Elon tried to tie the horse's reins to the tree so quickly that he fumbled. He laughed at his own haste. Being sloppy wouldn't help him join Carissa any more quickly. It was best he take his time.

After Elon had finished securing the last horse, he strode towards the copse of trees Carissa had indicated.

"Elon."

Elon suppressed a bout of irritation and continued walking. Algernon could wait. Carissa couldn't.

A future flashed before him: Algernon grabbing Elon's wrist to stop him.

Elon yanked his wrist out of the way and turned so sharply that Algernon's eyebrows arched in surprise. "You require something?" His gritty tone would have subdued most men, but not Algernon.

"I'm just curious about why you feel the need to go yonder. As a group, we should stick—"

"You concern is..." Appreciated was too strong of a word. "...noted." Algernon's thoughtfulness would have been more welcome were it sincere, but Elon was well aware what truly motivated Algernon to comment.

Algernon folded his arms. "If something happens, it'd be best if the group were together."

"If you were truly concerned about what were best for the group, you would have heeded my warning and remained at your cabin."

"You think me a coward?"

"I think your eyes wander where they ought not." Though Elon was familiar with the urge to let his gaze linger on Carissa, he was quite opposed to allowing other men the same liberties. And his Foresight warned him to be particularly wary of Algernon's attraction.

Algernon laughed, the sound ringing falsely. "Good lands, man. I wouldn't even think to do anything. You're married, after all."

"And you'd best remember that."

Algernon snorted at Elon's not-so-subtle threat. "I thought you were supposed to be a gentle, kind king."

"Gentle and kind don't equate to weak, which is what I would be if I allowed your affection for my wife to grow unchecked. I am hers, and she is mine. I don't intend to relinquish that claim."

Algernon backpedaled, his hands raised as if in surrender. "I certainly didn't mean to intrude, good sir. By all means, enjoy your privacy with your wife."

Elon turned on his heel without another word. He'd spent far too much time in Algernon's company and too little in his wife's. It was time to remedy that. He didn't have to wander far until he was greeted by his wife's soft, off-key humming.

Once she came into view, he slowed his pace.

Carissa shook out the blanket, the fabric snapping, before letting it flutter to the ground, barren save for rocks and clusters of dry, prickly grass. There was a slight curve to her lips, and he read several emotions in her expression: pleasure, eagerness, nervousness.

He silently approached her before wrapping his arms around her slender waist and pulling her against his chest. She turned in his embrace, and once her gaze alighted on him, she smiled. The sight of it felt like a punch in the stomach for how it stole his breath.

He hadn't realized how much he'd missed holding her until just now, her touch relieving an ache he hadn't been aware of prior. As she drew herself more tightly against him, each of her exquisite curves pressing against him, his body flushed with the longing for more.

He angled his head to kiss her.

"I heard your conversation with Algernon," she whispered, her breath grazing his lips.

Simply the name Algernon was like a cold splash of water. Elon lifted his head. "What about him?"

Carissa flinched slightly, and Elon regretted he hadn't softened his tone. Then an impish smile spread across her lips. "You're jealous." She stated that with far too much delight, amusement flickering in her eyes.

Elon failed to see what was delightful or amusing about the situation.

Carissa ran her hands across his chest, which was tight with tension. "I think it's sweet."

Sweet? Did she truly not understand the gravity of the situation? Elon huffed and glanced to the side.

Her hands rose up until she meshed her fingers behind his neck. She peppered his face in warm kisses, and he could practically feel himself softening. She touched her mouth to his, her tongue running briefly across the seam of his lips, and he tensed against a hot flash of desire.

Sometimes he feared the sheer depth of his physical yearning for her would drive her away. She'd come far, but in many ways, she was still healing from her time in Iver. And so he withheld his gaze from hers, hoping to conceal the heat she'd otherwise find in his eyes.

She rocked back on her heels. "Please don't be angry."

Angry? He glanced at her.

