Chapter 60

60

One month later

“ C ome to the water, sprite,” Ruslan called, the waves lapping around his trim hips in an incredibly enticing way.

Setting aside my book, I strode across the wet sand to the ocean’s edge. “But I’m dressed,” I pouted playfully, gesturing down to the breezy, colorful attire I wore.

My mate looked from side to side and then up and down before throwing me a salacious wink. “Even if there were people around, I wouldn’t care. My empress is the most beautiful female in all of északi, and they should all be jealous of what I have.”

Without shame, Ruslan strode from the water, revealing his hardness already dripping for me. Falling into giggles, I stripped out of my clothes, tossing them behind me, and met him halfway.

“I love to hear you laugh, so carefree,” he purred, nuzzling into my neck.

I sighed, melting into his embrace. “This is the first time I’ve ever truly relaxed.”

“I will ensure there is plenty of time for you to relax when we return home,” he promised, pulling me deeper into the water.

It was crystal clear and bright blue, and around my feet swam schools of little silvery fish. In the Iron Realm, the first sprigs of green were peeking through the snow, but in the Day Realm, it felt like summer. Queen Viktoria had offered up the royal’s seaside residence for our use after our wedding and coronation. Once all the nobles of északi departed the Iron Realm, we’d followed the Day Realm’s queen and king consort home, then taken a carriage to the getaway.

“I feel like I can breathe, deeply, for the first time,” I admitted, paddling beside him.

I loved being in the water, but not knowing how to swim was tricky business when the ocean liked to toss me this way and that. Ruslan held onto me the whole time, letting my muscles grow accustomed to swimming so that eventually I’d be able to venture further on my own. He had told me of other creatures that lived beneath the surface, and excitement raced through me as he explained ways to explore the water’s depths.

“It will take time for you to fully feel safe in our everyday lives. But we’ll work on it. Together,” he promised.

I flipped to my back, floating with my hair loose and flowing in every direction. “It’s a good thing we have such long lives to share all these experiences with each other.”

“I want you to experience everything in this life, sprite. If there is something you want, I’ll buy it. If there is somewhere you want to go, I’ll take you. If you want someone killed, I’ll be your executioner.” I grinned, but he stole my smile with a press of his lips. Threading my fingers in his hair, I pulled myself upright and wrapped my legs around his waist. His hardness dug into my core, throbbing and wanting despite staying in bed for far too long this morning making love.

“And I want you to know that I will love you always. You need reassurance? I will tell you a million times. You need someone to share your burdens? I will listen. We’re a team, and we do everything together.” I ground myself against him, earning a low warning growl that sent delicious goosebumps across my skin.

“Us against the world,” he repeated the phrase we said to each other over and over.

“Us against the world,” I echoed.

Beneath the brilliant sun and among the salty ocean waves, we kissed, falling into each other with unrivaled passion, knowing truly, that we were both loved, wanted, and needed.

And it was in that moment, I realized I was no longer afraid.

I was free.