Page 87 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Herman leaned against my legs and began purring like a rusty chain dragged over a wooden board.

I glimpsed the fae king’s kicking feet far above my head moments before Azulin completely enveloped me in his embrace. One arm encircled my ribs and the other wrapped around my hips. Then he lifted me against him as he straightened. Burying his face in the curve of my neck, he clung to me desperately.

“Never again,” Azulin whispered harshly. His embrace tightened. “Never do that again.”

“Do what?” I asked. Winding my arms around his shoulders, I hugged him back. “I didn’t do anything.”

“Following me into a fight. Attacking a fae who could murder you without a thought. Never place yourself in such danger again.” Azulin set me down on my feet, and, ignoring the general uproar going on around us, he bracketed my face between his large hands. With gentle firmness, he guided my chin up so I gazed into his intense expression. “I mean it, Calypso. My heart can’t take it. Promise me you won’t walk into such a situation again.”

“I can’t promise that.” I grasped his wrists loosely as I studied his beloved face. “You left me behind, and I refuse to let you walk into danger alone.”

“I wasn’t alone. I had a dragon to back me up.” Herman yowled in protest at our feet. “And Herman,” Azulin added.

“No, I won’t stand back and watch while you march off to face a monster.” I waved in the direction that Ghost had flown. “You needed me. My place is at your side, not in the care of your bodyguard.”

Azulin frowned, his brows lowering as he glared down at me. “I placed you in his care because I feared losing you, my opinionated wife.” His thumb traced the curve of my ear beneath the fall of my tousled hair.

My eyes lowered briefly at the heat the small touch created within my chest. Our mingled magic hummed happily.

“I don’t think I would survive if something happened to you,” he murmured. His other thumb caressed my bottom lip.

“And I can’t abide being left behind.” I smiled mischievously. “I believe we are at an impasse, my love.”

His eyes darkened and his gaze fell to my mouth. “Have I mentioned that I enjoy your stubbornness?”

“You will regret that,” I warned him.

A low chuckle rumbled in his chest, and a smile teased his mouth as he leaned closer. Azulin’s breath brushed my ear. “I do already.”

Reaching for his head, I threaded my fingers through his hair. Then pushing up onto my toes, I kissed my husband.

Wrapping me in his arms, he hefted me against him and took control of the kiss.

A few moments later, cheering washed over us.

“Sire?” Soren’s voice yelled next to us. “I really must protest, sire!”

Azulin paused and rested his forehead against mine with a heavy sigh. “Later, Soren.”

“But, sire, the people—”

“—are cheering. I can hear.” My husband brushed his fingers over my cheek. “It sounds like they approve.”

“Of the Unseelie king’s expulsion?” I asked, leaning into his touch.

He smiled, wide and uninhibited. “Of you and us, love.”

To emphasize his point, a sprite danced past us throwing magically disappearing flowers into the air as he leaped about. “Long live the queen! Long live the king! Long live their union!”

Epilogue

Azulin

“Careful not to crush the beets,” Calypso cautioned as she hopped over the neat rows of leafy plants. “I’m surprised they haven’t been harvested yet.” She paused at the edge of the field and frowned at the long rows of green in the fading light. A slight breeze fluttered the curls her maid had artfully arranged to cascade from her intricately coiled hair. “No one refilled the irrigation troughs either.”

Calypso turned her face toward the village in the distance, the sunset painting her features a golden wash as her hair danced around her face. “Soren did say the village was thriving, right?”

I strode across the rows separating us and stopped behind her. “He did.”

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