You hope.
And what if all that happens, and yet it still doesn’t matter?
Hudem is in three days. On that night, what we’ve done—what I’ve done—will be obvious to all, for better or worse.
What if this is the last time we hold each other like this?
“Come back to me,” I whisper, a tear slipping free. “I can’t live in this world without you.”
He releases me, only to lean in, pressing his forehead against mine. “I know the feeling.” His voice has turned hoarse.
I stare through the sheen, into his light hazel irises, struggling to pick out the flecks of gold, afraid I’m about to crumble. Once, not that long ago, those same eyes were full of hatred when they landed on me. It seems impossible now. “Remember when you wanted me dead?”
A muscle in his jaw ticks. “No.” The faintest touch of humor laces that single word.
“Oh, come on, remember? In the tower that night, when you had me up against the wall—”
Zander moves so quickly, the next thing I know, there’s stone against my back and his hard body is pressed against my front. His hand cradles my head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” His lips catch mine, coaxing them open, his tongue slipping in to bait with expert strokes. It’s the kind of kiss that always leads to more.
I break free long enough to whisper, “Really? You tried to take away my ring—”
He cuts me off with a deeper kiss, and I abandon my teasing, tipping my head to give him better access.
If this is the last time …
No. I won’t think like that.
His fingers curl around a fistful of my hair, his affection turning urgent. I respond in kind, seizing his bottom lip between my teeth, sucking on it, earning his guttural groan.
His hands grip my hips, pulling them against his, allowing me to feel the hard length of him against my belly.
“Now.” The single word is all I can manage, as I claw at his tunic, yanking it out from its safety within his breeches, uncovering the hard expanse of muscle over his torso. We break free long enough for him to help me pull it over his head and toss it to the floor, and then his mouth is crashing into mine again, both our fingers fumbling with buttons and buckles, unable to unfasten things fast enough. Sword belts tumble and boots are kicked off, and then he’s lying me down on the pile of clothes. The stone beneath us is jagged and hard, but all I feel is Zander’s breath skating along my skin as his lips find my neck, my collarbone, my breasts. I arch my back into his mouth as his teeth scrape against a nipple.
“I promise you, we will see each other again,” he whispers, settling his delicious weight onto my waiting body. The ache building inside me is too much, and I cry out as he sinks into me, my fingernails dragging across the expanse of muscle over his back, pulling him closer to me.
“There is no queen …” His hand slips beneath my head to cradle it, protecting it from the stone. “Or fate …” His hips begin to thrust. “Or army who can keep me from you.” Raw desire burns in his eyes as they lock with mine, holding them. Our bodies move in sync, the only sound within this vault of riches beneath the castle the tangle of our breaths, and for a few last moments, all my fear and worries about what comes next fade away.
The two lines move parallel to one another across the arid soil toward the valley, but the gap between them yawns.
“Have we made a mistake?” We’ve dressed the Ybarisans in Ulysede’s armor, the polished golden metal gleaming in the waning sun. But they are still Ybarisans. I know it, they know it, and Telor’s men certainly know it.
“Even if it is, this is our best hope.” Zander looks on from beside me at the gate, his horse readied for him to join shortly. The legionaries sit on their horses, waiting.
“How much longer, Gesine?” Zander asks. “I cannot wait here all night.”
“It is almost here.” Her gaze scours the sky as she shares the taillok’s vision.
I search above as well, but not for the messenger bird. “Any sign of the dragon?” It would be hard for a creature that size to hide.
Horik shakes his head. “No one has seen a hint of it since last night.”
“It has likely flown back into the rift.” Zander smooths a hand over my shoulder. “Either way, you should be safe in here.”
“I’m not worried about me.”
“There!” Gesine points at a shimmering body sailing through the air, before abruptly diving. With a single warning screech that makes us all cringe, the taillok lands at her feet. It stands still as Gesine unfastens the letter attached to its leg. She hands it to Zander.