Chapter 61 #2
Elizabeth splayed her fingers over his chest, gripped his shoulders and back, clutching him to her as if he might disappear.
She fisted a hand in his tunic and pulled him close.
He pulled back and placed a hand upon her cheek. “I swore if I ever saw you again, I would tell you something. I think—I think I’m in love with you.”
She swallowed, overcome with emotion. Her heart warmed and had never felt so full.
“Aren’t you going to say anything back?” he asked, voice sounding a touch unsure.
She rose and stood before him. She unbuttoned her nightgown in answer and let it pool at her ankles. She undid her breast band and let that fall away too. She slid off her undergarments and stood naked before him.
He looked at her as if he had never seen a more beautiful sight.
He rose to stand before her, and she pulled off his tunic. She ran her hands over his back, trying to memorize the firm muscles beneath her hands. She pulled at his waistband, a silent order, and he obliged her.
He slid his trousers to the floor, and they stood naked before each other. Somehow, it felt more intimate and vulnerable than ever before. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her softly, as if awed she still let him hold her, still allowed him to touch her.
“You are so beautiful,” he whispered.
She had never wanted anyone more in her life than this man who had just told her he loved her. Today, he was not a demon. His eyes were seafoam green as he gazed at her in adoration.
He held her face and kissed her tenderly.
He slipped a hand under her knees and scooped her up, cradling her against his chest, carrying her to bed. “I love you,” he whispered. “I really do.”
Elizabeth brought his lips to hers in answer.
***
After spending the night wrapped up in each other, Elizabeth woke, dreading the day. She snuggled into his shoulder, wanting him to hold her just a moment longer.
But her mind was already working, processing everything she’d learned. Leviathan’s alliance with Raziel. Their invasion plans. Charlotte’s destiny as the witch from the prophecy. Ambriel’s betrayal.
She knew in the pit of her stomach that whichever path she chose after today, her life was about to change irrevocably.
Eventually, they untangled themselves from each other’s arms, dressed, and headed for lunch in the city.
She took him to one of her favourite spots for lunch, a cozy restaurant that felt like a cabin nestled in the snow. They sat in large, squashy chairs by a fire, and Caspian watched her eat warm bread and soup laden with root vegetables and chunks of venison.
His expression warmed. “My face hurts from smiling so much,” Caspian confessed, and she smiled in return.
They spent much of the meal in happy silence. The weather was beautiful for once, with blue skies overhead and snowcapped mountains in the distance.
“What now?” she asked tentatively.
“You come back to live with me. You sell this place or keep it if you wish. But you come home with me, never to be parted from my side again.” Caspian smiled, appearing assured of her answer before she gave it.
She hesitated. “That all sounds very lovely, but what about my life here?”
“Leave it. Come with me. You will want for nothing,” he said, an answer for everything in his smile.
She considered it for a moment. Her life would be easy with him; he would protect her, and didn’t he make her happy? Wasn’t that enough?
He tilted his head. “If you do not come home with me, what will you do for your daily rides? And your books?”
She laughed. “I have a few books here and can always purchase more. Riding, I hadn’t quite figured out yet.”
He smiled wider. “Draugr is yours. He has always been yours. Wherever you choose to go.”
“Really?” she said, feeling touched.
“He’s an ass. His sire was a demon. I bought him off a gentleman who took a crop to him one too many times, and now he is mean as can be. He’s the fastest horse I own, but his temper is … challenging even for me sometimes.”
She grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. “I suspected as much. Yours?”
He barked a laugh. “No, I’m not into siring demon hybrids. Or into lady horses, for that matter. No. No one that either of us knows, I’m sure. Although I wouldn’t put anything past Asmodeus.”
“I must tell you that I—” Her lips parted, but she was unable to finish the sentence. He looked so happy, and she didn’t want to ruin it.
He peered at her in concern. “What is it, Elizabeth, my love? I will give you anything you desire.”
Slowly, she said, “I would like to stay here. I have made a life for myself in Veridas, and I don’t want to give it up just yet. We can see one another and visit, but I’d like to stay here for a while.”
“I see. Well, I said I would give you anything you asked me for, and I meant it. I can come fetch you tomorrow, and then, if you are amenable to it, I’d like to improve the locks and security around your building, so I know you’re safe when I am not there.”
She nodded. “That would be lovely. Thank you.”
He placed a stack of coins on the table, and they left together, walking arm in arm. “I will stop by the stables on my way out of the city and let them know Draugr has a new owner.”
Elizabeth grinned. “Thank you. We will have great adventures, him and I.”
He chuckled. “It’s partially selfish. If you have a horse, you can visit me more easily,” he said with a smile. “May I come for you tomorrow?”
She hesitated, then nodded.
Caspian walked her back to her front door and paused, clearly not wanting to leave. “So, this is farewell for now, Elizabeth, my beauty.” He kissed her fingers. “I’ll see you tomorrow. And then our new life together can begin.”
Caspian smiled and withdrew, leaving her standing at her door.
She watched his retreating back until he had long passed out of sight, then slipped inside.
Our new life together.
If only it were that simple.