Page 22 of A Balm of Healing
She wasn’t sure who acted first as they deepened the kiss, tongue’s exploring and breaths gasping. He tasted like sweet, fresh pine, filling her with more longing to taste every inch of him.
He flipped her over in a smooth movement until she lay on the carpet on her back.
“I’m sorry,” Emeric panted a breath above her lips. “I should slow down.”
“I don’t want you to.” She pulled him back down and they resumed their fiery kiss. She stripped him of his shirt and tossed it aside, and he unbuttoned her dress, kissing each new inch of exposed skin from her collarbone to her navel until the fire in her belly was nearly too much to handle.
All her life, she’d never put focus and energy into romantic relationships. But with Emeric, it felt right. She would fight for this, for a life with him, because she wanted it more than anything.
Chapter Nine
A peaceful fire billowed in the hearth, casting its warmth across Emeric’s bare skin as he held Gweneth in his arms. They lay together on a soft, woven rug, a blanket covering them.
Their heads rested against the same pillow, her hair fanning over the cushion and pressing against his nose.
He breathed in deeply, inhaling her sweet scent. His fingers lightly caressed her bare arm from her elbow to her wrist, tracing her palm, and intertwining with her fingers. Her hands were soft like the rest of her.
“I’m so tired but I don’t want to sleep yet,” she murmured sleepily before she pulled his hand closer to her face and kissed his knuckles.
“I know the feeling.” He kissed her shoulder and sighed with a deep happiness echoing in the chambers of his soul. “I want to lie with you here all night.”
“At least what remains of it.” She chuckled, and he smiled at the beautiful sound. “In the morning, I’ll cook you a magnificent breakfast.”
He brushed her hair aside and kissed her ear. “Thank autumns,” he said, lips pressed against her skin. “I don’t think my legs will be moving anytime soon. I’m feeling unbelievably sore.”
Another laugh escaped her, and this time, she turned over until she faced him with those beautiful hazel eyes gazing straight through his heart and into his soul. “Don’t tell a healer such things; otherwise, you are going to receive a bit of relief.”
“Don’t expend your magic.” Or what was left of it for the day after she’d healed his magic. “You’re already tired.”
But she ignored him, and a cooling relief chased away the aching burn in his legs until drowsiness finally washed over him without the ache and stiff muscles to keep him from falling asleep.
He sighed and murmured his thanks as his arm moved to wrap around her waist. “You are one of the most beautiful women I’ve ever met.”
Inside and out. Her outer beauty. Her inner kindness, dedication, and perseverance. She was unlike anyone he’d ever met, and he cherished her for it. He counted himself the luckiest man that fate chose to send her to him. Because now he never wanted to let her go.
Sleep quickly claimed him, only for him to wake up seemingly minutes later with the sunlight cascading through the windows, chasing away the previous darkness. The hearth’s flame had long since dwindled to nothing, leaving behind the faintest chill of morning.
He sat up groggily, his gaze searching the vicinity for any sign of Gweneth. But the room was empty, and he heard no signs of her stirring within the house.
The scent of apple muffins and cooked eggs brought his attention to the tray lying on the low table near his line of sight. A piece of folded parchment lay on top. He reached for it and carefully unfolded it, his brows furrowing when he stared back at the Sun Fae’s written language. It took a few moments for him to adjust to reading in something other than his native tongue.
Headed to the makret, be back soon.
Gwen?
He smiled at the endearing way she mixed up her letters again. It was what got them in this mess in the first place, but that little mix-up about her age was one of the biggest blessings in his entire life.
Gweneth Caddell had healed his body, his spirit, his heart. She’d left an imprint on his soul in a way no other person had before. Although it was impossible to pay her back for what she’d done for him, he knew helping her get her dream job at the Sun Palace at least made up for the smallest fraction.
He owed her the moon. And throughout his life, he hoped to give it to her.
Reaching for his walking sticks, he grunted as he used them to push himself to his feet. Only a couple days ago, he might have collapsed immediately, but the muscle-building exercises were enough to keep him standing. For now. Who knew how long his strength would last?
He slowly ambled to his room and dressed himself in a new pair of clothes, all while memories of his time with Gweneth last night burned into his heart and filled him with happiness.
A smile lifted on his lips as he dug into his bedside table and pulled out his latest carving. The ring was crafted of cattle bone, weaved in an intricate way to look like white lace but sturdy enough to withstand everyday wear.
A part of him feared she would reject him when the time came, but after last night, he was almost certain she wouldn’t.
