Kingdom of Ash (Throne of Glass, #7)

by Sarah J. Maas

She went still as she found him staring at her, awake and utterly in awe of the woman who had ridden through hell to find him …

“It’s been a while since I was so gravely injured. I’d forgotten what an inconvenience it is.”

A Man; Hot

He held her stare. Let some inner wall within him come crumbling down. Only for her. For this sharp-eyed, cunning little liar who had slipped through every defense and ironclad rule he’d ever made for himself. He let her see that in his face. Let her see all of it, as no one had ever done before.

“I meant every word.” His heart thundered, so wildly it was a wonder she couldn’t hear it. “And I will until the day I fade into the Afterworld.”

“I love you,” she whispered. He was glad he was lying down. The words would have knocked him to his knees. Even now, he was half inclined to bow before her, the true owner of his ancient, wicked heart.

Once, he might have scoffed. Declared that far bigger things mattered, in this war especially. And yet the hand grasping his … He’d never known anything more precious.

Then Elide untangled their hands and rose. “I should return to help Yrene.” Lorcan caught her hand again. “Stay.” She arched a dark brow. “I’m only going to the Great Hall.” Lorcan caressed his thumb over the back of her hand once more. “Stay,” he breathed. For a heartbeat, he thought she’d say no, and was prepared to be fine with it, to accept these last few minutes as more of a gift than he’d deserved. But then Elide sat on the edge of his cot, right beside his shoulder, and ran a hand through his hair. Lorcan closed his eyes, leaning into the touch, unable to stop the deep purr that rolled through his chest. She made a low noise of wonder, perhaps something more, and her fingers stroked again. “Say it,” she whispered, fingers stilling in his hair. Lorcan opened his eyes, finding her gaze. “I love you.”

Oh My Heart

Another one of those small smiles curved her lips, and Lorcan’s hands tightened in the sheets with the effort it took not to taste that smile, to worship it with his own mouth. But this new, fragile thing humming between them … He would not risk it for all the world.

Lorcan held absolutely still as she brought her mouth to his. Brushed her lips across his own. She pulled back. “Rest, Lorcan. I’ll be here again when you wake.” Anything she asked, he’d give her. Anything at all. Too shaken by that soft, beautiful kiss to bother with words, he lay back down. She smiled at his utter obedience, and, as if she couldn’t help herself, leaned in once more.

He's A Goodie

But Lorcan let Elide explore him, slowly and sweetly, giving her whatever she asked.

But until then, he wanted her here. Sleeping at his side, where he might watch over her. As she had watched over him.

Aelin awoke to the scent of pine and snow, and knew she was home. Not in Terrasen, not yet, but in the sense she would always be home, if Rowan was with her.

A king—he could be a king to Adarlan in these last days that remained for him. Wipe away the stain and rot of what it had become. So it might start anew. Become who it wished to be.

Start fresh my love