Page 109 of Kiss of Ice

In a moment of clarity, she saw him for who he truly was. Not an arrogant ruler, used to being obeyed and confident of his place in the world. But a man who didn’t believe he deserved to be loved. A man too proud or too stubborn to ask for it. A man whose heart had been fractured and whose soul was as bruised as hers.

A spark of hope lit within her and she took a step closer.

“Why, Kam? Why did that matter?”

“The thought of you being hurt… I couldn’t bear it. I couldn’t think straight.”

“But the reason, Kam. Tell me the reason.”

She kept her gaze on him as she patiently coaxed out the words he found so desperately hard to say.

“Because I care for you.”

“Is that why you wish to continue the marriage? Because you care for me? How much do you care for me, Kam?”

She was now so close that if he bent his head just a little, he would be able to kiss her. His fists clenched with the effort of holding back.

“I care for you a lot.”

“I see.” Her voice was soft. “Last chance, your Majesty. How much is a lot?”

Yearning burned beneath his skin, scorching him with its intensity. He trembled with the urge to let his emotions spill from him; yet still he resisted. Could he risk it all again? Could he endure having his heart broken?

And then he looked into Ren’s eyes and the last of his resolve crumbled. The yoke of fear that paralysed him was torn away. And finally,finally,the words came tumbling out.

Words he could no longer contain. Words that had to be spoken because silence would mean an eternity of regret.

“I can’t tell you how I feel because I’m incapable of defining it,” he said raggedly. “I can only tell you what youare.You are the beat of my heart. The breath in my lungs. My shield, my harbour, my reason for being. For you, I’d cross oceans and deserts. Conquer armies or give up the empire. I’ll even beg. Do you want me to beg, Ren?”

Before she could stop him, he sank to his knees.

“My heart belongs to you, my queen. I’m yours.”

Tears blurred her vision as she knelt beside him in the dust and straw, and cupped his face in her hands.

“You really should have led with that, my love.” And she kissed him.

His mind reeled, scarcely able to believe it as her lips moved sweetly against his own. And then he thought he might explode with happiness. He pulled her close, one hand going round her waist, the other tangling in her hair as he deepened the kiss, claiming her with a controlled savagery she found thrilling.

She was unlike any woman he’d ever known. Tender yet fierce. Gentle yet determined. Softness wrapped around warrior steel. She was extraordinary.

Her body moulded to his, her curves crushed against the hard planes of his chest. He couldn’t resist sliding his hands possessively over her hips, her bottom, delighting in her curves as he probed her mouth with his tongue.

When he finally drew back, her eyes were glazed with passion. But he had to be sure. This time, he had to be certain. He rose to his feet, drawing her up with him.

“Tell me,” he said roughly. “Tell me what you want to do. If you want an annulment, we have to break this off right now because if we go any further, I won’t be able to stop. I won’t be able to let you go. So tell me. Do you want to be my wife?”

“Yes. Very much.”

Relief surged through him.

“I’ll make you happy, Ren. I swear to you. Everything I have is yours. Anything you want, just name it.”

Ren stroked the lock of hair back from her Emperor’s face, heart fluttering like a little bird.

“I want to consummate the marriage.” Two spots of pink appeared on her cheeks and she dropped her eyes. “I believe you mentioned taking me on the throne. In my wedding dress.”

There was a moment’s stillness. And then Kam was sweeping her into his arms and carrying her out of the stable.

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