Chapter 13

Chapter Thirteen

Harper

U ncomfortable? Is he mad? I feel no pain, yet I’m uncomfortable with desire like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Anything I know from my life before has nothing on being held in Aaran’s arms or feeling his lips on mine. His mouth between my legs was the ultimate pleasure, but only took the edge off. I need more of him, all of him. If I could crawl inside his skin, it wouldn’t be close enough.

His back muscles ripple under my fingers. A dark bruise marks his shoulder. It must have happened fighting the wolves. A series of scratches mar his neck and the edge of his hairline just above his temple. These imperfections only heighten his good looks. He’s the most beautiful being I’ve ever seen. The other elves are also attractive, but Aaran is spectacular. How am I going to live without him when I return to New Jersey?

I quash the thought. Enjoy the moment , I scream inside my head.

Maybe he heard me. He breaks the kiss and stares into my eyes for a long, intense moment. In the light of this strange world’s night, his blue eyes are as dark as the deepest sea. Lowering his head, he takes my nipple into his warm wet mouth and sucks.

Pleasure shoots directly to my clit, which pulses and aches. I wrap my leg around his and press upward, searching for relief. “I need you, Aaran.”

His deep growl is feral and vibrates against my skin. He licks my other nipple and runs his tongue around it before sucking and letting his teeth worry the tight bud.

It takes all my will to stifle the scream building inside me because not far from here are elves with acute hearing. It wouldn’t take much imagination to figure out what we were doing if I screamed his name here in the little green fairy glen.

Thick and hard, his cock presses against my thigh. I reach between us and slide my hand along the turgid flesh. A bead of cum wets the tip, and I spread it over the head.

“Harper, you don’t know what you do to me.”

“I think I do.” I grip a handful of his thick hair and pull his face level with mine. Tilting, I cover his lips and plunge my tongue inside. He’s warm and soft while hard and strong all over. This man, this elf, is perfect.

With his knees, he nudges my thighs apart. Holding his weight off of me, the muscles bulge as he notches himself at my pussy.

What is he waiting for? I lift my hips and take in the tip of his shaft. A soft moan escapes, and I repeat, pushing higher to take a little more. I long to ease the ache of desire torturing me most exquisitely.

With a low animalistic growl, he presses inside me, inch by maddening inch. Stretching me, filling me, becoming one with me.

Pleasure explodes inside me, and my body sucks and pulses around his cock. My nails dig into his shoulders. I scream into his mouth while my orgasm sends a shock wave to every cell in my body. I break the kiss to catch my breath. I had no idea I was capable of so much rapture in so short a time. “Oh. Why is it so much? That’s…”

Holding above me, buried deep within me, he asks, “Are you alright?”

Is he insane? “Move. Please move.”

Releasing his breath, he combs my hair away from my eyes and pulls back. Gaze locked with mine, he presses deep again. Again and again, he fills me, making love to me slowly. Stare intense, he never looks away and somehow, it’s more intimate than anything I’ve ever experienced.

It’s perfection, and I may go insane all at once. I rock my hips to meet every thrust. Another orgasm builds within. “Faster. God, Aaran, I’m going to come again.”

He covers my lips in a deep kiss. His tongue and cock thrusting and retreating synchronously. Hard and fast, and needing more, needing everything, I meet every move.

I try to hold back and wait for him, but there’s no chance. My pussy tightens as bliss takes me over the edge. I pull away from his kiss and press my teeth against his muscular shoulder.

Holding his weight on one elbow, he cups the back of my head while my body quakes with wave after wave of the most spectacular orgasm of my life. Nothing can compare to this moment.

On a sound that’s more animal than man, he thrusts hard once, and again, before pulling free and coming between us.

A small part of me wishes he’d come inside me. I want to feel his warm seed, and I yearn for the possibility of his beautiful child to grow within me. It’s completely insane. I’ve never even considered children, never felt motherly. A logical and sensible woman knows it is considerate and smart not to risk a pregnancy, if our species are even compatible. Clearly, he believes we are. Still, we’re at war, and I live in another world, and have a life there. Not to mention the curse. Though a boy child that looked like Aaran wouldn’t be a bad thing. I quash the notion before my longing for him becomes too intense.

His kisses soften, and he peppers them along my cheek and my forehead. “Harper,” he says on a breath. Rolling to his back, he holds me against his chest.

The aches and pains of my torture find their voice again, but I close my eyes and let the pleasure of the moment be my focus. “That was wonderful.”

“I hurt you?” He caresses my bruised back.

“No. Venora, Ciaran, and dark magic hurt me. You made me forget for a while.” My muscles feel like jelly. “Aaran?”

“Hmm?”

