I hesitated, not wanting my next words to sound judgmental or harsh. “Do you think they’d be proud of you?”
It was a question I often asked myself, not about my parents. I already assumed my father wouldn’t approve of my methods. He already hadn’t approved of me when he was alive. But I did think about my people, what they would think of all this. Especially lately, after everything I’d done. After what I was about to do to Gabrielle. I shoved that out of my mind. Today was not the day to think about our mission.
“I don’t know,” he said honestly. “I’ve done what I could, the only thing I knew how to do, to help my people survive after the Great War, after the border closed. Would my parents agree with my methods? It’s hard to say. They were honest people. Good people.”
My finger stopped circling. “You don’t think you’re good?”
He rolled on his side to face me. “I don’t know. You’ve made me wonder more than once over our time together. I’ve told you that I believe you’d make a good queen, and I’m not lying. You’re a born leader, Lilypad. You light up every space you’re in.”
I winced. “Penn, I’m sorry. I—I shouldn’t have judged you so harshly. I thought I was better than you, that I knew better. Jasper wanted to sell me off in marriage to some man. That’s allowed in his land by law. But does it make it right? I think maybe the laws in Elwen need to be re-evaluated, and not just by one person, but a council, maybe like the one you have in Mosswood Forest.” I took a deep breath. “You’ve helped so many in Mosswood Forest. You saved them, Penn. If that isn’t good, then I don’t know what is.”
“Does that mean when you take back your crown you’re not going to arrest me?” He smirked.
I kissed the corners of his mouth. “I’ll think about it.” I moved my lips down his chest. “If you can convince me?”
“Another test?” I looked up to see his eyes darkening again. His hands came to my ass. He gripped it and rolled me on top of him. I let out a playful shriek, but warmth gathered betweenmy legs. “Careful, Lilypad,” he crooned. “Or I’m going to have to show you just how convincing I can be.”
The next morning,I woke up with Penn’s muscled arms cradling me into him. I wanted to wake up like this every single morning. I’d slept with Jasper many times but had never felt this safe in his arms. Not like I did wrapped in Penn’s.
He shifted behind me, and I felt his hard length pressing into me. “Good morning,” he murmured into my ear, bringing a smile to my face.
I turned to him, and he reached a hand up and gently caressed my face.
“What’s the plan for today?” I asked, not ready to face reality but knowing we needed to.
He leaned forward and kissed my lips. “Let’s stay in bed all day. There are still so many things I want to do to you.” He nuzzled my neck, and I laughed.
“Who are you and what have you done with the king of thieves?”
He rolled on top of me, and I pushed my hips into him. “I’ve been bewitched by a most beautiful princess.”
I let out a moan as he ground against me. “Penn!” I swatted his shoulder. “We have to find that weapon.”
His face sobered, and he sat up, pushing a hand through his wavy blond hair. I gathered the sheets around me and sat up next to him.
“There is nothing I would love more than to spend today, every day, like this.” I gestured between our naked bodies. “Butmy court needs me. Jillian and Driscoll need me. Plus, Gabrielle might be getting worried about us at this point.”
He opened his mouth like he wanted to say something but closed it. Finally, he said, “I know. I think you have to speak with Gabrielle again, try and get more out of her about this weapon, about the pirate lord. And I’ll keep searching. It was a good idea yesterday, the pirate ship.”
My shoulders sank. “We have no leads, nothing to go on. This is a disaster.”
“We’ll find it, Lilypad.”
I met his gaze, the sun brightening his green eyes. “How do you know?”
He trailed a finger down my arm. “Because I always find my mark.”
“Mm,” I said in agreement. He’d proven that yesterday. Over and over and over and over again.
“Do you have any weaknesses?” I asked in a teasing tone. “Or are you really as invincible as you seem?”
He held my gaze. “I used to think I didn’t have any weaknesses, but I’m starting to realize that’s not true.”
My heart squeezed at the words.
“There’s something I want to tell you.”
“Okay.” I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear.
