Page 66 of Immortal Sins
Love…need…Can he truly love and needmewhen he needs my powers more?
I squint at him, trying to see past the immortal prince to the man beneath. “Your uncle seems to think I’ve ruined your chances to become king.”
Cole scoffs. “He had his fair share offlings, too. His opinion is skewed.”
A smile creeps on my lips as I look up at my prince, his world domination speech not the turn-off I thought it would be. “You eavesdropped on our conversation?” I don’t need his answer to know I’m right.
“One day, I’ll be king.” He presses me to him, our hips flush, his hand hot against my lower back. “And you’ll be my queen.”
I won’t live long enough to see his father die, I’m sure, but the way he murmurs the words drums in my veins like a church’s choir.
I might as well play along. “We’ll start by freeing the courtesans, then, and offer mortals a real choice on the life they wish to live.”
Our noses touch, and he leans in for a kiss. “Whatever you want.”
He tastes a little bit spicy, a little bit dark…maybe even a tiny bit evil.
Eyes cast down, I straighten the lapels of his black shirt. “I love you, Cole. Even if I’m terrified to say it out loud.”
He curls his hand over mine, his lids fluttering shut, the corners of his mouth curled up in a dashing smile. “Don’t be scared, Fire Girl.” His forehead presses against mine. “I’m yours.”
It’s silly, but in this moment—for an instant—I actually believe we could change the world. Cheers to young fucking love indeed.
25
HARD BARGAINS
The next morning, back at the lodge, I find Cole huddled with Erron on the balcony. The men stop talking as I draw near, and I eye my husband suspiciously. “What are you two talking about?”
The overcast sky presses the weight of the unending Fae summer on our shoulders, the barometric pressure through the roof. A tingle in my bones whispers that a storm is brewing.
“The Fae Solstice ball at the castle looms. In exchange for helping us, the King wishes us to attend,” Cole says without meeting my gaze.
I shrug. “Fine. I want to go.”
Erron brings a hand to his mouth. “You want to celebrate the Fae Solstice?”
I take my rightful place by Cole’s side and stare down his uncle. “It’s the most important Faerie holiday, isn’t it?”
Erron takes his leave with a snarky smile stuck on his face.
Cole leans against the bronze bannister, his elbows propped on both sides of him. “Fae time is so fucked up, we can’t exactly celebrate the New Year or anything like that. But once in a while, all the Fae time zones merge for a night, and the red sun doesn’t set on the whole realm for an entire day. During the Fae Solstice, we celebrate the renewal of life by drinking and dancing all night. The red sun’s magic also shines on couples who wish to have children. Fae are not very fertile, so it’s the perfect time for—
I step between his legs. “Fucking?”
He grips my waist. “Lots of fucking. Around midnight, gowns will start to pepper the floors.”
“Kinky Cinderellas.”
Mischief dances in his clear, amber eyes. “You’re not as freaked out as I thought you’d be.”
“That you celebrate the holidays naked? Fits your reputation.” I press my lips to his to punctuate my statement and skitter pass the corner of the wrap-around balcony.
Erron is walking down the hill to Flynn. The blond Fae trains alone today. I still haven’t admitted to Cole that I eavesdropped on their conversation. I chickened out half a dozen times.
Flynn returns his sword to the table as Erron draws near.
I don’t think I’ve seen them together, yet, and though Flynn’s glamor shines as bright as ever, his serious pout unnerves me. He nods at whatever Erron says like a soldier accepting orders from his general.
