Page 50 of Rotanev
“I’ve already begun enabling security measures that will protect you in your current state, just in case that was your decision.”
Relief shone bright in her gaze. “Then you accept my choice?”
“Of course.” This time I did give in to the urge to touch her and pressed my palm to the side of her face. “Just because our souls are mated does not mean I own you, Kailiani.” Well, not in that respect, anyway. I did lay claim to her body and heart. And anyone who tried to take them from me would suffer a fate similar to Dolos’s.
“There’s something else,” she whispered, leaning into my hand, her eyes warm. “I’ve thought a lot about this, but I’m to going live forever, right? In my current state? Like, I can’t die unless I’m killed?”
I bristled at the thought. “No one will touch you.” Not on my watch.
She smiled. “I know. I meant, that’s the only way I can die, right?”
“Yes, you’ve stopped aging, and human disease and other ailments can no longer impact you.” The only way for her to perish would be via a malicious act, which would never happen. Because I’d rarely leave her side. And whenever I did, one of my lieutenants would watch out for her.
I would not lose my Kailiani again.
“So, I’ll live for hundreds of years,” she translated.
“Millions,” I corrected her. “For eternity, Kailiani.”
She nodded. “Then my theory is viable.”
“What theory?” I wondered aloud, frowning.
“Well, Dolos tortured me for three centuries, or thereabouts, right? The way I see it is, if I live that long, or longer, with all good experiences, won’t they counteract the bad? Or at least make those horrible memories easier to live with?” Innocence caressed her words, underlined with hope.
Her idea held merit and was entirely possible, but knowing the things Dolos did to her—things he’d continued to brag to Morpheus about on their trip back to Mythios—I doubted a few centuries of happiness would be enough.
“How about this,” I murmured, cradling her face between both my palms. “When you feel ready to welcome your siren home, with all her memories, you let me know and we’ll discuss it more. But until then, I don’t want you to feel pressured or to assume it’s a fate you have to accept. Humans can be strong, too, with the right training. And you have a fantastic teacher standing before you willing to give you whatever tools you need to succeed.”
I leaned in to brush my mouth over hers, aching for a taste of her.
“You’re mine, Kailiani,” I whispered. “And I will cherish you for always.”
“I thought you didn’t own me,” she teased, nipping my lower lip.
“Perhaps not your decisions, no. But you? This body? Yes.” My arm slid around her lower back while my opposite palm clasped her nape. “But you realize that you have just as much claim over me, right?”
She grasped my hips, her thumbs brushing the exposed skin along my sides. “Do I?”
“You do.”
“I own a god?” She giggled, and the sound went straight to my heart.
“You own a king,” I countered.
“Mmm.” She tilted her head to the side, a devious twinkle entering her gaze. “Then will this king take his queen to bed? I’d like to make some waves.”
I grinned. “Are you flirting with me, little siren?”
“No. I’m propositioning you, Your Highness.”
“How much time do you require?” I asked, recalling our first night together.
She didn’t miss a beat. “Ninety minutes ought to suffice.”
“I think that can be arranged.” I lifted her into my arms. “For our first round, anyway.”
“Additional time will cost you additional money,” she warned as I carried her into the bedroom.
