Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 99206 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 496(@200wpm)___ 397(@250wpm)___ 331(@300wpm)
The question was, what now?
While she had no difficulty with patience for mapping and drawing, patience itself was not one of her stronger virtues. So she thought it was best to speak her mind.
She reached her hand out to him as he reached for her.
Chapter 24
Their hands locked, and it was Magnus who said, “We have things to discuss.”
“Aye,” she agreed with a nod. “I thought the same myself.”
“We often think much the same.”
“I have noticed,” she said and smiled softly.
Her smile hit his gut hard and sent a silent groan rippling through him. He could not stop himself from reaching for Reena, and in one swift swoop he had her in his lap and his cheek next to hers, soft, silky and kissed by the fire’s warmth.
Were her lips that warm?
His groan was not silent this time, and he whispered against her cheek, “I am going to kiss you.”
“Please.” Her murmur was urgent, and it sent his blood rushing through him like a raging river.
Their lips touched like hungry souls reaching out for sustenance, and they tasted long and hard of each other until finally they broke apart for much needed breaths.
Foreheads rested against each other, breathing was heavy, and love filled both hearts. Neither spoke, but then neither could, and thoughts made no sense. The only sense was that they were in each other’s arms safe and secure and in love and wanting to make love.
She cupped his face in her hands and with a quieted breath she whispered, “I love you.”
If he thought her smile punched his gut, he was mistaken. Her words devastated and thrilled all at once, and he needed to speak from his heart as she had done. “As I said, we often think the same, you and I, for I love you too.”
She smiled, joy filling her heart, and she gave him a quick kiss. “You are sure?”
His own joy caused him to tease. “I must have a moment to reconsider, for you can be stubborn at times.”
She kissed him again before continuing. “And you are demanding.”
He feigned shock. “Me demanding? Never!” His teasing turned to loving and he gazed in her blue eyes. “I demand but one thing of you.”
“Tell me,” she murmured.
He tightened his arms around her waist, pulling her closer to him. “I demand you love me forever, for that is how long I shall love you.”
They kissed slowly and lovingly, and when their lips parted, they rested cheek to cheek.
Reena took a moment to gather her thoughts, and after carefully considering her decision, she spoke up. “There is something I ask, not demand, of you.”
Her serious tone had him paying close attention. “Tell me.”
“I have thought much on love of late, and I realize the enormous responsibility that comes with it. It cannot be taken for granted or expressed on a whim. Love is born in the heart and soul of two people and it is to be cherished, nourished and protected. I love you with all my heart and I wish to love you forever—” She paused. “But the love I speak of is the love I wish to give to my husband.”
“Are you asking me to marry you?” he asked with a grin.
She eased away from him and held her chin up high, ready to defend herself. “Do you wish to marry me?”
He eased her to him. “Since forever.”
Her heart thudded in her chest and her stomach quivered. “Truly?”
“Truly,” he said and nibbled at her lips.
“It matters not that I am your mapmaker?”
“It matters not to you that I am the Legend?”
She giggled softly. “Why would that matter?”
He shrugged. “Why would it matter that I wed my mapmaker? We wed because we love. What better reason?”
She cuddled close to him. “This day ends in much joy. I would have never thought it so.”
“This day will end in much more joy,” he teased and nuzzled her neck.
She playfully pushed at his chest. “We are not yet wed.”
“The heavens heard us confess our love; we are bonded, you and I, and nothing, absolutely nothing, will keep us apart.”
His words sounded like a proclamation for all to hear and with no objections allowed.
The crunch of leaves and steady footsteps caught their attention, and Reena attempted to move away, but his strong hands held firm to her waist.
Philip, one of Magnus’s men, stepped out of the woods and looked to Magnus, unmoved by the intimacy of his lord and his mapmaker. “All is set, I sleep now until my shift.”
Magnus nodded, and the man took the rolled bedding tucked beneath his arm and spread it on the ground not far from the fire. He turned his back to them to sleep.
“We are as good as wed, Reena,” Magnus whispered and moved her so that they could stretch out beside each other, placing Reena closer to the fire’s heat. He cuddled against her back and draped a possessive arm over her.