My teeth pressed into my lower lip to hide my smile, an intense urge to cackle rising in my chest.
“Why did they try to cut your hair?” I asked, my cheeks puckering.
He arched a dark brow. “They said the ends wereburnt,” he explained, shaking his head, the braids of his disheveled, pirate hair swaying.
My eyes cut to the frayed ends, looking more like the tips of an old, forgotten broom than the clean bristles of a paintbrush.
I snapped my gaze back to his, and he shook his head, his own lips pursing to keep from smiling. He pinched my side as he pulled me from the Lotrennian castle, and I threw my head back and laughed.
A knock rappedat the smooth wooden door of Isla’s townhome the next morning, Kellan’s fingertips already pulling me awake as they ran through my hair in long, soothing lines. I nuzzled into his neck, my thigh draped between his legs and my hand hiding the gruesome Marisarma brand at the center of his chest.
“I never want you to stop touching my hair,” I mumbled sleepily.
Kellan’s chest bounced as he chuckled, the sound pebbling my skin.
“I seem to recall you telling me not to touch it,” he countered, his fingers tugging gently through a snarl.
“The Lyvia last year didn’t know any better. She had a lot going on,” I replied, my lips tugging at the memory.
The rapping continued downstairs, and Kellan shifted his weight.
“Isla will get it,” I groaned into his neck.
“I think Isla and Drystan left this morning,” he murmured. “It’s almost midday.”
I lifted my head and wiped the sleep crumbs from the corners of my eyes. Kellan smirked as he took me in. His thumb moved to my face, wiping the long line of drool from my chin.
“I love you,” he said softly, his dark eyes pinned to my own.
My heart swelled, and I melted against his lips.
“I love you more,” I murmured after pulling away.
A loud bang followed the rapping at the front door, and I sat up.
“For fuck’s sake,” I growled.
“I’ll get it.” His hand reached for my arm, but I shook my head.
“It’s fine,” I muttered, snatching a robe off the hook of the tree and stone door to Isla’s guestroom. “You stay right there, and don’t you dare put your clothes back on.”
I winked, and his lips cocked up in a rogue grin as he slipped his hands behind his head and fell back into the downy bed.
Rap.
“I’m coming!” I shouted, a tight burn racing between my legs, the delicious, overworked sensation anchoring my thoughts to the pirate upstairs. I hopped the last few steps before I flungthe door open, my eyes straining against the blazing midday sunshine that gilded the outline of its Bellator king.
CHAPTER FORTY-FIVE
LYVIA
To worlds unknown and the promise of home.
– Eghan Family Stone.
Lyvia – Ayla, Lotrennia
Asmall squad of War Slayers maintained a healthy distance behind Bayne, their black paint stark against the rays that emanated from the elven king. Bayne’s emerald eyes cut over me, lingering on my disheveled hair.
