Page 63 of Arise the Queen
Gwendolyn’s brows collided with the cowardice of this admission. “Because you did not wish to tell me? Or because you could not?”
Silence was his immediate response, but he did not hold his tongue for long. “Both. There were things I was compelled not to say… others I did not wish you to know… because I feared you would leave me… again.”
Gwendolyn’s heart quickened as he knelt behind her, his arm encompassing her waist, dragging her back against his chest. She did not resist. In that moment, he held her with such a terrible tenderness that it made her breath catch in the back of her throat. “We’ll find the way… together,” he said, and sheswallowed convulsively, leaning into his embrace, feeling the sincerity in his words.
For a moment, the world around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the two of them by this tranquil little stream under a lowering night where she dared find solace in his embrace.
Forsooth.
Understanding bloomed in her heart, pushing aside the hurt and resentment. She knew the challenges ahead would be daunting, but having Málik by her side would give her courage. She was, despite her lofty aims,lesswithout him. Words were unnecessary as their hearts beat in sync.
Love… wasn’t it said this could conquer all?
The most powerful magic of all?
With her head resting against Málik’s chest, Gwendolyn closed her eyes, allowing herself to believe that maybe, just maybe, they could overcome.
“I would ask you once more to come away with me, leave all this behind,” he said, his voice a raspy whisper against her ear, his hot breath like flames kissing her flesh. “But I know your answer.”
“Could you, in truth, abandon duty?” she asked. “Could you live with yourself?”
His voice was heavy with defeat. “Nay.”
Gwendolyn closed her eyes, leaning harder into his embrace, the weight of their impossible situation heavy in her heart. And no matter, in that moment, with his arms around her, she allowed herself to believe in the power of love.
His male scent enveloped her senses, stirring something deeply carnal within her, her breasts responding to his nearness, throbbing, pleading.…
His nostrils flared—Gwendolyn didn’t see this, but she heard his sharp intake of breath, and despite the heaviness of the mood, after scenting her response, he chuckled darkly, thesound sending a delicious shiver down Gwendolyn’s spine. They might lose each other in the end, but come what may, she needed this tonight, and so she turned to face him… blinking at his mouth, remembering the heat of those lips… the taste of him.
The promise of a storm swirled in his eyes. Laughter like thunder rumbled in his chest, and the sound of his throaty pleasure gave Gwendolyn a wicked thrill. She was powerless to resist his temptation. Their gazes locked and held—a silent understanding passing between them—and without a word, Málik cupped her cheeks with his two hands, his touch sending a jolt of desire through her. His lips brushed gently against her mouth with a feather-light touch, his kiss holding a promise… and Gwendolyn felt the weight of this unspoken vow in the press of his lips, in the way he clasped her so possessively… as though she were the most precious treasure in all the realms.
Gods.
The world teetered at the edge of chaos. Their love was a luxury she could not afford. But it was a hunger she could not resist. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what lay ahead.… and despite that, she remained rooted to the spot, tilting her face to him, lifting her chin, inviting him without words…
Kiss me,she begged silently.
Málik obeyed, their hot breaths mingling in the cool night air. His hips rolled into her, pressing urgently, a bold declaration of desire that was impossible to misconstrue. Gwendolyn felt the same white-hot yearning mirrored within her own body.
Again and again, as though drawn by an invisible force, their lips met with greedy but tender kisses that spoke of emotions denied too long.
Unbidden, her fingers wandered between them, down his tunic… His sculpted abdomen rippled beneath her touch, under his leathers, and he caught her hand, dragging it away, and onceagain lifted his pelvis against her belly as his free hand slid to her rear, lifting her up against him—an unspoken demand for the intimacy they both craved. Gwendolyn wasn’t merely aware of his desire. She was drenched by it, every pore of her flesh singing with yearning.
Once again, he claimed her mouth, and her heart swelled with a fierce and unrelenting determination to fight for this love, no matter what trials awaited. Heat coiled between her thighs as their kiss deepened, her fingers curling into his hair—soft as silk—taking care to avoid the bastard blade at his back, holding him tight as though to anchor this moment in time.
The taste of him was oh, so bittersweet…
In the circle of his arms, she allowed herself to be consumed. The war they faced now seemed ever distant and inconsequential compared to the fierce beating of her heart. Every touch, every caress, carried the weight of a thousand unspoken words, her womb aching to be filled. Could she be happy only to love his child?
If, in truth, they would be parted… could she cajole his seed into her womb, then grow and nurture his babe?
“I—”
“Say nothing,” he demanded, and a low, fierce growl slipped through his clenched teeth as he, once more, undulated against her, his steel-hard desire a demand against the softness of her body.
If only…
If only…
