Chapter 7
Seven
The strategy meeting adjourns before midnight, with Stigian and Lucent alike exhausted.
Every decision required extensive back and forth.
It was a battle to gain slight dominance over the other.
It took Kyron’s persistence, my father’s guidance, and the knowhow of Stigian’s leading warrior, to get a plan underway for merging the two armies.
The Lucent men remain talking at the end of the table while the room clears out. I stand, not in the mood to recap the day’s events. I place a kiss on my father and godfather’s cheeks, wishing them a good night. Zek moves to follow me, but I insist he remain for the rest of the meeting.
I step into the hallway to find Kyron and Esmeray glaring at one another.
The prince clamps his mouth shut, cutting off their conversation.
It’s astonishing that I never noticed how much he resembles her and Micah.
The angles of their eyes, sharp features, and beautiful golden skin.
Like the twin royals, he’s the epitome of LeFur royalty.
“Goodnight, Mother,” he says with a bow.
“This discussion isn’t over, Kyron,” she says in a low warning.
With a brisk pace, I make my way past them and to the grand staircase.
“I’m sure it isn’t,” he says, and his footsteps echo behind me.
It doesn’t take him long to catch up with his long stride, and we ascend the stairs to the upper floors together.
Pushing aside the tension that has lingered between us all day, I bask in our silence.
It reminds me of our days walking back to camp after my training sessions.
I always appreciated the tranquility after my body and emotions were put to the test. Today was just as grueling.
Of course, there was one moment that outshines the rest and left me with a question begging for an answer.
“Why do you think your mother is so persistent that you and I marry?”
Kyron shoots me a glance from the corner of his eye. “You don’t believe that she wants me to find happiness with the woman I share a bond with?”
“Do you believe that?”
“No.”
It can’t be easy to believe that the only parent one has doesn’t have their best interest at heart.
We’re both familiar with the priorities of a sovereign.
The kingdom always holds precedence above all else, even one’s child.
It makes me grateful to be the daughter of a general and a mother who chose to spend her days caring for her children.
My parents put me and my siblings above all others.
Micah and Borin could never give me that kind of attention.
I got the best possible childhood of any sovereign before me.
Kyron rubs the back of his neck and exhales. “My mother thinks you’re weak, and I can sway you away from your beliefs. To her, you’re the easy answer to getting what she wants most… to rule a unified Pliris.”
Anger bubbles inside me, crawling up my throat and heating my face.
Of course, she would think I’m weak. I’m nothing more than a vessel for the power that is useless inside my body.
She doesn’t consider me a superior being or even an equal partner in my bond with Kyron.
If it weren’t for my status, she would press him to marry someone else.
I stomp up the stairs until we reach the fourth-floor landing.
Kyron grabs my arms and gently turns me toward him. “She doesn’t know you, Raelle. She doesn’t understand your compassion and dedication to see a kingdom where every person is equal.”
“You used to want that too.” I search his eyes for any indication that we still fight for the same cause.
“You once told me you would do whatever it takes to tear this kingdom apart. You didn’t want anyone else to feel the pain you went through when detoxing from the power you siphoned from another. ”
His features soften as sadness washes over them.
“That’s where you and I differ. Nothing will deter you from doing what you know is right for your kingdom.
And I will do anything for you. No matter the cost.” He brushes the backs of his knuckles along the side of my face.
“She thinks you’re the weaker in our bond, but it’s me.
It’s always been me. You would move mountains for the betterment of Lucent, and I would spend a lifetime aimlessly collecting the stars for you. ”
I clench my teeth and squeeze my eyes shut, but nothing can hold back my tears.
“You are so fucking stupid, Kyron.” I step forward and shove him.
He takes the blow with a step back. Again, I slam my palms into his chest and let my thoughts tumble from my mouth.
“You went behind my back and sold your soul to a kingdom you despised. That’s not what I wanted!
Yes, I wanted to rescue my father, but you were not a price I was willing to pay. ”
Kyron’s spine meets the wall, pinning him between me and it.
