AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Lara’s head turned, her eyes widening as he extracted the delicate links of gold, emeralds and black diamonds flashing in the light. “You mentioned a fondness for green.”
Carefully, he brushed her hair to one side and fastened the necklace around her neck. “It was my mother’s. My father had it made for her years ago, and she almost never took it off. The servants found it in their rooms after—” He broke off, shaking his head to clear the emotion. “She always said it was meant to be worn.”
Lara trailed one finger down the gold and jewels, then pulled it away, her hand balling into a fist. “I can’t take this. Ahnna should have it.”
“Ahnna hates jewelry. And besides, you’re Queen of Ithicana. You’re the one who should wear it.”
Taking her hands in his, Aren turned her toward the large mirror on the wall and pressed the fingers of her hand against the large black diamond resting at the center of her collarbone, her pulse throbbing beneath. “Northwatch.” Then he moved down the necklace, naming the larger islands as he went.
“Serrith.” He paused there, kissing her shoulder, grazing his teeth against her neck, feeling her body hitch, then press against him, her head falling back against his shoulder. “Midwatch.” Their fingers trailed over the slope of her right breast, pausing on a large emerald. He made a humming noise of consideration, then continued down the jeweled map, stopping at Southwatch, the emerald nestled in her cleavage.
“It’s yours,” he murmured into her ear. “Ithicana. Everything that I have is yours. To protect. To make better.”
“I will,” she whispered. “I promise.” Turning, Lara rested her forehead against his chest, focusing on the feel of his hands. On the sound of his heart.
Then he went still. “Listen.”
“I don’t hear anything.”
“Exactly. The storm has passed. Which means it will have ended south of here, so the Vencia ferrymen will already be on the water heading to Southwatch.”
So strange that she had to put her faith in the Tempest Seas, which she feared more than anything else, to protect both her peoples. Slowly, the tension seeped out of her. “Since it’s safe to go outside, I find myself fancying a proper bath.”
“Your wish is my command, Your Majesty,” he growled into her ear, flipping her over his shoulder and heading to the door. In the hallway, they encountered Eli, who bore a stuffed satchel on one shoulder.
“I’m doing a run to the barracks, Your Graces. Any messages you wish to relay?”
Aren hesitated. “Yes. Tell Jor I want to see him.Afterlunch.” He patted Lara meaningfully on the ass, laughing when she kneed him in the chest. “But for now, I need a bath.”
* * *
Several hours later, they were finishing a meal of grilled fish and citrus sauce when the door to the house slammed open.
Heedless of his mud-splattered boots, Jor tromped into the dining room and took a seat across from them. “Majesties.” His twinkling eyes moved back and forth between Lara and Aren as he snaked a cake from the tray. “How nice to see the two of you finally playing nice.”
Lara’s cheeks warmed, and she took a mouthful of fruit juice, hoping the glass would hide her embarrassment.
“And all it took to earn your affection was the poor boy jumping into shark-infested waters to save your ass.” He sighed dramatically. “I’m not sure I’m up for such acts of heroism. I suppose I’ll have to put aside the dream of taking you on when Aren gets himself killed with one of his stupid stunts.”
“Piss off, Jor.”
Lara only smiled. “Fortunately for you, I have a soft spot for elderly men.”
“Elderly?” Bits of cake flew from the guard’s mouth. “I’ll have you know, little miss, that I’m . . .”
“Enough, enough.” Aren filled the cup in front of Jor. “That’s not why you’re here.”
“Yes, do tell me why I had to drag myelderlyass up the hill to visit you two lovebirds.”
Lara turned in her chair to eye Aren, curious.
“How do the skies look?” he asked.
“Stick your head out the door and see for yourself.”
“Jor.”
“Clear.” The guard chewed slowly on another cake, brow furrowed with suspicion. “Why?”
