by Keri Arthur
As I neared Seilia, the conversation Donal and Merlyn had had about Faloria, man parts, and lots and lots of booze had me heading toward the capital rather than a much quieter location. It wasn’t hard to find such a bar and, after grabbing a large tankard of ale and a platter of meats and breads, I settled down to enjoy the fun. Who knew watching grown men attempting to shoot their load the greatest distance could provide so much hilarity?
A shadow fell over my table midway through proceedings, and an all too familiar voice said, “This is not the sort of establishment in which one expects to find a princess.”
My gaze leapt to Donal’s. He hadn’t physically changed, though I guess that wasn’t so surprising given it had only been six months since I’d last seen him. He was still a big, powerful man with shaggy brown hair that remained tamed by my somewhat battered silver clasp and a beard that had last seen the right end of a razor in recent weeks. What had changed—at least from our last restrained and awkward meeting in the hospital room—was his demeanor. His eyes shone and his emotions were very clear—very evident—in his expression and his bright blue eyes.
Any fear I’d held about my reception vanished, and it was all I could do to remain seated, to not get up, throw myself into his arms, and let myself drown in all that desire and love.
But if he wanted to play word games, I was more than happy to do so.
He was here. For me. I knew that. He knew that. Nothing else needed to be said, although it would be.
“That would be queen, if you don’t mind,” I said, somehow keeping my tone dry. “And isn’t this a little far from your usual haunts, highlander?”
“Indeed it is.” He pulled up the chair and sat down opposite me. “But I’d heard a runaway queen was in the area, seeking entertainment, and I decided she deserved nothing but the best.”
I raised an eyebrow. “I’ve seen the competition and viewed the goods that would challenge the current participants. I’m not entirely sure the latter qualifies as the best.”
“Oh, that cuts, Princess. Deeply.”
I grinned. “Of course, to be sure, I’d have to test said goods more thoroughly.”
He leaned back in the chair and regarded me steadily. “And is that what you’ve decided you want? A longer test run?”
“That depends.”
“On what?”
“On why the owner of said goods walked the fuck out of my life without ever telling me what he truly wanted or what he felt.”
“Ah,” he said, amusement evident. “I’m surprised you can’t guess.”
“If I’d been able to guess, I wouldn’t have spent the last six months tying myself in knots over it.”
His eyebrows rose and the emotion in his eyes grew stronger. “Does this mean you might care for me?”
“Just answer the damn question, highlander.”
He laughed, then leaned forward and caught my hands in his. “Walking out of that room was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my entire life, but it was very, very necessary.”
I frowned even as I twined my fingers through his. It was such a little motion, but one that somehow made me feel whole. Complete. “Why?”
“Because for twelve years you’d been forced to obey the rule and desires of others.” The amusement fell from his expression—all that remained was compassion. Understanding. Love. “I might have released you from the physical shackles, but your thoughts and feelings very much remained locked behind a barrier. Bluntly stating what I wanted would have sent you running.”
“Ah,” I murmured, a little in awe of just how deeply this man understood me, “so these ‘wants’ you speak of—what are they, exactly?”
“Are you sure you’re ready to hear them?”
“Yes.”
“Utterly sure?”
“I will be tempted to violence if you don’t get on with it.”
He grinned. “I believe it was another such threat—the offer to kick me in the balls if I so much as took a step in your direction—that made me realize I might have just met my perfect woman.”
I lifted a foot and pressed it between his legs. “I will carry through with that threat, you know.”
He laughed. “My ‘wants’ involve you, me, a big old bed—”
“Only a bed?” I cut in. “I’m disappointed, highlander.”
“Hush, woman, and let me finish.”
“Only if you promise not to go on too long. The entertainment is about to start.”
He gave me a deadpan look, but his eyes shone. “As I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, a big old bed and lots and lots of sex. There would also be marriage, and children—lots of them. I want girls with their mother’s fierceness and boys with her strength. I want to watch them grow up, grow strong, and go out into the world as happy, whole adults who will conquer said world with you. But most of all, I simply want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
“That,” I said evenly, “sounds like a plan.”
