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“Toasted, of course.”

“To be clear, you’re yielding?”

“I believe that happened long ago.” His humble smile melted away. “Tell me what I must do, Aspen.”

I opened my mouth, but a silver-tipped tongue groaned aloud, “Wicked hell, just kiss her!”

Our heads swerved toward the outburst, toward the cobbled street where an enclosed carriage idled, bearing the Royal crest. Townsfolk had paused to gape at the glittering trio poking their heads from the vehicle’s door. The Court Jester, the Princess of Autumn, and the Royal Son applauded and hooted at our display as we stood on the threshold.

Poet waggled his brows at us. His mouth parted to say more, but Briar fondly clamped a hand over it, brushed her lips against his cheek, and dragged him inside—but not before tossing us a look of encouragement.

Nicu was the last to disappear, his features more sculpted now, having matured in the past months. Though he still wore that braid from temple to earlobe, ever resembling a pixie. He beamed at us, then ducked into the carriage as it rolled away.

Aire and I chuckled, sheepish.

“How did they know?” I asked. “Matter of fact, how did you know I’d be home?”

“The Royals have their own methods for intel. As for myself, I might have enlisted a watch hawk to check ahead of time. He’s currently settled in your back lot, visiting with your woodpecker. They have much to squawk about. Thus, I may be waiting a while.”

“Do you want to come in?” I offered.

“If I may so bold, I want more than that,” he said.

Keeping my eyes on him, I kicked the door closed.

Keeping his eyes on me, he gripped my hips and walked me backward until my shoulders hit a wall, some wall, any wall.

Flames swayed in the hearth. My chest pumped as he traced the column of my neck, then settled on the spokes of my pseudo collarbones. His lazy touch, which wasn’t lazy at all, caused my eyelids to flutter. He watched me the whole time, prolonging the moment.

He asked about my woodskin, and I told him, and he grinned.

“I’ve missed you,” he murmured. “So very much.”

“Likewise,” I said.

“And while you missed me, did you...” He blushed. “Did you envision me? As I envisioned you?”

My, my, my. The knight has a devilish side. “Are you asking if my fantasies were graphic?”

“No.” Flattening his hands on either side of my waist, he leaned in, his mouth stalking across my ear, his hot breath making me shiver. “I am asking if we might put those fantasies to use.”

A good thing I’d closed the shutters earlier. We weren’t making it to my room.

His body stood flush with mine, his torso crushing my breasts. Our lips had found their way to each other, brushing, teasing. The pulse point between my thighs began to throb, winding tighter than a coil.

“I am yours, Aspen,” he mouthed against me. “Will you have me as well?”

I nodded frantically, and he nodded back.

Our mouths slanted into hot little kisses. I dissolved, clawing through his hair, my hips bucking and drawing a groan from him. “Do you remember what I said at the bonfire during Hallo Fest? Amidst the meadow dancers?”

“You know I do,” I answered between pecks.

His mouth dipped, nestling beneath my jaw. “And what did I say?”

My head lolled, thudding against the wall. “That you would kiss me again.”

“And? What else, my lady?”