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“Rina?”
“Yes?”
“I love you, too.”
Closing my eyes, I let his words seep into my skin. I savor them. I haven’t heard such a thing since my mother died.
“I’ve loved you,” Luka goes on. “Since you took that knife from my hand in front of all those people. Because any woman who thirsts for revenge is surely worthy of my love . . . such as it is.”
I give a watery laugh. Despite the mention of Cayson Cyrun, I’m delighted. I turn in his arms, my tears forgotten. “Really?”
He grins down at me. “Really. You would have killed him in a heartbeat if I’d let you. From then, I knew you had the fortitude to be my a’deve.”
I blink at him. “So you are truly offering me a place at your side?”
He leans in and kisses me gently. “Yes, little raven, I am. If you will have me.”
“Oh, Luka. Of course I’ll have you. I love you so much and a home is all I’ve ever wanted. Thank you.”
“Well, don’t thank me. I am not the easiest man to . . . appease.” He strokes his fingers along my neck. “I may have bruised your delicate skin.”
I lift my chin, giving him better access. “Appeasing you will never be a hardship.”
“That’s good because the opportunities will be many in our life together.”
I give another soft giggle. “May I ask a favor of you, Luka?”
He scans my face warily.
“Going forward,” I tell him. “I will need you to communicate with me . . . please. I will not be a spectator in my own life.”
After a moment of deliberation, he sighs. “I suppose I’m not the only one who needs appeasing.”
I nod, relieved I will not have to battle him over this.
He takes my hand and pulls it to his mouth, placing a kiss on my knuckles. “Koda has advised me that I must consolidate or perish, and I see now this must be applied to us as well.”
That’s the second time, he’s mentioned the other deve. “This Koda sounds like a wise man.”
Wearing a slightly sour look, he grouses, “The only man you will admire is me.”
“Is that so?” I feel a giggle surfacing at his jealousy, but manage to limit myself to the wry tone. Because I never want him to believe he doesn’t have every ounce of my loyalty.
“It is so,” he says arrogantly, then as if he’s granting me a concession, he goes on with, “Though you can judge his wisdom for yourself tomorrow.”
“Oh? What’s tomorrow?”
Luka stills before his gaze darts away.
“Luka?” Dread rises up in my chest. “What’s tomorrow?”
His dark eyes come back to mine, heavy with . . . something. “Tomorrow is our marriage day.”
Chapter 24
Luka
At first, I only register confusion from her, but that’s swiftly joined by indignation. Or is it betrayal?
