A brief moment passed, and Maeve anticipated Reeve’s hands before they ever reached her. The power of Aterna that they now shared sharpened their connection, given that it had been forged in that very Magic. His broad hand rested at the small of her back, fingers pressing into her, rotating her body towards his. She looked up at him as their chests connected. His free hand slid down her arm and twisted their fingers together. Instinctively, they moved as one, swaying slowly to the ethereal music as Maeve placed her hand on his chest.
“Would you like to dance?” he asked lowly.
“I think we already are,” she said softly.
Reeve hummed in agreement, his fingers moving absently over hers.
“I’ve always wanted to dance with you,” he said.
“Why did you never ask?”
He smiled placatingly. “Many reasons.”
Her eyebrows slid up, and he looked away from her as he answered, never ceasing their gentle movements in place.
“The most recent argument I made for myself was that Mal wouldn’t like it. And I was afraid he would punish you for it. The second is that politically, it didn’t look good. You were the daughter of an allied Premier. One who watched you like a hawk when you were with anyone but Malachite. And thirdly, because, at least back then, your father was furious with me for even looking at you.”
“I’ve remembered so much from then,” said Maeve. “He forbid you from pursuing me.”
“Do you judge me for listening then? And for not listening now?”
She shook her head and moved her hand up to his neck. His breath stalled as her fingers traced over the Vexkari scarring he received from Demevirld, a product of his curse.
“I think the circumstances have changed now,” she answered at last. “I think he’d understand this time.”
Reeve’s Magic curled beneath her chin, drawing her gaze away from his scars and to his eyes.
“This time,” repeated Reeve, as if the words hurt.
As if he, too, wondered if his breaking her heart was the catalyst for everything that had built up and then collapsed. As though he knew if he hadn’t pushed her away, that perhaps Shadow would have never been released.
And Mal wouldn’t be the one suffering for their mistakes.
She wouldn’t let herself think about it because ultimately, it didn’t matter. The set of choices before her couldn’t be altered by a what-if scenario, and so she didn’t dwell on the thought. She wouldn’t give meaning to something potentially destructive and damaging.
This evening was for life, choosing to live, as Reeve had said, despite the horrors that awaited her. Despite their next move and the darkness that lingered just beyond Reeve’s barrier.
Maeve rested her head against his chest, and he drew her impossibly closer. Her eyes fell closed at his blanket of comfort. They swayed in serene silence, letting the laughter of their loved ones be their music.
When she looked up at Reeve, his content stare was already on her.
“Let’s go and join them?” she offered.
Reeve nodded subtly, but he didn’t release her back. He dropped their clasped hands and bent his head, capturing her lips against his as his fingers trailed through her hair, bracing the back of her head. His lips moved tenderly across hers, unhurried and free. Maeve responded with her own kiss, humming against his lips in appreciation.
Both his hands traveled to her face as their kiss broke naturally.
Do you love me, Reeve of Aterna?she asked across his mind, the thought tumbling forward without a care.
Reeve’s thumb traced across his bottom lip as he replied.
“In the most maddening way.”
Her chest swelled, and his fingers rolled under her jaw, kicking her neck back.
Maeve bit her lip.I love you,she said.
Reeve’s thumbs slid up, tracing across her cheekbones.
