Earth's End

“I suppose that would be allowed, if you kept me places as beautiful as your rose garden,” she mused.

“You only have to ask to receive.” The crown prince leaned in to place a sweet kiss upon her mouth. “I could think of no better way to ignore my succession duties.”

“Succession?” Vhalla moved, tilting her head to look up at him, confused. She’d heard nothing of it.

“It’s rather hush yet.” Aldrik ran his fingers over her temple. “Father told me of it not long after the war started. He plans to step aside.”

“He does?” Her heart began to race. Vhalla had imagined a middle-aged Aldrik ascending the throne, not anything like the man she was presently holding in her arms.

“He said he wanted to show the people a proper succession. That he would be the Emperor of War, working to unite the whole world beneath a single banner. But I would be an Emperor of Peace and rule on his behalf. One man could not be both to the people.” Aldrik’s hand stopped on her cheek. “He said by the time I was thirty, if the wars were finished here and I had fulfilled my obligations, he would want to see me on the throne.”

“Thirty?” She did some quick math in her head. “Six years?” “Five,” he corrected.

“Five?” she questioned.

“Well, I have not consulted at a calendar in over a month, so perhaps six yet.” The corners of his mouth curled up into a grin. “Your ... birthday?” Vhalla’s mind began to grind into action. “Just after the new year.” He gave her a tired smile. “I fear you are with an old man.”

“I didn’t know!” She gasped. “I didn’t prepar—”

His lips silenced hers with a forceful kiss. “You have given me my life, given me your love and your body,” he whispered across her mouth before pulling away. “If I took anything more, I would be grossly selfish.”

“But—”

“No.” Aldrik shook his head, kissing her again.

“But ...” She forced a grin off her lips as his mouth came to hers to prevent her objection. “But.” He kissed her again, faster. “But ...” Vhalla whispered again, and he chuckled lightly, realizing her game.

Aldrik pulled her halfway on top of him as he rolled onto his back. Her palm pressed against his chest for support, and his hand drifted lazily through her hair. The sensation of his skin was still an exotic feeling, one that brought a delicious tingle across her body.

“Will you really be the Emperor?”

“Is that not what being the crown prince means?” The right corner of his mouth curled upward into one of his trademark smirks.

“But, so soon ...” She bit her lip.

“You are not pleased?” he asked, studying her thoughtfully. The prince could read her like a book.

“I am.” Vhalla fussed with a lock of his limp hair up by his shoulder, noting that he’d washed it before meeting the majors. “It’s so ... soon.”

“What is wrong with soon?” Aldrik arched an eyebrow. “Nothing,” she murmured.

“You do not think that word will fool me, do you?” He tightened his grip around her briefly, forcing her to look back at him.

“I’m—” She paused. “I’m trying to focus on the now, over the later.”

“Vhalla,” his voice had a serious severity to it. “Earlier, did you think I was uttering sweet words to seduce you into my bed?” Aldrik studied her reaction. “This is not temporary. Unless ... you wish for it to be?” She shook her head hastily. “Good. You are my lady, and I will see the world knows it. I will place you by my side, I promise.”

Vhalla stared at him in awe. Things had changed between them. Aldrik knew, she saw the glint in his eyes that told her he understood all too well the forces that had pushed her over the edge and into his bed. Her overwhelming adoration for him combined with the sickening worry that every moment could be their last. She knew he understood it because he had similar emotions clouding his eyes.

She leaned forward and pressed her lips firmly against his. He owed her nothing. The pleasure of knowing and loving him was enough.

Aldrik sighed softly, his eyes fluttering open after the kiss. He drew a slow breath, opening his mouth to continue—only to be interrupted by a knock on the door.

Vhalla stiffened in panic. He shook his head, forcing her to trust in whatever he would come up with. The visitor knocked again.

“Brother?” It was Baldair, and they both breathed a sigh of relief in unison. “Brother, the meeting is breaking for dinner. Would you care to join us? Is Vhalla Projecting?”

Aldrik was visibly conflicted. Finally making up his mind, he pulled away from her, scanning the room for his trousers. Vhalla drew the covers up to her ears as he tugged on the pants, returning to a somewhat decent state. His hair, however, was an awful mess, and Vhalla’s eyes fell to his shoulders. She opened her mouth to stop him just as he opened the door a crack.

“Is Father still there?” Aldrik asked. Vhalla’s eyes widened. He clearly expected his state to convey the rest. There was a long silence.

“Oh, oh. Oh! Oh, Mother!” She heard the cringe in Baldair’s hasty whispers. He paced away from the door before returning. “Gods, Aldrik! Really? Here?”

“Is Father still engaged?” Aldrik repeated, though from his profile in the halfway opened door, Vhalla saw the makings of an arrogant smirk curling his mouth.