Page 36 of The Ballad of the Last Dragon

Chapter Thirty-Six

I pluck my new lute, reveling in its rich sound as I swing my legs hanging off the side of the tall bed. I never got a chance to stay at the inn the last time we were here, and I’m pleasantly surprised to find it’s outfitted for comfort. A large wolf pelt drapes across the coverlet, offering my wandering fingers something soft to tangle in.

Droplets of bathwater coat the wooden floor, and my hair hangs loose and wet down my back, dampening my tunic. I’ve already bathed, scrubbed, and soaked all the parts that seemed destined to remain filthy, and I feel lighter than I have in weeks. Maybe ever.

Jaromir has been… not distant, but cautious. He gave me my privacy when I bathed and has yet to return. Perhaps it was presumptuous of me to assume we’d pick up where we left off as soon as he was a free man.

Or perhaps he never wanted more than the fleeting time we had together.

My fingers dance over the strings, and I feel the falsity in that thought. He’s shown me time and time again how much I mean to him, even when he had nothing to give me besides his ruined heart. And maybe I was unfair to him, or maybe love isn’t a question of fairness but how far you’re willing to go and how much you’re willing to hurt. Love can be a selfish act, neglecting all else in favor of your heart’s call. But Jaromir doesn’t love selfishly. He loves selflessly, giving all he has and more to the ones who earn the space in his heart, expecting nothing in return but the knowledge that he’s cared for them.

Even if he doesn’t wish to build a life with me, even if he needs to follow his newfound freedom wherever it takes him, I’ll love him endlessly for the strength of his heart alone.

I love him.

The rightness of it all sings in my veins.

The door creaks open, and I still both my circling thoughts and my incessant playing. Laden silence claims the room, and my ears prick at the sudden loss of my music. Jaromir fills the doorway and hesitates. His hair is damp and tied back in a knot, his skin cleaned of the road, and he’s changed into a linen tunic and a pair of simple trousers. He waits, tension tightening his broad shoulders.

I should tell him to enter, give the man the reassurance he desperately needs to cross the threshold and stay. Stay for as long as he’ll give me.

“You bathed.”

“Yes,” he says, rubbing the back of his neck. “I needed to.”

I gently place the lute on the bed, rising to stand. For once, no joke rests on the tip of my tongue. There’s too much hope filling my chest, and it aches with the weight of it.

“What else do you need?”

He takes a cautious step forward, slowly shutting the door behind him. This is it. Say you need me, and I will be forever yours.

“An answer.”

I wasn’t expecting that.

“I don’t recall hearing a question.”

Jaromir runs a hand over his mouth, taking a deep breath as if bracing himself. “I have some things to say, things I should have said a long time ago. Syl, I’m so fucking sorry. I was a selfish coward, and I should have told you about my agreement with Rhosyn before I ever kissed you. ”

My breath catches in my throat. He isn’t being fair to himself, not after everything has been brought to light, but I can’t bring myself to contradict him just yet. “That’s not a question.”

“No, it isn’t. I must ask… I must ask, would you still have me? Though I don’t deserve you, and I’ve broken your faith in me. I fucked everything up in every way but even still…” His eyes are pleading, and I can’t fathom how he doesn’t know I never stopped being his. “Just put me out of my misery and tell me your thoughts.”

I pad across the floor, small puddles of water clinging to the bottoms of my feet. I can do this. I’ve been guarded with him before, and he needs to hear the words especially since I’ve been so free with my words in the past. His gaze tracks my movements as I edge closer to him, upon the precipice of everything. It’s the last step before the plunge, and though hope flits against my ribs, I will accept whatever happens next.

“My thoughts, Jaromir,” I say, exhaling a huff of disbelief and shaking my head, “my thoughts are always of you.” Wetting my lips, I stare at the center of his broad chest where the tunic ties hang loose and open. It’s a safer place to fix my gaze so I can make it through this next part. “I wish to remain at your side. To be your partner in all things. To spend as much time I have in this life showing you how much I love you.” I trip over the word, because it’s a steep step to take, but I continue despite the trembling in my hands and the heat filling my face. “I love you, and I want to wake beside you each morning, fill my days with your endless scowling and grunting, find new little wooden carvings you’ve made me—always practical as they are beautiful—write songs that make you blush and laugh, and seek new ways to learn this world with you. Would I still have you?” My voice wavers, and tears prick my eyes as I lay everything bare. “Once you asked me where home was… and I told you I’d let you know when I found it.” My vision blurs, and I force the rest of my confession free. “It’s you, Jaromir. You are my home.”

