Page 80 of Trapped By Clocks and Hearts

The brilliant glow around Allie’s figure ebbed away. She turned to me, breaking into a run to drop to my side. “Rabb, are you okay?” When she met my gaze, the light in those honey-brown eyes was back.

With Allie’s heart, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and love. I touched her cheek. “My hero.”

That made Allie laugh.

Trying to sit up, I groaned at the strain. My feelings were fine, but my physical injuries still hurt like hell. The magic of Allie’s Heartfire ember was sapped. Blinking slowly, I resisted the need to pass out. “How the hell did you get out of your cage?” I wanted to know. “Was that magic?”

“No.” Supporting my back, a grin laced her lips as she spoke, “That was science.” She gestured to her pockets. “A bit of alkali, sulfur, magnesium, and voila!” she declared with a wink.

I half-scoffed out a relieved chuckle and moved to stand. “We should probably—”

“Wait.” Allie put her hand up and before I could say anything, she grabbed my face for a kiss.

Energizing magic and raw, potent want shot through my body. With her healing kiss, Allie’s Heartfire ember transferred a bit of magic into mine. But she broke off after only a moment. “Give it a sec.”

Feeling interrupted yet again, I grabbed the nape of her neck to tug her closer once more, my growl low with molten desire. “Give me back that damn mouth.”

Allie giggled but obliged as I slanted my lips against hers, kissing her hard, tasting that perfect sweetness, having my fill.

Making up for all the times I’d wanted so badly to kiss her but didn’t. Relieving that dreadful fear of having almost just lost her. Fearing I might never get enough of her.

Or…no, I didn’t fear that at all.

Pleasurably heady, I only pulled away to breathe.

Dropping her gaze, Allie’s cheeks were flushed as she touched her swollen lips.

A warmth spread in my chest as I sensed Allie’s contentment and satisfaction. It was all I could do not to lean in and kiss her again. But I didn’t want to tire her out—so soon.

There would be more time for that later if I had anything to do with it.

Chapter 23 - Home

Supporting my arm, Allie helped me walk out of the underground crypts to lead me out of the castle. As Allie swung open the double doors, I winced at the bright, glaring light of day.

She took a deep breath as if she were summarizing the events of the day. “So that Queen was some crazy, vengeful ex-lover who killed your father. And your father was the King of Hearts. The true King of Wünder.” She cast me a sideways look. “Do you realize what this means, Rabb?”

What this means…

I swallowed hard as a new heavy realization settled within me. I could barely wrap my mind around it. “It means…” I trailed off at the strange lump in my throat.

I was the rightful ruler of Wünder.

A shudder went through me as a subtle pulse shot across the blue sky, to the farthest reaches of the forest and mountains visible from the castle.

“What the hell was that?” Allie’s jaw had dropped.

Just as puzzled, I shook my head.

For a moment, the entire castle around us was silent.

With a pop, Chez’s fuzzy purple-coated form appeared on top of one of the topiaries flanking the front steps. “So, it’s ‘Your Highness’, isn’t it?” He licked a paw. “I knew I sensed something about you.”

What? I blinked.

The veil of magic all across the land must have lifted as the wretched Queen of Hearts’s memory spell was erased from the minds of all the citizens of Wünder.

With another sharp grunt, I clutched at my core as a fresh slow burn spread throughout my insides.