Wicked Beloved (16 page)

“
Indeed. I imagine Wrall’s
political opponents are quite satisfied with this complimentary
removal.”

“
I can’t tell if you’re
joking or serious.” She weakly braced a foot against the doorjamb.
“Tell me the truth. I’m not moving until you do.” It wasn’t much of
a threat. He could lug her out of there any time he chose. But she
had to know she hadn’t ruined his life.

He muttered what sounded like oaths under
his breath while staring at the floor. “If you must know, the
Guildmaster is not best pleased with me. Apparently there were
contracts in various stages of negotiation but, as I refused to
delay, I lost us that coin.” She made a dismayed sound which he cut
off. “It is nothing. I shall pay their fine and submit to any
punishment required. They can do but little. I adhered to the rules
of blood feud.”

“
Blood feud?”

“
Yes.” He glanced up at
her. What with his voice hard as usual, the affectionate expression
in his eyes surprised her. His long fingers gently brushed her hair
back from her face, then caressed her cheek. “I declared you my
consort before the Guildmaster and two witnesses. Wrall had stolen
you. I was within my rights to fetch you back. And kill any who
opposed me.”

She blinked. Tried to swallow.
“C-consort?”

He gave a curt nod and carried her through
the doorway. “I meant to surprise you with the news you were no
longer a slave later, in more congenial surroundings.”

She let him help her down the hall past the
twisted bodies of dead guards, the air close, hot and foul as ever,
but she barely noticed these things. “Does consort mean what I
think it means?”

“
It means I recognize you
alone as the female through which my official bloodline shall
descend. I pledge responsibility for your upkeep and that of all
offspring born of you. For your part, as you have made no similar
declaration regarding me, you are not required to remain faithful,
though it is considered an honor to me if you do so.”

She swallowed and fought down the urge to
laugh with joy. “I can’t think of the right words to thank
you.”

“
Those are
enough.”

They emerged from the building, blinking in
the bright daylight, to be caressed by a fresh, cool breeze.

“
So how do we get home?”
She glanced up at him and narrowly caught an unguarded sadness
cross his features. “Your home,” she quickly clarified. “Not Earth.
I’m staying with you. I want to be your faithful
consort.”

“
Truly? No. Wait. You’re
giddy. Think on this decision once you are fully well.”

“
No need. I knew I wanted
to stay even before…this.” She looked down at herself. The glaring
light did her no favors. “But if you’re having second thoughts, or
if the consort-thing was just a ruse, you’d better admit it
now.”

They stood in silence for a moment before he
relented. “All right.”

Despair flooded her.

Taking her hand, he
pressed it first to his mouth, then to his bowed forehead. “I admit
I desire you. I admit my lif—
apartment
is empty without you in
it.”

And just like that her distress ebbed. “Ah,
yes, me and the furniture. Has that line ever worked for you?”

He ignored her playful jibe. “I thought I
was content before you. Now I cannot feel content without you.” The
words were low and left his lips reluctantly. “I find my happiness
stems from yours.”

She smiled, a blissful peace filling her
heart. “I love you, too.”

He gave her a gruff nod.
“Now take my arm. My transport is this way. You shall return
to…to
our
home
for a shower and healing.”

She giggled. “I seem to remember doing that
before.”

“
Perhaps this time we will
end up in the same bed.” A rare hint of humor laced his
tone.

Holding tight to his sinewy arm, she sighed
with happiness. “Now that I am certain I can arrange.”

THE END