AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“That I do.” He kissed her forehead. “By the way, I contacted Vojalie when I got up an hour ago. She very kindly brought you some clothes and toiletries from both the castle and the cottage.”
She leaned her head against Stone’s shoulder once more, but her thoughts took an entirely different direction. “You’re coordinating the Combined Forces with Mastyr Ian and Mastyr Zane. Am I right?”
“Yup. They’re my two right-hands.”
“Have you spoken with them this evening?”
“Of course.”
“How fares the war? What’s been happening since last night?”
He chuckled softly.
“What?” She sat up a little and craned her neck to meet his gaze.
“War talk. I like it, but you’ve surprised me again.”
She dipped her chin. “You have to remember that my life has been dedicated to preserving Ferrenden Peace and keeping Margetta out. I’ve followed all the Realm newspapers from the time they were invented. So, what’s the latest?”
“There’s good news and bad. The good news is that the realms are quiet. Also, Delia says we’re all set for the gala later tonight.”
“She’s worked hard on the event.”
“She has. I’m sure it will be, um, eventful.”
She chuckled. “Not exactly your thing, is it?”
“Not quite. But I know it’s a necessary celebration for all the realms, so I’m happy to do my part.”
She thought for a moment. “So what’s the bad news?”
He cleared his throat. “Well, the same as the good news: All the realms are quiet. There is no Invictus sign. Anywhere.”
At that, Rosamunde sat up and shifted her bottom just enough to face him. She had to grab the edges of the afghan to keep from exposing her breasts again. “What? Not even a few rogue wraith-pairs? Oh, no.”
“We figure the Ancient Fae is rounding up her troops.”
“So, we really are building to a final battle.”
“Yes, that’s what we believe. Though, given events of last night, we’re all in agreement that she’s still after me. Any thoughts on why?”
She loved that he asked her opinion. “It has to be about your ability to channel the elf-lord power. Margetta must know this about you, maybe through her fae prescience, and she wants you in her arsenal.”
She slid off his lap, tugging the afghan around her. “If Margetta’s winding up for a showdown, then I want to be ready, because who knows what she has planned for tonight.” She glanced around. “So, where are the clothes Vojalie brought for me?”
He gestured to the opening to the left of the bed. The entire wall was made of a beautiful gray stone. “I have a small dressing room off the bathroom. I’ve laid out some of your clothes and the rest I hung up on the far side of the closet. You can arrange things as you like.”
“Thank you.”
Rosamunde tugged the afghan tight around her as she made her way into the bathroom. Once she passed through the opening, there was only one way to turn, which of course was away from the lake. Every room of Stone’s house faced the lake. There weren’t even windows on the non-lake side.
She saw the natural wood-framed entrance to the dressing room. As she passed through, she was struck with the smell of leather, which made sense since Stone had a large collection of Guardsmen gear off to the right.
She let the afghan slide off her shoulders then folded it up. Seeing which clothes Vojalie had brought, she retraced her steps and made her way to the walk-in, stone-lined shower. She didn’t hesitate to turn on the two opposing heads and it didn’t take long for the hot water to arrive. Adjusting the temp, she stepped beneath both sprays then turned in a slow circle. The water felt wonderful, a kind of massage after two harried nights of battling wraith-pairs, then tussling with Stone.
Now they were lovers and she served as his blood rose.
As she washed her hair, she knew it would take so little to bond with him. She would barely have to say the word ‘yes’ and the deed would be done. She could still feel her mating vibration deep within her body and how it seemed to be on a constant hunt for Stone as though this part of her recognized him as her mate and was missing him.
