Elven Legacy

Chapter 94

Imxi

Viper was notorious for her poor timing. Perhaps it was simply that the mercenary would frequently barge in unannounced, and Viper wasn't exactly the type to say, Oh, is this a bad time? My apologies, I'll come back later.

Imxi had been sitting in her gardens with Undreen, on a bench by a secluded flagstone footpath, under the fig trees. The evening proved rather hot, with too scarce wind. Blue and green parakeets capered about in the high branches, and the songs of other birds reached Imxi's ears though she couldn't see them – canaries, mockingbirds, wrens. Small lizards scurried about the shade-loving ferns that hugged the bench.

Undreen's perfume smelled slightly spicy and herbal, subtly musky, and it filled Imxi's somewhat intoxicated senses in ways that wouldn't be proper had they not been alone.

They'd shared dinner, now they enjoyed a dessert of sweet wine and raspberries. Undreen's rough-skinned hand tangled in hers, purple-red eyes glancing playfully down her sleeveless dress, like he wished for it to spontaneously tear into shreds and reveal the skin underneath.

Above the fig trees, the blue of the sky thickened, growing richer with the sweet promise of night. The servants had been told to leave them alone.

Imxi leaned into him with a small one-sided smile, and she nudged the well-drawn jaw, where a slight white-blond stubble had appeared. She felt more than heard him breathe in, before he captured her lips into a kiss. It wasn't the first of the night, but it felt like it nonetheless, as Imxi closed her eyes because she wished to feel only his lips moving against hers and nothing else. She drew in a breath as his teeth playfully grazed her bottom lip – she smiled and laughed softly before they kissed again. She didn't open her eyes. And she wished she wasn't holding a wineglass, for she wanted to reach up and tangle her hand in his hair.

In a way, they resembled young lovers whenever Undreen returned from a mission. They'd missed one another, it couldn't be helped. But tonight, as they kissed, something clicked into place inside her and she felt increasingly at peace. Relaxed and aroused all at once, delicious warmth buzzing in her chest.

Perhaps I will marry you.

As of yet, she'd never felt this way about anyone else. And now, with the Demon Queen's gift to them, well . . . Eternity is a long time to spend alone.

Birdsong, scant wind across leaves, darkening sky – it all faded into a backdrop to the pounding of her heart as she, gently, pulled herself away from his arms.

Undreen's hand glided around her waist, as he leaned down close again, craving more. But she angled her face away, and he kissed her cheek instead.

"What is it?" he whispered, his nose brushing her hair. She wore it loose tonight, which she knew he preferred.

She attempted to curtail her nerves with a sip of wine. Yet still her heart danced madly. Why? She knew he would say yes.

What will people say? What will they think?

No, Imxi didn't care anymore. So what if Undreen wasn't of royal or even noble birth? He was one of the Demon Blessed, and he was the best mercenary in the Chyulin Empire.

Let them talk.

Still, it was a lot, wasn't it? She would most likely stop taking her pregnancy-preventing herbs. They would start a family together, in time. It was all rather scary. But she was ready, finally.

Undreen looked at her questioningly, with slight concern now, misunderstanding her hesitation. She smiled fondly to reassure him. She let her gaze brush over the black marks on his pale skin, and she loved them. She loved him, for everything that he was.