Chapter 20
Twenty
RAELLE
The breeze blowing across the snow-capped mountains in the distance is relentless.
It chills my cheeks and seeps through my gloves.
Every time the sun peeks out from behind the rolling clouds I sigh, but my delight is always short-lived.
My fingers tremble as I pull the hood of my cloak forward, searching for even the tiniest hint of warmth.
It’s a futile attempt and really the least of my worries.
We’ve traveled for almost a full day and night.
It was the middle of the night when we passed the border and entered Sibyl, and ever since, everyone has been on high alert.
The jokes Ulric cracked early on in our journey have stopped.
His blue eyes focus on the surrounding valley.
The lack of trees and flat land make it easy to spot anything out of place.
I suppose it’s the reason I catch his gaze drifting to Ashavee so often.
The moment we stepped out of Pliris, she shifted into a sleek, black-spotted jaguar.
With light steps, she prowls the path ahead of us with her nose close to the ground.
Terro and Greer trade off taking the lead and watching the back of our small caravan.
They keep the pummels of their swords exposed, prepared to unsheathe them in a split second.
Their vigilance is admirable, but it is nothing compared to Kyron’s.
The intensity he emits can almost make up for the lack of sunshine.
He appears relaxed, rolling a ball of flame through his ungloved fingers, but it’s just a guise.
His eyes are in continuous motion, searching the landscape for anything out of place, and the casual play of fire in his hands is a weapon.
Even Samson’s pace with Nortus is to keep him at my side.
He also takes signals from Ashavee. Every time her ears perk up, he follows her line of sight, holding his breath until the lean muscles in her legs relax. I’ve never felt more protected.
While the others were disguising their trepidations with humor or keeping a watchful eye, I’ve remained lost in thoughts about the Cruel King’s Stone.
The story has fascinated me since I first learned about it.
Why would people risk their lives for something they had no proof existed?
Were they all as desperate as we are? Or did they feel the same connection to the map that I do?
I’d like to believe that they were driven by greed, and a stronger force is drawing me to the legend.
It’s an encouraging thought. If the Statera had a hand in making me feel that way, maybe there is hope that everything will work out.
But if it doesn’t...
“You’ve been quiet.”
My thoughts disperse, vanishing into nothingness, and I snap my head in Kyron’s direction. “I’ve just been thinking. Well, more like worrying.”
“It’s going to work out, Raelle. We’re on the right path.”
He has never been the one to give into unproven possibilities. They’re too unpredictable and out of his control. He sees everything as a big picture. This action leads to this consequence with this outcome. I’m surprised to hear him so optimistic.
“I pray you’re right,” I say with a half-hearted smile.
He tilts his chin up, drawing my attention to the sky-high bell tower and the cluster of buildings ahead.
I’m very familiar with the Sibyl capital.
I spent months inside those walls training to kill my enemy, searching to break a bond, and praying that the Statera would numb my heartache.
It’s a ridiculous notion now, but I was consumed by anger and hurt.
My time at the Sibyl temple was just one stop in my journey back to Kyron.
An arm slides around my waist, and I yelp as I’m hoisted out of my saddle. “Sit,” Kyron commands, situating me in front of him. “Ulric, take her horse.”
Our friend doesn’t hesitate to grab Nortus’ reins.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Taking your mind off things for a minute.” He spurs Samson into a gallop until we’re several yards in front of the others.
“But we shouldn’t—”
“We’re close enough to the capital that no one will attack us. They take a chance of getting caught and if they harm us on Sibyl land, the Sibyls will have no choice but to enter this war. It’s a win-win.”
I push my hood down from my head and glance back at him, cocking an eyebrow.
His lips pull into the boyish, lopsided grin that makes me want to melt. It’s frustrating and endearing all at the same time. His smile makes it impossible to stay mad at him, and it also does things to my body that no simple tilt of a mouth should be able to do.
Placing his hand in the center of my chest, he pushes me back until my head is on his shoulder. “Relax. Our lives are on the verge of chaos. Enjoy this moment with me. Please.”
It’s the polite way he asks that stops me from protesting any more. I rest my body into his and allow my eyes to drift shut.
