Arranged (42 page)

He rubbed a hand down her arm, frowning as he felt chill bumps on her. "I am an excellent fighter. You need not worry for me either."

She glanced at him over her shoulder. He couldn't help but recognize the fear in them. "I've already experienced someone leaving for work and never returning. I would not wish to endure that again," her voice wavered.

His body reacted to her vulnerability with wanting to shelter her from the fears of this world. He found himself cupping her chin while turning her face and bringing her soft mouth to meet his.

Their kiss was tender and full of promises. He would never purposely hurt her, but as King, he was obligated to lead his soldiers into war. All he could do was hope she trusted in him enough to be all right while he was gone.

She melted into their kiss, her hand covering his that held her face. Qwinn lost track of time. He forgot all about the Ou'tani and the Vidarian nation. The only thing that mattered was Alison; her scent consumed him from the inside out. She tasted like cinnamon.

As she leaned against his chest, he was sure that she could feel his heart about to fly out of its place. He wanted to stay in this moment for eternity. This moment where fear was nonexistent, where obligations were far away, where nothing surrounded them but…love.

He loved her. Just then, he realized that it didn't matter if she broke his heart or hated him for their union, he had found his true mate; the one and only woman he was supposed to be with for the rest of his days, the only woman he was meant to kiss ever again.

When they broke their kiss, he immediately wanted to pull her into another. His lips tingled with the lingering feel of her. Her eyes were at half-mast and her face flushed, but not from a blush. It pleased him to see how much he in turn affected her.

"So beautiful," he whispered, as if afraid that speaking too loudly would ruin their moment. He stroked his long, dark finger down her cheek. She seemed as though she were having a hard time breathing. Finally, her cheeks lit in the ever-present blush, which pleased him all the more.

She lay against him, snuggling close as he continued to lead the Ou'tani to the palace. He would rather not return to the palace where endless distractions and obligations waited for them, he wanted to cherish this sweet time, so he turned the beast toward another road.

Alison looked up at him with a curious excitement. "Where are we going?"

"To the gardens…I do not want to return just yet."

She relaxed once more into his chest. He decided he very well liked this position. She felt small but strong against him, and warm, so warm.

They reached the gardens and he led the beast through the many statues until they stopped at a lovely flower patch. He helped Alison down and led her to the patch, sitting on the grass. She followed his lead. He plucked a flower at his side and handed it to her. She accepted it with a shy smile, smelling it and closing her eyes in pleasure at the beautiful scent.

There were many torches touched by magic so they would not go out. Alison seemed more at ease in the light. She studied her surrounding with awe. Though he had been there numerous times over the centuries, the gardens still held a mysterious beauty and pain for him.

Then a thought hit him like a punch in the stomach. He needed to purpose to Alison, and soon. He only had three days before the Eclipse. He wanted to give her at least a few days to become accustomed to the idea of spending the rest of her life with him, which meant only two and a half days until the festivals started. Noon the Eclipse was the strongest, the time when he would become bonded and married to Alison. That also meant that he had to purpose tonight.

His nerves went haywire and he felt slightly sick. Alison's eyes creased with worry. "Are you alright?" she asked, reaching slightly toward him.

"I'm fine," he said, taking a deep breath.

She studied him carefully. He laid himself down in the grass, the coolness helping to calm him slightly. She sat closer. "What is it?"

He shook his head. "I'm just tired," he answered, which was partially true. Training had been grueling. He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to regain control of himself. Purposing shouldn't feel like he was offering himself up for slaughter. He was king! The mere thought she could say no should not scare him because it didn't matter what she said, she was marrying him either way.

Finally, he opened his eyes to find her staring at him worriedly. He plastered a confident and reassuring smile on his face while he pulled her down to him. She fit perfectly in the nook of his shoulder. However, she stiffened. When he glanced down at her, he noticed her blush was bright. Perhaps he had read her actions on the Ou'tani incorrectly?

He thought she wouldn't mind lying together. He wouldn't touch her sexually until they were bonded and wed. Did she think he would take advantage of her? He had seen how acting on lust like that could ruin a Relationship.

After a moment, she seemed to relax slightly into his side. Her head rested on his collarbone and her hand found its way to the sash he wore across his sculpted chest.

She was warm against him and smelt even better than the flowers to him. He found himself perfectly content, which was so hard for him to come by. His fingers stroked her arm absentmindedly as he started at the cavern ceiling far above them. "How do you enjoy dancing?"

He could feel her cheek crease into a smile against his chest. "I really enjoy it. I wish it came easier though…I haven't had something to be proud of in myself for a long time."

"You dance like a natural."

She snorted. "You are very kind, but I think even with years of practice I won't be as good as Adalia."

"She's been dancing since she was a child, you've only just been introduced to it, give yourself a chance," he said, coming to her own defense.

She snuggled closer and sighed. Her warmth, coupled with his exhaustion made his eyelids heavy. The more she relaxed against him, the more he relaxed in turn. Before he could stop it, he fell asleep.

ALISON KNEW THE MOMENT HE FELL ASLEEP. His breathing became deeper and his grip on her slacked. Nevertheless, her mind was still reeling from his touch. With his body so close, it was making her tremble. She was falling for him too quickly. As his hand had stroked her heated skin, it sent shockwaves of awareness through her. She could still feel his mouth against hers. As if she wasn't having a hard enough time already, his scent was consuming her. He was warm and she found that she was content to snuggle into his arms.

Her mind warned her to tread cautiously; she was in uncharted territories. Her heart had never longed for anyone the way it longed for Qwinn. At the same time, excitement was constantly present. She trusted Qwinn and knew he wouldn't hurt her.

