Chapter 30

He planted one last kiss, a ghost of one, on Vius’ lush mouth. “Imp.”

“Elf,” came his retort. Vius sobered quickly. “Finar informed me that I won’t be fit to travel for another two days.”

“I’m not surprised. You have been comatose for days now.”

“And after all that rest, I am fit to travel,” Vius argued in a subdued croak. “We should be home.”

“Two days is no great loss. And Lanaut,” Solna rushed to clarify when he met his husband’s blank stare. “The lady of this house understands that you must recover before you can travel and has very graciously offered her home to us until you are ready.”

“And if I’m ready now?” But even as he said it, Vius’ eyes were glossing over with exhaustion.

“You are not. Don’t fight me on this, husband.” He helped Vius lay back down and gently brushed his black hair away from his eyes. “Sleep, my husband,” he crooned.

Vius purred quietly at the attention. Solna kept petting him until Vius had fallen into a true sleep. 9