Page 78 of All's Fair in Lion and War
“Hey.” She said, making eye contact with Saul first, then Liam. “I am okay. Thank you for all your help. I can’t ever pay you back for what you did for me.”
The big burly guy with salt and pepper scruff and hair shrugged and blushed like a teenage boy. “I told him I wasn’t gonna leave you without saying something. And without making sure those magick people did what they said they were going to do.”
“They did. I’m completely healed.”
“You still look too skinny. They all do, too. But I saw…your bones are…”
Lorelei nodded. “I am. Rivian didn’t feed us, except enough to keep us alive. I’ll gain the weight back, but that will take time.”
“Liam, get out.”
“Shut it, cat breath.” Liam threw the insult at Saul and walked toward Lorelei. He put his arms around her and hugged her close.
She tensed for a second, not expecting the display of affection, but then relaxed into the comforting hold.
“You tell me if you need anything. I’m sure this furry asshole over here will get you whatever you need, but I’m telling you. If you can’t get ahold of him, you come see me at the bar, yeah?”
He released her and she looked up at him, her vision blurry.
She wiped away the tears and smiled at him. A smile that let him know she would take him up on his offer if ever the need arose.
“Good.” He tipped his chin at Saul. “You better take good care of her.”
Some of the tension left Saul’s shoulders and face. The growling rattle in his chest stopped. “The best. Always.”
Liam turned and walked out, leaving her alone with Saul. All the others had already gone outside. She could hear them beyond the door.
Saul the warrior who’d saved her from Rivian that first day. The man who’d been gentle and kind and had fought the pull of thesoul calland waited and waited and waited. Waited for her to be comfortable. Told her he’d never push the issue. He knew she’d had to grieve. Had to put all the missing time in order in her mind.
There had been enough time wasted. Fate had given her a second chance and she’d almost lost it today. She’d watched them both bleeding out onto the snow, staining it with the life they could’ve had.
They owed their second chance to Col and the other dragons.
She owed them everything.
Saul walked across the room to her, slowly, like he wasn’t sure he was welcome.
She didn’t drop his intense gaze. She wanted it on her. Wanted and needed him to touch her. She wanted to love him. Wanted to feel their bond fully realized.
She was ready.
“Saul.”
He stopped in front of her. Put his hands on her cheeks to cup her face.
“Tell me.”
“Please.” The word came out like a plea, like the dying wish of a woman begging to feel.
Except she wasn’t dying any more. She was alive. She was going to live. And she wanted to live and spend her life with the man right in front of her.
“Love me.”
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Saul
His heart broke apart at her request, the pieces crashing into his chest. He stepped closer, eliminating the space between them. The feel of her body against his made him dizzy.