While he was sleeping, she took the moment to study him. He was probably one of the strangest men she'd ever seen and she was in love with him. She blinked at the mental confession then went warm all over. She loved him and he was well on his way to loving her.

She smiled at her little secret. He had showed her a life she was so desperately searching for, on the surface. The resentment she had held toward him for kidnapping her had vanished and was replaced by love. It felt as though it were meant to be, as if this day had been planned from the beginning.

Alison rolled her eyes and mentally chided herself at such a foolish though. His warmth began to seep into her and relax her more. She allowed her eyes to drift closed and soon after, she too was drifting to sleep.

She wasn't sure how long she'd been asleep, but she woke to find herself still in Qwinn's arms. She smiled as she carefully stretched her stiffness away.

Her movements, however, woke up Qwinn. He yawned and smiled sleepily down at her. "I'm sorry," he said, his voice husky with sleep.

"What for?"

"I did not mean to fall asleep."

She smiled softly. "I think it was a well deserved nap."

He stroked her hair, combing his fingers gently through it and in turn made her scalp tingle with awareness. "I've never fallen asleep with anyone like that before," he mumbled. It almost sounded like he was talking to himself. "I usually don't trust…do you like it down here?" he suddenly asked.

She peered up at him. "I've grown to like it quite well down here." She couldn't help but smile at the surprise she saw in his eyes. "You have treated me with more kindness in a few weeks than I have had in a lifetime with my uncle."

He pulled her gently closer, until their faces were mere inches from each other. "I am glad, because even if I were allowed to let you go, I wouldn't."

She was finding it hard to breathe. "Why is that?"

He smiled a secretive smile. "I've grown to like you quite well," he said, mimicking her answer. Then all humor washed away in the wake of seriousness. "You make me want to be better, not only for myself, but for my people, for you." His finger brushed along her arm. "I think I am falling in love with you."

Alison's heart stopped at the revelation. She was surprised to find that she wasn't blushing. Instead, she was completely focused. For once, her mind was quiet, as if waiting for the hammer to fall and for him to realize what he just said and change his mind.

She must have been wearing her doubts on her face because he shifted so he could better look her in the eye. "Tell me what makes you uneasy about this," he whispered. She could tell that her silence was causing him to doubt himself.

She sucked in a deep breath. If he was going to be this honest with her, he deserved an honest answer. She hated showing him more weakness than was necessary, but he would never understand her doubts if she didn't try to explain. "But…I'm human." That doubt had been spreading its roots in her mind, making her feel less than worthy. She would never live up to Vidarian people.

A kind smile grew on his mouth and her dread grew. She was sure he was going to tell her the nice way, that she was right and wasn't good enough for him. "I love the fact that you're human!"

Her brows rose. "Why?" she couldn't help but hear the quiver in her voice.

He leaned closer, laying his forehead against hers. "It is because you are human that the council will allow me to marry you."

Again, she felt her heart freeze and the breath leave her lungs. Was he asking her to…?

"Alison," he whispered so softly she could barely hear him. "Alison," he repeated, as if savoring her name. "Marry me. Allow me to protect you. Let me teach you. I will show you how much love you deserve."

Alison felt her eyes prick and fill with tears. He pulled back to study her. "Marry me," he repeated, gently swiping his thumb across her cheek, banishing a tear.

HE WAITED FOR WHAT FELT LIKE AN ETERNITY FOR HER ANSWER. The longer she waited, the more sour his stomach felt. If she said no, he knew he would throw up from all of the anxiety he felt. "I love you. I trust you, let me prove it," he said quickly, needing to fill the silence with something.

Before she could say anything, he shifted so he could take her injured thigh into his hands and tried desperately to concentrate. It took him a minute to get his racing heart under control enough to heal her, completely this time. A vision of her leg came into his minds-eye. The bone was healing itself, but there was still a slight crack. He concentrated on the bone, mending the fibers and sealing the crack. Alison gasped from a split second of pain, and then let her breath out as she was once more made whole.

Qwinn opened his eyes and gazed hopefully into hers, willing her to see that he meant what he said. Yes, he was her captor. Yes, he was the King of a race that was completely opposite of hers. Yes, they'd only known each other for a little over a week and a half, but he didn't care about any of that. She was his soul's song, she was meant for him, she was born for him and he wanted to be her everything.

"Spend your life with me," he said gently, trying to keep his voice from shaking.

Her watery green eyes stared back hesitantly and he steeled himself for her answer.

She licked her lips and her eyes fluttered down. His heart began to sink, his doubts waited impatiently at the edges of his mind, ready to make themselves known with a vengeance. "Alright," she whispered, as if afraid of what she was saying.

His eyes widened slightly in surprise as uncertain joy began to warm him. "Alright?" he asked, unsure if she had meant what she said.

A nervous smile tugged at her lips. "Yes," she said with a nod of her head, affirming to him as well as herself.

The joy that consumed him was uncontrollable. He hadn't been this happy since…he'd never been this happy before!

Unable to contain himself, he jumped up, pulling her to her feet and grabbing her around the waist, he lifted her up and spun while he laughed. She squealed, holding onto his shoulders. His laughter bubbled from deep inside of him. It was the sound of pure, untainted happiness. If he had known she would make him feel this good, he would have selfishly taken her from the surface a lot sooner.

He eased her down, but didn't let her move far. Without missing a beat, he cupped her chin and kissed her long, allowing his overflowing heart to spill into their kiss. To his delight, she responded by wrapping her arms around his neck, keeping him there.

He could have stayed in this moment for the rest of his long life. In fact, he would have preferred it. However, after a moment, she pulled back with a blush. "What about a ring?"