Page 44 of Orange Spell
He opened his mouth to ask Marlin what was going on and if he thought someone was following them, but before he could say anything, Marlin dragged him into a hug.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” he murmured.
Curran relaxed.“I’m glad I’m okay, too, but we shouldn’t be doing this.Someone might have seen us.”
“I love Killian, and I don’t want anything to happen to him, but you’re more important.”
The words shocked Curran.He wasn’t supposed to be more important than anyone, especially the king.It wasn’t only because Marlin was the king’s bodyguard but because he was one of the king’s best friends.How could he say that Curran was more important than one of the two dragons he’d been close with since he was a child?
“I’m fine,” Curran promised as he tried to make sense of what Marlin had just said.
“You are, but I hate what she’s doing to you,” Marlin murmured as he leaned back.“It’s not fair to ask all of this of you.”
“She was the one who pulled me into this mess.I don’t blame Killian or anyone else but Pearl.”
“You’re a better person than me.”
Curran smiled.“You blame Killian, don’t you?”Maybe not seriously, but enough for it to be uncomfortable.
“And your brother for not trying to stop you, and you for doing this.”Marlin took a step back and looked up at the ceiling.“I understand why you’re doing it.I also understand that we need you to continue.I just don’t have to like it.”
“The baby will be fine.”
“What about you?Willyoube fine, too?”
“I’ll have to be.”
Marlin shook his head.“It’s hard to watch the person I love put himself in danger that way.”
Curran stared.He knew he’d heard the words right, but they were hard to believe.“The person you love?”
Marlin’s smile was small and sweet.“I know you don’t believe me, but I’ll show you.I don’t care how long it takes me.”
He was right.Curran didn’t believe him, but he wanted to.He wanted to think that Marlin truly loved him beyond the baby they created.He wanted to believe that he could have everything he’d ever dreamed of.He was terrified, both of this and of the situation with Pearl, but hewantedso much.
When Marlin pulled Curran into his arms to kiss him, Curran didn’t argue.He went easily, snuggling against Marlin’s chest, telling himself to enjoy this and that it wasn’t the last time he could have it.Marlin was offering him a lifetime of it.
He snickered against Marlin’s lips.“We did this out of order, didn’t we?”
“Does it matter?”
“No.”
