Page 86 of Drawn into Oblivion

Most likely, Rosuke was dealing with a mix of all these fears and more.

“Are you…considering volunteering? To be part of this demon-hunting force?” She would never outright forbid him something like this, even if she did hate the idea of him being gone for weeks or even months, fighting versions of himself in the dark. But if he were interested in leading or joining such a force, she had more than enough ways to persuade him to stay.

He stopped and grasped her shoulders, turning her toward him. The intense look in his eyes rooted her to the spot. “No. I didn’t consider it for even a second. You’re—” He paused to look around and make sure they were alone. “You’re carrying our child, and even if you weren’t there’s no way I’d leave you unless I had no choice. I’ve spent centuries wanting what I have with you. Centuries fighting and despairing. All I want—all I need is to bind our souls together in our own joining ceremony, and work beside you to make this world better.”

Her face had grown hot. Her heart soared. She stepped closer and laid her hands on his chest.

“Oh, Rosuke.” She pressed herself against him and lowered her voice. “What I wouldn’t give right now for a few moments alone with you—somewhere more private. Oh!” She glanced down even though she couldn’t see the warm tendrils of his magic stroking its counterpart inside her. When she looked up at Rosuke again, he was wearing the smuggest grin she’d ever seen.

“As it so happens…”

Her eyebrows shot up, and she curled her fingers into his clothes. “Really?”

He nodded at something behind her, and she twisted to look over her shoulder. “That’s the sparring room where we first kissed. No one uses it now that the training hall is done, and they’ve turned it into storage space. For now, just a few tables and linens.”

“Wait.” She threw him a suspicious look. “You were leading me here even though we were in my room.”

His hands were already roaming her body, following the curves of her waist and cupping her backside. She let out a soft moan before she could stop herself. “Let’s just say I miss our…clandestine encounters.” He leaned down, lips descending, and she tipped her head up in readiness. “Also, move into my room already.”

“Or you could move into mine.” He laid a featherlight kiss upon her lips. She clenched the front of his shirt, wanting more. “But why move? If you want clandestine we could continue sneaking into each other’s beds at night.”

“Don’t tempt me,” he growled. This time, he gave her the kiss she wanted. Gentle but deep. She twined her arms around his neck and gasped as his magic grew bolder.

Voices and footsteps approached from a nearby corridor. They weren’t likely to walk their way, but Mai tensed and pulled back. “We should—”

“Let’s get out of the hall.”

They disengaged from each other, and Mai hastened to the door of the sparring room, Rosuke right on her heels. She slid the portal open. “How many seconds do you think you’ll need to get me undressed?” she challenged, throwing him a sly smile over her shoulder.

Groaning, he followed her into the room and shut the door behind him. “Twenty seconds, tops.”

Mai would have begun counting, but Rosuke kissed her instead, and she realized it didn’t matter. After all, they had plenty of time.