Page 115 of Kiss of Ice

“Most definitely in public.”

“But you know how klutzy I am. What if I fall or…”

“Then I’ll catch you.” He brushed her lips with his own. “I’ll always catch you.”

Fifty

They watched the sun come up over the mountains. Kam had flown them to the perfect spot in a field of wildflowers. Ren leaned against him, enjoying the strength of his arms around her.

They watched dawn flood the realm with its golden light. And then Kam told her about the fifty years he’d spent trapped in the Forbidden Zone.

He held nothing back. He laid himself bare. And afterwards he answered all her questions.

She left the most important one till last.

“The slayer. Nat. Do you still love her?”

“You know I don’t. I’ll always be grateful to her. But I didn’t know the meaning of the word until I met you. You’re the love of my life, Ren.” He dropped a kiss onto her shoulder and smiled ruefully. “I obviously have a thing about heroes.”

“Heroes? I mean, I get that Nat was a hero, but no way amIone. I’m not brave. I can’t fight.”

“You’re mistaken, my love. You stand up for people who need help. You stood up tome.You’re a warrior and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“You know I love you too, right?”

“I may have heard you scream it out once or twice.”

She smacked his arm.

“A gentleman wouldn’t mention such things.”

“A gentleman wouldn’t make you scream.”

He kissed her, bending her backwards and running his tongue into her mouth until she was breathless. She lay in his arms and he grinned down at her.

“It’s not my fault you find me irresistible.”

She rolled her eyes then stopped, remembering something.

“Damn. You promised me horses if I resisted you. Now I don’t get my horses.”

He laughed.

“I think it’s safe to say you can get anything you want out of me, my ice queen. Name your desire and it’s yours.”

“Two new horses,” she said promptly. “I’d like a mare to breed with Mistral and a colt to train for my own.”

“Done.”

“And something else.” Her cheeks coloured. “I want children. Lots of them. As many heirs as you like.”

He was taken aback.

“You do?”

She struggled upright and faced him.

“You and I grew up without siblings,” she said earnestly. “I don’t want that for our children. I want lots of them, filling the palace with laughter. Running us ragged. Driving poor Master Zelen to distraction.”

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