“You’re running out of time,” Dain adds.
They are my two closest friends. They grew up with my brother and me, and I value their counsel.
“I’m going to tell her before we leave for the mountain.” I look at Lyrea. “Do you think she’ll forgive me?”
“She’ll likely be mad at first,” she replies. “But… if she truly loves you, I believe she’ll find a way to forgive.”
I hope she’s right.
When we return inside, I take a bath while Vivienne spends time with Lyrea, Dain, and Ailyn, before we retire to the spare room.
It’s warm and cozy, with a fire burning in the hearth across the way and a large four-poster bed. Thick quilts cover the mattress, and the faint scent of lavender lingers in the air. Vivienne stands near the foot of the bed, looking around slowly, and I wonder if she’s disappointed, thinking this will be her life.
Dain and Lyrea’s home isn’t small by any means. Unlike Vivienne’s father’s kingdom, a large portion of Valethryn’s treasury is spent on our people so they may live comfortable lives, but my mate is used to extravagant luxury, and I can’t help but wonder if she might be having second thoughts, believing she’s married to a soldier.
“It’s lovely,” she murmurs, surprising me. “Lyrea told me the king provides housing for his soldiers and their families. Do you think he might give us a cottage here as well? She said Dain is the king’s top warrior,” she continues thoughtfully. “That he travels with him, just like you said. They keep a home here, and another beneath the mountain. She and little Ailyn go with him so they’re never apart.”
She cups my cheek. “I’d like to do the same, Auren. I don’t want to be separated from you.”
My heart stumbles in my chest. To think that my spoiled and stubborn princess loves me enough that she would easily accept a life so different from what she’s used to.
Before I can speak, she rises onto her toes. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she leans in and presses her lips to mine in a tender kiss.
She runs her fingers through my hair as her tongue finds mine, curling around it.
Pulling her closer, I deepen our kiss. I want her so much I fear I’ll go mad.
“Auren,” she whispers my name between kisses. “I love you so much.”
Everything inside me wants to claim her, but I force myself to pull back, every instinct in me fighting the decision.
She stares up at me, her lips red and swollen from our kisses, confusion flickering in her eyes. “Auren, what’s wrong?”
I drop my forehead to hers. “We must stop, Vivienne.”
“Why?” The hurt and confusion in her voice twists something in my chest, and I kiss her again, wanting only to reassure her.
“Because I cannot take you here, like this.” I cannot risk losing myself in her arms. Not until I’ve told her everything.
“You’re right,” she says, still a bit breathless from our kiss. “We’re guests here and it wouldn’t be proper to—” Her cheeks flush bright red as she clears her throat. “We should just go to sleep.”
When we settle into the bed, she rolls toward me, resting her head on my shoulder and her hand on my chest. I curl my arm around her as she nestles into my side.
“Goodnight, me’lira,” I whisper into her hair.
“Goodnight, my love,” she speaks softly in reply.
My love.The words are a dagger in my heart.
I listen as the sound of her breathing becomes soft and even as she drifts off to sleep.
Lying awake, I stare up at the ceiling in the darkness, wishing I could suspend this moment in time, relishing the feel of her against me. Closing my eyes, I think of how much she loves me… trusts me.
I have fought battles, led warriors, faced things that would break lesser men… and yet nothing unsettles me more than the thought of how she might react when she discovers the truth of my identity.
CHAPTER 34
VIVIENNE
