A really short scene set shortly after the coronation, before their visit to the mortal world.

Cardan and I lie tangled in our great bed, our crowns discarded on the floor. Cardan's fingers are weaving through my hair as I listen to the beat of his heart. The fear of when I thought I lost him is ebbing away, day by day, but there is a strange gratefulness inside me that floods from his proximity.

I cannot believe I almost lost this. I cannot believe I almost lost you.

It's enough to make me think I'll never be mad at him again, although that is a miracle that even the High King and Queen of Elfhame couldn't grant.

"Balekin made me kiss him," I say, quite suddenly.

He freezes. "What?"

He doesn't ask why I'm telling him this. It has become a new habit of mine, throwing him a tiny piece of my armour every few days, another secret I've held back. Take my shame. Shoulder it.

"In Undersea," I clarify. "I had to make him think I was glamoured, so I did it."

Cardan tenses. "I'm glad you killed him," he says. "I don't know how you managed that."

"Killing him? It was easy actually, I just––"

He sighs. "Your bedroom talk needs work, wife."

I give him another piece of my armour. "I pretended he was you."

"I don't know if I should be flattered or horrified."

"Maybe both?"

He rolls over onto his front, exposing his back to the air. I run my fingers over his scars, tracing every line of them, hating Balekin more and loving Cardan so much my chest aches with the weight of it.

Give me a piece of your armour. I can carry more.

"What did your past conquests say about these?" I ask him.

Cardan sighs, avoiding my gaze. "I haven't had as many as you think, you know."

I raise an eyebrow, not believing him for one moment.

"What? I can still count them."

"So can I. And you're avoiding the question."

He shakes his head. "The front of me is such a distraction, they barely noticed."

"Cardan…"

"Most people don't ask, Jude. It's humiliating. I don't expect you to understand—"

"I understand," I say, tracing the back of his hand with my stubbed finger. "One of Madoc's guards bit it off and made me watch as he ate it."

Cardan's eyes widen, as if he's wondering if he can reach back through the years and throttle this person on his behalf.

I really am glad I killed Balekin.

"Jude—" He rises up on his elbows.

"I was a kid. I told everyone it was a training accident. I've… I've never told anyone else. I've never felt I could."

Cardan takes my hand and tugs me under him. He kisses my finger, my palm, my face, and lies down on my bare chest. I stroke his back.

Here are my scars. I will bear yours if you will bear mine. They are yours, now. Yours, if you will have them.

"Did anyone know where you got yours from?" I ask him.

He shakes his head. "Nicasia asked. She was the only one who did. And I wouldn't tell her. I think that's how Locke was able to steal her away. I couldn't let her in. Not quite." He raises a hand to brush my hair behind my ear, skimming the rounded tips of it. His black eyes bore into me. "No one but you, Jude, my sweet villain, my darling savior."

"No one but me, what?"

"No one but you have I ever let in. No one one else will I. I swear it. I shall share my heart and soul with no one but you, unless you tell me otherwise, and invite no one else into my bed, unless it's at your behest."

"Dangerous for a fae to make such vows…" I respond, trying not to think of why I would ever want anyone but him.

"I court danger," he says, planting kisses down my body, "my sweet queen of shadows..."

I lift his head before he can go too far, before his kiss manages to dissolve every bright inch of me. Cursed, sensual mouth.

"If I told you I loved you right now, would you believe me?"

He grins wickedly. "Yes," he says, "I believe I would."