Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 105132 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 526(@200wpm)___ 421(@250wpm)___ 350(@300wpm)
She never realized sound could bring such pleasure, her climax more intense hearing Dravic groan in satisfaction, and she smiled.
Later, when the urgency between them had gentled, Dravic held her close, his hand moving slowly over her back. Adira rested against him, listening to the heavy beat of his heart gradually slow.
She loved that sound. She loved his voice. She loved his strength and his stubbornness and even the commands he issued as though the entire world had been created to obey him.
She loved him.
The realization was nothing new. But hearing him had somehow made everything she felt for him more intense.
Dravic shifted and lifted her face to his.
There was something different in his expression. Something serious enough that Adira’s contentment faded.
Dravic needed to tell. Needed to make sure she understood. “I told you today that I would never let anyone take you from me.”
Adira’s heart began to beat harder.
“I meant it.”
She held his gaze.
Dravic had never been a man who needed many words. He commanded with a look, decided without hesitation and expected others to accept his decisions. But tonight he seemed to be searching for words.
“I have never needed a particular woman in my life. Any woman would do for the moment.”
Adira’s heart sank despite herself.
His hand tightened gently at her waist. “But I need you. I want you.”
She stared at him.
“I want you beside me when I wake. I want you there when the day ends. I want you arguing with me without saying a damned word and smiling when you know you’ve won.”
Her eyes began to sting with tears.
Dravic’s gaze grew more intense. “I don’t know when it happened. I only know there will be no going back from it.”
Adira felt as if her heartbeat stilled.
He drew her closer and pressed his hand to her chest, then tapped it. “I love you, Adira. Not just now, not this moment, but forever.”
The world seemed to disappear. Shock stole every thought from her, and she smiled and pressed her hand to his chest, then tapped it as a single tear fell from one eye.
Dravic smiled, a wide smile. “You understand and you love me as well.”
She nodded in response, pleased she could hear his declaration of love, but it was his smile that brought her such joy. Never had she seen him smile that broadly. Their love made him truly happy.
He brushed the single tear away. “Forever, my love. Our love will be forever.”
She threw her arms around him and held him with all the strength she possessed.
Tonight belonged to them… a man and a woman in love.
Tomorrow she would wake in the arms of the king.
Chapter Thirty-One
A Dangerous Escape
A Secret No More
Dravic caught her around her waist and pulled her against him, laughing, then nibbled along her neck. She melted against him just as she did in the middle of the night when they woke and made love quickly. And again, only a short time ago when they woke, a quick joining. Far too worried a knock would sound at the door, and their secret would be discovered.
He wanted to make this time alone with her last, touch her as he pleased, kiss her, hug her, and have her do the same with him. For once they left the cottage, they could do none of that.
He was king and she was his companion.
Dravic scowled at the thought and pulled her closer.
Adira smiled up at him, her arms slipping around his neck.
“I suppose we cannot remain in here forever.”
She rested her head against his chest as though perfectly willing to try.
Dravic smiled. He liked the idea far more than he should.
A flutter of movement near the hearth caught his attention.
Fiora appeared from behind the stonework and flew toward them.
“How the bloody hell did you get in here?” Dravic demanded.
Fiora rolled her eyes. “I’m a fairy. We can get ourselves into almost anything.”
Dravic opened his mouth to respond.
Fiora immediately pressed one tiny finger to her lips. “Shhh.”
Something in her expression wiped the remnants of Dravic’s smile away.
Adira straightened in his arms.
Fiora flew closer and kept her voice barely above a whisper. “It’s a trap.”
Dravic went still. “What is?”
“The village. All of it.” Fiora glanced toward the door. “Don’t go outside. They’re waiting for you.”
Dravic’s arm tightened around Adira. “Who?”
“I don’t know. Warriors started arriving before dawn. More came out of cottages. Your men and the Hunters are surrounded. They were taken before they could lift a weapon.”
Fury hardened Dravic’s face. “All of them?”
“From what I could tell and they’re all alive. That’s why I came to you instead of doing something clever and heroic myself.”
Dravic ignored that. His mind was already racing back over the night before.
A cottage waiting for them. A fire already burning. Food set upon the table. Privacy offered before he’d even asked for it.
He scowled deeply. “They knew.”