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Instead, his intoxicating musk hinted at cedar, leather, and moss. He smelled like the forest—my favorite place in the world, the only place I felt truly alive. He smelled like home.
“No, I’m not disappointed. I’ve always believed it’s my destiny to serve the Crown, not to wear it.”
And I had even less trust in the flutter in my stomach at the way he gazed at me, hands flexing at his sides.
Mr darcy hand flex HECK YEAH BBY
“But rest assured, my Queen, when I do kiss you, there will be no confusion. You will know that I have claimed you—and I won’t have any desire to deny it.”
I laughed nervously and looked away. “Or maybe you prefer me in muddy pants and a borrowed tunic.” “Only when it’s mine.”
“A Descended mate is forever. We do not give our heart away unless we are certain, beyond all doubt, that the person we choose will stand by our side no matter what fate the Kindred have in store for us, in this life and all that comes after.”
“And you... if you were my friend and nothing more, what would you tell me?” His answer came without missing a beat. “That if a man made you doubt whether his love for you would survive anything, he does not deserve you.”
“To be connected so deeply to the one you love, even beyond death... it’s the greatest joy anyone can experience.”
“Unleash, my Queen. Show this world what it means to Challenge Diem Bellator.”
“Why are you helping me?” I asked, my voice barely there. I felt his muscles strain as he swallowed. “I have many reasons.” “Give me one. The truest one. And don’t tell me it’s because of your family or my mother or the Crown, because I won’t believe you.” “It’s not.”
“The truest reason,” he repeated with a sigh. “I wish...” His arms tightened around me. “I... I can’t—”
“With all due respect to my lovely cousin, the only person I’m getting down on my knees for is you, my Queen.”
“If a kiss is the reward, my Queen, I’ll get on my knees for you whenever you want.”
“As for me, my interest lies in serving my Queen, not in marrying her.”
“It doesn’t matter. My place is with you. Wherever that leads.” His fingers curled around mine. “Whatever it costs.”
“You’re really going to do it?” I asked quietly. “You’ll let them all go... for me?” He brushed his thumb along my palm in a long, slow trail. “You’re my Queen. Everything I do is for you.”
“You are my Queen, and I am your sword. Point me at your enemies, and watch them fall. Lead this world, Diem, and I will follow you—into war, into death, into the tundra of hell itself.” He took my palm and set it against his chest, just above the patch of unscarred skin that lay beneath his jacket. “You are the fate my heart was spared for. As long as it beats, you will never fight alone.”
He let out a shuddering sigh. “And I have failed. Completely, irreversibly failed. I don’t just want a piece of you—I want them all.” His thumb raked across my lower lip. “I want every breath, every laugh, every tear. Every taste of your mouth, every inch of your skin. I want to kneel at your feet, soaked in the blood of your enemies, then worship your body until you scream my name.” His hands slid to my hips and tugged me closer. “Yes, Diem, I want to serve you—in every way a man can.”
“I want to burn alive in that fire in your eyes. I want it to melt me down and forge me into the weapon you need me to be. I want to stand by your side for the rest of my life, and I don’t need you to marry me and make me a fucking king to do it.”
“I pledged you my loyalty, and you have it, no matter your choice. But I cannot keep lying to you or to myself. I want all of you, Diem.” His lips brushed against mine, his words breathing straight into my lungs. “You already have all of me.”
It’s a reminder that no challenge can destroy the parts of us that truly matter. We’re not reborn in the flames. We’re revealed.”
“Then can I ask you a serious question?” “Sure.” I looked over and forced out a supportive smile. “Ask me anything.” “When are you and Luther going to put all of us out of our misery and fuck each other already?” “Taran,” I choked. “Descended men are bigger than mortal men, you know. In every way. One night with Lu, and you’d forget that mortal’s name. Shit, you’d forget your own name.”
“I would have walked into the flaming heart of the sun itself,” he shot back. “If you are suffering, nothing will keep me from coming to your aid. Least of all something as trivial as death.”
“Perhaps, for the right person, we endure the pain, because the torture of never having them at all is the more unbearable fate.”
He traced the edge of my jaw. “Forgive me. They all need to see it.” “See what?” I rasped, barely able to speak. “Who will come for them if they dare to come for you.” Then his lips were on mine. And nothing else existed.
No Henri.
Girl if you dont stfu about henri hot dam
