Page 19

CHAPTER 19

ROSALYN

I couldn’t stop smiling.

Even as Bjorn moved away from the window, joining me inside, my cheeks hurt from grinning like a fool.

Merry watched us with his usual judgmental stare.

Still, even he seemed affected by the moment, his little horn softly glowing pink as he flicked his tail and pretended not to care about the romantic scene he’d just witnessed.

Bjorn stood in the middle of my apartment, looking regal but also adorably uncomfortable in his royal attire.

The silver torc around his neck gleamed in the morning sunlight streaming through the window, and the blue of his tunic made his eyes even more striking.

But the expression on his face took my breath away—a mixture of joy, relief, and love so intense it made my heart skip.

Those same blue eyes that had looked at me with desire in the cabin now held something deeper, more profound.

And this time, there were no secrets between us.

“Well,” I said, trying for lightness but hearing the breathless quality in my voice, “that was…”

“Awful? Embarrassing?”

“Perfect,” I assured him, reaching up to touch his face.

“ Crown and Crumpets . Chapter fifty-eight.”

“Did I live up to the literary standard?”

“You exceeded it,” I assured him, rising onto my tiptoes to press my lips against his.

Bjorn’s arms slipped around my waist, drawing me closer.

“I was desperate. When Winifred told me you were coming to see me, that you didn’t hate me…”

“I was angry,” I admitted.

“And hurt. But I could never hate you, Bjorn.” My wings fluttered nervously as I gathered my courage.

“I meant what I said. I love you. The prince part is… Well, it will take some getting used to, but it doesn’t change how I feel.”

“Rosalyn,” he whispered, then pulled me close, kissing me deeply.

This kiss was different from the others.

There was no spell from mischievous unicorns, rain-soaked desperation, or secrets.

We were just Bjorn and Rosalyn, with nothing hidden or held back.

His lips were gentle at first, almost reverent, but they grew more insistent when I pressed myself closer.

I don’t know how long we stood there, lost in each other, but eventually, we broke apart, both breathing hard.

Bjorn rested his forehead against mine, his eyes closed as though savoring the moment.

“I should have told you the truth from the beginning,” he whispered.

“I was so afraid of losing you.”

“I understand why you didn’t,” I said softly.

“And I forgive you.”

His eyes opened, searching mine.

“Just like that?”

“Well, the dramatic proposal and terrible singing didn’t hurt,” I teased.

“But I understand wanting to be seen for yourself, not what others expect you to be.”

Understanding dawned in his eyes.

“Spring Haven. You left because you wanted to be a baker, not a butterfly maiden.”

I nodded.

“We’re not so different after all.”

“I meant what I said outside. I want to marry you, Rosalyn. But I need you to understand what that would mean. My life in Frostfjord… It’s complicated. There would be expectations, duties…”

“Are you trying to talk me out of accepting your proposal?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.

“No!” he said quickly.

“I just want you to know what you’d be getting into. My mother can be…formidable. The court politics are exhausting. And the weather?—”

“I know we have a lot to figure out, but we’ll do it together.”

Relief flooded his features.

“Together,” he agreed, pulling me close again.

This time when we kissed, the gentle exploration gave way to something more urgent.

The relief of reconciliation combined into a heady mixture that left us both breathless.

My fingers found the clasps of his formal cloak, pushing it off his shoulders and onto the floor.

His hands, meanwhile, had found their way beneath my blouse and were skimming over the sensitive skin of my waist.

“Rosalyn,” he breathed against my lips, “are you sure? About everything?”

The vulnerability in his voice made my heart ache.

Even now, part of him expected rejection, feared I might change my mind once the romantic moment had passed.

In answer, I took his hand and led him toward my bedroom.

Sensing what was about to happen, Merry sauntered away, his dignity intact.

Sunlight streamed through the gauzy curtains, bathing the small room in a soft glow.

My bedroom was cozy, filled with mismatched furniture I’d collected over the years, the magenta-colored walls adorned with framed pressed flowers, embroidered scenes, and sketches from my friends.

It wasn’t grand or royal, but it was mine.

Bjorn looked around with interest, taking in the personal touches: the stack of cookbooks beside the bed, the vase of ever-blooming pinkie tulips that Juniper had given me last solstice, the tiny caticorn figurine that had been my first purchase when I’d moved to Moonshine Hollow.

“Sorry,” I said with a soft grin.

“It’s not every day a girl invites a prince into her bedroom. If I had known you were coming, I would have dusted,” I said with a laugh.

“It’s perfect. It’s…it’s you.”

I smiled softly at him then reached up and carefully removed the silver torc from around his neck, setting it on my dresser.

Then I began to undo the intricate fastenings of his royal tunic, my fingers working deftly.

“And you… You’re still Bjorn— just Bjorn—to me,” I whispered.

He pulled me against the warmth of his now-bare chest.

The blue runes that marked his skin began to glow, responding to my touch.

I traced one with my finger, following its path across his collarbone.

“These are beautiful,” I murmured.

“They only glow when I’m with you.”

The intensity of his gaze made my heart race.

My wings fluttered involuntarily, shedding sparkling dust that seemed to be drawn to his glowing runes, creating an ethereal dance of light between us.

“Maybe it’s magic,” I suggested, only half-joking.

“Northern and southern magic, finding balance.”

His smile turned tender.

“Maybe it’s just love.”

We kissed again, this time more urgently.

Working quickly, we removed the rest of our clothing.

Soon, Bjorn’s hands were roving my now-bare skin.

