Page 128 of Crownless King

She led him back to bed. After they climbed in, he drew the blankets over both of them, then listened to her soft breathing as she drifted off to sleep.

He lay awake for a while. But it wasn’t the desperate insomnia of before. With Sparrow curled against his chest, the night was peaceful. He lay on his back, watching the stars blinking in the skylight above. It occurred to him that this was the only time he’d ever seen stars through that opening. Normally, they would be hidden behind the clouds, dark and gloomy, like his thoughts.

But tonight, his mind was clear.

Worries never truly left him, always lingering at least on the fringes of his awareness. But he felt optimistic that he could deal with them.

He had more people to worry about now. He had a bonded mate and a son. A family. The concept was new but exciting. He used to believe that his heart was so hardened and dry, love would never find its way inside.

But when Sparrow was gone, his heart broke. Love fluttered inside it and made a nest. And now, it was there to stay.

He drew the cover higher over Sparrow’s bare shoulders, keeping her warm.

His Sparrow.

His to love.

Here to keep him sane.

His to protect.

“I love you,” he whispered softly, closing his eyes.

* * *

When the bright light of the late morning sun warmed his face through the skylight, he felt rested and refreshed.

“Morning, sleepyhead.” Sparrow smiled, sitting in bed next to him.

A tray with empty breakfast dishes was in her lap. His robe was draped over her shoulders, concealing her delectable curves.

“Breakfast, Your Majesty?” She gestured at the second tray standing on the side table.

This wasn’t a dream. Sparrow really was here. Never again would he have to wake up alone, sweating and gasping after a nightmare that stole his rest.

“Later,” he croaked, shifting the tray from her lap to replace it with his head and arms.

“Aren’t you hungry?” She raked her fingers through his hair.

Turning in her lap, he wrapped his arms around her hips and drew her closer, then pressed his face to her belly.

“Hungry. But not for food.” He shoved the ends of the robe apart, kissing her skin underneath. “I want you.”

She shrugged out of the robe, exposing her body to him. Some of it was so familiar, he could draw each line and curve by memory. But there were subtle new lines and new curves that came from their son growing inside her. He kissed them now, learning and memorizing them, too.

“I love you,” he said as he laid her down on the covers and slowly slid inside her.

She moaned in response, her eyes glazed with pleasure. He filled both hands with her breasts, trapping the nipples between his fingers. It was an exquisite pleasure to watch her writhe with desire as he thrust inside her, chasing her climax and his.

She unraveled under him, coming on his cock so hard, he had to cradle her head to protect her from hitting it against the headboard. He let go, too, the ecstasy blinding him.

Even after they both collapsed into the sheets, spent and utterly satiated, he couldn’t let go of her. He kept stroking her stomach, kissing her shoulder, nuzzling that spot on the side of her neck where her scent was especially sweet.

“I love you,” he said again, craving to hear it back from her.

But she just smiled, gazing up at the skylight.

He kissed the glowing mating mark on her breast, then slid down, unable to resist a caress on her nipple.

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