“We have to return to the palace.”
She’d always known the time would come, but somehow the moment had arrived far too quickly. “He’s still too young.”
“No, he’s not. He’s thirteen seasons come this Harvest.”
“I’m not ready.”
Kerrick took a deep breath. “Yes, you are. You are so strong, Ariss. So much stronger than you give yourself credit for.”
“We could run.”
With a sigh, Kerrick rubbed his cheek against hers. “Derry has to go back. That was the agreement we made.”
Ariss swore when this day came she wouldn’t cry, but tears filled, then spilled over, falling down her face.
“Ariss.” Kerrick snuggled her tightly. “Cry your tears now; then we will wash them away, so that tonight, when we tell our son, you will face him with clear vision.”
She nodded, knowing that she owed their son that much. “You don’t have to go.”
“Don’t even think it, Ariss. We’re a family and we’ll see this through together.”
“But you hated the palace.” Even now, he wore the mark of his servitude. The collar would not come off. Even on the day he died, it would hold fast. She hated the horrible thing and wished with all her heart that she could remove it. When she’d told him this, Kerrick shook his head at her, calmly explaining that it wasn’t her fault. He’d gotten used to it so much so that he often forgot he wore the metallic band altogether. Later, when their neighbors naively emulated it, she’d tried to see the humor as Kerrick had, but she’d never quite been able to release her shame for placing it upon him in the first place.
“This time I won’t be trapped inside, neither will you, or our children. We’ll have our freedom.”
“But Derry, he’s—”
“Old enough to understand he will one day rule beside the empress. We have to take him now, so he can become accustomed to their ways.” Gently, Kerrick lifted her, turning her around so she faced him. “We can’t wait until his actual Harvest. Can you imagine what a shock it would be to go from this world into that world without any period of transition?”
Ariss knew Kerrick was wise to slowly indoctrinate their son to the ways of the palace, but she was loath to leave behind her peaceful world in the forest.
“For us, it’s not for always. I’ve spoken to Ekker and he’ll watch over the stead so that when Derry takes his rightful place, we can return.”
Derry wouldn’t take his rightful place for five seasons. “And what of our daughter? What world does she belong to?”
Kerrick’s gaze darted to her satchel on the shore. “She can decide for herself when she’s old enough.”
Ariss opened her mouth to argue, but Kerrick kissed her quickly. Such was his preferred method of shushing her. Much to her chagrin, his ploy worked.
“When I became the Harvester and I stood there, gazing upon a row of exquisite women, do you know what I thought?”
Ariss shook her head.
“I missed my hair.”
A great laugh burst from Ariss’ lips.
“That’s how unbelievably shallow I was.” Kerrick chuckled, then draped her legs on either side of his knee. “I had no idea what I’d gotten myself into because of some petty desire for revenge on my father.” He shook his head, which caused his silken strands to tumble around his head and obscure his gaze.
When she reached up to brush his hair back, he caught her wrist and kissed the palm of her hand.
“That was my signature move.” Prompted by her confused frown, he explained, “Once I kissed the woman’s hand, I would pull her near and kiss her lips. Once I did that, well, let’s just say my kisses were rather persuasive.”
“As if I didn’t know.” Ariss pulled him close and kissed him. “That’s why you always save discussions for when we’re intimate.”
His smile was part bad little boy and part masterful man. “But you see, things are different now.”
“They are? How?”
“Because I don’t need any of that with you.” Tenderly, he cupped her chin. “All my moves and seductive ways work on you, but I really don’t need them.” Placing his face very close to hers, he whispered, “All I really have to do is look at you.” Before she could raise a fuss at his arrogance, he added, “And all you have to do is look at me.”
For a timeless moment, their gazes locked. Ariss melted as Kerrick hardened. As he slipped himself inside her and she held firmly to his shoulders, she understood that together they could face anything, even a return to the decadent world of the palace.
“But Derry—”
Kerrick cut her off with another kiss. “Soon he will be a man. He will be able to look out for himself.”
Ariss knew Kerrick was right, but letting go of her little boy was going to be much harder than she thought. However, as Kerrick often said, it was too late to turn back now. They’d only been allowed to leave the palace by agreeing that they would return when Derry was thirteen seasons old.
At the time they’d made the agreement, thirteen seasons had seemed like such a long time. Sadly, the seasons passed so swiftly it seemed they’d arrived only yesterday. Ariss wasn’t ready to give up their private forest sanctuary.
Kissing Kerrick as they worked their bodies together a second and much slower time, she knew they would love each other no matter where they were. Always, they would be together. Nothing in this world, or even the world beyond in Jarasine, could tear them apart.
[The Onic Empire 03] - Sinful Harvest Page 29
