going to be okay.”
They stood side by side in silence for a while, both looking out over the gardens. Annika finally spoke up. “When will we leave for Balvraine?”
“I thought we would take a day or so to make sure Mary is on her way to a good recovery, and also for us to formulate a plan. We’ve been flying by the seat of our pants. Plus, you needed some supplies from Myridian that we weren’t able to get, so we’ll need to handle that.”
Annika nodded. “That would be good. It’s been a rough day today.”
***
Kieran reached out and ran a knuckle over her cheek. She closed her eyes in response briefly then pulled away. She eyed him warily. Annika wasn’t the type that took to kindness well he’d bet. He couldn’t help himself. Kindness would push her away, but what about passion?
Kieran grabbed Annika’s hand and pulled her to him hard. Their bodies collided and he framed her face with his hands. Looking down at her, he saw fiery response in her eyes. Her lips were parted and hell yeah, that was an invitation. His mouth swooped down on hers while one hand moved to the back of her head to hold her in place.
Sliding his tongue to the inside of her mouth was ambrosia. Her tongue came out to play and he immediately felt her piercing massaging along his tongue. So nice. He pushed into her mouth further and they were soon moving against each other in a harmonious dance. Annika’s hands fisted in Kieran’s shirt and he heard a low moan vibrate in her throat. Shit, he wanted her so badly. But now was not the time or place. Pulling gently away, he completed the kiss with a soft graze across her lips and a light rub of his nose alongside hers. When he released her, he saw her eyes were glazed with the same passion he was feeling. It made him want to pound on his chest like Tarzan.
“Come on. Let’s go see Mary. I’m sure Ava wants to say hello to you, then we will get you something to eat.”
Annika released her hold on Kieran’s shirt and took a step back. Her eyes were wary again. Oh well, nothing ventured, nothing gained. He’d have to work on her. He turned on his heel and headed back inside. Annika followed.
***
Walking into Mary’s room, Annika saw Ava sitting on the side of the bed talking to Mary. Her head turned when she heard them walk into the room. Ava stood up and crossed over to Annika. Grasping her hands, she leaned in and kissed Annika on the cheek. “Welcome back to Clairmont. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen each other.”
Annika noted that Ava’s tone was warm and inviting but she wasn’t used to that from people. She accepted the kiss but then pulled away. “It’s good to see you too, Ava. I can’t thank you enough for helping my Aunt Mary.”
“Think nothing of it. I remember Mary fondly and we are glad to help. It’s the least we can do since you are helping Kieran to recover The Scepter.”
So that makes us even, Annika thought.
“But we would have helped her even if you weren’t helping us. That’s the way things should be. I only wish we had known what Mason had been doing to her as I would have taken matters into my own hand long before now.” There was a hard edge to Ava’s words. Annika’s respect for the young queen ratcheted up quite a bit.
Annika looked at Ava more closely. She had last seen her when they were both sixteen years old. Ava had not changed that much. She still had glorious chocolate brown hair and light green eyes. She may have filled out a bit, but it was in all the right places. She had heard through the grapevine that Ava had married Carrick Dunne and they had a child together. She was glad for her. It wasn’t the life Annika ever aspired to, but she could be happy for someone else if that is what floated their boat.
Nope. Annika had never aspired to marriage. In her brief existence so far, she had learned that marriage could product heartache and misery. Children also were an unknown. Mason had proved that not all children were good beings. Just the thought of marriage and children made Annika a little nauseous. It was probably why she had shied away from anything that resembled a commitment