Page 171 of A Tongue so Sweet and Deadly

When he stretched out a hand to help her up, she took it, wiping her cheeks with her other one.

Loche eyed her warily. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overwhelm you back there.”

She couldn’t help but smile at him.

Her sister was alive.

Nothing else mattered.

“I’m sorry for running away.” Lessia stepped into his space, wrapping her arms around him. “It’s just… I can’t, Loche. I have too many people relying on me.”

She pulled him to the bed, sighing when she kicked off the uncomfortable shoes she had squeezed her poor feet into.

Loche sat down next to her, his hand resting on her thigh. “I’ll make sure they’re taken care of. That’s what I was about to say when you ran off. I’ll even pardon Ardow if that’s what it takes for you to stay.”

Her eyes flew to his. “You would?”

Loche nodded. “And we’ll figure out a way to make sure Zaddock and Amalise can remain in Ellow. I promise you. I don’t want to live without him either.”

Lessia threw her arms around his neck, laughter bubbling up her throat.

Loche hugged her back, his smile evident against her neck. “We’ll figure it out, Lessia. Build a world where everyone is welcome, where everyone has a chance at a good life.”

Pulling back, she slammed her lips against his, pouring every ounce of the happiness that filled her into it.

Her sister was alive.

Her friends would be safe.

She would be safe.

Perhaps even loved.

Loche’s hands tangled in her hair as he kissed her, and when he pulled back, they were both out of breath, chests heaving against each other.

“Is that a yes?”

When she nodded, he shifted her down onto the bed and claimed her lips again.

She lost herself in him, kissing him until both sets of eyelids fluttered.

Their lips remained locked even as sleep took them.

Chapter

Sixty-Nine

When she woke, her lips were swollen, and Lessia smiled as she brought her fingers to them.

Rolling over, she found that Loche had already left.

A quick glance out the window confirmed it was still early, but she jumped out of bed, slipping out of the dress and gloves and pulling on her usual tunic and breeches.

Lessia whistled to herself while she got ready, excitement whispering over her skin at how she’d tell Kalia and Amalise how everything had changed.

After pulling her hair back with a comb, she swung open the door to Merrick’s room.

His room was empty, the bed made.

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