Page 144 of The Favourite

“I think hunting trophies are considered more common decoration than jewel tones,” he replied.

She turned her head to look at him. “There is nothing common about we de Balons,” she pointed out, making him grin.

“We both need to catch up on our sleep,” he said sensibly, even as his eyes devoured her. “Once we are both sufficiently rested, then we can reacquaint ourselves—”

Jane whipped her shift up and over her head and he forgot all reason. “Gods, I’ve missed you, Wife,” he confessed with a groan and set about kissing her with what little energy he had left to him. It seemed he had reserves that he had heretofore not been aware of.

“I love how you kiss me, Jane,” he whispered between caresses. “You’re the greatest kisser in all Karadok. All Lascony too,” he praised her, meaning every word. “The best I ever had.” He smiled against Jane’s lips, for he could feel her face getting hot at his compliment. “The best lover too.” Jane gave a splutter. “The best wife, the best mother,” he continued effusively.

“That’s not true. I know that much,” Jane interrupted him.

“Well, there’s not much you can do for the child right now,” he pointed out. “You can’t suckle her.”

Jane made a stifled noise, and he could practically hear her trying to think of a response. Jane was still very bad at paying him compliments and even worse at telling him she loved him. When she did manage to say it, she was stilted and awkward. He fucking loved coaxing those three words out of her.

“I—we—all missed you, Alisander,” she faltered, no doubt realizing this fell short of his giddy heights. “Terribly,” she added, looking so sincere that it made his heart thud. “I’m very bad at finding the words,” she burst out, frustrated with herself.

He held her very tight. “You are incredible. You can do or say anything with me, and I would love it because I love you.” I love you; the phrase was practically flowing off his tongue these days. Once he had finally said those words, he had quickly become addicted to saying them.

“I love you too.” Her words were muffled, as he had not been able to stop himself from kissing her. Jane moaned into his mouth, startling him. He drew back. “Why, Jane,” he murmured, lowering his lashes. “That was meant for a chaste kiss, you wanton creature.” He tickled her sides lightly. “You know how shy I am, my love,” he said slyly and pressed a kiss beneath her jaw. “You should not take such advantage of me.”

She gave a huff of laughter. “No more talking, for now,” she said and pressed her mouth to his.

He fell back onto the pillows at once. “Stop my mouth then, if you can.” Nothing loth, Jane clambered atop of him and pressed more insistent kisses against his mouth. She often did this now. Jane would rather show her feelings with heated kisses and desperate embraces than words. “I want the words too,” he murmured against her mouth once he had the chance. “Give them to me.”

“I love you,” Jane huffed raggedly. “So much it scares me.”

She had done it again, made him feel tender. “Don’t be scared. You’re safe with me.”

She drew back. “That’s not—!” She sucked in a breath. “I mean,” she said painstakingly. “I’m only scared that if you knew how much, you would not like it! It’s a stupid amount, a crazy amount. Sometimes I feel that—” Sshe broke off again and her eyes filled with tears.

“Jane,” he whispered. He wondered if someday she would find it easier to talk about these things. He did not mind either way, but maybe she would like to be able to say such things with a more careless air. “Tell me.”

“I’m scared that I don’t love like normal people do!” She confessed it like it was some terrible sin.

He could not help the smile that curved his lips. “I like it. I like how fiercely emotional you get. It’s a nice contrast to your usual calm manner.”

She stared at him. “You like it?” He nodded. “Really?”

He pursed his lips as though debating telling her something. “Actually, I really love it,” he confessed with a grin. “Like everything else about you, Jane de Balon.”

She made a choked sound and then flung her arms around him. He squeezed her tightly to his chest.

“Does it worry you that we have not caught for another child?” Jane asked him after a moment.

He tipped his head to one side, considering this. “No.”

She glanced up. “Really?”

“I could do without the worry. Childbirth can be dangerous after all,” he admitted. Seeing the shadow cross her face, he thought he had better lighten the tone. “Celestia could probably use a sibling to prevent her from becoming a spoiled brat, but she has Bertrand at least.”

“You’re not worried about having an heir, though?” she asked quietly.

“No, for we already have one in Celestia,” he said calmly.

“Yes, but …” She was silent a moment, and he thought she was considering how to frame her words. “Do you really not mind? About her not being a de Balon, not by blood I mean?”

“No, I don’t mind at all,” he answered truthfully. “My great-great-grandfather was not a de Balon either. His father was also a king’s bastard.”