Kyron’s lips brush my ear, sending shivers down my spine as he says, “That’s a good girl.”
He releases the first two buttons of my coat and trails his fingers over the exposed skin from the base of my neck to the top of the valley between my breasts.
His warm touch chases away the chill I’ve battled for hours.
It feels good, too good. A steady throb beats between my legs, and I shift on the saddle, attempting to subside the ache.
This man has me at his mercy with one simple touch.
“Are you forgetting everything that was bothering you, princess?” He ends his question with a kiss on the sensitive column just below my ear.
“Yes, but what about you? Don’t you need help taking your mind off things?”
He moves his hips forward, pressing his hard cock to my backside. “My mind is right where I want it to be.”
Statera help me. His need has him straining against his pants.
I want to release him, feel his hard, silky cock in my palm.
I’d stroke him until his eyes grew heavy with desire and his hips thrust with the movement of my hand.
Touching him wouldn’t be enough though. I’d need him in my mouth.
The tug of his fingers in my hair, the way the cords of his neck strain against his skin, the sound of my name leaving his mouth as he gives in to his release.
I’m obsessed with making him fall apart.
I reach back to touch him, but he stops me. He takes my hand and places the horse’s reins in my palm. “I need you to take care of this while I take care of you.”
“Kyron.”
“Shh. Let me feel how wet you are for me,” he says, pulling loose the lace of my breeches.
His cold fingertips inch between the leather and my heated skin.
He caresses me, working his way down with teasing touches.
When he reaches my center, he presses slow, tight circles against my clit.
The ache grows stronger, unable to subside without more.
“Please,” I say with a whimper.
“Please what?”
I have no shame, no desire to hide what I want from him. “Give me more.”
He slides two fingers down my slick center and dips his fingers inside. “Fuck. You’re so warm.”
I lift my hips from the saddle, eager for him to go deeper and faster. “You make me like this. All you have to do is say the word, and I’ll spread my legs for you.”
He chuckles, and the rich rumble sends goosebumps rising over every inch of my flesh. His hand moves quicker, pumping into me harder. Each thrust draws me back against him as he rocks his pelvis forward. “Even if I wanted to fuck you right here?” he asks with a desire-filled rasp.
I look down at his hand, watch it move under my pants. My mind flashes a picture of him on top of me. The muscles of his back flexing as he thrusts inside of me, merging his body to mine. He is beautiful, and mine, and I want to be filled by more than just his fingers.
“Yes, you can take me however you want me.” I gasp as my body responds to his skilled movements, squeezing him tight.
“I’d take you on the ground, place you on your hands and knees. You would scream my name as my cock plunged into you over and over again. I bet it wouldn’t take much for you to lose yourself to the sensation.”
I grab his wrist, holding him in place as I ride his hand. The rapid movement of his thumb on my clit, and his fingers curling inside me are the perfect combination. Pressure builds low in my stomach as he strokes the place only he can reach.
He holds me tight with his chin on my shoulder, watching my hips roll against his hand. “I know it feels good, but I don’t want everyone to hear how you sound when you come for me. Can you keep quiet for me, princess?”
I bite down on my bottom lip, cutting through the skin. The taste of copper washes over my tongue, and I swallow it down along with a whimper.
“Fuck,” he hisses. “Keep moving like that and I’ll come with you.”
“Do it. Please,” I say through rapid breaths.
He grips my breast and sucks on the curve where my shoulder and neck meet.
He moans and his body trembles behind me.
I lose all self-control, grinding on his hand as wave after wave of extraordinary bliss wash over me.
Every particle of my being is swept away in an undercurrent of ecstasy.
I spin in its warm depths until the need for air forces me to the surface.
The seconds tick by as I catch my breath, and Kyron’s fingers slow until they rest inside of me. Samson’s steady pace rocks us in a slow rhythm. I have no will to move. In fact, I might be content to die on this horse with my parah.
Kyron slips his hand out of my pants, taking the warmth of his touch with him. I look up at him as he brings his fingers to his mouth and licks each glistening digit one by one.
Meeting my gaze, one side of his mouth ticks up. “I couldn’t help myself.”