Page 39 of Frost and Death
His amber eyes are lined with tears.
I rest my palm on his cheek as he blurts, “Because I never thought you’d see me like that. You areroyalty, Tee. I’ve wanted to be yours since I was tasked with being your guard. Why do you think I kept checking in on you and helping you? It wasn’t because I wanted to be promoted and granted the title of Lord. I-I couldn’t stay away from you.”
I lower my head, thinking back to when life was different. Where I wasn’t fighting grief, where, each day, I would compose a new song and where I was surrounded and embraced by those I love.
But I am still being embraced with love. Through Niko.
“Youwantto be with me?”
I still disbelieve that this is real.
He holds my face as his eyes peer into mine. “Of course I do, Tee. I have fought my feelings for as long as I have known you. I crave your company, your attention, your touch, youreverything. I’m fucked with jealousy over you. And I know I am fucked up for trying to hurt you alongside hurting others who draw your interest. But I am a selfish man, Tee. I only want you.”
“Is that your attempt at an apology for stringing me along this long?”
He laughs and leans in to give me a chaste kiss.
I return it hungrily, loving his stubble scratching me.
Straddling him, I grind my hips, letting the friction drive me mad. It’s one thing to have our pelvises touching, it’s another when our entire bodies mold to one another with each movement.
My body takes complete control, my lips racing to meet his and craving his touch everywhere imaginable. My heartbeat races as our bodies compose their own melody.
Our mouths intertwine, present and alive in this moment.
This pure, blissful moment.
I can’t help the titter escaping my lips as we kiss.
Niko notices and slows the kissing to being soft, languid as if he wants to savor this. His lips perk up as well through each touch, and I can’t help a true laugh from escaping me.
It’s extremely embarrassing.
His face moves at the sound, and my lips tuck into themselves as I turn bashful. He leans forward and rubs his nose along mine as another laugh escapes from him.
The glow of the fire illuminates his skin and teeth so much I am utterly lost in the haze of his beauty.
My cheeks pinch upward as he takes me in with the brightest grin I have seen from him in years.
His laughter quiets, and he pulls me in to rest his forehead against mine. “Tove, Tove, Tove. Please forgive me.”
I meet his in kind and close my eyes at the rich woodsy scent of him. “I thought kissing you was enough of a sign.”
My quip earns a snort from Niko.
Niko turns sheepish as he wraps his hands around my hips, holding me tightly. He looks into the fire as his throat bobs.
“Do you remember when I told you every eligible male wants to marry you?” he asks.
I have to think of the conversation where he told me this, and I only remember the never-ending list of preparations and meetings I have attended as of late.
My mind goes blank, and I shrug, shaking my head.
Niko bites his lip, debating speaking again.
My arms, draped around his neck, give him a tight squeeze in reassurance.
“I was trying to tell you I, too, am an eligible male,” he whispers.
