“Then we will rule together. Always and forever,” he parroted. When he’d come to Terra, he’d been eaten up with hate and vengeance. Darkness had shrouded his soul. But this feisty female had teased and tormented him from minute one, steadily pushing him into the light.

“I can’t believe Aveline is dead. Can’t believe how close I came to losing you forever.” A sob left her, causing her entire body to quake, but no others followed. “I can believe we did it. We’re amazing!”

“You keep including me, but it was you. You did it, I watched. And a more spectacular sight I’ve never beheld.” He laughed with unfettered joy and jumped to his feet, taking her with him. “You are amazing, love.”

He planted a sizzling hot kiss on her lips. “I can never thank you enough.”

“No, babe. Thank you. You did help. You trusted me. Now you’re giving me the life I’ve always dreamed of having.”

“I trusted you, yes, and I was rewarded for it. You gave me life, period. Before you, I was dead in every way that mattered. But you revived me. You became my heart.” He kissed her again. He couldn’t not kiss her. “You were right before. We will find a way to stop the war so that we all survive. I know we will. Look at all we’ve accomplished so far. Now that we’re working together, we can do so much more. And we will.”

“You’re right. We’ve accomplished so much in a very short time frame. You are free of Aveline’s tyrannical rule. I gained a crown, powers and an army. But I will. Soon. I think the beasts are searching for me.”

“Oh, they are. I have no doubts.”

“Maybe they can help during assemblies and battles. You know, do some scouting for us. Perhaps even be trained to ambush the High Council and their Enforcers? Food for thought, anyway.”

“Excellent ideas. But right now, I only wish to enjoy you, to keep you all to myself.” He brought her hand to his mouth and kissed her wrist, laving her hammering pulse with his tongue. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been this happy, especially during a war.”

With a contented sigh, she kissed a spot just over his heart. “After we stop the war, maybe we can visit Adwaeweth and help our people.”

“Our people,” he said with a smile. “Yes. I’d like that. Wherever we are, we’ll work miracles together. But first, I need more of you. A physical pledge of your devotion. Since I’m your king and all.”

She smiled up at him. “What my king wants, my king receives.”

“What my queen, my treasure wants...” He gripped her hips, grinding her core against his erection. “I will provide.”