Page 131 of Cruelest Kiss and Fairest Blood
To my great shock, she wasn’t in a garden. I found her wandering around the halls of my palace. She said she awoke in my bed. Lenore insists it’s our true love that allowed her to keep her memories. What happened and why don’t matter to me. Only that I have my Lenore forever.
A crown of thick black spires presses up from her lovely silver head. I run my dark nails through the long bright strands. The first time she died, it took her eye color. When she died for the last time, it took the color from her hair.
Her glassy blue eyes and silver hair make her look like walking starlight. She loves the new look and so do I.
“Well, she won’t be needing her jewelry again anytime soon.” Lenore kicks the bracelet away. It unnerves her. There’s something alive about it. The subtlest hint of a whisper when things get too quiet.
“I’ve been thinking, you need a bit of special jewelry of your own.”
“What about the necklace Cassius gifted me?” Lenore bites her lip, fighting back a grin.
“Wicked woman. What have I told you about speaking his name in my halls?”
I have her flipped over my knee before she can answer. “Don’t you dare!” she squeals.
“Don’t I dare what? Spank you into obedience?” My palm connects with her ass twice. Lenore is too busy laughing to properly protest. Keeping her bent forward, I dangle her new gift in front of her face.
I can’t see her reaction, but I can feel the tightening of her body and hear her swift gasp. “Oh, Harrow.”
Flipping her back onto my lap, I lay the necklace in my palm. She runs her fingertips over each stone.
“May I?” I ask.
Lenore nods quickly, lifting her hair out of the way. The necklace was carefully crafted from the rich green Vivianite that flourishes within the mountain. I chose only the brightest pieces. Five in total, they sit just beneath Lenore’s scar, illuminating it.
“Because nothing about you should ever be hidden again,” I murmur. Her lips find mine, gentle, grateful. “And I mean nothing.”
My hands run the length of her body, starting at the necklace and ending between her thighs. The shadow dress hiding her body from me vanishes.
“Harrow!” Lenore protests as she finds herself naked on my lap. “I’m going to need a non-shadow wardrobe.”
“Not a chance, Roseheart.” I nip at her bottom lip.
The sound of tiny feet scurrying across the throne room floor pulls my attention away from Lenore’s lovely mouth. The furry little face of the Underworld’s most mischievous new resident peers up from the floor.
“Weasley,” I grumble. “What have I told you about sneaking around the palace? I’ve given you a forest that covers half the Underworld.”
It seems Lenore’s herd of resurrected animals were tied to her by blood. They all fell within a week of her passing. You’d think it would have been a somber occasion. Instead, the animals rejoiced as they entered my domain. Every single creature, from doe to sparrow, made an immediate beeline for the palace. Somehow, they could all sense her presence in the heart of the kingdom. Maybe because she is the heart of this kingdom now.
The forest grew the first day Lenore joined me here. Trees sprouted from every patch of scorched earth and every ruined garden. More flowers have bloomed in the gardens of the dead than ever before. It’s as if the Underworld was asleep. When Lenore arrived, it awakened and burst to life. Every day I notice more growth.
The weasel’s indignant squeak is one I’ve come to recognize as the little rat “talking back”. He can’t stay away from Lenore.None of them can. I can’t blame them. There’s no one I love to spend my time with more than my Queen of Bones.
“She’s my girl, Weasley.” I pull Lenore deeper onto my lap. “Now off with you.”
Lenore speaks softly. “I just need a quick moment with Harrow. Tell everyone I’ll be down shortly.”
The weasel chirps happily as he hurries back the way he came.
“You lied to the poor creature,” I accuse.
“I would never. How do you mean?”
“You told him all you needed was a quick moment. There’s nothing quick about the things I have planned for you.” The tip of my tongue runs up the left side of her neck.
“I can’t imagine what you’ve devised to tie up my afternoon. I’m starting to think you delight in keeping me locked away in here. You want me all to yourself.”
“I’m greedy and don’t share well,” I growl into her ear. “And now that you mention it, keeping youtied upsounds perfect.”
