Luminescent (Inheritance Cycle and Beyond)

Chapter Seventy-Three: Blinding

Long after Murtagh and I had retreated from the hot springs, we lay tangled together underneath mounds of blankets while our wet clothing hung to dry near the small fire we created.

"I missed this," I mumbled as I rested my cheek against Murtagh's bare chest. His fingers dug into my mess of hair and played around with the strands in a soothing way.

"I will agree with you," Murtagh rumbled. "parenthood is without breaks. We should get someone to watch Fen and Selene more often, I could get used sleeping in."

"Consistent sleep does sound heavenly. Are Thorn and Alethea relaxing?"

"Thorn mentioned a place they were going to visit while we were here."

"As long as those two are happy." I sighed as I trailed my finger along the defined muscles of his chest. "They deserve the world and more."

"We'll give it to them," Murtagh replied. "didn't Eragon say he was going to start up a Rider's Academy and see if he could get more eggs to hatch?"

"He did, but knowing Eragon, he's going to be very particular on how things are done. I won't be surprised if he has some of the Eldunarí act as Masters. Perhaps he even might have non-Rider's teach students."

"You think he might rebuild Vroenguard?"

"I hope so, the stories I've heard depict it as a magical place that both Rider's and Dragon's alike live in harmony." I sighed. "The architecture was designed by the elves, with their engineering prowess I bet Vroenguard was magnificent."

"And here I thought you loved Du Weldenvrangr." Murtagh teased, I huffed and poked a finger into his pectoral.

"You know what I mean."

"I do, but you, my love, are entirely too easy to tease." I leaned my head back and glared at him. His grey eyes twinkled with laughter at me while I scowled at him. My scowl faded as his face turned serious, and his hand reached up to stroke my face.

"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head at him.

"We both agreed that we would marry each other, moons before Selene came along," He said as he ran his thumb over my lower lip.

"And?" I questioned him, not really understanding where he was going.

"I never technically ask you." I blinked at him, confused to why him asking me even mattered.

"So?" Murtagh sighed at me before muttering underneath his breath.

"Khensamel Dröttingu, it would be my honor if you would entwine your fate with mine so that we may spend the rest of our lives together, no matter how long that may be."

"Well, when you put it that way," I whispered before moving up so I could straddle his waist with my palms pressing into his chest. "how can I refuse?"

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After our clothes had finally dried and we managed to separate ourselves from one another, Murtagh and I went exploring the woods around the hot springs. The heavily wooded forests proved to be a challenging stimulus that I found enjoyable.

Motherhood got very dull at times.

Leaping over a decomposing log, I looked upwards at the tree's high above. The thick branches wove together, creating patches of cover from the sunlight.