And when Kade was breaking apart with little gasps and keens, he finally returned Killian’s confession, in three whispered words.I love you.
After, while Killian laid on his heaving chest, Kade said, “It’s a beautiful night for a walk.”
Killian laughed. “You hate him, but love his garden.”
“The plants are innocent,” Kade said petulantly. “Now, are we going or not?”
“Don’t touch it! You’re going to snap the stem,” scolded Killi, slapping at Kade’s hands as he ran them across the large waxy leaves of a palm that grew along the animal path they were walking. Side by side, so close they were nearly always touching. Bumping into each other as they meandered.
Well, as they walked in a very specific direction that Kade was leading them.
Kade rolled his eyes so hard it hurt. “One touch isn’t going to kill it. These species are a lot stronger than you’d expect.”
Killi didn’t look convinced, but it was no matter, it wasn’t like he knew what he was talking about. “Damage of any kind could be our undoing. Fyar is very particular.”
“Yeah, yeah,” said Kade dismissively. The king being overly anal about everything and anything under the sun wasn’t exactly a secret. “But it’s still a jungle. Where animals live. It’s not ever going to be pristine. He’d never know.”
“He’d know,” said Killian ominously. “He always knows.”
Kade curled his lip.
Around the east side of the lake, just on the edge of the marshes, Kade found his prize. A plush white flower with purple stems and heart shaped leaves. His heart pounded as he drew closer, his stomach in so many knots he could hurl.
Lagging behind, Kade pretended to study another specimen and let Killi disappear into the thickets of brush. He felt sick, but he had no choice. He needed to do this. It didn’t matter whether or not he believed Porthos would tattle, heneededthat guarantee. He couldn’t risk it slipping out and then being banished from the palace.
Not actually knowing how much Porthos would need for his tea but assuming it was more than a single leaf, Kade harvested an entire offshoot by the root, leaves and stem and flowers included. After musing his fingers through the dirt to hide his tracks, it looked like the plant had never been there. Gone without a trace.
Tucking it carefully into the folds of his robes, Kade swallowed down his nerves and shook out his limbs. Then, plastering a smile on his face, he went off after Killi who was no doubt waiting for him to catch up.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
KADE FROWNED WHEN he woke to an empty bed. The space where Killi should have been was cold when he ran his hands over the smooth sheets.
Groaning, he rolled legs slowly beneath him, pushing himself up to scan the room. His hips ached dully at the movement. His face warmed at the reminder.
Biting his lip, he replayed the night’s events.
It was a bit disappointing though, a mood dampener, to wake up alone. Kade had always imagined waking up wrapped in Killi’s arms, after a night of satisfying sex and every other day in between. But if Killi was called away, then Kade couldn’t complain, it was work after all. He was sure there would be days it was him that was called away instead.
Oh, the curse of becoming important at one’s job.
Stumbling a bit on shaky legs, it took an embarrassing amount of small steps to reach the dresser across the room. Gods, Kade didn’t think he’d ever get used to this. Or get any work done ever again if he were going to be on wobbly legs everyday.
Kade gasped at the sight of himself in the large golden mirror that hung on the wall. The state of him was something else.There were purpling bruises trailing down his neck and shoulders and collarbones, clustered on his hips and between his thighs. Lasting evidence of Killi’s domineering presence in his bed.
A collar of his very own.
Kade was elated. This physical show of possession set off butterflies in his stomach.
He’d need to apply a healing salve once he went back to his room.
Honestly, what was Killi thinking? How was Kade supposed to hidethis?
Kade could already hear the incessant ragging that he would endure if anyone caught a glimpse of the bruises sticking out the collar of his robes. He was fucked, so completely fucked.
Lost in his own head, Kade jumped when hands snaked around his waist, drawing him back into Killi’s chest. The older elf’s chin hooking over Kade’s shoulder so that their eyes could meet in the silvery reflection. He settled quickly, melting into the strong and steady embrace.
“Pretty, aren’t they?” Killi looked incredibly smug.
