Page 66 of A Petal in the Crown

Lea’s eyes closed again as she snuggled into the pillow. "Just for a few minutes," she murmured. "Wake me if anything happens. Promise?"

"Of course," Gray said, knowing full well he wouldn’t wake her. There was nothing they could do until they got more information from their soldiers. So instead, he simply sat beside her, holding her close as the hours passed and memorizing the steady, rhythmic beat of her heart, the gentle rise and fall of her chest, and the small smile that graced her lips.

And then, before he joined her in sleep, he whispered his love to her—love that even death hadn’t been able, and would never be able, to take away.

Chapter 42

Erik

There had been a moment, as the fire surrounded them, when Erik was certain he and Janelle were going to die. He’d never been afraid of death before—not really. He had resigned himself long ago—the moment he and Gray had taken their oath—to the fact that this war might lead to his death. But since meeting Janelle, everything in his life had changed in the most spectacular, immense way.

Now, he had a reason tolive. A reason so much bigger than defeating Alaric. But along with his renewed purpose came more reasons to be afraid, too.

Erik washed quickly after helping to organize the armies, cleaning the soot from his skin and relishing the cold water. He wondered where Janelle had gone. It felt wrong not knowing where she was. And every moment away from her seemed like far too many.

He checked their room, searched the main hall, then the courtyard. But it wasn't until he made it to the kitchens that he found her, flour dusted across her cheeks and her hair up in a messy bun.

He walked up and put his arms around her waist, kissing the top of her head.

"Gods dammit, you ill-timed sugar-sniffing bloodhound. You ruined my surprise," she said, her smile betraying her pretend anger.

"And that surprise is?"Erik asked, looking down at the globs of half-baked dough she had just pulled from the oven.

"Cookies?" she said, raising her eyebrows.

Erik chuckled, grabbing one of the under-baked cookies and shoving it into his mouth.

Chocolate exploded on his tongue, and he moaned. "They're the best thing I’ve ever tasted," he said around a mouthful. "Other than you."

Janelle laughed as he flipped her around and kissed her cheek. She wrapped her arms around his neck, looking up at him with eyes so full of love it could have made him cry. It probably would have, if their love for each other hadn't been the entire reason he'd come to find her in the first place.

Erik grabbed another cookie, then tugged on her hand. "Come with me," he said. "There's something I've been wanting to try."

Janelle laughed, wiggling her eyebrows. "Anywhere, anytime. We've been through this before, haven't we?" she teased.

"I never get tired of hearing it."

"I never get tired of saying it. Where are we going?"

"You'll see," Erik replied, lifting her into his arms. Janelle squealed as he carried her around the back of the castle toward the armory. Thomas could only work at night, and the other soldiers working there had already left for the evening. Erik was positive the place would be deserted, and the line of trees behind them would provide extra cover for what he had planned.

Once they reached the armory, he set her down, immediately feeling a rush of heat as he pressed her against the stone wall and her body curled into his. He swept his tongue inside her mouth, and his fingers tangled in her hair.

Janellemoaned, deepening the kiss. "If this is what you wanted, you could've just told me," she said, catching her breath. She grabbed his hand and tugged him toward the back door of the building.

Erik dug his heels in, not budging. "No. Right here," he said, pressing her back up against the wall and pinning her with his hips.

He grabbed Janelle's hands, then let go with one to tilt her chin up toward him. "I'm going to say some very sappy things," Erik started, "and I need you to not throw up. For the sake of my manhood. If you love me, you'll keep your mouth shut, and just listen to what I have to say without gagging."

"Oh my God, you're ridiculous," Janelle swatted at him.

"No, I'm serious." He looked around as if searching for eavesdroppers. "I want to talk about my... feelings."

Janelle rolled her eyes. "Oh my God. Get on with it already!"

"If you insist." Erik cupped her cheek, pausing until he was certain she was listening to him.Reallylistening. "Until I met you, I was living my life for only one thing—this war. Gray was my brother, my only family. He was all I had, and that was enough. Then you and Lea came here, and everything changed. All of a sudden, I wanted to win this war for so much more than just revenge against my father. I wanted to win it for you. For us. We don't know what's going to happen or what we'll be able to accomplish, but I need you to know how I feel." He pressed a soft kiss to her lips. "No matter what happens, Janelle, you're mine."

He took her hand and placed it over his chest where his heart pounded beneath her palm. "Mine forever. Win or lose, our souls are bound."

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