Page 84 of HeartTorn

I kneel before her then, clasping her small hands in mine. Moonlight shines upon us, like the face of Nornala herself. I draw a long breath, then let the words fall from my tongue in the ancient Licornyn language. As I pronounce them, they become song; a deep and abiding melody, as old as the stars themselves.

“With my faith will I honor you.

With my body will I protect you.

With my arms will I shelter you.

With my heart will I warm you.”

Does she remember? Does she recognize the cadence of the vows I made to her on our wedding night? I want her to hear it again, this time spoken from the depths of my heart.

“From this day forth, my mouth, my lips, my tongue,

My every waking breath,

Are dedicated to your pleasure and delight.

My life is yours,

And, should you require it,

My death.”

Thevelracord flares bright, briefly visible in the ether between us, shining and golden. Ilsevel holds up her arm, turns it to observe how the cord wraps her flesh, then looks at my arm in turn. Her face is wondering, awe-struck, as she beholds the miracle which has bound us for the last week, seeing it anew. It is no longer a sentence to be endured but a blessing beyond all measure.

She gasps suddenly and turns away, putting her back to me. Her shoulders quake, and I hear a sob break from her lips. I’m on my feet in an instant, stepping close behind her. My hands grip her upper arms, and I drop my mouth close to her ear. “What is it? What’s wrong?”

“I don’t deserve this,” she whispers. “I don’t deserve your love. Taar, I—”

She breaks off in a yelp of surprise as I scoop her off her feet and into my arms. I stride up the last few stairs and through the broken entrance doors of the house into the cavernous hall within, leaving Elydark and Diira in the courtyard behind us. A stairway presents itself to my vision, and I run up it without pausing for breath on the landing. “What are you doing?” Ilsevel squeaks in surprise as she clings to my shoulders.

I don’t answer. I approach first one door, then another, kicking them open. At the third chamber, I find what I’m looking for—a large bed, a little dusty, bathed in a pool of moonlight.

Smiling, I look down into my bride’s upturned face. “I’m going to show you exactly what you deserve, myzylnala,”I say. “And I will keep on showing you, until you accept it as truth.”

39

ILSEVEL

Still cradling me in his arms, Taar presses his lips to mine, softly at first, but with increased urgency, seeking to part them and gain admittance. I don’t need much urging. I open for him, welcome his tongue as it slips between my teeth. He tastes of blood and ash and life, a combination I never knew could be so delicious.

I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him deeper. My own tongue dances with his as our lips shape and reshape our connection. He shifts me in his arms until I am fully upright, and I wrap my legs around his waist. His hands grip my buttocks, fingers tight, almost painful, but that lashing tongue of his drives all other thoughts from my head.

I pull back a little at last, desperate for air. His breath is hard and quick, and when I gaze down into his face, he looks like a man intoxicated. I brush strands of hair from his brow, searching his features.

“What are you looking for?” he asks huskily.

I don’t answer. I can’t say that I’m still searching for falsehood—that doesn’t seem fair after that vow-song of his, sung on the steps outside. I should believe him. He deserves that honor at least, surely.

But the truth is, I can’t believe him. It is simply impossible to me that this man, this magnificent, powerful being, would actually love me. After everything I’ve put him through, after every secret I’ve kept and every outright lie I’ve told!

And there’s still the matter of his people. We both know they will reject me, might even kill me outright if they catch me. And kill him too for loving me. They don’t even know the worst of it yet; they don’t know I am Larongar’s daughter.

I don’t say any of this, however. Not here. Not now. Not with Diira’s song still burning in my heart, and Taar’s kiss still burning on my lips.

Instead I simply lower my lips to his once more. Softly, lingering. Almost questioning. He answers with such tenderness and restraint, like he fears he will frighten or hurt me if he lets himself go. I frown at that, Shanaera’s voice suddenly echoing in the back of my head:“A puny creature like you couldn’t stand the true force of a Licornyn king’s passion.”

Impulsively I suck his lip between my teeth and bite down. Hard. Hard enough to taste blood.

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