Page 192 of Plug and Drain

It was hope.

“And if he fails?” she asked, worry clouding her thoughts.

“Well, I rather hope we’ll succeed.”

She nodded, but she couldn’t picture it. What would a world look like without Henrikk’s evil penetrating every facet of their lives? And would his son truly be any better than the man who’d created him?

Arken lifted her hands and kissed the backs of them. “When we succeed, I intend to spend the rest of my life collecting those small, aforementioned pieces of happiness for you. See how many we can find.”

“Like seashells,” she murmured, and they exchanged a smile. “I love you, Arken.”

His eyes lit up in surprise, and Susie embraced him. She could hear his thundering heart, and she hugged him tighter. He shouldn’t have been surprised at her declaration of love. It was not the first time she’d said it, and he deserved love, the same as everyone else. Even so, he looked serious. She had a feeling she’d need to remind him of her love far more than five times before he finally believed her.

She would begin now. “I love you.” She tickled him on a whim and was delighted when he sprang out of reach.

Arken was ticklish.

She giggled and advanced.

“No,” he warned, suppressing a laugh as he shied away from her roaming hands. “Stop that.”

It took all her self-control not to tell him to ‘hold still’, knowing he’d have no option but to obey. But he didn’t go far, trying to keep a straight face as she stepped into his arms and trailed featherlight touches along his waist.

“I love you,” she fawned, revelling in the way she could make him laugh. “I love you, I love you, I love you…”

Arken laughed freely, a hearty sound that danced through the air, resonating through her body, and dispelling the last of the tension.

She found herself laughing too, in a way she thought she never would again.

Chapter 45

All Is Fair

Arken

Arken could have kissed her forever. He was loathe to let go of her, but it was high time they returned through the portal.

There was only one problem: she refused to release him from her embrace. It was an excellent problem to have, and he buried his nose in her hair and breathed in her scent. He didn’t know how long they stayed like that. It was an eternity that transcended time, but it was over in the blink of an eye.

In the end, there was no helping it. It was time to go. After peering through the portal to ensure his office was empty, he carefully scooped her up in his arms and carried her back to his bedroom. Her back had begun to spasm, and he refused to let her walk.

Susie didn’t protest, and accepted the pain relief medication he gave her after setting her down on the bed. He sat beside her while she drank, but when he made to rise, she caught his arm.

“Please don’t go.” Her eyes were pleading as she drew him back down. “Stay. I mean—” She winced, clearly remembering the blood magic binding them. “You don’t have to stay. You can go. But…I don’t want you to.”

Arken hesitated.

“I want you,” Susie added, glancing down nervously.

“You’re still injured,” he said gently. “We cannot do anything of that nature. I won’t risk hurting you.

“I know. I just want to hold you. You could read to me?”

Arken finally conceded and lay down facing her. “Very well. But only if you promise you’ll rest.”

Susie nodded earnestly, but as he settled in beside her, she was in no hurry to hand him a book. She made quick work of his shirt, distracting him with yearning kisses as she undid the buttons and slipped her hands across his bare torso.

“Susie…”