Page 193 of Winds of Ruin

He smiled down at me with nothing but softness. “It’s never been better. But...”

Why did there need to be a ‘but’? I stopped breathing.

“The constant back-and-forth between here and Helos is tiring me—I’d really love to just sleep in one bed.”

I frowned. “Oh,” I whispered.

Had it taken him only a year to tire of me?

The nights he spent away were all but torture. When Helos demanded his presence, I often woke on his side of the bed, longing for his arms around me.

“I don’t like that look,” he said as he planted a gentle kiss on one of my frown lines.

“It’s alright if you don’t visit here as frequently. I understand. You have a Corridor to lead.” I shifted, wanting to wiggle out from beneath him and avoid meeting his gaze again.

Some things did not change—running felt easier than facing his rejection. But now, I stayed long enough to listen.

He lacked gentleness when he pinned my hips to the cushioned ground with his and balanced on one forearm, turning my chin to look at him.

“Where are you going? Have you hit your head again? That’s not at all what I mean. I want to stay here… with you.Thisfeels like home, Elsedora.”

My muscles all but melted into the furs. I breathed out a sigh and swallowed hard.

Home.

I’d spent so long searching for that feeling. Even after repairing the ruins of Lamoreaux, I hadn’t felt entirely settled. His affections, his care, his loyalty, they gave me roots. It made me want to be more for him than I’d been for any other.

Emmerick rambled on, “I spoke to Dritan—he feels that between your advising and Lark’s alliances, he would wear the crown well. Relations are strong with the rulers, especially with Hurley and Regon marrying. There isn’t a heaping mess for me to clean up any longer. I never wanted that throne or that castle. What I want is right here.”

My throat burned and my hands shook as I cupped his face.

Lamoreaux had always been a safe place for those who felt lost. But knowing that he found a sense of belonging among the orchards filled me with more joy than I could put into words.

His brow creased. “So… will you have me here? I can’t very well move in without your consent, so please say something.”

“I’ll have you anywhere.” I pulled him down, ready to devour him. Before I did, I whispered between us, “Welcome home, my love.”