Page 76

Hilla

Thankful for my own cabin, and that my trunk made its way safely here courtesy of Kipp’s men, I open it and peer inside. Lifting the gown that lies on top, I think of how I mistakenly assumed Galfrid had it sent to me.

Aiken. How does the Legion of Ash afford him enough coin to purchase such a gown? I never asked him that, or of other vows he may have taken when he joined. Or what his training was like. Or of his other missions.

Could he even share such information with me? Now that I know of the Legion, Aiken pleaded with me to keep the secret safe. He asked that I not even share with Cettina, and though I’ve never kept secrets from my sister before, I gave him my promise.

My cheeks begin to tingle, the sting of tears not far behind. I stand, determined not to cry. It will not reunite me with Aiken. But even as I will it otherwise, a single tear escapes. I wipe it away, take a deep breath, and place the gown back inside the trunk. Pulling up on my surcoat, also given to me by Aiken, I wriggle out of it, now adept at undressing without the assistance of a maid. I lay that too inside the trunk.

I should have gone above to see us off, but I wish to be alone with my thoughts. But as a knock on the door interrupts them, it seems my quiet solitude has come to an end.

I open the door, expecting to find one of the men the captain introduced me to on deck, only to be startled into a shocked silence by my visitor. Aiken is at my door, staring back at me. No mantle. No robes. Just . . . Aiken.

“What—”

I am unable to finish as Aiken propels me into the small cabin. He closes the door behind him and kisses me, so fiercely and thoroughly I cannot resist kissing him back. Aiken’s mouth moves over mine, his hands holding my head in place.

Despite the tangle of tongues and caresses I’d not normally willingly stop, I find the strength to push him away.

“You left.” Clearly it is not so, but I do not understand.

“Salvi and the others left,” Aiken says, his hand still holding the nape of my neck as if I would attempt to escape. Maybe once I would have done so, but I do not wish to be anywhere but here just now.

“I sail with Kipp.” He looks into my eyes. “We sail with Kipp.”

My heart lurches at his words.

“Aiken . . .”

“Come to Meria with me. I will ensure your safety there.”

“And afterward?” I keep him from pulling me in by resting a hand on his forearm, knowing if I do not do so I will agree to this journey with him.

“Afterward, you will come with me, wherever my next mission. As my wife.”

He is not jesting.

“I love you, Hilla. My life is not one fit for a princess. It is dangerous. And will always be so. Until we have children, my missions will take us all over the Isle. You may not see your sister for some time. And after a babe is born, I will be gone for too-long stretches, as the Legion needs me.” Words spill from his mouth. “If you would have such a life, I would be honored to be called your husband.”

My body craves his touch, so instead of answering, I pull him toward me.

I love you, Hilla.

Show me, I wish to say. But I cannot. Our mouths are melded together, as if made for each other. My hands, of their own accord, tug on Aiken’s linen shirt. I wish to feel him, to be closer to the man who will be my husband.

In response, he lifts both my gown and chemise. It seems Aiken understands my intent and responds in kind. When he is freed, I wrap my hands around him, reveling in the way a simple touch could make a man, a warrior, like Aiken groan in response.

Whirling us around so that my back is now against the wall, Aiken holds my gown up with one hand and guides himself inside me with the other.

“Here?” I ask, knowing I’ve initiated this but unsure if such a thing is possible. “The men will want to sail.”

“Then let them,” he growls as he enters me. Now fully inside, Aiken braces his hands on both sides of my head, against the wall. At that angle, he feels different . . . good, but different. And his face. I’ve never seen that expression on him before.

Aye, mayhap I have once. That day we met.

“Aiken,” I manage before he moves within me. “Do you remember the day we met?”

My hands on his broad shoulders, Aiken moves and I circle my hips.