Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88265 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
He seals his oath with another kiss. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
“I know,” I whisper, moving my hips to his rhythm, allowing myself to fall into the warmth and protection of his strong arms just as I’m falling apart for him.
Again.
His lips curve against mine, the smile audible in his husky words. “I love you, Elsie.”
I give him the truth as I cling to him while aftershocks are the non-verbal proof of what he does to me. “I love you, Aruan.”
He comes with me, a physical reflection of our complete harmony. Of his love and devotion. Foreheads pressed together, we catch our breaths.
And not a minute too soon.
A little girl’s bubbly laughter sounds on the other side of the wall. Aruan grins before kissing me one last time, a languid kiss that makes my toes curl. He pulls away, always satisfying me while simultaneously leaving me craving just a little more. The bed sheet dissolves and turns into a nightdress on my body and pants riding low on his hips.
God, I love it when he does that. It still turns me on.
He lifts the seal he put on our quarters and dissolves the wall. Zinnia skips into the room, her strawberry-blond curls bouncing around her face. I’m glad she got Aruan’s eyes. This way, she’s a bit of both of us. And plenty of herself. Zinnia has a huge personality. She even gives the older royals a run for their money.
She carries a toy dragon carved from wood in one hand, making it fly through the air. Our little girl has never taken to dolls. She prefers animals and dinosaurs.
She jumps onto the bed, flying the dragon low over Aruan’s head. A delighted shriek leaves her lips as he catches and tickles her.
“Got you,” he says, planting a kiss on her curls.
“My dragon got you first,” she says with a jut of her chin that dares him to defy her.
Of course he doesn’t. Aruan gives her everything she wants.
“As I should,” he says, in tune with my train of thought. “My daughter will always get everything she wants. I’ll make sure of it.”
“Careful. You’ll spoil her.”
“She’s a good kid.”
True. Which is the only reason I don’t interfere when Aruan gives her everything her little heart desires. Zinnia knows the difference between right and wrong. On values, Aruan and I agree. We’re strict when it comes to teaching her what matters.
“Can we go to the Sky Bridge, Daddy?” She sits up and bounces on her knees. “Please? I want to see the sun wake up.”
“Then you have to change out of your nightdress, princess.” He ruffles her curls. “How about breakfast at the lake?”
“A picnic?” she squeals. “Oh, yes! Can Betty come, Mommy? Please?”
I hug her and kiss her cheek. “Betty can come.”
“Yes!” She plants a sloppy kiss on my shoulder. “Thank you, Mommy.”
Her nanny and tutor, Prislia, sticks her head around the archway with a broad smile. “Sorry, Your Highnesses. I tried to catch her before she could wake you up.”
“I was awake anyway,” I say, managing not to sound too guilty.
Aruan arches an eyebrow. I can wake up like that every day.
I narrow my eyes playfully. You do.
He gives me a scorching look. Maybe I’ll wake you up tomorrow with my head between your thighs.
I scoff internally. You do that too.
I can do better. He grins. I can wake you up with my cock already buried inside you.
Heat pushes up my neck and down into my belly. I barely pull off a chastising frown. Not in front of Zinnia.
His answering wink melts my insides.
Oblivious to the nuances of the mood, Zinnia jumps off the bed and sprints through the archway, flying her dragon down the hallway.
“I’ll go help her get ready,” Prislia says.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “She’ll tire you before you’ve even had breakfast.”
“It’s no problem at all.” Prislia smiles. “We can play the alphabet game while she dresses. It’s a good opportunity to learn through play.”
“Thanks.” I tame my short hair by combing it through with my fingers. “She’s doing so well with her letters too.”
When Prislia is gone, I utter a happy laugh. “Zinnia really is a handful.”
Affection glows in Aruan’s eyes. “She takes after you.”
“Oh, I was never that busy.”
“Only because circumstances didn’t allow you to be.” As always, when he talks about my history on Earth, an unsettling darkness seeps into our bond. “I’m sure you would’ve tired your parents.”
I hardly think about those sickly days. I have so much to be grateful for right here, and I prefer to live in the present.
“It’s sweet of you to spend so much time with her.” My chest expands with a warm, fuzzy feeling. “I know you’re too busy for a picnic.”
The council is voting on new laws in a week, and Aruan has done a lot to advocate for those laws in political circles, not to mention all the diplomatic visits he’s made to the other kingdoms.