Page 74 of Lords of Misrule

“I hope so.”

“Right now you’ve just got to enjoy this place. Try to get your mind off of it all. The rest is a problem for another day.”

I smirk and flash him another knowing look. “Rich coming from you.”

He sighs and kisses the crook of my neck, his fingers straightening my necklace.

“I really do love it. You didn’t have to do that.” I touch the bauble hanging near my heart.

He takes a deep breath and I feel it dance over my skin on his exhale, surprising me when he speaks again instead of his usual stoic silence.

“You know I couldn’t live without you. Couldn’t breathe without you. That I’d do anything for you.”

“I know…” I give him a wary look because he’s never this serious about emotions. “Should I be worried?”

“No. I just… I know I don’t always say it. Especially with them around. I just want to make sure you know it. Remember it. Always.”

I turn around and place my hand on his chest, studying his face for a moment. His gray eyes intense even in the dull light of the dying fire.

“I know, Rowan. I’ve always known.”

His lips brush over mine softly and he rests his forehead against mine. I lean into him, and his arms wrap around me. We stand like that for a long while, until the wee hours finally start to creep in, and we stumble our way back to bed and I curl up in his arms to fall asleep.

* * *