Lincoln brushes his lips against mine. “I’d be proud to live my life in Purgatory as consort to the great scala. That is, if you’ll have me.”
Okay, that’s a really sweet speech. I mean, I knew Lincoln wanted to get rid of the threat and fix Antrum. However, I thought it was for the general good of his people. It takes me a few minutes to realize that everyone’s been staring at me, waiting for my answer.
“However we can be together, that’s what I want.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“A big yes.”
Now, the strategic side of me wants Connor and Octavia to see that Lincoln and I mean business. But the feeling side? I can’t let Lincoln walk away from ruling so easily. We’ll have to have a long talk about this later. If Lincoln really wants to do this, I want to be sure that it’s for the right reasons.
Octavia stands frozen, staring at us. I think a few hairs actually fall out of place. “You’re serious, aren’t you?”
Lincoln pulls me into a deep hug. “Completely.”
We’ve embraced before, yet this one feels special. Lincoln would give up everything for me. That’s huge.
The reality of the situation finally sinks in with Octavia and she rushes over to Connor. “We’ll get them that list, won’t we?”
“Sure, sure.”
“Right.” I sigh. “Sure, sure…That’s what you say when you have no intention of doing anything. Honestly, how is Aldred blackmailing you?”
Connor chuckles like I just told the funniest joke in the world. He’s the only one laughing, though. And the high-pitched sound of his laughter? It says I hit the mark. Aldred really is blackmailing Connor. In the long run, I suppose it doesn’t really matter what that blackmail is about. The point is that Connor’s a tool.
“Glad we settled all that,” says Connor. Without another word, he stomps out and slams the door behind him.
There goes a lying liar.
Octavia steps over to give us both kisses on the cheek. “I’ll work on him. It will be fine.”
“Thank you, Mother.”
“Have a good night, Octavia.”
She rushes away as well. The moment Lincoln’s parents are gone, I feel like someone pulled my plug. The last week has all been way too much excitement. I slump into Lincoln’s hold.
He kisses my head. “You’ve hit the adrenaline crash, haven’t you?”
“All I want is to sleep for a year. Minimum.”
“I’ll take you to your room.”
I close my eyes and wrap my arms around his neck. “My room is attached to yours. I can walk the whole ten yards to get there.”
“Not on the weekend of our nuptials. You must stay in the future queen’s suite. I’m not supposed to be near you during this time.”
I groan. “More traditions?”
“More traditions.” There’s a smile in his voice, though.
“Maybe if I take a nap here, I’ll be up for the walk.”
“That sounds like a wonderful plan.” Lincoln scoops me into his arms. “Nap away.”
I’m about to counter that actually, I can totally walk on my own. But honestly? It’s really nice to be carried around by Lincoln. And I do take a little half-snooze along the journey. When I awaken again, I’m lying in a pink bed in the frilliest room ever. Lincoln starts tucking me under the poofy covers. I’m still in my schoolgirl outfit, but what the heck? Right now, it’s feeling comfortable.
“This is the future Queen’s suite?” I scan the over-the-topness of it all. The place is all pink, from the fluffy curtains to the plush rug. And every free inch of space is covered in little girly knickknacks and sculptures. “It’s like a unicorn threw up in here.”
“I said tradition. I didn’t say attractive.” Lincoln starts stripping off his khakis, and although I’m enjoying the show, I’m a little confused.
“I thought the whole point of sleeping here was that I’d be separated from you.”
“There’s tradition, and there’s the fact that we haven’t been together in days.” He slips under the covers, and I’m very happy that my guy sleeps totally naked. Normally, this would signal sexy-times, but right now? It’s simply all the more reason to snooze in comfort.
“This is nice,” I say through a yawn.
“Very.” Lincoln wraps me in his arms and I cuddle into his side.
My eyes pop open. “What about Lucifer’s coin?”
“I brought it with us. It’s safe inside your backpack.”
“That’s awesome.”
Lincoln tightens his hold on me, which makes me all kinds of warm and cuddly. Soon, I fall into a very sweet sleep, thinking a single thought, over and over.
This is how I will rest for the remainder of my days. With Lincoln’s arms around me.
Not bad at all.
Chapter Twenty-Six
That night, I dream about sleeping. It’s totally weird yet not exactly upsetting. All I do in my dreams is snooze while feeling happy, cuddly, and warm. In fact, the whole experience is so awesome I find it tough to wake up. Eventually, I have to, though.
Although I’m only half alert, thoughts of the day start rattling around my head.
It’s Saturday.
Yesterday, we got that damned codex into the courtroom.
Tomorrow, I get married.
And then, there appears the most delicious thought of all.