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Thorn leanedover me and captured my lips in a long, passionate kiss. One of his hands glided up the side of my body and left a path of sensual heat. I couldn’t deny that I loved what he was doing to me, but I still had questions. I regretfully set my hands against his warm, firm chest and pushed him away. He reluctantly complied with my direction, and there was concern in his eyes.
“Have I celebrated too soon?” he asked me.
I smiled and shook my head. “No, but I still have a few questions about this arrangement. Namely, if I did become your bride, would I have to take your blood right now?”
He shook his head. “You needn’t take it at all. I wouldn’t force you to live those long years with me.”
I cocked my head to one side. “How many yearswouldthat be?”
“I know a dragon and his bride who have been together for some three millennia.”
I choked on my own spittle. “Three millennia? You mean three thousand years?”
A ghost of a smile touched the corners of his lips. “Give or take a century.”
I stared ahead with wide eyes as I contemplated that long of a life. “Wow. That’s just. . .wow.”
He nodded. “It is impressive, even among our kind.”
A thought struck me. “So what happens to the bride if her dragon husband dies?”
“The blood bond within her fades and she will eventually resume aging like other humans.”
I drew my legs on the bed and against my chest where I wrapped my arms around them. My knees made the perfect prop for my chin as I contemplated what he was telling me. “That’s a lot of time.”
“Yes.”
“Have the brides ever regretted their decision? I mean, what’s the divorce rate or is it ‘till death do us part’ for everybody?”
“I don’t know of an exception to the rule of death.”
I stared ahead and pursed my lips. “Millennia of living. . .”
“You needn’t make up your mind now,” Thorn assured me as he stood and turned to face me. “I will be traveling to Mirum today. If you still desire to travel with me, I could have Raines pack your clothes, as well.”
I lifted my chin and smiled at him. “Blood or no blood, I still want to go. That is, if I won’t be too much trouble.”
A gentle smile slipped onto his lips and he shook his head. “Not at all. I would appreciate the company. I will tell Raines to prepare the carriage and shut the manor while we’re away.”
I cocked my head to one side. “Then it’s just the two of you living here?”
Thorn had moved over to the door where he paused in the doorway and half-turned to face me. “Yes. Raines is sprier than he appears and I have no trouble cleaning up after myself.”
I slid my legs off the bed and sat up straight. “Did you need any help?”
His grinned. “We would be honored. I’ll have Raines bring the trunks and you can pack the clothes. Everything either of us would need is in the dresser. Don’t forget the socks.”
He dipped out of sight and I heard his footsteps fade away down the hall. A snort escaped me as I hopped out of bed and stretched my arms over my head. “Well, Rose, you’ve made your decision. Now don’t mess it up by doing anything stupid like getting kidnapped again.”
I can’t make any guarantees.
I rolled my eyes at my own inner voice. “Great. Sass from myself.”
A knock came from the open doorway and I whipped my head in that direction. Raines stood in the doorway and a large steamer trunk trailed behind him. “The master requested I send this up to you.”
I smiled and hurried over to him. “Yep. I’m tasked with filling it up.”
Raines scooted the trunk in front of him and into the room. “Might I suggest you begin with the evening wear first.”
