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He’s disappointed.
I reach for his hand, enveloping it in mine and giving his fingers a gentle squeeze. “Micah,” I say softly. “Will you go to the ball with me?”
He blinks. “What?”
“Come with me tomorrow night.”
His expression shifts, surprise giving way to uncertainty. “Lucan…”
“I’m asking you to be my date.”
He bites the inside of his cheek. “I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”
“Why not?”
“Because everything is so uncertain.” He gestures vaguely around the room. “Maple. What Amanita told us about the mushrooms. The king…” His voice falters. “We don’t even know what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s probably not a good idea to go to the king’s palace when he’s already threatened me.”
I shake my head. “No.”
His brow furrows. “No?”
“No.” I lift my free hand and caress his cheek, his flushed skin soft beneath my palm. “We can’t let the king ruin this for us. Tomorrow is a sacred day, Micah. A day meant to celebrate love and romance.” I hold his gaze. “And I want nothing more than to celebrate it with you.”
His lips part, but no words come.
I swallow past the sudden tightness in my throat. “Please give me the honor of accompanying you to the ball.”
His bottom lip wobbles. He looks down at our joined hands, blinking rapidly before swallowing hard.
For a moment, I think he might refuse.
Then he rises onto his tiptoes, reaches up to grasp my shoulders, and pulls me into a slow kiss. His plush lips meet mine, soft and tentative at first.
I freeze for half a heartbeat before wrapping my arms around him, drawing him closer.
The world outside disappears.
There is no king. No mysterious mushrooms. No danger waiting beyond our door.
Only Micah in my arms.
I deepen the kiss, guiding him backward until his shoulders meet the wall. A soft whimper escapes him at the impact, and goddess, I love that sound. I trail kisses along his jaw, then down the curve of his neck, savoring every quiet breath he gives me.
“Lucan…” he says shakily, his nails dragging lightly down my back. “Can I—” He swallows. “Can I stay the night?”
A soft chuckle rumbles through my chest. Instead of answering, I slip my hands beneath his thighs and hoist him into my arms.
He lets out a startled noise, instinctively wrapping his arms around my neck. “Hey!”
“I thought you’d never ask, Doc.”
He laughs softly, the sound warm against my skin. “Take me to your bed?”
I grin. “With pleasure.”
I carry him toward my bedroom, pushing the worries of tomorrow to the back of my head.
Tonight, I have everything I need.
