Page 69 of Jack

Her body pulsed and her climax hit, almost drowning out the beauty of his words, but he whispered them against her neck as he let his climax take him and collapsed against her body, her arms holding him tight against her.

“I love you, firefly. I don’t deserve you, and I certainly don’t know what you see in me when you’re such rare beauty both inside and out, but I’ll never stop loving you or thanking the universe that I have you.”

“Jack, you’re so…”

His finger covered her lips. “Don’t ruin it, firefly.”

Astrid laughed, feeling free for the first time in a decade. She still had battles to fight, but she’d do them with this man by her side.

* * *

It feltstrange to be back at the Palace. Her perspective of it had changed now she knew her man had links to this place and any children they might have would too. They hadn’t discussed kids, but she knew she wanted them with Jack and that he’d make a wonderful father.

Fitz greeted her with a warm smile. “Good to see you, Astrid, Jack.”

Jack and Fitz shook hands, and Astrid smiled. “Hi, Fitz. Are you well?”

“Yes, perfectly thank you, and it’s good to see you looking the same after your ordeal.”

Astrid waved it off. That was hardly even a blip and had it been anyone else, she wouldn’t have thought twice about escaping and killing him. “It was nothing.”

Fitz leaned into Jack as they waited for the Queen to allow them entrance. “You have your hands full with this one.”

Jack looked at her with a smirk. “I wouldn’t have it any other way.” He winked, and her blood pressure soared. Trust Jack to get her worked up right before an important visit with the Monarch.

A bell rang, and Fitz nodded and went ahead of them.

Astrid poked him in his hard abs. “You cannot flirt with me like that before we see the head of state.”

Jack caught her finger and pulled her close. “I can and I will.” His lips found hers in a short but hot kiss, stealing her breath before he released her and winked again.

Astrid scowled but honestly, she didn’t care. She’d spent a lifetime wanting a man like Jack to look at her precisely as he was, and she’d never get angry at him for loving her or wanting her.

“She will see you now.”

Astrid and Jack stepped into the royal parlour and saw Queen Lydia looking as perfect as ever. Astrid dropped into a curtsey as Jack gave a short bow.

“It is so good to see you looking so well.”

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“Please sit.” Lydia motioned to the two wing back seats, and Astrid waited for the Queen to sit before she and Jack followed suit.

She folded her hands over her lap and regarded him. “How are you, Jack?”

He was wearing a navy suit today and looked every bit the secret agent. “Relieved it is all over, ma’am.”

“Yes, I’m sure you are, but it is still sad to lose a parent, and I know these were difficult circumstances at best.”

“It is hard to put into words without sounding callous, ma’am. I have wonderful people around me, so I feel exceedingly lucky.” He glanced at her, and she smiled.

“You certainly do. How is your mother?”

“She is fine. He was leaking the poison into the water where she gets her supply. It’s now clean, and she should have no lasting effects from it.”

“Good, I’m glad to hear that. Now, I know Carolyn told you everything, but do you have any questions for me?”

“I’ve thought about this a lot, and I honestly don’t. I may in the future but right now, I have none. This changes nothing for me. I am who I am, and I’m where I’m meant to be. The throne is in the best hands it could be in, and I’m honoured just to share any blood with you.”