Episode 182 Something Beautiful
Something Beautiful
When Elowyn lifts her head, Rominy stares up at her from the floor in her chamber with those caramel eyes of his.
“Pregnant?” he says. “You think Viala is pregnant?”
“It makes sense, doesn’t it? Have you ever seen Pera that happy?”
“Now that you mention it, he was in a pretty good mood when I was with him. Better than I’d expect, considering what’s going on with the rebels.”
“See?” Elowyn says as she leans on his chest. “Aunt Elowyn. Ooooh. Uncle Rominy. I love that.”
“Uncle Rominy. It does have a nice ring to it. Maybe we should wait for them to announce something before we get carried away, though.”
“Agreed. And assuming it’s true, this is their news to share. We should practice acting surprised.”
There’s laughter in Rominy’s eyes as he gazes up at her. Then his expression softens, and he tucks a wisp of hair behind her ear.
“There’s something we need to talk about, love. Something we’ve never really discussed. Not seriously.”
Apprehension fills her at the look on his face. “Is something wrong?”
“Not at all. But I have plans for you tonight, Elowyn Montarac.” He trails his fingers down her cheek and across her lips.
“I don’t know how it will go, and I honestly don’t care.
We’ll get there eventually, whether it’s tonight or next week or next year, and in the meantime, we have the heartlanding.
But in case the moment does come tonight, we need to decide whether we’re ready for wildlings of our own. ”
He looks tentatively up at her, and her heart melts. Wildlings.
“That’s what you were talking to Pera about?”
“That may have been part of it.” Rominy tangles his fingers in her hair and pulls her into a soft kiss. She’s already growing warm.
“Are we calling them wildlings?” she asks.
“It seems perfect to me.”
She kisses him this time, her fire eager as she does her best to suppress it.
But Rominy pulls away. “Not here, love. Not yet. And you never answered my question.”
“Not here?” She frowns. Where is he planning to take her?
“You’ll have to wait and see what I have planned. But if we aren’t ready for those wildlings we’re going to have someday, you should probably talk to your mother first.”
“I thought you didn’t want them at all,” she teases as she traces her own pattern on his face. Hopefully, her hand isn’t too warm.
“I am terrified, and that hasn’t changed. But I think we agreed to keep chasing dragons, even when we’re scared.”
“Is that what parenthood is? Chasing dragons?”
Rominy grins. “I’m pretty sure I’ll feel like I’m chasing dragons if they inherit your fire magic. They don’t come out with their magic at full strength, do they?”
Laughter fills Elowyn at the scene he paints of him chasing little fire wielders with gently pointed ears.
“No. Elves grow into their magic over time.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
She continues trailing her fingers through the prickly stubble on his chin.
“What are you thinking, love?” he asks softly as he runs his hands along her back.
“I’m thinking about something Mother told me once. About Tharios.”
“What’s that?”
Elowyn meets his eyes. “She said we aren’t guaranteed tomorrow.
That’s why my parents didn’t wait despite the upheaval surrounding them during the early days of their binding.
And they had something to prove to Lostariel.
That they weren’t ashamed. That their union was right and beautiful, and their magic and bloodlines tangling together in an elfling that was half of each of them was the most powerful picture they could give Lostariel of what it means to belong together. To be stronger together.”
Rominy gazes into Elowyn’s eyes, not saying anything. But the thoughts playing out in his head are written all over his face.
“A message for the world that we belong together,” he finally whispers. “That what we are together is beautiful and perfect and something to celebrate.”
His eyes are so full of passion. Of that fire he hides. Her heat intensifies just looking at him.
“You do need an heir,” Elowyn whispers.
“My father seems to think so.”
“Tharios told me elves aren’t as fertile as humans. It might take time. Though my parents had no trouble.”
“Mine struggled,” Rominy says quietly.
“So did my grandparents. My mother’s first parents. It took them hundreds of years to conceive.”
Rominy’s lips stretch into a smile. “That’s a lot of years.”
“All the more reason to start now,” Elowyn says as her own smile grows. “But I don’t wish to focus on that. I just want to love you. To be with you. In the heartlanding. In the real world, if we can manage it.”
“And let it all unfold. We’re building something beautiful here, love. And we have the rest of our lives to do it.” He draws her into another kiss, more eager this time.
“If our love leads to wildlings—” she whispers between kisses.
“Then we’ll be grateful.” He kisses her again as her fire fights with her water magic, but she doesn’t discourage him.
“And if it doesn’t, we’ll have each other.”
He groans and pulls away. “You are far too irresistible. But you’ll catch us both on fire if I keep kissing you like that here.”
“Forgive me. I’m trying—”
He places a finger over her lips. “You taste like waterfalls. Don’t you dare dehydrate yourself again, or I will take you back to the healing center. There’s no rush, love. Don’t fight the fire on your own. Let me help. However long it takes.”
She breathes deeply and nods. “Help me be patient?”
“Always. Now, I want your magic reserves at full strength, so why don’t you take a quick bath to help you feel like yourself again? I’ll be here when you’re ready. Then I have every intention of romancing you tonight until you can’t resist me.”
She fights a smile. “So you’re just planning to look my way with those caramel eyes of yours? I’m certain that’s all it will take.”
“Huh. I suppose I should let Cook know I don’t need that picnic basket after all.”
“You met Cook? Without me?”
“I did. She threatened me with a spoon, but she said she likes me. It was a very odd encounter.”
Laughter finds Elowyn. “I can’t believe I missed it.”
“It wouldn’t have been a surprise if I’d taken you with me.” His brows wrinkle. “Not that it’s a surprise now. I should stop talking before I give away everything.”
“There’s more? Tell me!”
“Oh, no. I’m not saying anything else. You’ll have to wait and see.”
“What should I wear after my bath? Should I put this back on? Or find something else?”
He looks down at her. “I like my warrior elf in leather. This is perfect. For now.” There’s heat in his gaze when he finds her eyes again.
“For now,” she whispers.
“For now. You won’t need them later.” He pulls her into another kiss before tilting his forehead to meet her own, his breath cool on her lips. “Stars above, I want you, El. Let’s get you in the water to cool you down before I do my best to set you on fire without actually setting you on fire.”
She lets out a slow breath. “And if I can’t—”
“Then we’ll have fun trying.” He presses another soft kiss to her lips and helps her to her feet before pushing her into the water closet and closing the door between them.
Just a quick soak. Then...Rominy. And whatever he has planned.
She reaches for her tunic as a nervous excitement fills her.
And she tries not to dwell on how hot she already is just from kissing him on the floor.
Hopefully, she won’t disappoint him.
Could she disappoint him?
It seems unlikely. Not Rominy.
She’ll have to take his word that it will be all right, no matter what happens tonight.