The last of my resolve crumbles, and the tears I’ve only just kept at bay roll down my cheeks as I utter the final words of my plea. A warm touch beneath my chin forces me to face Jaromir—his expression has transformed into one of astonishment and wonder, his own eyes shining with emotion. Ghosting his fingertips along the point of my ear, he traces my face before running his thumb against my jaw, lowering his hand to rest against the space between my throat and my neck. My pulse pounds against his touch.

“Syl.” His voice is rough, thick. “I’ve always loved you, and you will always be my home.”

The final piece clicks into place, and I surge forward, closing the distance and claiming his mouth. Jaromir lifts me, carrying me to the bed. Winding my arms around his neck, I kiss him with every promise I have in me. His beard is rough against my face, and already my skin is sensitive, but I deepen the kiss to taste the words he’s just spoken. A ragged groan leaves his mouth, and I swallow the sound.

I love him. I love him. I love him.

My thoughts are a canticle as my heart expands. He places me on the bed, gingerly moving my lute to the floor before I can protest. I tug his tunic impatiently, dragging it over his head. Jaromir’s formidable form is on display for me once more. All hard edges and battle scars, but the bright grin on his face is joy and disbelief.

“Is this real? Tell me I won’t awaken to find this has all been a dream.”

I pinch his arm playfully, and he grabs my wrist, pressing his mouth against the delicate skin. He smiles against me. “Say it again.”

I know what he longs to hear. “I love you.”

His lips crash against mine, and he cages me with his large body, holding my hands high above my head. When he pulls back, he shakes his head, gazing down at where he holds me in place. “I love everything about you. I love your mouth and your sweet voice that never ceases even when you sleep.” He grinds against me, sending sparks through my body. “I love how sensitive your beautiful ears are.” He nips at one, and I shiver. “I love the soft noises you make when your perfect body opens for me.” He follows his words with another roll of his hips.

I fight to pull my hands free so I can touch him, but he holds firm.

“I love your mind, your quick tongue, and your cunning. I love your heart, your impossible kindness and joy. The light you cast with your smile. Fuck, I love you, Syl. And you’re mine. You’ll always be mine.” He growls these words against my throat, making me dizzy with want. Making my chest ache with the way my heart fills.

“Welkin above, Jaromir. If you love me so much, let me touch you.”

His laugh ghosts against my skin, but finally, he releases my hands.

I fumble with his laces, and he tears off my tunic, ripping the neck in the process. I can’t halt the laugh that spills from my lips. Lips that press to his, to every inch of skin I can reach. I’m smiling against his kisses as his hands run over every part of me, greedy in their exploration. When we’ve nothing left between us, souls and bodies laid bare, he trails his mouth down my stomach. I don’t want to wait, there will be time enough to relearn every curve of each other.

Right now, all I need is him.

I yank on his hair, and it falls loose. He glances up at me, amusement in his eyes along with a fierce adoration I’ve come to recognize.

“Impatient?” he rasps against my hip.

“Prioritizing.” I tug his hair again to pull him up to me.

He chuckles against my skin, rising to meet my eager mouth and line himself up with my entrance.

“Gods, I’ve missed you.”

He sinks in slowly, allowing me time to adjust to his size. I claw at his back, twisting my hips to try to force him in faster. With a groan, he plunges in, bottoming out, and ripping a cry from my lungs.

I sink my teeth into his shoulder as the burst of sharp pleasure fills me. The noise he makes is enough to encourage me to do that more often.

“Syl,” he growls, “careful, or I’m never letting you leave this bed.”

A breathy laugh leaves my chest. “Promise?”

Jaromir slowly unravels me with each thrust, punctuating the motion with a circling of his hips. He whispers filthy and adoring promises in my ear, following his words with the drag of his teeth. I’m forever undone by this man, and when the searing pleasure flutters deep within me, my vision blurs, and I clutch to him even tighter.

Mine. My beloved. My home.