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28. A Pleasant Detour

"Even if Felicity can sneak over there and steal the mage's tome," I say to Lukas when we return to my cabin, "what about Cassandra Marie? We still won't have a way to rescue her."

He turns toward the closed door, pressing his forehead against the wood. "I don't know."

"We could wait until after they free her. Maybe sneak Felicity aboard their ship while they're on their return voyage to Milindria?"

"It will be far more difficult and dangerous when we're not traveling with them. Even if we spirit Felicity on board before they depart, how will she escape while they're at sea?"

He's right. We'd have to do a full-on pirate takeover, and that sounds like an excellent way to start a war—not a good plan when the whole point is to avoid one.

I rub Lukas's shoulders, kneading the heel of my palm into his stiff muscles. "It's going to work out."

He groans softly.

"Let's worry about the future later," I say. "Tonight, we should celebrate."

Lukas slowly turns, resting his back against the door as he faces me. "What are we celebrating, Sunshine?"

"We found the journal. Once again, you and Davyn have proven to be excellent scouts."

A smile flickers over his face. "We are, aren't we?"

"The best." I wrap my arms around his waist. "You realize that if you and Davyn hadn't been so determined to save the dragon, we would have never found it?"

"Ironic, isn't it? Sometimes a detour leads directly to the destination."

I lean in for a kiss, lingering. "I wouldn't mind taking a detour now."

He chuckles under his breath.

"Kiss me, Lukas." I study him. "Kiss me like you know I want to be kissed."

"How do you want to be kissed, Sunshine?"

I meet his eyes. "Make me forget my name."

His smile becomes a smirk. He presses his hand to the small of my back and firmly tugs me into him. He covers my startled exclamation with his mouth, his kiss hard and demanding.

Molding my body against his, I drape my arms over his shoulders and pull him closer. When I playfully nip his bottom lip, he makes a noise deep in his throat. His grip on me tightens, and he turns us, pushing me against the door.

I gasp as he abandons my lips and runs soft, hot kisses down my throat. Wanting closer still, I push off his jacket, flinging it toward the bed, and then fist my hands in the soft fabric of his shirt.

"You're playing with fire, Sunshine," he warns, his tone ragged.

"I like playing with fire." I place the palm of my hand around the back of his neck and warm his skin with a spark of magic. "I can handle the heat. Can you?"

He growls, his mouth crushing against mine. I meet his intensity, living in the moment, refusing to think about anything past tonight. He coaxes me to deepen the kiss, drinking me in, softly demanding. The bristle of his new, short beard brushes against my chin and my cheeks, a contrast to his warm, soft lips.

I am lost to this man, his forever.

My breath hitches when his hand moves to my corset belt, my body going still as his fingers toy with the laces. Several seconds pass. My heart beats like a drum in my chest.

Lukas tilts his head back, studying me with his aqua eyes. Then he smiles and drops his hand.

"I didn't tell you to stop," I protest, my chest rising and falling.

He kisses me again, this time gently. So gently. "I told myself."

I knead my fingers into his neck muscles. "Stop giving yourself bad advice."

He laughs, resting his forehead against mine. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"You and your secrets."

"Your desire is intoxicating. It's the most delicious, addicting thing I've ever felt, and I know if we went any further, I wouldn't be able to stop."

The words seduce me, even if that's not his intent.

"What does it feel like?" I whisper. "My desire?"

"It calls to me, hot and demanding. It pulls me closer, blinding me until you're all I see. You're as bright as your namesake, Sunshine." In a husky whisper, as if his words aren't tantalizing enough, he adds, "And I would gladly burn for you."

I move my hand to his cheek, tilting his head back so I can study him. He lets me drink my fill, smiling as I stroke my thumb over his beard. Soon, he'll shave it off, but I like him like this. Rugged and slightly unkempt.

But I like him every way—cleanly shaven, with a shadow, covered in cave dirt, or dressed for court.

"A month," I say with a sigh. "Then another two weeks. Probably two more months, and then another six months after that. It's so long."

He laughs softly. "You've lost me, Sunshine. I have no idea what you're talking about."

"A month to return to Kalae. Two weeks to travel to Eromoore. Courting for two months, followed by a six-month engagement."

His smile becomes brilliant. "Did you just propose? I feel rather scandalized—we only just started courting."

I roll my eyes, trying not to laugh. "You proposed first, here, in this very spot. Don't you remember?"

His eyes sparkle. "Refresh my memory."

I avoid his gaze, focusing on the loose shirt laces at his throat. "We were discussing some ridiculous war you'd created in your mind, and then suddenly, without any warning, you asked me to marry you."

He slides his arms around my back, holding me. "I vaguely remember this."

I look up, at home in his blue gaze. "You told me you want to have a family with me."

"It's coming back to me now."

"You said you want to say you love me and hear it in return."

He turns his head, kissing my hand. "I certainly remember that."

I smile, my heart full. "But you've never said it."

Looking genuinely startled, he narrows his eyes. "Haven't I?"

"So I'll say it first." I meet his eyes and gather my courage. "I love you."

His expression becomes vulnerable, his eyes soft and liquid. "Soleil."

"I want the future you offered. I want to take your last name and have a family with you. I trust you with my heart, and I want you in every day of my future."

He presses his hand to my cheek. "You remember all that?"

"Every word." I kiss him again and whisper against his lips, "I love you, Lukas."

Studying me, he asks quietly, "You love me? Really?"

Laughing, I confirm, "I do."

After several long seconds, he releases me, looking like a man who owns the world. With a satisfied sigh, he says, "I should probably return to Davyn's cabin."

"Lukas," I say sharply. "Don't you have something to say to me?"

His smirk returns, wicked and beautiful. "This is my moment, Sunshine. Don't try to steal it from me."

Both annoyed and amused, I turn from him. "Honestly?—"

Laughing, he catches me around the waist and drops his chin to my shoulder. "I loved you when we were young, and I love you now. You've always owned my heart, and you're the only keeper I want for it. I am yours."

"Mine?"

He presses a chaste kiss to the side of my neck. "Yes."

"That's an intriguing notion. To do with as I please?"

"That sounds ominous, but yes."

"Anything?" I glance toward the bed.

"I like the way you think, Sunshine. But I'm a man of honor, remember? We discussed this. I can't keep sleeping in your bed. Eventually, I will find myself out of self-control."

"Months, Lukas. Just think of them all."

He laughs as if the idea is absurd. "Do you know how many months I've already waited? Ten more—that's nothing. I am up to the challenge."

"Fine." I laugh, shaking my head as I push him away. "Go then."

He catches my hand, brushing a soft kiss over my knuckles. "You're worth the wait. You know that, don't you?"

I melt a little, so ridiculously head over heels for this man. "Goodnight, Lukas."

He pauses by the door, looking back before he slips out. "Goodnight, Sunshine."

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