“Lean against that wall,” he told her sternly. “Legs apart.”

She did as she was told, her heart pounding.

He dropped to his knees, pressing his mouth to her sex once more.

The pleasure roared toward her dizzyingly quickly this time.

Just before she squeezed her eyes shut, she saw flowers budding and blooming glorious pinks and reds and fiery oranges throughout the room.

Chapter 28

Farrow

Farrow looked around the Fae Queen’s gardens.

Scarlet and pale pink roses surrounded an ancient fountain, and graceful birches swayed in the wind as if they were greeting her.

But the rows of persimmon trees were her favorite part. She had helped her new mother-in-law get them going. By the time of the official wedding, they should be fully grown, a feat only possible with magic.

Blackthorn squeezed her hand and winked at her.

He knew she was nervous.

They had wed privately in a tiny ceremony the morning after he proposed. And they each wore a ring of living flower as a reminder of their love. But their official wedding would not take place until after the accord between Fairweather and Swordbrake.

Prince Alaric had been crowned the man king as Blackthorn called him. And true to his word, he had allowed the Fae to choose the time and place of the feast where the new accord would be signed and the demolition of the wall discussed.

King Oak and Queen Persimmon had chosen today and the royal garden.

Fae and mortal servants had set up chairs and tables in the morning and prepared everything to go off without a hitch.

Now they were carrying flagons of wine and groaning trays of delicacies to both sets of royalty, who were already talking earnestly.

If things went well, Farrow and Blackthorn could announce their wedding date tonight.

Farrow was both eager and anxious.

The last few weeks had held some of the happiest times of her life. She spent her days in the royal kitchens, making desserts and new friends.

And she spent her nights with her Fae Prince sneaking into her room as soon as the rest of the castle was asleep, planning their future together and making love among the flowering plants that now took up half the sitting room.

“Everything will be fine,” Blackthorn murmured to her.

“Son,” a booming voice called out.

Blackthorn looked surprised, but he walked over, keeping Farrow’s hand wrapped in his so that she had no choice but to go along.

“The accord is settled,” King Oak said.

“That was fast,” Blackthorn said.

“A mere formality,” King Oak told him. “The new king has been most reasonable.”

King Alaric grinned and nodded his thanks.

“Now it is time for the accord to be signed,” King Oak went on. “And we have decided it is you who should sign on behalf of Swordbrake.”

“Me?” Blackthorn echoed, looking back and forth between his parents.