Though that was the last of their words.
Clothes fell to the floor, nothing left between them as he claimed her. As she claimed him. Over and over until they were both spent, darkness falling as the sun set outside their bedroom window while they lay tangled in each other’s arms.
“Things went well with Sarhina?” she murmured. “Because I heard a rumor that you two fight like alley cats, and that she claims you have forsaken your Maridrinian heritage with your Valcottan favoritism.”
but they’d fought long and hard to change the alignment of those stars, and their scars were markers of
“She’s not wrong. But we came to a mutually beneficial agreement.”
Zarrah gave him a lazy smile. “In our favor?”
“Of course.” Rolling onto one elbow, he eyed the chests in the corner, which contained his books that had been salvaged from the ruins. When she’d arrived a week ago, Sarhina had both Sara and books in tow. While he’d spent hours with his little sister, he’d yet to check the chests. Rising to his feet, he went over and opened one, digging through the contents while Zarrah examined
correspondence that had been left for him.
“This is a spy report from Harendell,” she said, holding up a page. “You should read it, given your part in the problem.”
A book in hand, he came back over to the bed and took the page from her. He skimmed the contents, his eyebrows furrowing at the mention of the troubles Lestara was causing the Harendellians in her exile and then rising in surprise at the spy’s speculation at the end in regard to the King’s bastard, James. “I expected a good many things from you, Ahnna Kertell,” he murmured. “But definitely not this. ”
Casting aside the report, Keris climbed back into bed, pulling his wife into his arms.
“There is so much to do,” she murmured. “So many things demanding our attention.”
“Do you want to go do them?” he asked, feeling a prick of pain in his heart that there was always something pulling them apart, despite knowing that they’d always find their way back together again.
“No. I don’t.” Zarrah kissed him deeply, then rolled onto her elbow to retrieve the book he’d Her dark eyes caught his, pulling him into their depths as she murmured, “Husband. I was under the abandoned on the side table. “I want you to read to me instead.”
his arms. “Tell anyone asking for her time that she will be busy for the next few hours,” he called over There had been demands for her in Pyrinat as she established her control, her rule, just as there had A book in hand, he came back over to the bed and took the page from her. He skimmed the contents,
“Do you want to go do them?” he asked, feeling a prick of pain in his heart that there was always something pulling them apart, despite knowing that they’d always find their way back together again.
“No. I don’t.” Zarrah kissed him deeply, then rolled onto her elbow to retrieve the book he’d abandoned on the side table. “I want you to read to me instead.”
Some stories require the sacrifice of a piece of your soul to see them to completion, each word written in blood, sweat, and tears. The romance between Keris and Zarrah is such a story, but given the journey I put them through, perhaps it’s only fair that I suffered alongside them as we fought to change the stars.
So many thanks to my family for their love and support—I’d go into Devil’s Island for any of you, but let’s hope it never comes to it! Though if it does, at least we know where one another stands on certain dietary choices …
Thank you to my incredible agent, Tamar Rydzinksi, for all the work you do for this series. To Audible Originals, especially my editor, Jessica Almon Galland, I am so grateful to have the opportunity to work with you and I look forward to creating more novels together! Huge thanks to the UK team at Penguin Michael Joseph for your passion and enthusiasm for my work, and for helping me reach a global audience!
Amy, my incredible assistant, it’s because of you that my head didn’t explode writing this one—you are the best! Melissa, as always, your insights were beyond helpful, and Aren, in particular, appreciates you keeping my Keris’s sass in check. Elise, you are my bestie for life. NOFFA, you ladies are so critical in maintaining my sanity—thank you!
Last, but not least, all the love to my readers. It is your support that has allowed me to keep living in this tempestuous world of romance and adventure, and I am blessed to have you.
So many thanks to my family for their love and support—I’d go into Devil’s Island for any of you, but passion and enthusiasm for my work, and for helping me
Amy, my incredible assistant, it’s because of you that my head didn’t explode writing this one—you are the best! Melissa, as always, your insights were beyond helpful, and Aren, in particular, appreciates you keeping my Keris’s sass in check. Elise, you are my bestie for life. NOFFA, you ladies are so critical in maintaining my sanity—thank you!
Last, but not least, all the love to my readers. It is your support that has allowed me to keep living in this tempestuous world of romance and adventure, and I am blessed to have you.