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For I am as much a slave to my heart as to this Curse.
“Isla?”
“Mmm...” I murmur to Franzy who curls her hips closer to my pelvis. I nudge my lips along her neck, brush her gilded shoulder.
She cranes her neck back, then scoots to face me. “Do you remember when you almost drowned in the Croys River rescuing a goat kid?”
My mouth dries from the sight of her beautiful body flushed from our lovemaking and the lantern light bathing her in a radiant glow and brightening her amber eyes. She doesn’t hide her small mounds. I toy with her auburn curls, trace her lips, lower to circle her tipped buds?swollen from my mouth.
I beam. “Storm that night.”
Franzy props herself on her elbow to gaze at me. I pause to give her my full attention. She presses her hand to my chest. “Your heart was so strong, Isla. Fathyr has taken me on his travels to countless kingdoms. But you have the strongest heart I’ve ever known. Stronger than the shifters or the Sythe or the Shee. When you almost drowned in the River Cryth, I couldn’t help but remember the night with the goat.”
I roll my eyes, flutters colliding in my belly. Then, I mount her, straddling, my silver-flame hair skirting her face. “You silly sweet fool! I’ll always be here for you.” I pause and kiss each of her blushing cheeks, love how she squeezes her shoulders.
When Franzy parts her lips, sighing a little, I pause and tilt my head to the side to listen. “You must vow to me to be the strongest ever tonight, Isla. Because I’m certain I won’t be.”
I furrow my brows. “What do you mean, leyanyn?”
“I-I’m not like you, Isla. You know how much I love you. But my love isdifferent.”
Body stiffer, I come off her, remain at her side. “Tell me, Franzy.”
“I don’t have the same feelings. About all this...” she gestures to the bed, to our bodies. “I love your passion, Isla. Always have. It’s why I let you?every time, but I?”
I groan and rub my eyelids. “Why didn’t you ever tell me?”
“Please...” She lowers my hands. “You know I love you. I’ve loved you since we were bayrnies. I simply don’t share yourpassion. I love yours. I love to make you happy. What pleases you pleases me. It’s simply more about loving your heart and not your body. Do you understand?”
I sigh, smile fondly. “What’s on your mind, Franzy? You’re telling me this for a reason.”
“I don’t know how?I’ve only ever been with you. What if I don’t?”
Comprehension batters me, and I cut her off, “You don’t have to do anything, sweet fool!”
“But Prince Aydon is so kind. And he’s given me so much time with my family. He’s already paid offallof Fathyr’s debt and bought him a new ship, Isla. He said we could wait, but we will be married tonight, too. How can I possibly?”
“It’syourbody, Franzy,” I insist, grimacing, clenching my jaw. “Feyal-Ithydeir respect our form. It’s the laws of our land. Simply tell him?”
“I’m not like you, Isla!” she shrieks, rising so she’s above me. Still, her tone isn’t sharp. Only flustered. But I recognize her forced smile. My sweet, silly fool. “When he bit me, the pleasure in his eyes, how he licked my blood from his lips...no, it wasn’t the same as the Corpse King with you. Yes, I was watching. We will never have your spirit, your storm...”
“Franzy?”
“You don’t have to explain, Isla. Whatever it is you share, I am happy for you. And I believe you will be like the Queen.”
I mimic the Queen’s face and words, savoring her giggle radiating warm ardor into my skin. Clamping my lips, I let her continue.
“Whatever happens tonight, I want to make him happy. Because he has made me happy by accepting me. Because it means I’ll always be close toyou.”
At first, I gaze at her, stunned. Too stunned for my sweet fool who I’d believed was hurt, angry with me for volunteering. Shame tightens my throat for how I’ve misjudged my bonnya darling. An ache in my heart festers for what we’ve lost because she won’t be my wed-mate. But my heart leaps, trading shame for adoration because nothing will separate us. How I’ll be damned if Aryahn Kryach dares to reap my soul. I’d claw my way from the Nether-Void to be close toher.
Tapping her nose, I lean in, gather her in my arms, and declare, “Most men need little, Franzy. To please them, simply remove your gown before they request. Then, lie there, close your eyes, relax, and he will do the rest.”
“Will it hurt?”
I purse my lips, sigh. “Itshouldn’t. You know how delicately the Ith treat human flesh. How they honor it. Yes, I’ve seen my parents. And the animals in heat on our farm. Void-gods damn, I spied on this sweetheart couple near Cock Cross’ Scarlet Quarters. She wasn’t a scarlet walker girl, but they pretended she was.” My voice sounds flat while her eyes center on mine, growing wide with curiosity. “She cried and moaned. But she had the same quivering, shuddering which comes when we reach pleasure. After, she had a little blood. But she also laughed. And they didn’t stop kissing. So...maybe both?”
Franzy bites her lower lip but nods and snuggles closer. “Thank you, Isla. Are you scared?”
