without missing a beat.
“You’ll have to put me down to undress.”
His lip tipped into a smirk. “I could help you with that as well.”
I sighed as he set me on my feet. My gaze caught on his forest green one, and I was reminded of how we’d found joy in the Oldwood—we had to steal it. I’d had to fight for it amidst all the other demands on our time. This would be no different.
My fingers found the hem of my blouse, and I pulled it over my head, exposing myself to him and the elements. Hart didn’t blink as I removed the rest of my clothing. The heat of his gaze warmed me before I stepped into the steaming water.
My fingers ran the length of the tub. “This looks big enough for both of us.”
