Page 100 of Crimson Kingdom

“But I did request a bath be drawn for us.” He looked at the clock. “Right about now.”

I was about to protest when my mind snagged on that word.Us.

“I can live with that,” I said.

He chuckled again, bringing his lips up to mine before slipping out of bed. I unashamedly ogled him as he crossed the room, and he shook his head.

He peeked into the adjoining bathing chamber, one that had a separate door leading to the outside for the very purpose of the newlywed couple remaining undisturbed.

Whatever he saw must have been what he was expecting, because he came back to the bed and scooped me up in his powerful arms, carrying me to the bathing chamber.

The scent of herbs reached me just before Evander set me down in the steaming water. The bronze tub was enormous, easily big enough for him to settle in behind me, his legs on either side of me.

I leaned my head back against his chest, basking in the endlessly right feeling of his skin against mine. He ran his hands up and down my arms, kissing the top of my head.

The bath had been a phenomenal idea. Iwassore, and whatever herbs were in this tub were slowly easing that feeling. After a few minutes of enjoying the gentle lapping sound of his hands moving in the water, I twisted in his arms, kissing my way up his chest, his neck.

“I love you, Evander.” I would never tire of saying that to him, never tire of the way his shield seemed to break apart a little more every time I did.

“And I love you, Lemmikki.” Hearing the words on his lips still felt like something out of a dream.

Even if there was a small part of me that couldn’t help but panic at how perfect this all felt, wondering how long it could possibly last.

An image of Rayan’s box flashed through my head, and I tried to stamp down the distant sense of foreboding.

We would be fine.

Everythingwould be fine.

CHAPTERFIFTY-TWO

Ididn’t even get to enjoy the lie I told myself for an entire day.

We were lying in bed, and I was lazily tracing each ridged muscle in Evander’s abdomen when a sharp rap sounded at the door.

“Breakfast?” I asked uncertainly, just as Yuriy’s voice rang out.

“Lord Evander!”

I exchanged a look with Evander, both of us flying out of bed to don our dressing gowns. He threw open the door, admitting a grim-looking Yuriy.

He held out a piece of parchment, and Evander took it. The blood drained from his face, and he passed the paper over to me.

Iiro has declared himself King.

We need you home now.

-Taras

Evander and I dressed and headed to the Council Room, where we had asked my family to meet us. Yuriy came as well, and a couple of the other high-ranking Bear soldiers.

“What does this mean for you?” Da’ asked without preamble.

“It’s impossible to say without being there,” Evander replied evenly. “On the surface, Iiro’s claim itself is reputable, as the closest living relative to the defunct monarchy. But he would still need the support of the Summit, and I find it hard to believe he’s gotten that…”

“But?” my mother asked.

“But Iiro is sharp, calculating,” I answered. “So if he’s doing this at all, he must have reason to believe he will succeed.”