Chapter Twenty-Nine

"Tanitha," Darius said, over the wind. His voice, low and strong, reverberated through her body from how closely she was pressed against his chest as they flew. "Look."

She raised her head tentatively, though the wind whipped the few loose strands of her hair around her face in coils. When she did, her breath caught.

She had flown with him before, blindfolded and under the cover of darkness. And so, she had never seen the majesty of the city from above.

Karazhen's spires glowed in the radiant sunlight, streaks of brightness reflected from the nearby sea dancing over them. In the distance, fields of wheat and other grains glowed practically white. The sky was a stunning clear blue, the color somehow more vibrant than from the ground, and purer. From here, she could see everything; the harbor and its ships, the imposing columns and arched dome of the senatorial buildings, the people in the Sanctuary and marketplaces, and the noble houses, their proud banners snapping in the wind.

"Yours," said Darius, his voice a gentle murmur in her ear beneath the rush of the wind. "Yours, as much as mine now. Perhaps more."

Tanitha's entire being trembled. She had never sought rulership, and in truth, she didn't have it yet, and would not until Darius inherited the throne. But still, he was right. She was among this city's leaders.

Whatever her own feelings toward Naratha might be, she knew the demon queen had worked for the good of Karazhen. But much of what she had done had been rooted in fear; fear of what would happen if the human populace became disenchanted with their demonic overlords, fear of allowing even a hint of hostile sentiment toward the demons to take hold. Tanitha understood that; it was a real danger that even a foundling girl from the simplest walk of life could appreciate. But likewise, even a foundling girl could love Karazhen, and deeply want what was best for its people. Perhaps it was time to let protecting and providing out of fear be a thing of the past.

Darius spread his wings to bank sharply, and a gasp escaped Tanitha at the sudden change in speed just as he alighted on the balcony of one of the palace's towers.

He moved as if to put her down, but instead of acquiescing, she turned her head and pressed her lips against his. He tightened his grip on her, his right hand caressing her waist, and she kissed him deeper, twining one hand through his hair.

He carried her into the tower's top room, kissing her all the while. Gently, he set her on her feet. She glanced around reluctantly, not wanting to take her eyes off him for even a moment, but as she did, her breath caught. The room was small, but well-appointed, with a luxurious bed in the center. He'd taken her to his palace quarters.

He laid both hands on her shoulders, then turned her to face him. He wrapped one arm around her waist, pulling her in so that their bodies were pressed together. She looked up to meet his eyes, and warmth flooded through her at the tenderness she saw there. He gently brushed a loose strand of hair back from her face, then kissed her forehead. She tilted her face upward, and he kissed each of her cheeks, and then her lips once more. Then, slowly, he released his grip on her, his hands sliding to her hips as he kissed her neck.

Though the sudden surge in desire was agonizing, Tanitha forced herself to remain still as he continued to kiss her, one hand working at the broaches and ties of her dress with deliberate slowness. The fabric slid over her skin as each one came undone until all at once, the diaphanous silks pooled at her feet. Her heart was pounding so loudly she wasn't certain she would have heard him if he spoke, the beats carrying the sensations of each touch and kiss through her entire body.

He bent, lowering his attentions from her neck to her collarbones, kissing each one. Her grip on the hard muscles of his upper arms tightened, and he moved lower, his lips barely grazing the round top of her breasts. At this, her restraint broke, and she suddenly stepped forward, wrapping one leg around his, pressing her hips against his and relishing in the proof of his own agonized arousal, even through his clothing. Gods, she had missed his touch, his voice… everything.

"It's been too long," he murmured, echoing her own thoughts. Tears came to her eyes.

"I've missed you so much," she whispered. "And… I thought… before we were able to see each other, I was so afraid you'd never forgive me."

"Let me make sure you never have room to wonder about that again, then," he murmured. He led her to the bed, drawing her to sit down beside him. He kissed her again and again, and she wrapped her arms around him. He was hers, and she was his, never to be separated again.

THE END