Page 25 of Ruarc
KALLEN
For the first time in a very long time, I wake filled with warmth and fully refreshed.
Opening my eyes, it takes a moment for me to realize where I am and why I feel so content.
My leg is thrown casually over a massive thigh and my hand rests upon Ruarc’s steadily rising chest. His large arm is wrapped protectively around me, and I realize I am practically draped over him.
I send up a prayer of thanks when I see that some of his bruising has already faded, and he seems to be resting peacefully.
This is the first time I have ever awakened before him, and I am seeing a side of Ruarc that he hides from all others: peacefulness.
Although he may not be the most attractive male, his strong jawline and soft lips are quite captivating.
His bright purple eyes snap open, catching me staring up at him.
“Did you rest well, my Starshine?”
My breath catches in my chest every time he calls me that; it is almost as if I can feel those words vibrating through my soul.
“I did. Your arms proved to be a safe haven when the world was literally falling down around us.” I smack his chest lightly.
“ Do not ever dare to scare me like that again! When I saw those rocks engulf you … I have never felt so helpless.”
“Forgive me, Kallen. All I was concerned about at the time was your safety. The sacrifice would have been well worth it as long as you survived.”
His fervent words are so heartfelt that I reach up and tenderly cup his jaw.
“Ruarc, you once said that you did not want to be in a world without me, and those feelings go both ways. I love you and I always have. I have a confession to make. I knew you way before our world turned upside down on Viri 9. Do not look at me like that. Give me a moment to tell you how. You mentioned seeing me in a carriage with my family. Did it ever dawn on you that I saw you as well?”
“No, it did not. Why would you notice a scrawny youngling, sitting alone on a wall?”
I have to smile at his bemused question.
“Because you were all alone. I am not sure what drew my attention first, your bright eyes or the fact that you were looking directly at me. I remember asking my sire who you were, and he shook his head, saying I was too young to care. When I tried to turn around in my seat, he put his hand on my knee and told me that ‘ a princess does not show interest in young males for everyone to see’ . I thought that was pretty foolish, but I loved my sire and was not going to embarrass him. I never forgot your face, and I looked for you every time we went out. The next time I saw you, we were both older, and you were playfully wrestling with another, so you did not see me. I did not even know you were mam’s youngling until you told me later on the Zenith.
You had changed so much from that carefree boy that I did not make the connection.
So, you see, I have always loved you, and I would have with or without this collar.
The thought of losing you... Well, I never want to go through that again. ”
Carefully, Ruarc pulls me closer. “You love me? After all I have done, all the mistakes, all the harsh, uncaring words, somehow you still love me?”
“Do not make me regret handing you my hearts.”
Resolve fills his beautiful, purple eyes before they soften with an emotion that can only be described as devotion. “I will protect and nourish them like the treasure they are … you are.”
All this time, he has been staring at me as if he is memorizing my features, but the moment I say I love him, I see something change behind those piercing eyes of his.
The wall he has built around his hearts crumbles, and I feel my collar expand with the intensity of his love.
I barely have time to register that he has pulled me fully onto his chest before his mouth crashes down on mine.
This kiss is deeper and more meaningful than the last one we shared.
Suddenly unleashed, I can feel what he has been holding back; the hunger, need, and desperation of his suppressed desires.
His large hands tangle in my long hair, holding me close while he devours my mouth.
I taste the desperation on his tongue as it tangles with mine, and I can feel the power of his rough hands as he maps the curves of my body where I am pressed against the hard planes of his chest.
Somewhere in the back of my mind, I hear the voices of others, and a few giggles, just as Ruarc breaks away, leaving me breathless before snarling at whoever interrupted us. “You frackers better make yourselves scarce real damn fast.”
The humor in Ruby’s voice is very obvious when she replies, “Don’t mind us, we are just leaving. Continue on as if we were never here. We’d hate to be the ones to cockblock anyone. Come on Slavic, I do believe they are slightly busy right now.”
Laughter bubbles up and escapes my lips before I can stop it, and Ruarc rolls his eyes in exasperation as we listen to them leave the room.
I start to slide off of him now that I am conscious of his ribs that are still healing.
He smacks me playfully on the ass hard enough that there is a slight sting when his meaty hand makes contact. “Where do you think you are going?”
“As much as I am looking forward to finishing this with you, you are in no shape to be exerting yourself.
“Do you want to place credits on that?”
His spirited question makes my laughter return in full force, and it echoes all around us as I lay my head back down on his shoulder. He sighs wearily, and it does not take long before his light snores resume. Comfortable, I just lay there content and happy for the first time in forever.