Page 160 of Fate's Wicked Oath

Relaxing, Faren chuckled. “Apologies, Major Farkept.”

“Warner is a fine suggestion.” Oderin’s expression turned wry. “I’ll take him into consideration.” He swiveled to leave.

“You might consider re-knighting Lee Verell, too,” Faren said in a rush. “And Shae is—”

“Yes, yes,” Oderin said, waving a hand dismissively. “Make me a list.”

With that, the Major left. He was soon followed by the ledgermasters, who bowed at Faren and Mariana before covering the cart with the sheet and wheeling the books out. Sorrel’s magic faded, and the bustle of the infirmary returned to Faren’s ears—but alone with Mariana again,at last, he barely noticed anything happening outside the closed curtains.

Faren spun, hoisting Mariana onto the edge of the bed. She made a muffled squeal of surprise, clutching his shoulder for balance as he stepped between her knees. He framed her neck with his fingers, using his thumbs to gently tip her chin up. The skin of her throat was beautifully bare. He pressed his mouth to the place where her Oath tattoo had once been and relished her hum of pleasure. Then he pulled back, and—still holding the whole world in his hands—he said, “You’re free.”

Her dam of emotion fractured, then broke completely. Tears welled in her dark eyes, then tracked unbidden down her cheeks, her chest convulsing with silent sobs. He swept the tears aside with his thumbs.

“What are you feeling?” he wanted to know.

“Happy.” She shook her head, though, as if that wasn’t quite right. “Happier than I ever thought possible. But I…I can’t believe you refused Oderin’s offer.”

“You can’t believe it?” Faren said, feigning dismay. “That means I have yet to properly demonstrate my devotion.”

She pushed lightly at his chest, but he didn’t budge. “Faren, you know what I mean.”

“I do,” he murmured, ghosting his lips across hers. “But remember what I told you in Brine?” The salt of her happy tears met the tip of his tongue like the sweetest confection. “When I love something, I love it all the way.”

“You also said love would be ruinous,” she pointed out.

“That’s true,” he mused. “You, Mariana, have thoroughly ruined me. I love you without end.”

Her soft, relinquishing sigh heated his face, igniting his magic. Goosebumps rose along the sides of her neck, stoking the fire in his veins. With delicate fingers, he tipped her head a little farther back. Plush lips parted for him, waiting. He would never tire of this: the privilege of this impossibly strong woman so pliant and trusting in his hold.

Faren kissed her slowly, tenderly, feelingeverything.

58

Alive

Mariana

Along, contented sigh hummed out of me and curled into the early morning sky. The dawn was pink and frosty. Fallow hills blushed and glittered. At last, we were alone in the fresh air and wide, endless country.

“What was that?” Faren asked. Simon and Sunny’s hooves clattered on the hard mud as we rode side by side.

“Hmm?”

“That sigh.”

“I sigh all the time.”

“Not without my hands on you.”

I rolled my eyes, even though he was right.

We’d risen early, restless and eager to reach our destination. Faren’s tan skin was flushed from the cold, his hair ruffled by the breeze. Without his golden armor, there was nothing to distract from the glint in his honey-colored eyes. I quite liked this unassuming version of him; there was a looseness in his posture that hadn’t been there before.

There was a looseness in my posture, too.

No more cold, hard breastplate: I was nestled within the soft layers of my shawl, gloves, and cloak, cozy in my saddle. No more sleeping with a dagger in my bedroll: two hours ago, I’d awoken to the press of Faren’s lips on my shoulder. No more punishing duty: I was heading where I pleased with the person I loved, completely free.

Another sigh hummed out of my chest. “I suppose it’s only just dawned on me.”