Page 44 of Black Crown
But the sad ache of his forlornness at my answer echoed through me, battling against my resolve. This bond might take some getting used to.
“Tyrrik?” I said, reaching up to loop my hands around the back of his neck as I let the sheet go.
“Yes, my Ryn?”
I took a deep, happy breath. “I love you. So very much.”
A rumble, almost akin to a purr, filled the space between us, and his joy swelled within me.
I stared at him, my heart full, and realized I’d never said the words before. I’d mated with him, mentally and physically, and yet never acknowledged what that meant out loud.
His eyes shined as he lowered his head to place a tender kiss on my forehead. “I love you more than life itself, my mate. I hope you enjoyed last night.”
I nodded, smoothing my face though I couldn’t conceal the way my heart leaped. “It was pretty good.” I pulled him closer and whispered in his ear, “I think we should play cards again tonight.”
“Play cards?” He laughed when I blushed, his body shaking me and the space around us. But he shook his head. “No, you’ll be sore from last night.”
Ha!“That might be true if I were human or just Drae. But us Phaetyn? We’ve got all the skills.” I tightened my embrace and grinned impishly before licking his ear. “Come on,” I whispered, my heart pounding. “Play cards with me.”
“What have I started?” he replied.
Honestly, I was wondering that too.
A slow smile spread across his face, and I let out a squeal of delight as he knelt upright and ripped away the blankets between us. His handsome face and boyish grin was all I could see as my Drae reached for me.
15
Hunger drove us out of the lapis chamber, and my stomach growled as we walked through the empty corridor. I was going to eat an entire boulder-sized potato. Mmm. Roasted with rosemary and salt.Maybe Tyrrik can breathe fire on one. I snickered.
Tyrrik and I held hands as we wound up through the kingdom, and by the time we reached the level of our old rooms, I pulled him to a stop as the silence settled in. I grimaced up at Tyrrik and asked, “Where is everyone?”
“My thoughts exactly,” he murmured.
That had been his thought? Had I mistaken it for my own? I blinked several times, trying to untangle him from me.
It was your own.
I narrowed my eyes at the amusement in his mind voice. “Yes, I know,” I huffed, even though I knew he’dknowI was lying. “But when I start thinking about it all, my mind gets weird and twisty.”
Your human notions are getting in the way.
I snorted and tugged him forward. “Whatever,Ryrik.”
He growled, and I smirked. Definitely needed to remember that quip.
Two golden-guards clattered down the gem-encrusted passage toward us.
They bowed, and the smaller one said, “Lord Tyrrik, Lady Tyrryn.”
Whoa, whoa, whoa! Why were they calling me Tyrryn? My eyes rounded.Drak, they knew we’d mated? My cheeks flushed. How did they know?
“Where is everyone?” Tyrrik asked, ignoring my imagination of rocks crashing and Drae roaring.
Please tell me that didn’t really happen.
At the same time, the guard rotated his attention to Tyrrik. “The army left five hours ago, my lord. King Zakai instructed you to be left alone until . . .”
I fixed the man with a cool glare. He better not go there.