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I glance up into my husband’s blue green eyes. “What happened to your shirt?”
“I got hot.” He traces a finger along my cheek. “How are you this adorable when you first wake up? This hardly seems fair.”
I raise an eyebrow at him. “And you being shirtless—for thesecondmorning in a row—is fair?”
“You’re really hung up on the shirtless thing,” he comments. “Do you really want me to put on a shirt that bad?”
I look away but give a small shake of my head.
No, I really don’t want him to put on a shirt.
I put my head back down on his chest, feeling more content than I have in a long time. It’s only been a week since our wedding. Should I feel this comfortable with him already?
“Do you not have a council meeting?” I ask him, wanting to break the silence.
“I’m not going,” he says.
I glance up. “Won’t you get in trouble?”
“Maybe.” He runs his fingers through the ends of my hair. “When a dragon shifter gets married, they’re usually given time off. I guess the council thinks that, since we’re not soulmates, I don’t deserve any time off. If the council or my father has a problem with it, I might just take you and leave the island for a little while. We could go on a proper honeymoon.”
“Don’t get in trouble for me.” I move my head into the crook of his arm so I can look at him. “You forget, I was the heir too. I know all about duty. I want time to get to know you, but I won’t hold your job against you.”
His face softens. “Stop being so perfect, Wisteria.”
“I’m not.” I shake my head. “Not even close. The fae may think so, but I’m really just… normal. I’m flawed. And I can’t save anybody, no matter how much they want me to.”
“What do you mean?” Stellan holds my hand with his, gently tracing his thumb along my knuckle.
“I trust you.” I chew on my bottom lip as I look into his eyes. “For the past few generations, fae magic has been dying. My generation is about half as powerful as my father’s generation. If things keep going like they are, there won’t be any fae magic by the time I’m old enough for grandchildren.”
He furrows his brows. “But I’ve felt your magic—it’s not weak.”
“I know. My magic is strong—stronger than any fae that has ever existed,” I admit, looking away from his eyes. I don’t want him to see me differently because of what I’m telling him and I’m scared of what his reaction will be. “My brother is strong too, though not as strong as I am. The fae seemed to think that I was their savior—that I was the answer to the fae’s lessening of magic.”
“And now they’ve lost you to us,” Stellan says.
I nod, finally looking into his eyes. “I never wanted to be empress. I just wanted to be free. I know that this marriage alliance probably sucked for you, but it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me. It makes me feel bad to think it, knowing how miserable you probably are.”
He shakes his head. “I’m not miserable—not with you. I diddread this marriage, but marrying you is the best thing that’s ever happened to me too.”
“Were you disappointed it was me and not Poppy?” I ask.
“No.” He grins. “Your sister was scared of me. In some ways, I thought being married to her would be easy. We would avoid one another. But then I met you, and I had never seen anybody so beautiful. Avoiding you is out of the question”
“Fae areallbeautiful—it’s what we’re known for.” I look away.
“Yes. But you’re not just beautiful because of how you look—it’s justyou. Your personality—the way you adore my family. I seriously think my brother has a crush on you. He’s texted me ten times this morning alone, asking if you’re okay.”
I grin. “I like Evander. I think he’s hoping he’ll have a fae for a soulmate.”
Stellan frowns, his entire posture stiffening.
“What’s wrong?” I squeeze his hand, hoping to encourage him.
“Nothing.” He shifts a little in the bed. “Do you want to go get breakfast and coffee maybe?”
“Sure.” I push myself up, sad to be leaving Stellan’s embrace.
