Page 68 of Bound By Blood

A ragged breath followed as she collapsed against his chest. "I love you," she whispered tearfully. "I love you, Ryul. Forever and always."

"And I love you." He wiped the tears from her cheek with his thumb, one at a time. "More than anything."

She laughed. "For a moment there, I was afraid—" Her voice broke. "I was afraid you—" She ducked her head back to his chest.

"The temptation was there, but I couldn't risk you. I would never risk you." He hugged her close. "No matter what happens, so long as I have you, I can be happy."

He swept his mouth over hers. She pressed up into him, her lips soft and inviting, her body arching against his.

Yes. He'd made the right choice. Happiness flooded him as he lifted her off the ground.

She gasped with laughter and wrapped her arms around his neck. "I'm not going to forget my promise to you either," she said. "We're going to do this together. I'll help you find your family. We'll get your magic back to full strength, and then, we'll find them."

"I might actually believe you," he said.

She kissed his cheek, then nipped at his lower lip. "You should. I know your weakness, and I'll help you find your strength."

He caught her mouth with his, savoring her as he carried her back toward the doorway into the castle. She might not know it yet, but she already had.