Page 138 of The Beast King's Bride

36

ASH

I dreamed I lay on the floor holding Talen’s hand in mine, staring into his deep blue eyes and feeling a happiness unlike any I’ve ever experienced.

And before that, I dreamed that I plunged a sword into my chest and faced death while a white-faced Empress roared her fury.

But as I open my eyes this time, I’m in a bed.

The normalcy of it almost convinces me that this is another dream—then I realize that all of the strange things I remember have been real, strange and marvelous and—

Talen.

I turn, the warmth behind me finally registering, and… there he is, his face relaxed and beautiful on the pillow, one hand resting on his chest. No horns, I think, gazing at the fall of his black hair on his forehead, at the tip of a pointed ear, at his bare chest, his black shirt hanging in shreds. The curling horns are gone.

I glance down the bandages I now realize are tied around me, an echo of pain underneath. Memory sends me echoes of his voice rising in despair, in anguish—

He lets out a sigh in his sleep and I find myself holding my breath, studying his beloved face, so serene. So youthful in repose.

We made it, I realize. We’re both alive. The Decay is dispersing.

We’re here, together.

And though the wound in my chest aches, though I don’t understand what happened, why my heart wasn’t pierced through by the sword… everything is as it should be.

As I want it to be.

I roll on my side facing him, lifting my hand to trace the straight line of his jaw, his strong neck. I find his braid and pull it over his shoulder to drape over his chest.

His dark lashes lift.

“Talen.” I finally raise my hand to his face, brushing my fingertips over his cheek, over his mouth. There’s a pressure in my chest, in my head, behind my eyes. “Oh Gods, you’re okay. When I saw you on that desk, when the Empress appeared, I was sure…” I swallow hard but it’s not enough to move past the knot in my throat. “I thought you were dead. I can’t…”

His hand lifts, strong and large, mirroring mine, stroking my mouth. “You brought me back. I could feel the moon tugging on me, the transformation about to happen, my death waiting for me. But then I heard your voice and I had to come back. Had to make sure you were all right.”

I draw a shaky breath. “You were about to die, she was going to rip that gem out of your back and—”

“I’m fine. But you… You almost died. For me.”

“I came back for you. What do you…?” I press my hand to his face, needing to feel him, the warmth of him, the flesh and the bones underneath. “Of course I came. I love you, you bastard.”

His mouth curves. “And I love you, too, my heart.”

“You…” I’m choking on tears and then he’s kissing me, drinking the saltiness of them, and my hands are on his face and his on mine, and we’re one.

We’re one.

He breaks the kiss to press our foreheads together. “I thought you were content in your world, with that man.”

“You sent Poe to watch me. I knew it.”

“I had to know you were okay. That I hadn’t torn my heart out when I sent you away for nothing, even if you found someone else to love.”

“I told you that I don’t feel that way about Pete.” I sniffle, luxuriating in the feel of his hands on my cheeks, their warmth seeping into me. “We’re only friends. And besides, I think he likes your friend Jassin.”

Talen draws back a little, eyes wide. “Your friend is here?”

“He helped me cross. He’s nice, you’ll like him… I think. Okay, he’s too much sometimes, but his heart is in the right place.”

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