Page 101 of Beauty

Bronwyn

I approach Lach with no small amount of trepidation.Shim walks behind me, his boots shuffling along the ground. Shim didn’t argue,didn’t say much at all. He simply watched Lach walk away after ordering Duffyto not go past the river.

The gnome looked up with a sad expression on his face untilGillian took his hand and asked him to sit with her while she healed Charlie.

A curious excitement flows through me, but it’s temperedwith sadness. I have one more play to make and then it will be over.

I’ll lose my kingdom or my men.

“Please don’t be angry with him.” Shim reaches out andgrasps my hand.

Funny. His hand feels right tangling with mine, as thoughall these years it was waiting to be entwined with his. I was only physicallywith them for a few days and already I know I want them forever. I’m happy justbeing around them, but happiness isn’t the only thing important in life.

I respect the fact that they will one day rule a kingdom.They owe their people. Can’t they understand that I owe mine, too?

“I’m not angry. I’m sad.”

His eyes turn down, watching the place where our fingersmeet. “I can feel it. It’s worse than mad. Please, Bron. Can’t you understand?”

“I can’t. Don’t you love your people? Wouldn’t you doanything to keep them safe? You will rule over them one day.” I remember myfather’s words. “A king is only good to his people if he is useful.”

It is a lesson my uncle hasn’t learned.

“After Lach was burned and I was weak, I think my fatherdecided we would never be fit to rule. Bron, we weren’t brought up to lead. Wewere hidden away because my father feared we would either be killed or judgedas too weak to rule. So we concentrated on the one thing we had.”

“Me.” I understand that much. They loved me. I accept it.Over the last days, they treated me with an affection that goes far beyondcourtesy. They seem to anticipate my needs. When we stopped in a village, theybrought me my favorite cheese and bread and fruit. When my feet hurt fromwalking, Lach dropped down, removed my boots, and rubbed the soles of my achingfeet until I was purring.

I never felt so loved and taken care of. They hold me atnight, passing me between them. Lach holds me with a possessive strength thatmakes me feel safe, and Shim with such delicacy that I feel adored.

Why can’t they see to my soul? I suppose I can answer thatquestion. Because I’m too afraid to show them.

That ends tonight, and I’ll either have them on my side orI’ll have a decision to make—one I fear I already made.

“Shim, I am sorry for how your father handled your illnessand Lach’s injury, but you have to see that I can win this war.”

He uses his free hand to touch my face. “I see that you candie. Gods, Bron, a handful of days wasn’t enough.”

I’m going to have to show him. I can’t tell him what I’mgoing to do. They’ll shut down. But I know them. I know what they long for.I’ll make love with them and when they reach out for the true bond, I’ll takeit, give them my soul.

And I’ll have my answer.

There’s no more point in talking. I go to my tiptoes. Shimis so tall. He makes me feel small and delicate, though years of hard work haveproven how sturdy I am. I brush my lips to his. It’s good to feel feminine.They remind me of all that should have been mine.

I should have been a fragile thing, a sweet princess whowaved at her people from the palace walls as her husbands made the decisions. Ishould have laughed with my maids as my mother had. My whole world would havebeen wrapped up in children and love and making things beautiful.

But I know too much. I can’t go back. I’m not that daintygirl.

I’m a warrior. I have to fight.

And, in this case, the battle will be a sweet one.

“Bron, you’re killing me.” Shim kisses me again, his tongueplaying along the seam of my lips. “We need to talk.”

“There’s nothing to talk about.” I run my hands up hischest, reveling in the feel of his ripped stomach. For all his previousweakness, he’s a muscular man. Every inch of him is lean and hard. I let myhands drift to his tight waist and pull his hips to mine. It isn’t something Ican get away with when making love with Lach. He would turn me over his kneeand smack my ass if I think about taking over, but Shim likes it when I getaggressive. I can feel how much it makes him feel wanted.

I let my tongue forage deep as I rub against him.

I adore the differences in them. Because they’re split, Ican really know every aspect of the man. His dominant half and his softerheart. I’m welcome to both sides of his soul. He’s right there, a whole manlaid out in two parts ready for me to love, to adore, to worship. I can’t thinkof anything better.