Page 21 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

Esmeralda chuckled again. “I can just imagine how that conversation would go.”

“She still calls him 'boy', so finding out that he's going to be a father might be difficult for her.”

The two continued to drink their tea, looking around at the library until Renya spoke again.

“And then, there's fixing the magic and dealing with my...with Cressida. Sion and Selenia have already left for the Sun Realm to do more research, and I know we need to join them. But I'm so tired of traveling. I'm trying to convince Grayden to let Beauty take us—it would be much faster—but he worries it'll shock the entire city. They are still rebuilding from the destruction there, too. And you know how Beauty is...”

Esmeralda tried not to let her guilt get to her. Both the Sun Realm and the Twilight Kingdom endured significant damage during the war with Cressida, but the Tidal Kingdom was untouched. She made a mental note to ask Triston to send funds to the Sun Realm as well, since he provided men to the Twilight Kingdom.

“Have you seen Beauty yet?”

“No, that's my next stop. I was disappointed Selenia wasn't here, but I'm glad she's getting to spend some time with Sion.”

“They've been pretty cozy,” Esmeralda said, smiling. “Considering their bond is only one-sided, they still seem very much attached.”

“I'm happy for her. After Jurel died, I worried she would lose her fire. But she seems to have recovered well.”

“Funny how love will do that,” Esmeralda agreed.

Phillippe sat next to her at dinner. From time to time, she could feel his leg brush against hers, and every time they made the connection, she felt a fire spread throughout her body. She struggled to pay attention to what was being said, especially with him so near.

“—and I think we should ask the Spring Lands to join us as well—”

“Has Cyrus agreed? I thought he wanted to keep them out of it so there was at least one ancient family left—”

“I hadn't thought about—”

Esmeralda tried to listen to them make plans, but her mind was swimming with desire.

“When do you think we should leave?” Phillippe asked.

“As soon as possible,” Grayden responded. Esmeralda could see the look on Renya's face, and she knew her friend wasn't pleased with Grayden's response. She couldn't imagine how tiring it must be to be constantly darting from one kingdom to the next, especially being pregnant.

“It's settled then,” Phillippe agreed, and pushed out his chair and stood. Like every night, he held out his hand to Esmeralda and she took it, allowing him to pull her from the table. “If you'll excuse me.”

He walked with her out of the dining room and into the great hall, heading towards the door. Her cloak was hung next to his, and he grabbed it, securing it over her shoulders carefully. She shivered as his fingers brushed her neck, and she tried to hold still as he connected the end of her cloak with her pin.

“Are you ready?” he asked.

She both loved and loathed this part of the evening. Every night Phillippe would take her hand and lead her outside for a stroll around the gardens. While being with Phillippe excited her in a way she couldn't describe, the cold made her absolutely miserable.

But Phillippe made her so happy. She felt safe with him, secure. She only hoped that he felt the same as she.

He held his arm out, and she rested her arm comfortably on top of his. The cold air blew around them, moving underneath her neck and pushing her hair aside. She shivered again, and Phillippe pulled her close to him, letting her absorb his body heat.

“How are you feeling? About taking over for Grayden?” She looked up at him, watching as his eyes locked on hers.

“I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. I've led soldiers, and I do it well, but leading the entire land? Making the tough decisions? I just hope I'm up for it.”

“You will be,” she said, picking up her skirt so it didn't drag in the snow. “I believe in you.”

“No one has ever had the kind of faith in me that you do,” Phillippe whispered, and then stopped walking. He pulled her in front of him, and she felt the fire burn in her stomach as he leaned down and brushed her lips with his. He groaned, and pulled her even tighter against him, and she could feel just how much he desired her. Esmeralda's eyes widened, and she parted her lips, inviting him to deepen the kiss. Much to her desire, he did, exploring her mouth with his.

His arms went around her shoulders, and he fiddled with the strands of blonde hair she let fall freely down her back.

“Phillippe,” she moaned into his mouth, and his arms pulled her more tightly into his embrace.

He pulled away, and she instantly froze, scared that this would be the moment he'd apologize, and take her hand and continue their walk. But instead, he lifted her up in his massive arms and carried her to a small bench underneath an arctic pear tree. He sat, and then draped her across his lap, with her legs dangling over his.

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