My cheeks warm, and I glance down, overwhelmed by the intensity of his words. Kael takes my arm, his touch firm yet gentle, and leads me to the settee by the hearth.
“Sit,” he says, guiding me down as though I’m something precious. He hands me a glass of wine, his fingers brushing mine, sending a spark up my arm. “You’ve been working so hard these past two years, Talia. You’ve done an incredible job.”
I blink up at him, the weight of his praise pressing into me in the best possible way. “Thank you,” I whisper, my voice barely audible, as I take a sip of wine.
Kael takes the glass from my hand, setting it aside before settling in beside me. His hands find my shoulders, and I stiffen for a moment before his thumbs press into the tense muscles at the base of my neck. A sigh escapes my lips as the tension melts away under his touch.
“Relax,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear. “You’ve earned this. It’s time to let go for once.”
The tenderness in his voice brings a sudden sting to my eyes, and I blink rapidly, trying to keep the tears at bay. “Kael…” My voice falters, and I shake my head, overwhelmed.
His hands slow, his fingers tracing soft circles over my skin. “What else can I do for you?” I ask, my voice trembling. “How can I repay you for everything you’ve done for me?”
Kael’s hands slide lower, skimming down my shoulders and brushing against my collarbone. He leans in, his voice dropping to a low, rough murmur. "You know what I need, Talia. The Celestial Flame awaits us. With a worthy heir, we could wield power beyond imagination." His hands move lower, trailing over the curve of my chest until they settle around my breasts, his touch firm yet reverent.