“The stars had bigger plans for us.” He whispered in my ear before he released me.
Lioran pulled his jacket free. His arms looked different in the moonlight. The three bands on his arm were altered—only two remained. Something new replaced the third—two woven vines.
“Your claim to the throne…”
“I said I wouldn’t rule without you by my side.” He grinned as if he was content with the change.
“But…why do you have a new one?” As I held his arm up in mine to inspect the band, my sleeve slid back—revealing a matching tattoo on me—smaller than his. I twisted my wrist, taking in the beautiful vines that I loved from Lythira entwined.
“What do they mean?” I asked. “Is it from us bonding?”
He grabbed my wrist, inspecting the tattoo—his breathing quickened. “No. Bonding isn’t marked with a tattoo.”
“Could it be from the bargain? You committed to do it with me.” But even then, I hadn’t received one when I made the bargain.
“Maybe.” The lines deepened around his eyes. “When I was made Guardian, I received one of the tattoo bands marking my role. Maybe this symbolizes us protecting Lythira together.”
“Whatever it means…It’s perfect.”
It didn’t matter what caused it. He was here, beside me.
Our lips met again. “You are perfect.” His hands slid around to the laces. He pulled them free. The gown fell from my shoulders. “We will have to do something about this two-chamber thing… it won’t do.” A wicked grin danced across his face.
I stepped out of my gown in front of my husband.
He ripped the cords of his pants free until they dropped.
Lioran growled in my ear, his lips trailed down my collarbone. My body sank into each touch, each kiss. I laid back on the bed, reaching for him to come with me. As his body met mine, I pulled him in closer. His lips found mine and I gave into his fire.
“Good morning, my beautiful wife,” Lioran whispered in my ears. My body curved with his, feeling the weight of him there beside me.
“How many more days do we have like this?” I wanted as many as I could get, but soon we would leave here, and I may not return.
“All of them. We’re coming home.”
A vial lay near the edge of the bed, waiting for me. As I reached for it, he intertwined his fingers with mine, pulling my hand back toward his chest.
“Don’t.” He looked different as he spoke. “You don’t need to take it anymore.” Fear encompassed him. “You are my wife now—we are allowed this. If the stars choose.”
“You can’t be serious. We can’t go into Myrwood Grove risking?—”
“When the stars choose to bless us with a child, we will embrace it.” His lips skimmed mine.
Lioran always had a vial for me. I took it every time. No longer trying to stop it from happening felt like a dangerous game. But the thought that there could be a future for us—made me happier than I wanted to admit.
I pulled my hand back from his, gripped the vial in my palm, watched the purple liquid slide.
“Please. Let us have our hope.” He spoke quickly, his eyes pleaded with mine. “I need us to have it.”
“When the stars choose.” I turned away from the vial and reached for him, felt the warmth of his body next to mine.
“Make love to me again.” My voice was ragged at the thought of feeling every inch of him again.
I didn’t know what tomorrow held, but these final moments, no one could take from me.
“Gladly.” He grinned.
His kiss was deeper and more desperate than before.
