As soon as the words leave my lips, Kane pulls me into his arms. He leans down, capturing my lips with his. His hands cup my face, his fingers threading through my hair. I melt into him, the heat of his body against mine, the rhythm of his heartbeat matching my own.
I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. Our bodies press together, fitting perfectly as if we were made for this moment, for each other.
His kiss is a vow, a promise of a future. A promise of forever.
Epilogue
The sun is high and bright, a yellow ball of daffodils that casts its warm rays across the lush gardens. Jasmine scents the crisp, clean air that swirls around my skirts and tangles in the strands floating free from my long braid.
Marion presses her hand against her mouth to contain her laughter as Alderic hits the croquet ball so far from the wicket that it rolls across into the field of tall grasses and wildflowers beyond the mowed court. “You’re terrible at this.”
Alderic lifts his mallet onto his shoulder and waves an attendant away to go after the ball himself. He sighs, his golden hair catching the sunlight. “Is that something you would say to me if I were still king?”
“Not at all,” Marion chirps, her eyes twinkling.
Alderic lets out another dramatic sigh and spins on his heels, his lips tilted in a mixture of mock exasperation and genuine enjoyment. “Kane, Your Majesty.” His bow is so deep and theatrical, his fingertips nearly touchthe grass. “Would you consider returning my title for as long as it takes me to finish this game? I’d like to do so without being heckled.”
“I’m not heckling you,” Marion insists, her smile widening. “But I should start.”
Kane grins, his gaze meeting mine before he responds. “Let me think…” He rubs his stubbled chin, drawing out the moment.
“Oh, never mind,” Alderic grumbles, trudging off into the knee-high grass. “You’re all insufferable.”
There’s a warmth in my chest as I watch him go, Marion’s laughter dancing in the air around us. I’ve only recently realized it’s comfort. It’s happiness. I’m completely content.
I’m home.
An attendant approaches with Shadow, her black coat gleaming in the sunlight, her mane lifting with the breeze. Kane takes the reins and smooths his palm along her strong shoulders before reaching into her saddlebag and pulling out a handful of oat-covered molasses cookies. The mare cranes her neck and impatiently lips his shoulder. “She says you look stunning today.”
“Does she?” I ask, reaching up to comb my fingers through her coal-black mane.
Shadow softly snorts her agreement as he feeds her treats and rubs her velvety nose.
“Although you’re wearing far too many layers,” he says.
“Shadow!” I exclaim, pretending to be scandalized.
“Don’t blame her,” Kane murmurs, stepping closer. He grabs my waist, his grip firm and warm, and lowers his mouth to my ear. “That was all me.”
Goose bumps crest along my arms, a delightful shudder skipping across my skin.
“Shall we,my queen?” He presses a soft kiss to my neck, and I breathe in the scent of him—earthy, warm, and uniquely Kane.
“Yes, my king. Let’s.” With him this close, his hands and mouth on me, I will say yes to him forever.
Kane effortlessly lifts me onto Shadow, his hands lingering on my waist a moment longer than necessary. Settling into the smooth leather saddle, I look down at him, my heart nearly bursting with love. The way he looks up at me, his eyes like endless night, tells me he feels the same.
“Lose your balls, Alderic?” Marion shouts from across the croquet court, shielding her smile with a sip of wine.
Alderic laughs, whacking at the grass with his mallet. “Patience, my dear Marion. Victory takes time.”
“Marion, you better call for more wine,” I say teasingly. “Sounds like you’re going to be here all day.”
McDougall rushes toward us as quickly as he can without actually breaking into a jog, a gold platter balanced on his gloved fingertips. His urgency pulls me from our carefree fun.
When he reaches Kane, he extends the tray, his fluff of white hair quivering as he bows. “A message for Your Majesty.”
Kane takes the letter, his brow furrowing as he breaks the seal and begins to read. The shift in his demeanor is immediate, the weight of leadership settling back onto his shoulders.
