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She threw her free hand to the sky. “Then we are two ones-who-know-nothing. Two … twofools.”
Killian stifled his low chuckle and tucked his thumb beside her chin, guiding her face back toward his. He spoke softly. “I am promised to a princess. From our neighboring kingdom. Who was born eighteen years ago and hidden from an evil fairy. I hadn’t met her because we thought her lost, but she was just hidden from the evil magic—hidden with her aunties.”
Raela’s brows pinched as she searched his face, as if afraid to believe him.
He continued. “I was to be wedded to her on her birthday, the day she returned from hiding and would be spared from a terrible curse. There was to be a celebration. The day the prince met his princess, and they wedded and united their countries.”
Raela’s eyes widened and tears built up again. “This is what my aunties said.” Her brow furrowed. “You are a prince,” she said with a hint of accusation. “You never told me. That is a big front goose.”
Chuckling, Killian leaned forward. “We may be fools, but we are fools who are promised to each other. You are the one I was promised to. I am the one you were betrothed to on the day of your birth. But it is still a choice that is ultimately up to us. I know who I am. I know what I want.” He brushed her chin again. “I want you. But”—he cleared his throat—“I don’t know whatyouwant.”
Raela sat up and regarded him for a breath. Her eyes sparkled, and the brilliance of the sun burned brighter and warmed the room. She flung her arms around his neck, clinging in a fierce squeeze. Killian wrapped her up and buried his face in her hair, taking in her scent and the warmth of her soul. Her whisper tickled his neck. “I wantyou.” She breathed, the warmth caressing his neck. “Only you. Ever you.”
He stroked lines down her back, his voice thick. “Raela, who shattered the curse of my arrogance and selfishness,metathe one who gave me hope to be a better man, andnashithe one who I can rest in, in whom I can trust. With you, I don’t have to strive. I can just be me. I want to be the best version of me.” He inhaled slowly. “Every day, I will pray your name. And I will pray I can be a blessing to you as you’ve been to me. Raelametanashi, will you marry me?”
Raela pulled back from their embrace, studying his face. Her gaze landed on his lips. His chest caught fire. Setting her hand on his cheek, she leaned forward. Her breath tickled his skin.
“Killian, will you kiss me?”
Killian shifted forward, burying one hand into her hair behind her head, his other hand sweeping along her waist and gladly obliged. Her lips were soft but burned him like fire, setting him ablaze. His world exploded into glittering facets of color and light. The room glowed brighter and he felt the warm wind sweep through his hair. He pulled her tightly, shifting his hand through soft strands that drifted down her back. She pressed closer, her passionate and vibrant self swept up into the moment. She slipped her hand up his jaw to around his ear, tugging him toward her.
Pulling back, she gasped for air, her eyes glittering above her perfect smile. Killian’s soul alighted.
“I like kissing you,” she whispered.
Killian laughed, relief blended with joy and the pleasure of everything that she had brought into his life. Turning back to her, his thumb dragged along the bottom lip. “I will happily kiss you again. But I don’t think that counts as an answer to my question. Will you marry me?”
She leaned in again and kissed him briefly. “Yes. I will marry you. Will you kiss me many times?”
“Yes. As many times as you’d like.”
She nodded, her brows pinched together seriously. “There will be many.”
He kissed the tip of her nose, and his heart warmed to watch a rose hue stain her cheeks.
“There may never be enough for me.”
Chapter 25
Reunion
Raela
Raela’slipsstilltingledfrom their kiss. Kisses. She could still feel his fingers on her hair, the warmth of his body, and the strength of his grasp as he held her. She glanced down to their entwined fingers. The heat from his hand raced up from their palms to her heart, which was near bursting with happiness.
She closed her eyes for only a moment to relish the sensation. This was real. Killian was here. And he loved her.
“Killian?” She turned. “Why do you smell like the marshes?”
He chuckled, and the sounds heated her chest. “It’s been a whirlwind of a day for me, my love.” He told her how he had defeated Zalina but squeezed her hand before carrying on too long. “I’ll tell you more, later, but I bet your aunties are worried.” He kissed her again, and the world was heated bliss. “Also, we need to go meet your parents.”
Her parents.
As they descended several flights of stairs from the castle tower to the main entry, her heart galloped in her chest. Killian loved her. Her parents were at the castle. Her mind whirled through all the emotions. Excited to meet them, terrified of what they might think of her, grief at the relationship they had lost to keep her safe. She brushed her hands over the blue gown that her aunties had shoved her in and tucked herself closer to Killian. She grasped his arm tightly. Sounds of animated chatter echoed up the stone walls, and as they came out the door, the halls of the castle were full of servants and nobles enthusiastically recounting all that had passed.
A crooning wail pierced the cacophony as a spriggy fairy flew herself across the gaping heads toward Raela.
“Auntie Toru!” Raela cried, reluctantly letting Killian go to catch her auntie in a massive hug.