"I just wanted you to know that I wouldn't even think of anyone else. I love you so much it hurt sometimes, and I don't want you to be worried my heart will stray." She smiled faintly, her face flushed, wisps of hair escaping her braid. "I still think it's adorable that you're jealous, but I also want you to know it's not necessary."

Elon's chest tightened, and he lifted a hand to cup her cheek. "I have a beautiful wife. I doubt it's possible to go the duration of our marriage without feeling jealousy at one point or another." He pressed a soft kiss to her temple. "And as your husband, it's my job to chase the other men away. So don't fret over my jealousy, love."

Her eyes slowly creased with a smile. "Alright, Elon. I trust you."

And with those few words, Elon was once again reminded how much he was helplessly, hopelessly in love with her. He bent his head near hers, their breaths stirring together, and pressed his lips to hers. He moved slowly, wanting it to be a sweetly cautious kiss.

But judging from how Carissa had surged to meet him, it wouldn't be quite what he'd intended. She gripped a fistful of his hair to angle his mouth to better fit hers. It surprised him, but he found her bold move rather attractive. She toyed with his bottom lip, then his top one.

Elon chuckled before delving her mouth with his. Someone was eager—not that he was complaining. As they kissed, she continued to surprise, making a fire settle low in his stomach.

He drew away. His breathing was ragged, his body pulsing with the need for hers. Lands, he should have drawn away sooner. He swept her into his arms before lowering them both to the blanket.

She glanced up at him, her smile too mischievous to be anything but a smirk. No doubt the woman knew exactly how she affected him. "You don't have to be so careful with me, you know."

He arched his eyebrows.

"I know you're trying not to hurt or frighten me." She drove a hand through his hair, her nimble fingers twirling the locks until his scalp prickled with awareness. "But I'm ready to bond with you again, Elon."

He couldn't help the slight hitch of his breath. How was it possible that a handful of words could cause both a thrill of pleasure and a surge of fear? While he certainly wanted to bond with her, he wanted her to be as pleased with the bonding as he was. If she cried again, he wasn't certain he could take it. But the only way for her to continue healing was if they kept trying.

She gazed up at him through her lashes. "Please?"

Elon smiled down at her. "Of course, Carissa. We'll just need to find a safe place." His smile faded. "This time will be better than the first, but I doubt you'll find it completely pleasurable."

Her triumphant grin softened. "I know. But if I'm ever to enjoy bonding with you in full, then I'll need to keep trying."

He hugged her against his chest, his admiration for her overflowing.

After a moment, she asked, "So that gift you were speaking about..."

"Right." He relaxed his grip on her and unsheathed the dagger from his belt.

Her eyes brightened with recognition. "My dagger! You found it."

Elon nodded. "I found it in the fortress' armory. I was just waiting for the right opportunity to present it to you." As she took it, he tapped her on the nose. "Do try not to lose it again. It's a valuable dagger, you know."

She wrinkled her nose at him before returning to studying the dagger, running her fingers along the flat of the blade. "I have another question for you, and I suspect you know the answer, but I'm unsure whether or not you'll tell me."

Elon glanced at the future. "You're going to ask who the rider was on the road."

She nodded.

"Hmmm. I think I'll leave that a surprise." She lowered her head in a pout until he chucked her on the chin. "Don't worry. You'll learn soon enough."

"But when?"

"After we reach Zonah."

Questions still flickered in her eyes, but instead of voicing them, she withdrew a few pieces of wrapped jerky from her pockets. "Here. As promised, I brought some food."

Once they'd finished eating, Elon helped her to her feet. "While I'd enjoy spending more time with you in private, we should continue. If we can keep up our pace, we should reach there by nightfall." When Carissa shuddered, he rubbed a hand across her back. "I'll be with you, Carissa."

She drew a fortifying breath and nodded. "Then let's get going."

***

Author's Note: Being the fabulous author that I am, I wrote another sneak peek for you guys. ;) Hope you enjoy it! Let me know if you can't find it. After all, I hear four whole days without TKCB is quite a long time.