Chapter 52
AUREN
When we’re finished with our meal, King Branneth offers us rooms to stay the night. And while I no longer believe he’s a threat, I’m eager to return to my kingdom, to get Vivienne back home to safety. I sent a raven to Tarin earlier, letting him know what happened, and that we’ll be returning soon.
“I appreciate the offer, but we’ve got a long journey ahead of us and I’d prefer to start it at once.”
“Of course.” He nods. “I’ll have my staff prepare some provisions for your travel.”
“Be sure they include those lemon tarts,” Vivienne says.
His lips twitch in amusement before he sighs. “As you wish.”
Vivienne walks over to one of the servants to ask for some extra dried meat for the wolves. It’s not entirely necessary, since they prefer to hunt when we camp at night, but I know Vaelen appreciates it when she offers him some as a special treat.
Branneth walks over to me. Although I’ve decided to spare his life, I cannot quite let go of all my anger as I recall how Vivienne was taken from me. “Our kingdoms will have a treaty,” I tell him. “But if you ever—”
“I know, and I won’t.” He pauses. “Your mate reminded me of something and I… wanted to apologize for what I put you through.” He looks down at his hands.
“I know what it is to have someone you love taken from you.” He lifts his gaze back to mine, grief easily read in his features. “I had a human mate… but I lost her.”
His admission stuns me, and I’m not sure what to say. As I gaze around the room at the thorned vines covering the walls, I believe I’m beginning to understand why they’re there.
Before I can say anything, he clears his throat and continues. “I’ll have my advisors put together the things we spoke of, and I’ll come to Valethryn in a few months so we can work out the final details.”
I dip my chin. “We will see you then.”
Branneth’s gaze drifts past me to where Vivienne stands in the middle of his court, directing his staff like a general. One of the Goblins nearly trips over himself trying to keep up.
The Goblin King struggles to hide his amusement as he watches her. I suspect he now understands the fire and iron will that define my wife.
When we leave, he clasps my forearm, and I do the same in return. We are parting not in friendship or forgiveness, but in the acknowledgement of a treaty that may, in time, become something stronger than either.
I help Vivienne onto Vaelen’s back and then climb up behind her. I loop my arm around her waist, and she leans back against me.
Something inside me calms immediately, knowing she’s safe in my arms. Leaning in, I breathe deeply of her delicate scent and press a tender kiss to her temple.
She twists to look back at me. “Auren?”
“Yes, my queen?”
“Is there an inn between here and Valethryn, or will we be camping beneath the stars like barbarians?”
I bark out a laugh before I can help myself, and she playfully slaps at my chest.
“Well?” she asks.
I hate the thought of disappointing her, but there are no inns between Thornreach and Valethryn. To make things worse, thunder cracks across the sky as dark clouds gather in the distance. I don’t want to give her the bad news, but I know I must. “Vivienne, I—”
“Because if we have to make camp, the tent fabric is rather thin…” Her voice trails off.
I glance at the sky again. Is she worried about the storm? “Our tent will keep out the rain,” I reassure her.
Her cheeks flush bright pink, and she averts her gaze. “I um… I know that.”
I frown. She seems almost nervous or shy, but Vivienne is bold. This isn’t like her. “What’s wrong?” I cup her chin. “Tell me.”
Her eyes lift to mine and my nostrils flare as a hint of arousal threads through her jasmine and vanilla scent. “I was worried about… sound possibly carrying through the tent fabric.”
Need flares through me as I realize exactly what she’s concerned about.
Leaning in, I murmur, “If you want me to worship you, my queen, all you have to do is ask.” I press a tender kiss to the sensitive spot on her neck, just below her ear, and whisper against her skin, “I’ll instruct the others to camp far enough away that they cannot hear your cries of pleasure. ”
She cups the back of my neck and guides my mouth to hers in a kiss full of promise. I growl low in my throat as she drags her teeth lightly across my bottom lip before turning to face the front again.
She rests back against my chest as if she hasn’t just left me with a fierce hunger I can hardly contain. Desire floods my veins as I think of all the ways I will worship her this evening.
She is mine, and I am completely and utterly hers.