bad feeling about all of this, that’s all.”
Nodding, I touch my lips to hers in a brief kiss. “Godiva and Aleida visited me before I came up to you,” I admit.
“They told you everything?” she asks.
I hum, running my nose alongside her own. “They told me that you experienced a pain, that they sensed one of your sisters had breached our world, that she was possibly somewhere, but they had no idea where. They also said that you had a bad feeling within you about me and this war.”
“And you’re still going?”
Smiling, I touch my mouth to hers again before I trail my lips down her neck, sucking on her tender flesh every so often.
“I would not be the man that I am if I did not go, Sybilla. I am not weak, I am not a coward, and I do not fear death except to leave you alone and possibly with child,” I explain.
One of her hands slides through the strands of my hair and she tugs my head back, forcing me to look into her golden glittering gaze. I should be angry with her for the move, but I cannot, as it is beautiful to see her passion and protection rising. She will be a good mother to our babe.
“It is never weak to protect yourself, Elias.”
Smirking, I tug her head back slightly by the grip that I still have in her hair. “Nay, it is not weak to protect yourself or your family. It is, however, weak to hide like a cowering animal in the face of danger. The man who rules Llyne is evil. He treats his subjects deplorably. He taxes them and does not care that they cannot feed their families. He does not deserve to rule a household, let alone a country. My father made a selfish deal when he gave that man our land and I will right his wrong.”
Sybilla runs her teeth along her bottom lip. “Why do you have to be so damn good, Elias? Why can’t you save yourself from whatever is about to happen? I know that it is something. Something terrible,” she whispers.
Releasing my hold on her hair, I slip from her body and gather her in my arms as I lie us down in the bed, tucking her close to my side.
“All will be well, sweeting. The gods would not give you to me, would not guide us through different worlds to find one another and then rip us apart. The prophecy will be fulfilled and whether good or evil comes from that, we will be standing side-by-side throughout it all.”
There is a period of silence while I run my fingers down her back and hip, then up again, over and over, trying to memorize every square inch of her soft flesh before I must leave, so very shortly.
“I hope you’re right, Elias,” she whispers.
“Do not become over-emotional and ruin the good weather we seem to be having.” I grin, looking down at her.
She lifts up slightly, her eyes narrowing. “I can’t help that,” she snaps.
“I jest, sweeting. A light drizzle of sadness when I leave you would not be amiss, for I know that I will be feeling sad as well. I do not wish to leave your side or your warm, soft body.”
Sybilla leans forward and touches her mouth to mine. “I should be offended that it’s only my body you don’t want to leave, but I have to admit, I don’t want your hard body to leave me either.” She laughs softly.
Sliding my tongue around her mouth, tasting her, I let out a grunt as I release the kiss. “The gods created you for me, Sybilla. I am never leaving you.”
She sighs and closes her eyes as she nestles against me. “I love you, Elias,” she exhales.
I know not if she realizes she’s said the words aloud. My heart hammers against my chest and I close my eyes and let those three little words soak in. My arms flex around her, holding her close to me. I love her more than words can express. More than I could ever admit.
SYBILLA
“It is very beautiful here,” Ellyn whispers.
Jasmine, Ellyn, Katrina, and I are standing at the top of the castle steps. The men are finishing packing their belongings, arming themselves with their personal weapons of choice.
They are all going, all but a few soldiers that I do not know, who will guard the outer walls of the castle. I won’t have Rowan and Henry to watch