I felt that familiar rush of warmth spreading through me, my body responding to his touch.

Just as in the cabin, my skin took on a soft pink glow, shimmering more intensely as his hands explored my body.

Bjorn’s runes flared bright blue in response, the patterns spreading further across his skin.

Where our bodies touched, the colors merged into a stunning purple that bathed the room in otherworldly light.

Bjorn lay me gently on the bed, his eyes darkening as they roamed over me.

“I’ve dreamed of having you like this again,” he whispered.

“Show me,” I urged, pulling him closer.

He kissed me deeply, then began a torturously slow journey down my body, his lips and tongue leaving trails of fire on my skin.

I moaned in pleasure when he reached my breasts.

He took his time, lavishing attention on each one until I was arching off the bed, desperate for more.

The pink glow of my skin intensified where his mouth touched as if my magic was reaching for his.

“Bjorn,” I gasped, tangling my fingers in his hair.

“Please.”

He glanced up, a wicked smile on his face that was so unlike his usual reserved demeanor it sent another wave of heat coursing through me.

“Patience, my love. I plan to worship every inch of you.”

And he did, moving lower with deliberate slowness that had me writhing beneath him, my wings beating so fast they lifted my hips off the bed.

When he finally settled between my thighs, the first touch of his tongue against the soft folds of my core nearly undid me completely.

I cried out, not caring who might hear.

My hands gripped the sheets as the pleasure built inside me, coiling tighter with each delicious stroke of his tongue.

The glow of my skin pulsed in rhythm with my heartbeat, growing brighter as I approached the edge.

Just when I thought I couldn’t take anymore, Bjorn slid his fingers inside me as his tongue continued its relentless assault.

The dual sensation pushed me over the edge, my release washing over me in waves as I called out his name.

The pink glow of my skin flashed, sending cascades of magical sparks into the air.

Before I’d fully recovered, Bjorn was moving up my body, his eyes blazing with need, his runes glowing so brightly they cast shadows on the walls.

“I need you,” he groaned, kissing my neck.

“Now.”

“Yes,” I breathed, wrapping my legs around his waist.

He entered me in one smooth thrust, both of us gasping at the perfect fit of our bodies.

For a moment, he remained still, his face pressed against my neck, our breaths mingling.

The place where we joined glowed purple, our magics intertwining just as our bodies did.

“I love you,” he whispered, his voice filled with wonder.

“I love you too,” I replied, my hands sliding down his back to urge him closer.

He moved then, setting a rhythm that immediately made me climb toward another peak.

Bjorn’s hands gripped my hips.

His control was slipping, his thrusts becoming more urgent as his runes blazed brighter.

I could feel the tension building in his body, matching my own rising pleasure.

“Rosalyn,” he gasped, his voice strained.

I clutched his shoulders.

“I want to feel you, Bjorn. Give me all of you… Bjorn…”

He captured my mouth in a searing kiss as his movements became erratic.

When his release finally came, he groaned my name against my lips, the sound pushing me over the edge for a second time.

The intensity of our combined climax sent a surge of magical energy through the room, making the small objects on my dresser rattle and the curtains billow as if caught in a sudden breeze.

As the waves of pleasure gradually subsided, we lay together, our breathing ragged and our skin slick with sweat.

Bjorn’s weight on top of me was comforting rather than crushing, and I held him close, not wanting to break our connection just yet.

“That was…” he began, then seemed at a loss for words.

“Magical?” I suggested with a breathless laugh.

He lifted his head to smile down at me, his eyes filled with such tenderness it made my heart ache.

“Definitely magical.” He brushed a strand of hair from my face, his touch gentle.

“And just the beginning.”

Eventually, he rolled to the side but kept me tucked against him, his arm around me, my head on his chest where I could hear the steady rhythm of his heart.

“So,” he said, breaking the comfortable silence, “we have some planning to do. I should return to Frostfjord soon. I left rather…abruptly.”

“Abruptly?”

“Well… I left without telling anyone but my sister,” I said with a laugh.

“But I did leave a note behind.”

“Oh, Bjorn,” I said with a laugh.

“My family will be wondering about me, and I’ll need to tell them about us.”

“Do you think they’ll approve?” I asked, unable to keep the worry from my voice.

“Your mother…”

“My father will be surprised but ultimately supportive. He’s always been more concerned with our happiness than political alliances.” He hesitated.

“My mother may take more convincing, but she’ll come around once she meets you.”

“And if she doesn’t?”

“She will,” he said firmly.

“I know her. She will be as charmed by you as I am.”

The conviction in his voice soothed my fears somewhat.

“And what about after? Would I be expected to live in Frostfjord? What about The Sconery?”

“The life you’ve built here is beautiful. I would never ask you to leave it, but I would ask to be part of it.”

“Would that be okay with your family?”

“I have four siblings. Plenty of royal heirs to go around. It will be all right. Although, we will probably have to visit occasionally, and you will have to learn our anthem.”

“That song?”

Bjorn laughed.

“Yes. That song. And I need to warn you, the royal attire is very uncomfortable.”

“As long as I can cut some holes for my wings, I can make it work.”

Bjorn kissed my head.

“Thank you, Rosalyn. Thank you for your forgiveness…and for seeing me .”

“Oh, Bjorn,” I whispered.

“There is nothing to forgive. You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of. I can’t wait to start our life together.”

And with that, we kissed again, visions of a golden future—part ice and snow, part sugar and flour—dancing through my mind.