The Heart of a Wielder (Book One of The Wielders Trilogy) ✔️

Chapter Twenty-Five

They stayed up late. Talking softly and touching each other just for the joy of doing it.  As the pink light of dawn started to peek around the curtains, he made love to her again. After, they fell asleep and curled together.

It was late morning when he woke up. For a moment, he was confused by the warmth beside him until he remembered who was with him. He lifted himself on one arm just to look at her.

Asleep, she seemed so peaceful, giving no hints of her ferocity. He thought of waking her, so he could talk to her more and perhaps make love to her again. But he thought she needed the rest, and besides, he was hungry. He grabbed his dressing gown and went to his dining room, where he knew there would be some sort of breakfast and coffee.

"Bless you, Mrs. Whitley," he said aloud. She had left a tray of pastries and a large pot of coffee. It probably wasn't as warm as he liked, but perhaps Maren could heat it again.

He smiled to himself. Her powers were a marvel to him. Well, to him, everything about her was a marvel.

He picked up the tray of pastries and the pot of coffee and went back to his suite.

He felt lighter than he had in months, practically giddy.

When he came back to his room, Maren was still sleeping. He set down the tray and sat beside her on the bed.

He gently stroked her arm until she began to stir, and smiled at her as her eyes fluttered open.

She yawned and stretched, then sat up, holding the blanket to her bare chest.

"Is there coffee?" she asked, yawning once more.

"Good morning to you too, sunshine!" he said brightly.

She scowled at him.

"Yes, there's coffee," he said, getting up to pour her a cup.

He brought it back to her and sat down beside her again. She took it, drinking deeply from the cup.

"You normally don't see me until I've had at least two of these," she admitted a bit sheepishly, gesturing at the cup.

"Ah, well now I know to wake you more carefully next time," he said cheerfully.

"There's going to be the next time?" she asked with a half smile.

"Yes, princely order. I'll have a royal decree issued if you like," he said with great seriousness.

He rose to get his coffee and bring the tray of pastries.

"I have a proposal," he said, offering her a pastry. He thought they were the kind she liked that were filled with ham and cheese.

"Oh?" she said.

"It's already rather late, so I've missed the council meeting and I think the only possible way to salvage the day is to spend it in bed with you," he said.

She laughed, "I'm not entirely sure that I follow your logic, but I've no objection to your proposal."

They finished with coffee and pastries, and he returned to lie beside her. He decided he would like to kiss her and more or less keep her otherwise occupied for as long as possible. 

Knock. Knock. Knock.

Maren froze and looked at him as though she had been caught doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing.

"I'm so sorry to trouble you, Your Highness," Mrs. Whitley called through the door. "Lucy and I are a bit concerned. It appears Lady Maren has not been in her rooms since last night. We wanted to let you know in case she might be in some trouble."