The Unseelie Throne (Maze of Shadows #3)

by Kathryn Ann Kingsley

The trees had taken her where she had wished to go, but it had felt…far too personal. Far too physical. She straightened her clothes and wished her heart would stop pounding so rapidly. I will be doing that precisely as little as possible. Which was exactly why she had the distinct impression she would be forced to do it frequently. She walked from the forest line toward the lake on shaking legs. I believe the trees might have just fondled me. The thought made her laugh. This place really does belong to Valroy.

All the smug darkness had left him, and what she saw in its place was only…affection. True affection. “Valroy?” She reached up to touch him, to rest her palm against his cheek. He leaned into her touch, his eyes slipping shut in turn, as if he were starved for the sensation. “What am I to you?”

He whispered to her, though he was not ashamed of the words. He cared not who heard. “I love you. And I did not think I could love you more. Yet I am once more proven wrong.” He lay on his back on the pillows, sinking into their embrace, and watched his future queen as she took in the sight of him. She struggled so very hard to contain her need for him. “Let go, Abigail. I will catch you.” “I…” She paused, clearly debating her words. “I believe I am falling in love with you, Prince Valroy.”

She placed a palm to his cheek where she had struck him. She smiled faintly. “Valroy…I love you. I should not, but I do. So, yes. I will stand at the altar with you willingly, for despite what you might wish to believe, I want to marry you. Now, will you calm down, you overdramatic id—” Her words were cut off by his kiss.

When his shoulders shook, she realized…he was crying. “I love you, Valroy,” she whispered. “I love you not in spite of your darkness, but because of it. Come what may, my prince, I wish to stand at your side.” And she found she meant every single word of it.