Page 79 of A Reign of Roses
“Should we win,” Kane said in the end, “as the son of Lazarus, I will crown you king of Lumera. You have the people of this realm behind you, and that’s what matters. In return, I only require that you will agree to a handful of my political requests, no questions asked.”
“A generous offer.” Hart grinned broadly. “And one I’ll gladly accept.”
“You’ve proven yourself a decent man,” Kane said. “Perhaps a pig, but…”
Hart only laughed, rough and genuine. “Perhaps so. But I love this land. I love these people. And each one of them deserves a life better than this one.”
“Indeed.” Kane nodded. “It will bring me great relief to see you take his throne.”
“Me, too, friend.”
Kane extended his hand and the two men shook.
For some near-indescribable reason, the simple act made my throat tighten with emotion. I wondered if I’d just beheld something very pivotal for the future of all realms.
Kane’s bright eyes on mine told me he felt the same. “Do you have a steed to spare? I’ve always found the first few days of the channel easiest on horseback.”
Hart shook his head. “We don’t have that kind of time. Valery and her coven can open a portal between realms.”
Valery nodded to us both and excused herself, and Hart followed suit before stopping in the doorway. “If we succeed, there will be ballads written about this afternoon.”
Kane grinned that chilling, glittering smile of his and my heart thumped at his devastating beauty, multiplied only by his joy. “I hope they leave out how many powerful women you’ve fucked.”
Hart beamed. “I don’t.”
The door closed softly behind him, leaving just Kane and me, alone again at last.
He took a tentative step toward me and leaned down, brushing his thumb across my cheek and cradling my jaw. The curve of his silver rings slid gently along my chin.
Those slate eyes were tired, his face bruised, his hair shiny and tousled around his face.
I’d never be used to his heartbreaking looks.
I tried to swallow them, but tears pricked at my eyelids and slid silently down one cheek and then the other. Kane’s brows knit inward, worried.
But I shook my head and covered his warm, large hand with mine.
We were goinghome.
PART III
The Flames
21
Arwen
The portal Valery and theAntler coven had opened for us deposited Kane and me into the middle of the Shadow Woods. The gnarled roots that sprawled like dark veins across the forest floor had always been bathed in mild tufts of moss and tall rustling grass. Now they were dusted in a fine layer of snow.
I’d never seen snow.
It was one of the many things I’d been sure I never would.
And yet, here it was, like spilled sugar all around us. Where dewy patches of foxglove and daffodils had once sprung forth in the summer now grew only red-beaded holly and rose hips. The forest was even darker than usual, the softly falling snow a thin film between us and the daylight.
I must’ve shivered. Or maybe it was my lips turning violet and my nose rosy, but while I took in the dried branches poking through gentle clumps of white powder at my feet, a thick cloak, still warm from Kane’s body, draped around my shoulders.
My weary eyes found Kane’s, and he reached for my hand.
