I knew where my room was this time and didn’t need to be led there. As I moved through the castle—someone must have spelled it back together because you’d never know anyone battled here—I could feel my father’s spell turn on. Inch by inch, it challenged me and took away pieces of my powers that I couldn’t yet handle.
It was draining. By the time I made it to my bed, I couldn’t do anything more than lie down on it and close my eyes.
Chapter Twenty-One
Cypress
“Thank you for bringing her back. You can’t even begin to imagine our gratitude,” her father said while clasping my hand. I jerked out of his grip. I didn’t bring her back because of him. Although I wanted Layne to have a relationship with her parents—a good relationship—that didn’t mean I would deliver her to these people who imprisoned her in a basement without conditions. My fierce little princess was a warrior through and through, but I wanted the expectation to be made perfectly clear.
“You and I both know I didn’t bring her back for you.” Her father’s joyous expression sobered. “Your daughter wants to see the world.”
“Understandable. She’s been denied so much. We fully grasp the severity of that now,” her mother replied. She looked completely distraught.
“How long do you think it will take for her to get a handle on her powers?” I asked.
The king scratched his jaw. “A year. Maybe two. She’s already shown so much restraint. I’m surprised the two of you lasted in the woods for as long as you did. This is promising.”
I nodded. Two years I could do. “I’m going to marry your daughter, you know.” I didn’t bother asking permission. It was a fact, as true as air expanded my lungs. She was mine. Forever.
The king and queen exchanged looks. “We figured you were going to say something like that. I’m sure you don’t care about royal traditions, but I do owe you a life debt. You saved us when you didn’t even have to.”
I knew all about their life debt. I was prepared to use it if they tried anything funny. Or worst case, I could kill them all.
“You’re right. I don’t care about royal traditions. I care about your daughter. I didn’t ask to speak with you so we could have a pleasant conversation about the future.” I stepped closer to them, with murder in my eyes. It was important to me that they understood just how seriously I was taking this. I would risk Layne’s happiness and peace for nothing and no one. Regardless of the crowns on their heads, I was king of her heart.
“You don’t have to threaten us,” her father stammered. For a king, he sure was weak.
“I do what I please. I just want to make it abundantly clear that you should take this second chance very seriously. I suggest you actually get to know your daughter this time around. And maybe if you don’t royally fuck it up, I’ll let you talk to her after we get a handle on her powers. Who knows,” I added. “I have every intention of putting a baby in her belly one day. If you want to be grandparents, then you better figure out how to be parents first.”
Her father visibly swallowed. “Will you marry her in a traditional ceremony?”
I hadn’t considered how or what we’d do to get married. Marriage was a new concept for me. “I’ll do whatever Layne wants.”
They should get used to the idea that things were going to be like that from now on. It was Layne first, the rest of the world second, and I’d burn anyone or anything to the ground that didn’t get in line.
Layne was out cold, snoring slightly with her mouth open. She only did that when she was really exhausted. My love spent way too much time that way. I took off my coat and shoes, setting them aside. As gently as I could, I climbed into bed next to her. The moon beams shot through the window, bathing her in light. That wasn’t random. I’d learned fast over the last weeks that the moon followed Layne wherever she was.
She stirred slightly, her eyes opening to slits. “Hi.”
“Hi, yourself.” I rubbed my finger down the slope of her nose. “Go back to sleep. The power suck has to be exhausting, and the idea is to get you stronger day-by-day. You’re going to need an obscene amount of sleep to make that happen.”
She smiled at me in the way that told me she was indulging my orders but might not follow them if they didn’t suit her wishes. “You’re an expert on these things now?” Her eyes were fully opened. “Helped a lot of princesses get their powers under control, have you?”
I kissed her lip, biting slightly on the bottom one just because I could. “Some things just make sense. Period. That’s one of them. And, I told your parents I was going to marry you. They’ve agreed. Not that I gave them much of a choice. That’s a done deal.”
Her eyes widened. So much for getting her to go back to sleep. “You want to marry me?”
“Did you think I was planning on leaving? I told you. You’re my job. One I’m in love with. One I want to do for the rest of my life. Protecting and watching over you, standing next to you, adoring any children we might be lucky enough to have is what I want to do with the rest of my life. I think you want that, too. So, yes, we’re getting married.”
She lifted a challenging eyebrow. “You have two things you need to say to me.”
I knew exactly what she meant. And I had no problem saying them. But she wanted to play, and so I’d give that to her, too. “Like what?”
“Cypress,” she lowered her voice. “Don’t make my temper come out. That’ll hurt right now.”
Fair enough. “Okay, Princess. I love
