Chapter 36
Sander
I’ve never been this exhausted in my life. I feel like I’m living in a dream as the world moves on without me. The city is still quiet, the rooftop empty, and if I never move from my spot on the ground, I’ll be perfectly content.
While the paramedics bandaged Helena Vardane’s shoulder wound well enough that she could be taken into RIA headquarters for questioning, Astrid and I told Callum everything we went through this morning, while Callum offered unhelpful but humorous commentary.
Callum filled us in on Grimstad’s quick-thinking plan to bring members of both Lords and Commons to the palace in order to talk with Rowen and other leaders of the anti-royalists.
Lord Fennor was especially helpful in getting his fellow members of Lords to comply, as well as rooting out nobles who helped Helena put her plan into motion.
Crowell, apparently, was more than happy to assist in the hopes of getting a lighter sentence.
It’ll take time for the investigation to come to a close, but like Astrid said, we did it.
I have no clue what time it is now. Astrid moved from my lap to sit beside me at some point, her hand in mine and her head on my shoulder, and neither of us seems inclined to move anytime soon.
I’m fine with that. Even sitting on the hard, cold ground, we have a nice view of the sun-bathed city and the rolling hills beyond.
There’s the promise of change in the air, and the future is looking brighter than it ever has.
“Vitte, I love this country,” I say, breaking the peaceful silence between us.
Astrid snickers. “I should hope so. You just risked a lot for it.”
I look down at her, holding her hand more tightly. “Is that what you think my motivation was? Candora?”
Lifting her head, she studies my face for a long time.
She’s beautiful. Always, but especially when she gets that thoughtful look in her eyes.
I’ve never met anyone more intelligent or resilient than Astrid Storme.
“Well,” she says, running her free hand along my forearm in a bare touch that leaves a trail of goosebumps.
“You did just say you love Candora. I have to infer that means you would do anything for her.”
“Anything,” I agree and tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, leaving my palm against her cheek. “Because I do…love her.” The words come out thick and not nearly as confident as I’d like, but I have no plans to hide anything else from Astrid. “More than she could know.”
As her cheeks blossom with a maddeningly attractive blush, she lowers her eyes to our clasped hands. “And you protect the things you love,” she whispers.
I lean closer. “With every breath.”
“You…” She swallows. “You should know that she returns the sentiment.”
Her words wash over me like liquid sunshine. “She does?” I choke out.
Astrid looks up and smiles. “More than you could know.”
Before I get ahead of myself, I ask, “We’re not talking about Candora, right?”
Laughing, she threads her hand into my hair and pulls me in. “Of course we’re not.” And her mouth is on mine.
Our first kiss was a firework, an explosion of emotion that was there and gone in an instant.
This… Astrid kisses me like a blazing fire consuming everything in its path.
Nothing about the kiss is tender or timid, and her lips explore mine with a driving need that can’t be satiated.
It’s everything and it’s not enough and it’s perfect. She’s perfect.
Not to be outdone, I slide a hand to her thigh and lift her leg over mine to bring her onto my lap and at a much better angle to kiss her properly. She gasps, breaking away to look down at her legs now straddling mine and stares at me in disbelief, like she’s shocked I would ever take command.
I smirk and slowly weave both my hands into her hair, taking care to avoid the goose egg on one side. “You’re not the only one with skills,” I tell her, then claim her lips again, teasing them open to take this kiss deeper.
Astrid grins against my mouth, probably thinking about taking back control, but she quickly melts into me and matches my desire with her own.
It’s the best kiss of my life, and I never want to stop.
Minutes or hours later, our kisses slow, turning sweeter, and eventually we just hold each other, our foreheads pressed together and our hearts beating in sync.
Astrid pulls away first and brushes her thumb under my eye. “You look exhausted.”
I grin. “You look kiss-drunk.” But she’s right about how tired I am, and she looks like she might fall asleep right here in my arms. As much as I would love that, storm clouds are rolling in, and I know better than to tempt Candora’s weather.
Besides, I have things I need to do. Check in with Gregor and the Palace Guards, talk to Freya and Elliot about what went down today, make sure Hex really is going to be okay…
But honestly, all I want to do is take a nap. Sighing, I turn to look at the palace. I can almost pick out my window from here. “So far away,” I mumble, exhausted just thinking about making that trek.
Astrid chuckles and brushes her hand through my hair. “My flat’s only a few blocks from here. Come with me, Prince.”
I want to argue. My mum raised me to be a gentleman who would argue.
But I’m so tired, and the thought of being apart from Astrid after seeing a gun pressed to her ribs is as unappealing as becoming besties with Alaric Blackmere.
So I nod, kiss the tip of her nose, and take her hand, leaving the longest night of my life behind as we head to the stairs.