“Oh, that. It just blurted out, to make sure that he understood just how united we are, and how we cannot be parted, and that I am completely yours.”

He looked away to the pool. “It was a ruse, then.”

Laying her palm against his face, she turned his gaze back to her. Being alone with him here, in this quiet place, was so perfect and peaceful. She loved the moments when they could be like this, completely together, whether in passion or just sitting in each other’s embrace.

“It was no ruse. There will be a baptism, my love. Midsummer, I think. That is what Joan and Moira say.”

His hard mouth softened beautifully. His expression transformed into one of heart-stopping happiness. The arms holding her tightened gently, protectively, possessively.

“This morning I would have said it was impossible for me to love you more than I already did, Nesta. It seems that was not true.”

He kissed her with the passion that they had first discovered in this garden, and which had created the child she bore.

An impossible passion, that he had demanded be given life.

A brief pleasure, that he had fought to convert to a permanent love.

It fills my heart with sparkling light. The grace of heaven could not be more powerful. They were words from a dream, and they spoke in her as she lost herself in the sublime joining of their kiss. She loved him so much that her heart could not contain it, and it poured out to fill the garden.

“I have sworn an oath to Edward that the child will be educated properly.” He did not move much as he said it, and their faces still touched.

“All that we promised will be done. I would have it no other way.”

He smiled. “That is generous of you. Of course, with a bard in the household, and a daughter of Llygad as a mother, I wonder if it will turn out as the King thinks.”

“Are you accusing me of plotting to thwart the King’s plan?”

“Heaven forbid I should suspect you of such treason.”

She caressed his lips, and then touched them with her own. “If it is a son, he will turn out much like his father, I expect. A man of his people.” She slid from his embrace and stood. “Now, we should return to your sister’s house. A feast awaits, and I have been ravenous of late.”

He appeared reluctant to go. She thought she knew why.

“Of course, we could always return here tonight,” she said.

He embraced her with his arm as they strolled to the portal. “It will be very cold in this garden tonight.”

“I do not feel the cold much.”

“Then we will return. I confess that the notion of having you in one of the crown’s gardens has a reckless appeal.”

“I thought that it might.”