Along with Samkien, we follow Max’s instructions. We use ourdaggers to cut around the roots, never cutting the leaves. Apparently that smallest bit of friction can be enough to set the plant on fire.
We pack the saddle bags full, including the pockets of Max’s satchel. When we make it back to the Black Palace, Baris stands at the front entrance, glaring down the parapet, arms crossed.
His expression changes when he sees Max, unharmed, holding a bouquet of the pink flowers. His eyebrow rise and he smirks—the closest to a real smile I’ve seen from the grumpy Fairy.
“Burning bush.” He nods. I guess everyone recognizes this plant. I thought it only a weed. “Good choice.”
“Did you do it?”
Glancing between them, I remove my gloves, tossing them at Samkien. The captain has the balls to glare at me. Luckily, I’ve known the Dark Fae for decades.
“Of course.”
“What did you do, Baris?”
The Fairy nods toward my wife. “Sent a hawk at her insistence.”
He takes our bags, promising to harvest them correctly. He too was given the same lessons about the volatility of the plant.
Grabbing Max, I swing her into my arms. “Sending secret messages to an admirer, kitten?”
She rolls her eyes playfully, tapping my chest affectionately. “Does sending a message to an old friend count?”
“No,” I respond casually. “But if the old friend is the bard?—”
“It’s not?—”
“Then I need his address and my sword polished. I’ll be using it in the morning.”
Max laughs, holding tight to my neck. “I have eyes for no one else but you.”
Lowering my head, I capture her lips in mine. No matter how many times I touch her, taste her, kiss her, I can never get enough. ThankBelthe urge to constantly drink from her subsided. I can only assume it was an effect of the binding potion.
“And I see no one else but you. Who was the letter to?”
She shrugs, pulling me from the gates. “Hopefully, help. If not, it doesn’t hurt to try.”
Wrapping my arms around her waist, I walk behind her, trying to direct her to our bedchambers. She giggles, a majestic sound I want to bottle and listen to on my bad days.
When the nightmares take me and I can’t seem to remember I’m safe, I would play the sound and remember the good.
“What are you doing?”
“Since it’s the end of the world,”or will be if we fail,“I thought I’d make good on my promise on a future child with you. Can’t do that unless my cock is inside of you.”
She smiles, shaking her head. “Another time. We have a kingdom to defend.”
I’d be disappointed if I didn’t admire her tenacity. Picking her up, I throw her over my shoulder, ignoring her feeble protests.
“Who knows what tomorrow brings, kitten? I’ve been a prisoner to other people’s whims and plans enough. Right now? I’m enjoying my mate.”
