Page 120 of Prince of the Northwest Forest
“So it’s more of a land sale than a dowry?”
Mother nods.
“And if Mats and Eleanor don’t get married?” I ask.
“We will talk with the fire queens and figure it out. Maybe cede more land. But we are not going to enter into any more bargains with the fae that could hurt our family.”
At least they’ve learned that lesson. I turn to Justice. “Let’s go enjoy the rest of the ball.”
He says, “Thank you, Your Majesties” to my parents, and they nod and excuse him. Then we walk out of the room together.
“Want to check out the gardens?” I ask. “I took care of them when I was here. Not sure what they look like now.”
“Of course,” he says.
We stroll out into the moonlit night.
“I’m so glad there’s not going to be any more talk about you marrying a fire prince or princess, or an ice prince, or anyone else,” Justice says in a rush.
Turning him toward me, I cradle his face with my hands. “I can’t help my people if I can’t help myself. And I cannot marry a princess or prince when I’m in love with a barista.”
Justice gulps and looks around, then points at his chest. “Me?”
Gods, he’s adorable. “Yes, you. Of course I’m in love with you,” I say huskily.
“I love you, too,” Justice whispers.
He kisses me.
When we separate—a long time later, in other words—he says, “I’m so glad you’re not getting married.”
“Not to someone I don’t love.” I look at the stars. “I may be interested in eventually marrying someone, but that will require some more time with him to see if that’s what he wants, too.”
“And that he you’re talking about is me?”
Adorable.
“Yes, love. I’m in love with you, Justice Laurel. No one else.”
Justice sighs in relief. He kisses me again, hard, and our tongues caress each other. My hands go to his hair, and he holds me tight.
Feeling him against me makes an ache deep inside me dissolve. He’s the missing part I’ve been looking for. The part that makes me feel complete.
Justice makes me a better person. When he’s around, I laugh more, I think more practically, but I also am able to think beyond my unquestioning sense of duty.
He makes me rounded and whole.
I love him.
Justice grins. “We’re lucky we found each other.”
We walk around to the plaza in front of the hotel. The air is still warm, even though it’s late. “I want to go for a walk in the woods with you,” I whisper. “After we’ve had some more time in the bedroom.”
“I would like that a lot,” Justice says. “Both those things. Come on. Are we done with the party? Time to go back to my place?”
“I think so.”
We’re a block from his apartment when I say, “I want us to be together always, but I’d never expect you to leave this realm.”
