Page 63 of The Time Of Kings

“Very well, my dear Catherine… I won't be gone long, and it seems you have more than one lady to keep you company,” I said, making my way towards her and pulling my sweet girl back into my arms. Her anxious face looked up at me, as if she were struggling with the idea of letting me go. So, I hoped to ease her fears by telling her,

“For my sister here is very capable at keeping guard and watch over the two of you.” At this I turned my trusted gaze to Sophia, telling her, “Sister, I leave my most precious gift in your hands, do not fail me.”

She bowed her head to me and was quick to answer,

“I vow now and forever to always protect what you hold dear in your heart.” Her loyalty never faltered, I knew she would do all in her power to ensure my Electus remained safe and within the confines of these walls.

Which meant thatmy Catherine was going nowhere.

“Then let us be quick, old friend, for we have precious hearts to get back to,” I said, eager to be done with this so as I could get back to bedding my soon to be wife once more. As for my second, he looked to be in the same mind, for he too looked reluctant to leave his own Chosen. A private moment I gave them, so as I too could have one of my own. Starting with pulling Catherine more firmly within my hold. Then after tipping her chin up, I told her,

“Be good now…little thief who stole my heart.”I whispered this last part, making her swallow hard before fresh tears followed the tracks of others. The sight nearly undid me, and I swiped one from her skin and brought it to my lips, tasting the emotion for myself. Then as if fearing the words being spoken aloud, she mouthed,

‘I love you’.

I smiled at that, before doing the same back down to her, our silent moment made all the sweeter for it was shared by no other in the room.

‘As I love you.’

She nodded, and I forced myself to let her go and leave through the door. The last sight of her was one I didn’t know in that moment…

Would haunt my dreams to come.

For it would beour last.

27

WHEN ONE CHAPTER ENDS

KEIRA

My daughter and I both released a heavy breath the moment the door closed, making me reach out to grasp her hand. Because I hadn’t been the only one to fall in love all over again. Which meant I also wasn’t the only one mentally saying goodbye.

I wasn’t the only one letting go…

But knowing time was of the essence, Amelia turned to her aunt and said,

“Okay, so that’s phase one out the way, what’s next?”

I looked back at the bed I had stolen perfect moments in, knowing it would be for the last time. Which was why I also knew that I had to leave a piece of myself behind. A piece just for him to find.

Because now…

Now it was time to run.

And run we did, soon after getting back into our mortal clothes that, thankfully, had been washed and felt a million times more comfortable. Pip had even managed to find my knickers and fixed them, so I wasn’t spending this break-outgoing commando. Of course, getting out of our gowns had been a mission in itself, but we managed it with a bit of teamwork.

It was no wonder the ladies of this time period needed a team of people as putting on Draven’s amour looked more straight forward than this! Yet despite the struggle, we made it outside without incident and, no doubt, thanks to Pip drugging half the castle. Although why I was shocked, I didn’t know, as this was Pip we were talking about. Speaking of which, she nodded to her horse and said,

“Toots, you’re with me.” Well, I wasn’t going to argue there as she was a far better rider than I ever would be. So, after heaving myself up into the saddle, I looked behind me to find my Fae doing the same behind Sophia. A minute later, and we found ourselves galloping across the English countryside at speed.

I felt confidently cocky, well, that was until twenty minutes later and I found that our getaway hadn’t been quite as successful as I had hoped. Because now we had a small army hot in pursuit at our heels.

My only hope was that Draven wasn’t leading the way, or I knew I would have had no hope. But then knowing my husband, he would have taken to the skies long before now, damning the consequences. Which meant that we still had a chance, something that increased when we had a secret weapon…

For we had a Pip.

“What are we going to do?!” I heard Fae shout over the thundering sound of hooves. I didn’t hear the first part of Sophia’s response, but I did hear her shout to my rider,

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