“I wanted you,” I yell, snatching the crown from his head and chucking it to the floor. “More than anything, I wanted you, Kyron LeFur. And you took that from me. You stabbed me in the heart and left me to bleed out alone. I hate you for that.”
He grabs both my wrists in one hand and walks forward, forcing me to step back.
“Do you for one second think it didn’t tear me to pieces to let you go?
” We slide into a small alcove on the other side of the hall.
My shoulders collide with the wall, and Kyron holds my hands above my head.
He pulls the crown from my head, drops it to the floor, and leans in so we are nose to nose.
“I did what I thought was right. I’d do it again to see you sitting next to your father!
I understand it’s fucked up, and you can hate me, but I did what I believed would bring happiness to the two people I love most in the five kingdoms.”
“Don’t say—”
“Don’t tell me I don’t love you. Don’t you fucking do it, Raelle!” His chest heaves against mine as we stare at each other.
A familiar heat sizzles between us, and we simmer in it, letting it bring our anger to a boil.
Pinned to the wall by his body, I shift against him and the fabric of my dress slides away from my leg, leaving it exposed through the slit running up the side.
He wedges his thigh between mine, the leather of his pants pressed to the thin lace covering my throbbing center.
I dig my fingernails into my palm, fighting the urge to rub against him.
“You really fucked this up, Your Grace,” I hiss and my lips brush against his.
“I’m well aware, princess.” He presses his hips against me, and a moan slips from my lips at the feel of his hard cock.
I can’t stop myself. I capture his bottom lip between mine and bear down on his thigh, rocking against it. He releases my hands and grips my waist as the other slides along my outside of my naked leg. My fingers plunge into the hair at his nape, and his tongue slides against mine.
Why is it that out of everything I’ve done in the past months, this feels the easiest? There’s no need to prove myself or refrain from thinking about the hurt I’ve endured. My rage can course through me, as can my mounting desire. Kyron is the cause of my calm, my fury, and my passion.
I place my hand over his on my thigh and guide it up, leaving a trail of fire in its wake. “Touch me,” I say into our kiss.
His fingertips press into the delicate fabric of my undergarment, sending a sensual chill down my spine. He sucks in a breath through his teeth, rubbing circles over my clit. I’ve ached for his attention since the moment I saw him.
“I want to give you what you need, Raelle.”
“I need more,” I breathe, yanking the hem of his tunic from his pants.
He drags his tongue up the column of my neck and slides the lace to the side, his flesh finally touching mine. Two fingers slide along my slit before dipping inside me and curling upward. He grips my lower back, rocking me over his fingers.
“Oh fuck,” I moan, digging my nails into his sides.
My hand slips from his shirt and finds the tie at the front of his trousers. The length of him pulsates under the taut leather, begging to be buried between my legs. I yank on the string until it gives way and wrap him in my hand, hard and smooth.
His gaze of obsidian and amber meets mine, as he covers my hand with his and guides me up and down his shaft.
“Fuck, that’s good,” he hisses, his fingers growing bolder between my legs.
His thumb sets a steady pace, drawing circles around my clit.
Another finger slips into me, complementing the rock of my hips so I can take them deeper.
The things he is capable of with just his hand are otherworldly.
And still, my body burns with an emptiness that only he can fill.
I grab the back of his pants and pull him closer, nudging his fingers that dance over my slick center with his cock.
“I need you to fuck me, Kyron. Make me forget.”
“No, princess. I’m going to make you remember how good we are together.”
He moves his hand away from where our bodies meet and grabs the back of my thighs, lifting me from the ground. My dress rips as I wrap my legs around his hips and sink down on his cock.
His breath is warm against my ears as he says, “That’s it. Take me deep. Show me how your body was made for what only I can give you.”
“Statera help me,” I breathe as he strokes in and out of me.
“Don’t you dare call on the Statera while I’m fucking you. You call my name. Only my name. Say it, Raelle. Who is buried deep inside you?”
“Kyron,” I breathe.
“Good girl.”
There is something about hearing him praise me while he rocks into my body that drives me wild. I tangle my fingers in his hair and press my mouth to his in a feverish kiss.