Page 102 of Thorns of Love

“I heard what you said,” she murmured. “I heard my brothers. Isla.”

Tension rippled through my shoulders. How long has she been awake exactly?

“You were awake the whole time?” I asked.

“Not fully awake.” Her palm came to rest on her lower belly and I put my own over her hand. I’d always keep them all safe. “The babies are safe,” she said, relief coloring her voice.

“They are,” I confirmed. “Healthy and strong.”

She smiled, her expression softening. I knew, right there and then, she’d be the most amazing mother. Protective and fierce. The queen would tear down this world to protect our prince and princess.

My hand over hers, I squeezed it softly. “They’re fighters like their mama.”

A smile cracked on her face. Her eyes twinkled. “Really? I was gonna say, like their papa. Stubborn, too.”

I snorted dryly. “My stubbornness doesn’t scratch the surface of yours.”

A full-blown grin stretched her lips. “Remember that the next time you keep shit from me.” Fuck, I was so in love with her. I loved every single part of her - stubbornness, poutiness, sassiness, her bravery.

“Duly noted.”

She snorted, rolling her eyes. “Somehow I have a feeling you’ll always try to hide bad shit from me.”

She glanced at me through her thick, pale lashes and I couldn’t resist leaning over and pressing my lips against hers. Her mouth parted slightly and she moaned in my mouth. Fuck, I loved that sound. I loved everything about her.

She pulled back, ending the kiss way too soon as a small, satisfying sigh left her lips. Thank heavens nobody was in the room, because I’d have to kill them for hearing that sound. It was mine, and mine alone.

“Then you remind me to tell you everything,” I said, keeping my face close to hers.

“Partners then?” That glimmer in her eyes fascinated me. It was the same one I saw in her eyes that first night I saw her. Full of mischief and trouble. “Because that’s the only way this is going to work, Illias. No hiding shit from me. You can hide it from our kids, but not me.”

“Partners, moya luna.”

She stared at me, seemingly shocked by my easy acceptance. But she couldn’t hide her grin. “So does that make me a Pakhan?” she asked sassily.

I bit my lip, tempted to take her even in her condition. But I didn’t. Her health and our babies were more important than my hard dick.

“Give them a finger and they’ll take the whole hand,” I remarked with a sound of abhorrence but I couldn’t keep a smile off my face.

She groaned and shoved me, and I laughed. For the first time in years, my chest felt lighter. I loved the playful side of my wife. Our start was rocky but we’d pull through and we’d be even stronger for it.

She took my face in her palms, her eyes turning the deepest shade of blue that would pull me into their depths and I would happily drown in them.

“I love you, Illias,” she murmured softly, our gazes locked. Three simple words and the world stopped turning. Three words and they had the power to change our lives. “Adrian wasn’t who I thought he was. He was a figment of my imagination. I didn’t know him. But I knowyouand I loveyou.”

Fuck, my head buzzed with adrenaline that rushed through me.

She loves me.

My heart had been lost to her seven years ago. I had felt empty without it. Withouther.But life had blown her my way again. Life had givenusanother chance, and she had kept my heart safe.

“Say it again,” I demanded. I could never tire hearing those words leave her lips. For the remainder of my days.

“I love you, Illias Konstantin.” The certainty in her voice and her eyes had my heart racing. She wrapped her arms around my neck and brought me closer. “You realize we’ll probably drive each other bananas. Possibly even kill each other.” Her smile was weak but it was there.

My breaths turned harsh and my lungs burned. But it was a good kind of burn. It was a good kind of pain.

“Never,” I scolded her softly. “I’ll let you kill me before I’d ever lay a finger on you.” Her lips tugged up more, and I couldn’t help but to cup her face. “My moon. My entire world. It’s all wrapped up in you.”