Page 81 of Reign of Light
I push up on my toes, wrapping my arms around his neck.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper.
Without hesitation, he closes the distance between us, his lips finding mine. The slow caress is everything I need. Dawnlin fades away as he kisses me, his movements gentle as he coaxes my mouth open, brushing his tongue against mine.
The first time he kissed me on this deck, only steps away from where we stand now, was raw, filled with fear and worry and passion, but this…this is different. This feels like love, and certainty, and stability. His mouth claims mine, claims me as his, reassuring me that despite my fears and the inevitability of my role, he isn’t going anywhere. He will be beside me, just as he swore to me
Heat blooms in my belly as I kiss him back, my thumbs brushing the underside of his jaw as his arms wrap around me, his hands almost bruising through my thick clothes as he holds me close.
I’m stunned and breathless when he breaks away, but his lips don’t leave my skin, only move to press firm kisses up the curve of my jaw.
“Remember my words,” he grumbles before pressing a firm kiss. “My sword.” Kiss. “My body.” Kiss. “My life.” Kiss. “My heart.” I drop my head back, giving him more space as his lips brush the space just below my ear. Shivers course through me when his teeth graze the sensitive skin, followed by the heat of his lips.
“My queen.”
The deep rumble makes my knees tremble, threatening to collapse beneath me. I’m overwhelmed with everything this man feels for me, and I feel for him. It was only ever something I imagined in my dreams, but he’s real. I can feel him beneath my fingertips, against my neck, wrapped around my body, pulling me even closer to ensure I don’t fall.
“Not another soul can change that oath,” he grumbles. “Those words are for you, and you alone. I don’t give a fuck if anyone doesn’t like it. Until the breath stills in my lungs, I’m yours.”
His words reverberate through me, warming every cold and lonely corner and giving me hope that despite everything we’ve been through, it will all turn out exactly how we want it. I didn’t realize my eyes were closed until they flutter open as I lower my chin, to find his teal eyes sparkling.
Digging my fingers into his hair, I pull his face to mine, the movements not soft like before. I crush our lips together, and he follows my lead, walking me backward until my body hits the railing. Without a hitch in the lavishing movement of his tongue, he lifts me onto the railing, quickly stepping between my thighs. Eager hands slide up the sides of my legs, over my hips and settle on my low back, pressing the heat of my core against the firm planes of his body.
I groan impatiently when he breaks away and settles his forehead against mine.
“It’s taking everything I have not to take you back to our room and fuck you in my bed one last time.”
“I have a bed back at the castle.” I lean forward, pressing another slow kiss to his lips.
“Technically, I do too,” he says. “Or at least I did.”
I pull away just enough so my lips barely brush his as I lower my voice to a playful murmur. “But I have a closet full of ball gowns.”
His grin widens against my lips, and I lean back so my eyes can scan his, finding them filled with playful excitement.
“That’s a much better idea, my queen.” It only lasts for a moment though, before his smile falters and his expression turns serious. “Are you ready?”
I nod slowly, my lips pursed together.
Standing to his full height, his arm encircles my waist, supporting me so there is no chance I’ll fall back into the water. His hand finds the wooden railing next to me, his fingers wrapping around it as he looks out over the sea toward the island.
“Thank you,” he murmurs, not to me, but to whatever magic is listening. His gaze falls to where his hand rests on the rail, then up to the helm on the quarterdeck, no doubt saying goodbye to his ship, his place of refuge.
He finds the pouch at his belt, slipping his hand inside before pulling out a fistful of glowing dust. I circle his body, clasping my hands firmly behind him, and settle into his chest, sending my own silent thank you to the island for letting us have this moment, just the two of us, before life and time return.
A single tear slides from the corner of my eye, dampening his uniform where my face presses into him.
“Let’s go home, Weston.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
My fingers ache as I unclench my hands from behind Weston’s back. The hum of the magic surrounding us dissipates moments after my boots hit the firm ground, and a deep sigh escapes my chest.
Cold.
It’s the first thing I notice before I see the cloud of my breath in the air. A full-body shudder overcomes me, my skin already begging to be engulfed by the warmth of Dawnlin once more. Weston’s arms cinch tighter, pulling me in so I can soak up his heat, and giving me a moment to let the truth of our reality settle.
We are back in Blackwood.
