Briar
“YOU REALIZE AT SOME POINT WE WILL NEED TO PUT SOME clothes on,” I said, kissing Maez’s warm salty skin. “And probably drink some water.”
My cheek rose and fell with Maez’s laughter as I nuzzled my face into the planes of her stomach. “That is a challenge I’m prepared to win.”
I started to rise and her hand playfully tugged me back.
“You never fight fair.” She sighed, letting out a little grumble as she ran a hand down her face.
“Calla’s going to be there, and I want to see them.
It’s my auntly duty to dote upon them right now.
” I grabbed Maez by the shoulders and shook her, a smile cracking my face. “We have to be the favorite aunts.”
She guffawed. “We will be.”
“Not if we never show up,” I pointed out.
Maez grumbled something unintelligible but finally let me rise. I wandered over to the window, staring out at the open air and the sand far below. Jasmine wafted on the breeze along with the zesty scent of our citrus trees.
Our home at the edge of the world. One we thought we might never live to see.
“We still have time,” Maez said, propping herself up on her elbow.
I only glanced at her peripherally. I knew if I turned to her full on, I’d be drawn back into our bed like a moth to the flame.
“We need to be in Damrienn in one hour,” I countered, grabbing a sponge from a bowl of lavender-scented water and wiping it across the back of my neck.
“Plenty of time,” she teased. “Need I remind you, love? We have magic.”
“And as the official flame wielders of Aotreas, I think it’s important that we attend the coronation,” I countered, crossing my arms. “Fully dressed. Maybe not smelling so much like each other.”
Maez chuckled. “I suppose you’re right,” she said. “Sadie seems to really like this Silver Court Queen.”
A village elder by the name of Riva Yexshire had been elected to the Silver Throne, moving the capital from Highwick to the high mountains of the Stormcrest Ranges.
I wondered what Nero would’ve thought of his successor—not only a woman, but a human to boot.
But the worries of dead kings were of no concern to me anymore.
I lifted my hand and pulled it down, raining sparkling red motes of magic upon me. When I blinked again, I wore a scarlet satin dress, my hair braided off my face, my skin smelling of soap instead of sex. I plunked the sponge back in the bowl and, without looking, waved a hand behind me at Maez.
“I am not wearing this,” she said, looking down at the sculpted golden chest plate, gem-studded armbands, and emerald dress with two slits that raised all the way to the top of her thighs.
“No,” I said. “That’s what you’ll be wearing when we return here tonight.”
She rolled onto all fours and prowled across the mattress. “Oh really?” She grinned. “You like this, hmm?”
I shrugged. “Perhaps. Maybe with a few more splatters of dirt and blood.” Her eyes trailed down my figure, snagging on my curves in my form-fitting dress. “What are you thinking right now?”
“How much I would like to tear that dress off your body with my teeth.”
I clenched my thighs together. “You are making it very hard for me to be the sensible one right now.”
“We are good at many things, mate,” she said. “Being sensible isn’t one of them.” She reached for my wrist and tugged me back toward the mattress. “Half an hour. Then we can go.”
“We really should—”
Maez lifted onto her knees and kissed me, her tongue sweeping into my mouth. “Come on, Briar; show me your thorns.”