Page 43 of A Vow of Wrath and Ruin

“I’m going to miss you too.”

“My heart already aches just thinking of not waking up next to you.” He kissed my head. A simple act, but deeply intimate.

“At least we’ll always be looking at the same sky. No matter where we are.”

Tharan didn’t respond, and when I lifted my head, he was fast asleep. I lay awake, listening to the sound of his contentbreathing. If I stayed awake all night, perhaps tomorrow would never come.

10AELIA

The soundof birds chirping woke me early the next morning. The winter sun cast everything in a pale light. Tharan lay asleep next to me. I wanted to wake him, but I also wanted to freeze this picture of him in my mind: his wine-colored hair, the way his lips looked so lush and kissable even when he was asleep. His chest rose and fell with deep breaths, the way you sleep when you know you’re perfectly safe.

My eyes fell to his bare chest, and I traced his toned muscles down to where a deep v cut his hips. I bit my lip. My core quaked at the thought of him inside me. I could already imagine the beautiful feeling of my breath catching in my throat, as his sensual mouth claimed mine while our bodies became one. The delicious ache between my legs—a reminder of the passion we’d shared last night.

His eyes flickered open. “Enjoying the view?”

“Always,” I said, giving him a wink. “Thank you for last night. This place is amazing.”

“You’re welcome.” He pulled me in for a kiss. His mouth still tasted of the champagne we’d had the night before. “I wanted to make it a night to remember.”

“I’d say you succeeded.” A smile tugged at the corners of my lips.

Our foreheads touched, and Tharan let out a sigh. “Let’s just stay here and let the world melt away.”

“Both of us have too much of a conscience for that.”

He clicked his tongue. “Don’t I know it?”

“It’s still early, though.”

“Time is irrelevant when you’re a king. There are always things that need tending to, and with our impending travel, we must get back. A sleigh should arrive shortly, and we will be on our way.”

I lay back in the bed, dramatically draping my forearm over my eyes. “I don’t want to.”

Tharan trailed kisses down my arm, playfully nipping at my neck. I tried to steel my face, but I couldn’t help but smile when I was around him.

“The sleigh will be here shortly, and I’m sure you’ll want a hot cup of cocoa for the ride home.”

“Well, I guess I could be persuaded.”

“That’s what I thought.” He kissed my cheek before rolling out of bed.

I pulled the fur-lined cloak over my nightgown and slipped my feet into a pair of satin slippers while Tharan donned his white shirt and cloak. Taking my hand in his, he led me out of the sanctuary, back down the marble corridor, and into the chilly winter morning, where a sleigh pulled by two dappled draft horses waited for us. Tharan helped me to my seat.

We sped through the forest. I sipped hot cocoa while the trees sped by. As we approached the Alder Palace, a pit grew ever larger in my stomach. I didn’t want to leave this place—the first place I’d known true peace in fifteen years, but like most good things in my life, it was not meant to last.

Tharan pulled me close, and I reveled in his warmth. Neither of us said anything, not wanting words to spoil our remaining hours together.

Frost and Winter sprinted up to the sleigh when we arrived at the palace, whining and wagging their tails. Tharan helped me out before kneeling to let his wolves lick his face. Winter trotted over to me, nuzzling my hand with her nose.

“I’ve missed you too, girl,” I said, giving her a scratch on the neck.

She wagged her tail happily.

Hopper and Sumac appeared in the doorway. Each dressed in their respective traveling attire. Sumac in a light armor made of silver leaves and Hopper in a brass buttoned jacket. The morning sun caught in his amber eyes, illuminating the deep golden hues within. He stood the way only someone with military experience could: feet shoulder-width apart, eyes straight ahead, stoic expression on his handsome face. I imagined all the trouble Tharan and Hopper got into in their youth. Both handsome cadets—lovers would have fallen at their feet. An old version of myself would have felt jealous at that thought, but I knew Tharan only had eyes for me.

I hadn’t forgotten his proposition from the other night. I’d never been with two men at once. The idea was intriguing, but I didn’t want to hurt either of them, and these sorts of things usually ended badly.

“The servants have prepared your things, my Lord,” Hopper said, not breaking his gaze.

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