Page 139 of A Reign of Embers

Only a little chill has entered the night air. I tuck Aurelia closer to me all the same, looping my arm around her waist.

We skirt the orchards until we reach one particular tree. As the silver-sheened leaves come into view, I feel Aurelia’s understanding in her intake of breath.

She tips her head close to kiss my cheek. “Where we first started down this path together.”

“I thought if there was any night to enjoy a twilight pumello, it’d be this one.”

I step away from her just far enough to snap off one of the gleaming white fruits that hang amid the wizened branches. Twilight pumellos produce their delicacy all year round, but only a handful across the year, which is part of the reason they’re so treasured.

Another part is the incredible flavor. I hold the supple, apple-sized treat to Aurelia’s lips so she can take the first bite. She offers me a sly smile that sends a jolt of desire straight to my groin before digging her teeth in.

It was by this tree where I first dared to kiss her. Where she first accepted my affections, for however short a timeshedared back then.

When I take a bite of my own, the mix of caramel sweetness and lemony sharpness brings those memories even more vividly to the forefront of my mind. I chew slowly and then draw Aurelia to me so I can kiss her again.

Our mouths meld together, provoking a soft sound inher throat that has me hard in an instant. I have the sudden wild impulse to take her right against this tree amid its glimmering leaves—but I could hardly enjoy it knowing the guards on the grounds might stumble on us or while concentrating on creating an illusion to hide us.

And Aurelia, as always, is thinking beyond just the most immediate pleasures. After our lips part, she touches my cheek and smiles like there’s nothing beyond this night. “We should bring back a few for the rest of my husbands. A treat like this ought to be shared with the whole family.”

I can’t argue. Her natural generosity is just one of the many reasons I fell in love with this woman against all practicality.

I kiss her again, long and hard, and turn to snap off three more of the colorless fruits. There’ll only be a few left when we’re done, but the empress can take whatever she wants from the palace.

And what does it really matter if the yield is diminished? This may be the last chance any of us have to taste something so sweet.

Chapter Fifty

Aurelia

As Lorenzo and I emerge into my bedroom, Raul lets out a guffaw. “Thatwasa short diversion. What?—?”

His gaze catches on the glistening white fruits cradled in my arms, and he cuts off his words with a low whistle of awe.

“I wanted to share the bounty.” I walk over to hand one of the pumellos to Raul and another to Bastien.

Marc pushes off the door and stalks over to join us. His face is unreadable, but his tone sounds more wry than critical. “Pillaging my pumellos, are you?”

I arch an eyebrow at him. “I believe they’remypumellos now. I did bring one for you.”

“Well, I suppose now that it’s already picked…”

He accepts the pale fruit and turns it in his hand as if examining the tender skin for flaws.

Raul and Bastien have already bitten into theirs.

“Fuck,” Raul mumbles around his mouthful.

Bastien closes his eyes with a worshipful expression that makes my offering worthwhile all on its own.

Lorenzo ambles up beside me, taking another bite of the fruit we’ve been sharing and holding it out to me for a turn. As I sink my teeth into the soft flesh, the incredible tart sweetness is amplified by my memories of the first pumello we ate together, more than a year ago.

Back then, I thought I was only seeking allies to help me survive until I could be married. I assumed my life would revolve around Marclinus and nudging the empire toward a better path in what subtle ways I could manage.

I never imagined I’d find myself with not one but four husbands, all of whom I’ve given my heart to fully. That I’d end up ruling the empire rather than dabbling from the sidelines.

That I’d be leading the charge against a horde of traitors in order to save not just my position but all our lives.

The last thought brings a bitter tang into my mouth that offsets the sweetness. I swallow hard and turn back to Lorenzo.

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