Page 142 of Burning Crowns

‘Didn’t you know?’ he said, coming towards her. ‘Green is my favourite colour.’

‘Oh?’ she said, looking up at him. ‘Since when?’

‘Since you, Wren.’

She smiled, seized by another rush of heat. ‘I think I’m done talking.’

‘That makes two of us.’ Tor was upon her in three strides, grabbing her waist and pressing her back against the door. He seized her mouth, brushing his tongue against hers. She groaned, reluctantly breaking the kiss to hitch his shirt up. He tore it off, flinging it into the fireplace. The flames hissed as they devoured it.

‘Oops,’ he whispered against her lips.

Wren summoned a gust, deftly putting the flames out. ‘Shirts are overrated,’ she said, kissing him again.

‘So are gowns.’ His hands found the swell of her breasts then moved impatiently to her corset. He plucked at the laces, ripping them apart one by one. He gave a frustrated huff. ‘Why must they be so damn complicated?’

Wren rose to her tiptoes to give him better access, trailing kisses along his neck. He stiffened against her, his fingers grappling hopelessly with her corset. ‘This is torture.’

Wren smiled, tracing his earlobe with her tongue. ‘Isn’t that the Gevran way?’

His eyes glinted at her words. ‘I’ll show you the Gevran way.’ He pulled a dagger from his waistband, his free hand rising to cup the back of her neck. ‘Don’t move,’ he said, as he deftly sliced through the binds of her corset. It fell away in one piece and he groaned again, tossing aside the knife and coming to his knees before her.A growl rumbled in his throat as he tugged the rest of her dress down, pressing a kiss just below her naval. Wren’s knees trembled as he stood to unfasten his trousers. The world blurred around them as they came back together, Tor kissing her, wildly, madly, as he lifted her from the puddle of her skirts. Wren wrapped her legs around him as he carried her to the bed.

He set her down, gently, taking a moment to drink her in. ‘My Wren,’ he murmured, as she pulled him down on top of her.

After, when they lay blissfully spent in each other’s arms, Tor trailed his fingers through her hair. ‘After all these years of war, I have finally found my peace,’ he said. ‘You are the only cause I will ever need, Wren.’

Wren closed her eyes, listening to the steady thrum of his heartbeat. ‘I love you, Tor. To the end of this life and beyond.’

Tor grinned, his hand coming to his chest as if she had shot an arrow through his heart. ‘Say it again, Wren.’

She laughed as she climbed on top of him. ‘I love you, Tor Iversen.’

He gazed up at her, utterly lovestruck. ‘Show me.’

‘With pleasure,’ said Wren, leaning down to kiss him.

Rose

CHAPTER 54

Rose Valhart had always loved the kingdom of Eana, even before she had truly known it. As a child, she had spent hours walking among the flowers in her garden, imagining all the others that bloomed across the vast plains. She knew the mountains in the north were older than most, their proud stony ridges overlooking winding rivers and rolling hills. The valleys in the south were sun-soaked and fertile, home to the finest vineyards. The west coast was wild and rugged, dappled with sea spray and scattered with sands that had kissed the feet of the first witch Eana herself. And in the middle of it all, the desert lay like a golden coin, rich with its own special culture.

The east was vibrant, too, Anadawn Palace standing like a proud soldier overlooking the bustling city of Eshlinn where tavern lanterns flickered long into the night and the air echoed with laughter. Yes, the kingdom of Eana was beautiful – it belonged to Rose, and she to it. But there was another kingdom that had come to possess a part of her heart, and she loved that place just as fiercely.

Just as she loved its king.

As the sun set in the golden heart of the desert, and the Palace of Eternal Sunlight echoed with birdsong and music,Rose thought to herself that it truly was a beautiful evening to get married.

Shefeltbeautiful as she stepped out into the courtyard, dressed in a gauzy ivory gown. The bodice had been embroidered with pearlescent suns to honour the kingdom in which she now stood, and roses as a tribute to the land where she grew up, while the magnificent, tiered skirt cascaded around her like the waves of Ortha. Beneath a finely wrought ruby tiara that perfectly matched her engagement ring, her curls had been adorned with crystals that sparkled like the stars of Eana.

She steadied her breath as the music soared, offering a smile to the king who awaited her at the other end of the aisle.

High on the dais in the courtyard, Shen’s molten eyes never left Rose as she drifted towards him with graceful, measured steps. He looked even more handsome than usual, dressed in a red silk shirt, fitted black trousers and high black boots. His dark hair was swept away from his face by the gold band of his crown, which he wore in honour of the occasion – a love-struck king finally marrying his starry-eyed queen.

When Rose ascended the steps to the dais, Shen took her hands in his, pressing a kiss to each as the officiant, Daiyu, began the ceremony, speaking poetically about love and commitment. Gazing into Shen’s night-dark eyes, Rose found herself daydreaming about everything still to come – the food and the merriment, the music and the dancing, and then, finally, the moment when they would retire to their bedroom and spend their first night together as husband and wife.

Yes, today was already perfect. But Rose knew tomorrow would be even better, and all the days after that, too.

Wren

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