Page 126 of Kiss of Light

She gave a startled laugh.

“No, that’s ridiculous. I can’t be a Countess.”

“It’s non-negotiable.”

“Countess Tala Lemar. I guess I could get used to it.”

“So, my Lady, will you come back to Palissandra with me tonight to tell my father?”

His eyes darkened as he waited for her answer. She found she couldn’t speak. Her throat was constricted and all she could do was nod.

He dropped his mouth onto hers, kissing her possessively.She’s mine,he thought triumphantly as he stroked his tongue lightly along her bottom lip.

She wound her fingers into his hair and pressed against him, her body moulding to his as if it was made for him.

“We should stop now,” he murmured regretfully. “Or we’ll never make it to Palissandra before sunrise.”

She dropped kisses onto his neck, at the hollow of his throat, then twined her fingers with his.

“Let’s go. And there’d better be proper food at this party. I’m starving.”

They started walking again, this time making their way towards the Gate. They meandered slowly, hand-in-hand, in no particular rush.

“Will Lord Shadeed have enough support to win the throne?” Lemar asked.

“He should, with the Vetali on his side. Salaq’s outnumbered. But he’s sneaky. He’s probably planning some last ditch Hail Mary even as we speak.”

“The Vetali will help in any way they can,” he promised. “You have my word.”

The Gate was under a copse of trees, invisible and undetectable to anyone who didn’t carry the mark. Few New Yorkers passed this way and to those who did, it was just another piece of woodland.

But both Tala and Lemar could see the towering pillars which framed the entrance to Palissandra.

He stopped her on the threshold, half in and half out of the mortal world.

“Tell me again,” he asked softly. “Say the words.”

“I love you, Darian.” The feeling was still new and wonderful to her. She thought she’d never get used to it. “I love you so much. I’m sorry I waited so long to tell you.”

He kissed her with a ferocity he could scarcely control, plundering her lips so sweetly, she was flushed and breathless when he finally released her.

He lay his forehead against hers.

“Love is too small a word for how I feel about you. I look at you and all I see is something perfect. A perfect creation that makes me whole.”

He took her hand and together they stepped through the Gate.

“Let’s go home.”

Epilogue

The evening of the wedding was warm and clear. The bride was radiant as she walked through the illuminated grounds towards her betrothed. Crowds a hundred deep watched them join hands in front of the kobold elder who performed the ceremony.

And when they were proclaimed husband and wife, the trumpeters blared a glorious fanfare and flags were raised throughout the land.

Tala watched Shadeed kiss his bride and turned to Darian.

“Never thought I’d see the day. Someone actually managed to clip Shadeed’s wings.”

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