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My lips curved upward.
I continued massaging him for a while before I finally stopped and rested my hands on his shoulders. He leaned backward until he found my chest with his shoulder blades, and then tilted his head back so he could look into my eyes.
The gorgeous, dark blue orbs held me enraptured for a long moment before I blinked.
His lips curved upward, just the tiniest bit. “I’d like to spend the next few hours in our bed, holding you in my arms.”
“That sounds nice.” I brushed some hair off his forehead, and he closed his eyes briefly.
“Despite everything else, I’m not sure I’ve ever had a moment this peaceful before. I feel… happy.” Kierden’s voice was soft, his eyes still closed. “Thank you for giving me this.”
My throat swelled. “You’re welcome.”
He opened his eyes, then caught my hand and dragged it to his lips. I gave him a small smile when he brushed a kiss to the backs of my fingers.
After a moment, Kierden released me and turned so he was kneeling on the pool’s seat. His hands landed on either side of me, and his lips met mine in a soft kiss. Our tongues tangled, the movements slow and intimate enough to make my toes curl.
He pulled away a few minutes later and scooped me into his arms before he climbed out of the water. I leaned my head against his chest as he crossed the room, and a moment later, I was tucked beneath the blankets. He left me while he dried off, and my gaze lingered on his form as he pulled on a pair of tight shorts and then returned to me.
I moved over to give him room when he slipped under the blankets—and then he pulled me right back to him before putting me completely on top of him, so my chest was pressed against his. His heat warmed me through the thin fabric of my dress, and I lowered my head to rest against his neck.
“If we really decide to complete the bond, our entire lives will change,” I whispered to him.
“A warrior without something to fight for is a hopeless wanderer. You give me something to fight for again, so I welcome the change,” he murmured back.
“But what if your war starts again?”
“Then I’ll finally have a reason not just to fight it, but to end it.” His hand stroked my back lightly. “I don’t see that happening, though. It’s been so long since we’ve had peace that I think everyone is looking forward to the quiet. We plan on having the friendly fights here every year, to give our people something to train for in case they aren’t interested in finding something else to do with themselves.”
“Do you think any of them will want to have kids?” I asked, curiously.
“I’m certain that many will. There are couples in the kingdom who have been together for centuries without mating or starting a family, and I would guess that at least a few of those females will be pregnant before the year’s end.”
“And what about you?”
“What about me?”
“Do you want to have kids?”
He was silent for a moment.
A long, long moment.
“I suppose I’ve never considered it,” he finally admitted. “I’ve longed for a partner at times. Someone to hold, confide in, and laugh with. A child never even crossed my mind.”
“Well, you were so focused on war that you outlawed sex. Kids seem like an impossibility when no one’s having sex.”
He made a noise of agreement. “Do you want children?”
A soft laugh escaped me. “I have no idea. I feel like I haven’t even lived yet. I need to figure out who I am before I so much asconsiderhaving a kid.”
“You know who you are.” His voice grew soft, and slightly playful. “You’re a farmer.”
I smiled; I did love my farm.
“You’re as stubborn as any fae warrior,” he added, his hand moving gently over my back, as if he were tracing a shape. “Braver, too. Certainly tougher. A sentence in that tower would’ve driven any of us mad, and yet here you are.”
My smile grew a bit wistful. “I didn’t know how much longer I was going to make it. I’m glad you showed up.”