He blinked, and then let out such a fierce whoop that it overran all other sound and had heads turning to see what was going on.
He jumped up, dragged me up into his arms, and kissed me with all the passion I could ever desire.
“So,” he said eventually, “how shall we celebrate this momentous occasion? Shall I order a bottle of the establishment’s finest?”
“I’ve tasted this establishment’s finest. Trust me, it’s unworthy. I have, however, acquired a chamber in a fine establishment only ten minutes down the road. We could retire there and celebrate in private.”
He raised his eyebrows. “You don't want to stay and watch the entertainment here?”
“I haven’t had sex in six months. I very much need to have my wicked way with you.”
“Princess,” he murmured, his lips brushing mine, “you can have your wicked way with me any time you desire.”
I smiled. I’d spent twelve years believing a sword and a throne would be my salvation.
It was rather ironic that it had instead come in the form a Wildman.
A man I loved—and who loved me—with a fierceness I’d never thought possible.
“I’ll hold you to that promise, highlander.”
“I look forward to it. Shall we go?”
I nodded and held out my hand. He wrapped his fingers around mine, and as one, we walked out of the tavern to my chamber, where we did indeed celebrate long into the night.
It was a pretty perfect start for what was to be the rest of my life.
About the Author
Keri Arthur, author of the New York Times bestselling Riley Jenson Guardian series, has now written more than thirty-nine novels. She’s received several nominations in the Best Contemporary Paranormal category of the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Awards and has won RT’s Career Achievement Award for urban fantasy. She lives with her daughter in Melbourne, Australia.
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for more information:
www.keriarthur.com
[email protected]
Also by Keri Arthur
in series order
Unlit (Kingdoms of Earth & Air, 1)
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Blood Kissed (Lizzie Grace Series, 1)
Hell’s Bell (Lizzie Grace Series, 2)
Hunter Hunted (Lizzie Grace, 3)
* * *
City of Light (Outcast Series, 1)
Winter Halo (Outcast Series, 2)
The Black Tide (Outcast Series, 3)
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Fireborn (Souls of Fire Series, 1)
Wicked Embers (Souls of Fire Series, 2)
Flameout (Souls of Fire Series, 3)
Ashes Reborn (Souls of Fire Series, 4)
* * *
Darkness Unbound (Dark Angels Series, 1)
Darkness Rising (Dark Angels Series, 2)
Darkness Devours (Dark Angels Series, 3)
Darkness Hunts (Dark Angels Series, 4)
Darkness Unmasked (Dark Angels Series, 5)
Darkness Splintered (Dark An
gels Series, 6)
Darkness Falls (Dark Angels Series, 7)
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Full Moon Rising (Riley Jenson Series, 1)
Kissing Sin (Riley Jenson Series, book 2)
Tempting Evil (Riley Jenson Series, 3)
Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson Series, 4)
Embraced by Darkness (Riley Jenson Series, 5)
The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson Series, 6)
Deadly Desire (Riley Jenson Series, 7)
Bound to Shadows (Riley Jenson Series, 8)
Moon Sworn (Riley Jenson Series, 9)
* * *
With Friends Like These (Stand Alone Novel)
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Destiny Kills (Myth & Magic Series, 1)
Mercy Burns (Myth & Magic Series, 2)
* * *
Circle of Fire (Damask Circle Series, 1)
Circle of Death (Damask Circle Series, 2)
Circle of Desire (Damask Circle Series, 3)
* * *
Beneath a Rising Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 1)
Beneath a Darkening Moon (Ripple Creek Series, 2)
* * *
Memory Zero (Spook Squad Series, 1)
Generation 18 (Spook Squad Series, 2)
Penumbra (Spook Squad Series, 3)
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Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael Series, 1)
Hearts in Darkness (Nikki & Michael Series, 2)
Chasing the Shadows (Nikki & Michael Series, 3)
Kiss the Night Goodbye (Nikki & Michael series, 4)
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Lifemate Connections: Eryn (Novella)
