Page 138 of Spar of Hearts

As he slowly worked the threads of her bodice, he found his hands rising and falling with her breath in that same tempo. Fast, shallow, heated, lustful breaths that held so much passion he nearly succumbed right then and there.

Anya had him down to his undershorts by the time he loosed the final tie, revealing her body in nothing but a white lacy slip. It was loose and flowing, skimming over the rise of her hips and the peaks of her breasts like it was woven together with thread made of the thinnest primrose petals, and a single touch would dissolve it.

He couldn’t resist unwinding her hair from its bun, guiding it down her collarbone and shoulders in loose blonde curls. She whimpered as he traced his fingers over the fang marks in her neck. Those two simple dots were a beautiful promise embedded in her skin, and he hoped she would feel how much he loved her every time she looked at them. Even now she was clinging to him almost desperately, like his love for her would vanish into the fog of the sea. But that would never happen. He would tell her and show her every day for the rest of their lives.

“I’m right here, love,” he murmured, “I’m not going anywhere.”

Chapter 46

Roderick Bryson

The creaking reverb of the Lupus Star stirred Roderick from the depths of his slumber. His cabin no longer seemed cold and isolated like it had the month prior, and it would never be that way again. He would invite Anya to stay here the rest of the voyage and fall asleep in his arms every night. Even if she wanted more time to tell the crew about their relationship, just knowing she was his sated his heart.

When he opened his eyes, he was greeted by the shiplap wall of the cabin. Flipping over, he squinted away the sunlight and pawed for Anya, frowning when he found nothing except the slight impression of where she had laid.

Cold.

He blinked to adjust to the rays streaming through the porthole. His eyes focused on a folded piece of parchment on the nightstand.

Roderick,

By now you have discovered that I am gone, and you are past the Gates of Hav. The Winter Prince has reinforced the glacial wall and its enchantments. There is no way back.

Valeria and your future await.

You are with your pack where you belong, and I am fulfilling my duty to the people of Valeria. I entrust Lady Rowan’s safety to you and Sir Oshfeldt. Please see her back to Eteross. She is more dear to me than a sister.

The chests of mana stones were enchanted to open the moment the Lupus Star passed through the Gates.

If you are angry with me for disappearing, so be it. If cursing my name eases your pain, I welcome it. But I had no choice. I knew if I told you my plan, you would have convinced me otherwise, and I fear I would have stalled the inevitable for far too long in order to savor another minute with you.

But the children must come before me.

If you have not yet hurled this letter into the sea, know that I love you. Had I told you my plan you would have stayed, and I could not have you living in the shadows of Solenergi, waiting to catch a glimpse of me while I am bound and married to another to fulfill the deal.

That is no life for you, my love. I want more for you. I pray that you fight your demons with the same spirit you showed me that night in Traansa. I want you to live with fervor, love freely, and know that trusting you with my heart was the best decision I ever made.

And remember,

You will always be my mate.

Anya

Roderick’s pulse pounded into his head as he sank to his knees. The parchment shook in his hands. His eyes began to burn with tears as the realization hit him.

She traded herself.

She traded herself like a damned sheaf of wheat.

And now she was gone, trapped in the most hellish possible life for a wanderlust heart like hers. Every word of her letter repeated in his mind, weighing on him more and more until he doubled over in a useless attempt to fill the gaping hole in his chest.

“Anya,” he keened, “Anya…”

Her sweet scent still clung to his body. Her dried tears from last night left a trail on his chest—tears he now realized were not from overwhelming joy, but sorrow.

She never loved you, the voices hissed, seeping between the boards around him.

How could she?