Page 152

“Tell ol’ Aunt Evalyn what’s going on.”

Chapter 47

VALEEN

The disorientation of teleporting faded away and Valeen blinked, taking in the new surroundings. The air was balmy and warm, and smelled salty like the sea. The dew of it settled on her skin, curling a stray white lock of hair around her face. Crickets chirped and the sound of waves crashing somewhere nearby brought a smile to her lips. The stars twinkled above, and she looked up trying to get a read on where they were. He’d blindfolded her once again before this. If they were still in Adalon, she wasn’t sure where. The dense vegetation with vines swinging from palm tree to palm tree, ferns, and colorful exotic blooms were out of place for Palenor.

At the edge of a cliff stood a cerulean-blue manor with white shutters and carefully tended florals around the base of the three-story building. “Where are we?”

They’d rode winged Night and Starborn back to the castle and let them into the pasture with the others before they appeared here.

“It’s an island off Palenor’s southeast shore. The Isle of Mist.”

She wasn’t aware of any islands in the area. “Does someone live here?”

“It’s an inn. There’s a small village of elves here.” He pointed down the roadway under a tunnel of sweeping trees. “About a fifteen-minute walk that way. By boat it would take a few hours or so to reach the shores of East Palenor.”

Tugging her hand, they walked through the front entrance. Warm wood planks lined the inside from top to bottom. Potted green plants greeted them and an inviting smell of roasting meat. A few patrons sat at the round tables taking up the left side of the room. Directly ahead was a set of wide stairs and to the right a desk with a young elf behind it. Her big chestnut eyes widened, taking in both of them.

“Hello, can I help you?” she asked in a small voice.

“You can. We’d like the suite on the third floor, please,” Hel said.

“The suite is reserved for Mr. Westover tonight, but?—”

“The suite is reserved for me, take us there.” His voice took on an entrancing tone, the poor girl had no chance of fighting.

“Of course it is, right this way.”

She led them up the two sets of stairs and pushed a large silver key into the lock. A moment later she whisked into the room, making sure it was clear and then bowed her head and curtsied. “If you need room service or meals brought up all you have to do is ask.”

“Thank you,” Valeen said. The young elf left and Valeen ran her hand along the back of the tan leather chair. “I hope Mr. Westover doesn’t come barging into our room at midnight.”

Hel set her bag of personal items on the entry table. “That would be a regrettable choice for Mr. Westover if he does.”

The suite had a charming set of turquoise couches and white painted walls with seashell decor throughout the room. An archway led to the large bed covered in crisp white linens with fresh lavender flower petals spread over the top.

In a few strides she pushed through the doors to the balcony. The moonlight shone brightly off the crested white waves rolling against the black sand beach below. “Wow, it’s beautiful. It reminds me of home with the black sand.” She turned, leaning her low back against the railing and folded her arms. “How long have you planned this?”

He rubbed his chin feigning deep thought, “If I’m being truthful, this has been on my mind since you woke me up.”

She laughed and gripped the railing behind her. “Even though you were angry with me?”

His eyes smoldered as he prowled toward her. “Mmhmm. Even if you thought you were his then, you were mine.” He took her face, and closing his eyes, pressed his forehead to hers. His shoulders lost some of their tenseness, as if a weight that had long fought against him lifted.

“We belong together. We always have,” she breathed, gripping the front of his suit coat. She had to hold onto something; tonight, he made her feel particularly heady.

He softly kissed her cheek, then worked along her jaw, and finally her mouth. At first it was gentle, almost chaste, then her tongue swept against his, and he gripped her a little harder, the kiss intensifying. His deft fingers slid down her neck to her shoulders and along the fabric hem of her neckline.

“Wait,” Valeen pulled back and pressed her fingertips to his mouth. “I want to freshen up.”

He chuckled and curled a lock of her hair around his finger. “You look divine as you are now. Not even a hair out of place.” He leaned in and kissed her again. His urgency was hard to resist. “Do you remember our first night together?” he asked between kisses.

He’d carefully removed her dress, his fingers trembled touching her bare skin, even his breath had been uneven. “Mmhmm. You were nervous.”

“I was fucking terrified.” His laugh sent a pleasant chill down her body. “You made me wait so long I was afraid I’d finish fast and leave you wanting, then you’d regret marrying me.”

She laughed. “Six months isn’t so long.”