“A fine idea,” Vor said, smiling. “If it works, it might cut our time in half—if not more.” Vor pushed a few curls away from Snow’s brow. “We might finally clear the forest and gain our freedom. All thanks to you, my love.”
My love.Snow struggled to hide a smile, warmed through by the sweet endearment. He’d never imagined the beastly brute who’d stumbled upon him in the forest would ultimately be such a gentle giant capable of such sweet adoration.
“And then where will we go?” Snow asked, putting the gentlest inflection on the wordwe.He peeked at Vor through his lashes, his body tensing as he awaited the response he wanted. “After you’ve gained your freedom, that is.”
A pained look crossed Vor’s face. “I don’t know.”
“Do you not know where… or do you not plan for us to remain together?” Snow asked.
As silence met his question, Snow curled his fingers into fists. His fingertips cut into his palms and was the only thing that prevented his eyes from stinging with rejection.
“Snow…” Vor sighed. “You’re a prince.”
“And?”
“I’m…” Vor sighed again. “My hands aren’t clean.”
“I don’t care how calloused and rough your hands are. You’re my mate.” When Vor didn’t look swayed, Snow pressed on. If he hadto use strength of will to convince Vor, so be it. “We will go to my father. I’ll make him understand that we belong together.”
“Nay,”Vor whispered. “We cannot go to your father. He would never accept me as your mate.”
Snow let out a strangled breath. “Then we find somewhere else to call home.”
Vor kissed his forehead and tucked Snow’s head under his chin. “You’d give up a life in a castle for me?”
“I would,” Snow replied.“Youare my home, Vor. I go where you go.”
Vor’s body tensed. Snow frowned. He slid his head out from under Vor’s chin and eyed the alpha.
“Do you not feel the same?” Snow asked, barely able to get enough air in his lungs to ask the question.
“Of course I do,” Vor replied. “Yet…”
Snow sat up in their bed. “Yetwhat?”
“What kind of mate would I be to force you to live a life of drudgery when you could have one of comfort and ease? You’d be giving upeverythingyou are… everything you know. It’s too much for me to ask of you.”
“What kind of mate would I be to push you away because you didn’t have a castle and servants?” Snow asked, sadness filling his chest. “I love you, Vor. I will go where you go, wherever that would be.”
“I love you, too,”Vor whispered, sorrow in his eyes. “Gods be damned, but I do.”
“Have I not adjusted to a life here in the cottage with you all? I’ve learned to cook, to clean, to wash… I can live this life… as long as I have you by my side.”
“I can’t imagine being anywhere but beside you,” Vor whispered. “But I know what I will rob of you to get it. It just doesn’t sit well with me.”
“Then we are agreed,” Snow said, snuggling into Vor’s warmth again. “We make our home elsewhere. Together. I care not where.”
Vor didn’t respond. He toyed with Snow’s curls, wrapping one around a thick finger. They lay in silence, but it wasn’t a comfortable one. The emotion coming from Vor in heavy waves was confusing.
“The full moon comes soon,” Snow whispered, assuming that might be what was troubling Vor.
“I’m aware.”
“Do you still plan to lock me away?” Snow asked, dread in his heart.
“I should,” Vor snapped before his voice softened for the next bit. “But I don’t know that I’ll be strong enough. The thought of you suffering alone kills me.”
Snow hid his smile from Vor.
