A wave here or there caught Queen Venom's attention. Then a motion from the gate and a rider headed her way. She knew instinctively who he was. The way he sat the horse. The physique of the man. The broad shoulders. The big head, the arrogance in motion. Raven Blackwing.
She brought her hand up and absently touched her throat where a lump had formed. Excitement filled her chest and her heart fluttered. He drew up and swung himself down before her. Grabbing a canvas bag, he stood with a frown covering his dark handsome face.
"If your offer to visit the palace is still open, I would like to stay a while," he murmured as a flush stained his cheeks.
"You want to stay here?" she exclaimed in shock.
"Yes," he nodded as sadness settled upon him. "You see, I love the woman who lives here, and I fear I have chased her away for good. I long to be near her. Just to see her each day. Even if it is to love her from a distance."
"Oh Raven," she whimpered and threw herself into his embrace.
Chuckling he hugged her tight and nuzzled her neck. "Does that mean I can stay?"
Wiping away the tears of happiness with her sleeve she took his arm and invited him inside. Waving the servants away she led him up the stairway and threw a door at the end of the hall open. "This is an entire wing. You stay as long as you like."
"Do you have time to show me around in here?" he asked with his dark deep bushy brows raised in query. She nodded and stepped into the room. He immediately shut the door, caught her up in his arms and successfully found the bedroom.