Queen of the Darkness (60 page)

As one finger delicately traced her nipple, he stopped, thought about the open shirt, then looked at the beach where Ladvarian stood near Kaelas, watching him.
She didn’t know I was coming, did she?

No,Ladvarian replied.

He didn’t have to ask why. If he hadn’t been able to accept what he saw, the kindred would never have told her he had come—and Ladvarian would have taken her somewhere else, to someone else to heal over the winter months.

He knew his answer to that. He loved her, and all he wanted was to be with her. But, despite what Ladvarian had said... because of what Ladvarian had said... he was no longer sure she would want him.

Then she stirred a little, and he knew he wasn’t going anywhere unless she sent him away.

Carefully bracing himself so that he wouldn’t hurt her, he leaned over and brushed his lips against hers.

He raised his head. Her haunted sapphire eyes stared at him.

”Daemon?” There was so much uncertainty in her voice.

”Hello, sweetheart,” he said, his voice husky with the effort not to cry. ”I’ve missed you.”

Her hand moved slowly, with effort, until it rested against his face. Her lips curved into a smile.

”Daemon.”

This time, when she said his name, it sounded like a promise, like a lovely caress.

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