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B eneath the stars, Arc left the others to their warm fire and dice and found Vahly under the moon-drenched boughs of the Sacred Oak. The elven lands spread beyond the oak, fully restored by her hand. For that alone, he would love her. But his heart said so much more.

“May I?” He gestured toward the spot next to her.

Her bright eyes found his and made his breath catch. “I was hoping you’d show up.” She pet Kyril’s rump as he stood. “Why don’t you keep Nix company for a bit? Nip her if she tries to gamble the rest of the cider away to Aitor.”

“I heard that!” Nix’s voice carried over the snapping fire and the conversation between Amona and Aitor.

Vahly grinned, watching Kyril lope away.

She tugged Arc’s cloak, and he let her pull him to the ground rather roughly.

She tucked a fallen strand of honey-colored hair behind her round ears.

Human ears were odd, but hers were lovely, curved like lilac snail shells.

His fingers longed to touch her ear, her proud chin, that graceful neck.

He swallowed and looked at her oaken sword. “Is the magic settled within you?”

Her hand went to her chest, where she ran a thumb over her cloak’s hook clasp. “It feels like I’ve always had it. Like… Maybe it was always there.”

“So it truly was sleeping within you.”

“I suppose so.” Her cheeks pinked, which was unusual for her.

The brief bashfulness warmed him more than he’d ever admit. “Why aren’t you gambling with the rest of them? I thought that was your favorite pastime.”

They had to wait to join Lilia, so they’d agreed to remain together here, planning to take watches in turn if sleep deigned to welcome them.

Vahly leaned against the oak, lowered her chin, and gazed at him through her thick lashes. “Gambling might not be my favorite pastime anymore.”

A unique warmth traveled down his chest, and he raised a knee, feigning nonchalance. “Do tell, my queen. What might hold your attention tonight?”

A grin lengthened her rosy lips. He was incredibly proud that he was the reason for the expression. The longing to press his mouth to hers surged high inside of him.

“Let’s forget the world for a moment, Elven King.”

“You took the words from my mouth, Earth Queen.” He swept her onto his lap so that their stomachs touched. He set his cheek on her chest and listened to the beat of her powerful heart. She wrapped herself around him tightly.

“I wish we could stay like this forever,” he whispered.

He felt her smile against his hair, the magic of his crown spinning and warming his temples. “Me too,” she said quietly.

Reaching up, he slipped a hand behind her neck and pulled her mouth to his. Her lips were as sweet as plums and soft, yielding. She tangled her hands in his hair and kissed him firmly.

“I am yours, Arcturus,” she promised, turning his heart to gold. “No matter how this ends up. You are stuck with me.”

He took her cloak from her shoulders and ran a hand down her back, feeling the trim muscles along her spine through her clothing. He couldn’t bear the thought of anyone injuring this dear body. “And I am yours, Vahly. Always.”

Shrugging out of his own cloak, he leaned to make sure they were hidden in the darkness, away from the group.

Seeing the others fully engaged in what looked like a wild game of dice that had somehow involved breathing fire as well, he settled against the oak and tugged his surcoat tunic off.

The cool air found the seams of his linen tunic.

Vahly’s hands slid over his chest and down his sides, her fingers rumpling the fabric.

She kissed his collarbone, sending the scent of turned earth into his nose, then she pressed herself to him.

He wanted more, but this was enough. The closeness, the intimacy of the embrace.

Cupping her head in his hands, he stared into her big, searching eyes. “What are you wondering about? I can practically see the questions dancing in your gaze.” She tried to look away, but he held her gently. “Don’t be ashamed. Ask. I am yours to command.”

“What will happen when we…if we have children?”

His own chuckle surprised him. “Then our young will be half-human and half-elf.”

“Is that all right? Will they live?”

“I would think so. I don’t know that it’s been done in the past, but I don’t see why not. Our bodies, their chemistry, are not so different.”

She gripped his belt and kissed him, taking his breath. “I hope you’re right.”

“It will be a grand experiment, our mating.”

Her laugh echoed off the boughs of the great tree. “Please don’t call it that.” She looked down at him, her eyes like stars.

He raised an eyebrow, snaked an arm around her waist, and tugged her very, very close. “I find it intriguing.”

She opened her mouth to say something else, but with his body issuing orders, he quieted her with another kiss.