Page 114 of Crownless King

“I need all of you,” I pleaded with him as if he could hear me. “Every single part of you belongs to me, Voron. Your spirit, too. Come back to me. Whole.”

Farion was the last in the chain of people linking hands. He splayed his palm on the pillar, closing the circle.

Magic rushed through me, heating my body and making my skin tingle. The mark on my chest burned, shining brightly through the dark fabric of my dress. My very soul appeared to meld, merging with the vines of the pillar. My love found Voron inside it and curled around him, shielding him from the rest of the world.

“Mine,” I exhaled.

The worry was extinguished. The restless anxiety plaguing me receded. We were together again. And when we were together, nothing could harm us.

The vines loosened and fell apart. Unraveling from around him, they crawled back, taking the shape of the royal throne once again.

Voron was in my arms, lying with his back on the throne. His new wings stretched over the armrests and draped down the dais.

With a loud clunk, the crossbow bolt fell out of his wing and rolled down the stairs for Alcon to grab it.

“Voron!” I took his face between my hands.

Did I kill him by freeing him?

“Are you trying to wring my neck, little vixen?” He sounded a little groggy, his eyelids lifting slowly. But he was here, all of him. A smile broke through his weariness, like a ray of sunshine through the clouds.

“You’re here,” I exhaled, shifting just a little. But his arms promptly flexed around me, pulling me to him.

“Stay.” He buried his face between my neck and my shoulder. “You were always meant to be mine.”

I melted into his embrace. My soul had found home. For once, my heart could rest, and I didn’t want to move.

“I don’t know how you’re here, little bird. But even if you’re just a dream, please don’t leave me. I’d rather have an illusion of you than nothing at all.”

“No illusion, Voron. I’m all here, in spirit and flesh.” I took his hand and slapped it on the wide curve of my hip. “See? There is nothing wraith-like about this, is there?”

He gripped my hips through my dress, then moved his hands up, squeezing my sides, my arms, my shoulders, proving by touch that his eyes did not deceive him.

“It is really you. You came back to me. All of you.” He smiled in wonder, skimming his thumb along my bottom lip. “Your smart mouth, too.”

Sitting up on the throne, he made me straddle his thighs. I sank my hands into his hair as he kissed me.

He gripped my head in his hands, searching my eyes intently. “You’re not going anywhere ever again, do you hear me? You can’t leave. Please, Sparrow. Stay, share my life with me, love me. I can’t breathe without your love. I can’t be myself without you.”

I brushed the silver strands out of his face. There were more of them now; his entire front was white.

“You’re not an easy man to love, Voron. But I can’t stop loving you. God knows I’ve tried.”

My muscles trembled from the released strain. The world appeared to spin around us. But it all came to a standstill the moment his lips touched mine again. For months, I believed I’d never kiss him again. For so long, I thought my memories and my longing would be all I’d have for the rest of my life.

Kissing him now still felt like a dream. My heart overflowed with happiness so bright it seemed to flood the room with light like sunshine. I parted my lips, letting his tongue invade my mouth. He gripped me tighter, holding me to him.

I wished to lose myself in him completely. But Alcon cleared his throat next to us, bursting our bubble.

“It’s good to have you back, Your Majesty.”

His voice brought me back to reality. The entire royal court was watching us. I pulled back from Voron. But he followed me with two more kisses, lighter and quicker than the one before. Then he pressed me to his chest, looking at the court over my shoulder as he rose to his feet with me in his arms.

He set me down next to him, keeping his right arm around my shoulders. My mark pulsed with golden-blue light through the fabric of my dress.

“Let them see it, my love.” He slid my dress down my shoulder, exposing the mark. “Let them all see what you are to me.”

The courtiers gasped in wonder. Dove squeaked, bouncing on her heels. Libelle clapped, smiling. As the shock settled, the room erupted into congratulations and cheers. The magic bond that tied the king and me ended the speculations and rivalry, bringing stability to the court.

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