28. Esmira
ESMIRA
M uch later I found myself, once again, a guest in the house of Rydlin.
He’d taken charge of the cleaning up the aftermath of the battle.
Meanwhile the use of magic was taking its toll along with the grief and sorrow.
I collapsed into bed and Methrin appeared, a cup of tea in hand.
I sat up as he slid onto the bed and handed it to me, then cupped my face gently and kissed me.
A kiss so sweet, to chase away the sorrow, to give me strength.
I drank him in while steam curled around my fingertips, and the scent of peppermint calmed my racing mind.
“Thank you,” I whispered. “You always know just how to cheer me up.”
“That was hard back there, and it will continue to be hard. Don’t chase away those emotions because they are uncomfortable. It’s okay to grieve for your father.”
I heard the words he did not say. Even though my father was his enemy, responsible for stealing the kingdom from him.
Candlelight flickered as I studied the angles of his face, the sharpness of his jaw, the point of his ears and the way his hair fell around his face.
I caught my breath, almost intimidated by his power, his handsomeness.
A new thought occurred as I studied him.
“I suppose this makes you king again, the kingdom is yours.”
A dark laugh passed his lips. “I suppose this makes you queen.”
I took a sip of tea, then leaned closer to his warmth. “A kingdom was never what I desired. It was to find a purpose, something meaningful.”
Methrin tucked a curl behind my ear, then his fingers lingered, playing with my hair. “You’ve found your purpose, you’ve found meaning?”
“I have.”
“And you are happy?”
“Because of you. Methrin, I don’t think we should rule, nor should we trap ourselves in just one realm. There are worlds to explore and we both have magic we can use to bring about change for the better.”
“Realms to save, monsters to fight, a moon drake and magic at our disposal,” Methrin murmured.
“Yes.” I set the mug down in order to give Methrin my full focus. Wrapped my arms around him and leaned against his chest. “We have a future full of purpose, but for now, I want to rest, to lie here with you. I want to give you what you’ve given me.”
Methrin’s hand rested on my thigh, and his eyes grew darker as he gazed down at me. “And what is that, my love?”
There were many things he’d given me, but suddenly I didn’t feel so exhausted anymore. I lifted my lips to his. “Let me show you.”