His Queen

Chapter 43 - Kitra

Later that evening after she had brought her new armor back to her room, she went looking for Aragorn. Kitra wandered the stone halls of the keep, her footsteps echoing softly on the worn flagstones. The late afternoon sun slanted through the narrow windows, casting a warm golden glow. She had left her new armor carefully laid out on the bed in her chambers, the polished steel gleaming in the light.

As she turned a corner, she spotted Aragorn striding toward her down the corridor, his gray eyes lighting up as they met hers. Kitra felt her heart flutter at the sight of him. The Ranger looked handsome as always in his travel-stained leathers, his dark hair tousled and a few days growth of beard shadowing his jaw.

"My lady," he greeted her with a warm smile, reaching for her hand and bringing it to his lips. "I was hoping I might find you."

Kitra returned his smile, reveling in his touch as his fingers twined with hers. "And I you, my lord. Walk with me?"

"It would be my pleasure," Aragorn replied, tucking her hand into the crook of his arm as he turned to stroll alongside her. They meandered through the keep's ancient halls in comfortable silence for a time, simply enjoying each other's presence.

As they passed through a secluded courtyard, Aragorn halted and turned to face her. He reached up to gently caress her cheek, his calloused thumb tracing the delicate line of her jaw. Kitra's breath caught at the tenderness in his touch. She leaned into his palm, savoring the warmth of his skin against hers.

"Thank you for the armor." She said, giving him a look.

Aragorn's eyes crinkled at the corners as his smile broadened. "You are most welcome. I am glad you like it." He stepped closer, his other hand coming up to frame her face. "I want you to be safe, Kitra. To know you are protected when we ride into battle."

Kitra's hands drifted to his waist, her fingers curling into the worn leather of his tunic. "I know. But you need not worry so much. I am quite capable of taking care of myself, you know."

"Oh, I am well aware, my lady." Aragorn's voice was low and rough with emotion. "You are the fiercest, bravest, most magnificent woman I have ever known." He told her with a cheeky smile on his face. Even though he was joking with her she knew that his words were sincere.

Kitra felt a blush rising to her cheeks at Aragorn's heartfelt words. She ducked her head shyly, a smile playing about her lips. "Flatterer," she accused teasingly, lightly swatting his chest.

Aragorn chuckled, the sound rumbling deep in his chest. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a lingering kiss to her palm. "It is no mere flattery if it is true," he murmured against her skin, his breath tickling her sensitive flesh.

A shiver raced down Kitra's spine at the sensation. Aragorn's gray eyes had darkened, smoldering with barely restrained desire as they met hers. Slowly, deliberately, he placed her hand over his heart. Even through the layers of his tunic and undershirt, Kitra could feel the steady, powerful beat beneath her fingers.

"Do you feel that?" Aragorn asked softly, his voice rough with emotion. "It beats only for you, Kitra. You hold my heart in your hands."

Kitra's breath caught in her throat as she gazed up at Aragorn, his heartfelt declaration causing her own heart to race. She could feel the heat of his skin even through his shirt, the strong, steady rhythm of his heartbeat matching her own.

"As you hold mine," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly with the depth of her feelings. "I love you, Aragorn. With everything that I am."

The Ranger's eyes glistened with unshed tears as he pulled her tightly against him. "And I love you, my fierce, beautiful Kitra," he rasped, lowering his head to capture her lips in a searing kiss.