A Kingdom of Venom and Vows (Stars and Shadows #3)(61)

“My father’s army marches toward our kingdom.”

“So he is going to bring the war here?” I balled my hands into fists in his shirt as I stared ahead at his chest.

“Well…” He pressed his fingers under my chin and lifted it until I looked back up at him. “The scouts have yet to see the king or the prince with his army.”

“The cowards.”

That brought a grin to his face. “Whatever we are to face, we shall face it tomorrow.” He leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against my mouth. “Tonight, I want to enjoy my wife.”

“We should be doing something…” I looked out the door where kids were still running around and laughing, but Evren quickly turned my head back to him.

“There is nothing else to do tonight.” He pushed my hair back out of my face before his hand caressed my cheek. “The morning is to come no matter how much we prepare.”

“The children…”

“Will all sleep soundly tonight.” He reached down and took my hand in his before bringing it to his lips. “You have done everything you can tonight.”

I nodded my head even though I didn’t really believe him.

But a tiredness set deep in my bones as I looked around me and realized that maybe he was right. I needed to rest. I needed to be ready to face our enemy tomorrow even though still at this moment I tried to block him from my mind.

Because I wasn’t sure I would ever be strong enough to face Gavril again.

“Okay.” I nodded and squeezed his hand. “You’re right.”

Evren’s eyes widened, and he grinned.

“What?”

“Nothing.” He laughed as he shook his head and pulled on my hand until he led me from the room. “I just don’t think you’ve ever admitted I was right before.”

I rolled my eyes dramatically, and he laughed again. “That’s because you’re usually wrong.”

“I was right about you.” He kissed my knuckles as he led us down the hall.

“Don’t try to charm me. You already got me to marry you.” I started to roll my eyes again, but he jerked me into his body and dipped me backward.

His mouth rested against mine as he smiled. “And it was the best damn day of my life.”

He kissed me then, soft and teasing, and when he finally pulled away, I could see his burning desire staring back at me.

“Come.” He nodded his head down the hall, and I followed him dutifully.

Once we left the west wing, the palace was quiet. There were a lot more guards throughout the grounds than I was used to seeing, but they were all alert to their posts. They glanced in our direction as we walked by and bowed their heads slightly before quickly getting back to their watch.

The sight of them should have comforted me, but fear coursed through me. Tomorrow was coming. This war was coming, and I wasn’t ready for it. I selfishly wasn’t ready to give up this time with Evren.

If I didn’t love the people of this kingdom so much, I would have begged him to run away with me. Just me and him where no one else could ever find him.

But I couldn’t do that.

I would never be able to leave Thalia, Sorin, or Jorah. I couldn’t leave those children or their brave parents who had stayed in the kingdom when they were offered the chance to run.

I would stand at their sides tomorrow, ready to fight, even if I did so with trembling hands. I would stand with them just the same.

Evren opened the door and his fingertips pressed on the small of my back, guiding me into the room. His fingers were light, but I could feel the strength of him behind me. It should have reassured me, calmed my racing heart, but with every second we moved closer to tomorrow, my heart seemed to race faster.

An icy chill ran through my body and my palms began to sweat as I scanned our room, and I prayed I’d be able to keep my fear from showing.

Evren’s lips brushed against my neck, and he breathed me in as I tried to calm my own breathing.

“Everything is going to be okay, princess.” He wrapped his hand around my arm and tugged me back just a step until his chest was plastered against my back. “We have each other.”

“What if that isn’t enough?” I let my biggest fear slip past my lips. I hadn’t wanted to say it out loud for dread it would be true.

“I have searched for you through a thousand lifetimes, princess, and I will search for you through a thousand more.” He pressed another kiss to my neck, and I let the feel of him settle deep inside me. “It is with you that I feel most powerful. It is you who strengthens every part of me.”

His tongue traced over the back of my neck, and I shivered under his touch.

“It is you, princess, who will change our world.”

His hand tightened against me, and he moved from behind me, pulling me toward the bed. There was such a fire in his gaze, a desire that threatened to burn me, and it became hard to think about anything other than him.

He backed me up until the backs of my knees hit the mattress, and his fingers slowly tugged the edge of my dress up my body. Cool air kissed the skin of my bare legs, and I took a sharp breath as his fingers grazed over my hips.

He peered down at me, his gaze moving from my lips back to my eyes. “It is you and I, Adara.” I nodded, and he lifted my dress higher. “You are all that I need, all that I desire.” He pulled the dress over my head swiftly, and I stood before him in nothing but a pair of boots and the undergarments that covered my center. “Tonight, I will think of nothing but you.”