“Can I hear the song of your soul?” It’s strange the thought came into my head now. It’s the first peace we’ve had since shortly after coming to this world. I long for more of him, all of him.

Brushing my hair from my face, he smiles. “Close your eyes.”

I do and his fingers slide around my neck as I relax my cheek against his chest. Then the soft hum filters into my consciousness. It’s soft, full of highs and lows. If there is a melody, the verse is too long to find the start and finish. As if music were made by wind through leaves and the swaying of ancient tree trunks, that is the song of Aaran’s soul. And it speaks to mine.

A soft sigh escapes me, and I nuzzle against him. “So beautiful. Can we sleep here?”

Kissing the top of my head, he says. “For a while, mo chroi . Sleep. I will wake you when it’s time to return to camp.”

I want to stay awake and talk, then make love again. I want all my days and nights to be about pleasure and forget about the troubles of the world. Longing for a romance that is born of passion rather than drama won’t make it so or keep my exhaustion at bay.

The steady rise and fall of Aaran’s chest lulls me until my dreams take me back to Venora’s clutches and turn into nightmares.

C ool water on my stomach pulls me awake.

With a torn piece of cloth, Aaran kneels next to me. He washes the proof of our lovemaking from my abdomen, then presses the cold cloth between my legs and cleans me there too.

I bend my knee, opening for him. A soft sigh escapes. “That’s nice.”

With a naughty grin, he presses a kiss just above my slit. “I wish we had time for more, but the sun will be up soon.” With a long exhale, he hands me my clothes.

I’m unable to take my eyes off his strong, wide back as he walks to the edge of the stream and dips his rag to clean himself. Despite denying us both more pleasure, his cock is at the ready while he drags the cloth over it.

“You’re not making this easier with the thoughts going through that wonderful mind of yours.” It’s a scolding, but the passion in his eyes when he looks back at me shows that he wishes there was more time too.

I shrug without apology and pull my jeans on. It’s strange, but I feel remarkably good. The healing wound on my stomach is several shades lighter, and the bruises have gone away. I’m pulling on my t-shirt when Aaran runs his hand along my shoulder blade.

“This was much darker yesterday.” He caresses my skin with the softest touch until I pull the cotton down.

I run my hand over his shoulder, and his bruise is only a faint yellow mark now. “I’m feeling better.” I step into my elven shoes and tie the laces.

He dresses and rolls the blanket, letting his hand linger on the moss. “The fairy magic favors us.”

“Is that good?” I go to the stream, cup the cold water, and drink. The water is sweet and clean. Since arriving in Domhan nothing is familiar. In New Jersey, I never drank water straight from a source. Even when we camped when I was a kid, we brought bottled water for drinking and washed in the showers provided by the campgrounds. Everything since I left home is new for me.

Offering me his hand, he nods. “Fairy magic can be mischievous, but if you feel better, then the remnants of those who made this place feel you are worthy of healing.”

“And you?”

He rolls his shoulders. “I feel better too.”

Once we’re hand in hand, I look back at the little haven that kept us safe and allowed us to make a memory. The water shimmers in the light of the planet I can’t remember the name of. The lush blanket of moss reminds me of how welcoming this place was for lovers. I take a mental picture to savor for the rest of my life. “I don’t ever want to forget this place.”

“No. We won’t forget the hospitality of the fairies.” He squeezes my hand, and we step out of the fairy glen and into the high grass.

Someone clears his throat.

Aaran freezes and puts himself between me and the noise.

Fancor’s gruff voice cuts through the predawn. “I beg your pardon. Just keeping watch over you and the lady, Riordan.”

My face is on fire. Has he been hiding here all night?

Shaking his head, Aaran tucks my hand in his. “Is that Jax I hear stomping along to the north?”

“Oh, aye. He took a shift as well.” He falls in step beside us. “It’s a good sign having a fairy glen in our path.”

“Why?” I ask, despite my embarrassment that the entire camp likely knows we sneaked off to have sex.

“They are rare and full of magic. Most people consider them good luck.” Fancor has the courtesy not to ask about our luck within the glen, for which I’m grateful.

Jax is not as courteous. “At least some of our party was lucky.” With a snort, he storms into the camp where Cara and Dorian are already awake, stoking the fire back to life.

I’m sure my face is bright red, but I don’t bother to hide. It’s not my fault that I’m here, and my grandma always said you can’t choose who you love. I can’t be sorry for a few hours of passion with Aaran. It was beautiful, and nothing Jax says will sully the glen for me.

With a soft smile, Aaran kisses my cheek and goes to help wake the elves and ready them to travel.

I toss what little we have into the pack, then braid my hair before joining Cara.

She’s pulling the spines out of some leaves and feeding them into a pot on the fire. It reminds me of cooking chard or cabbage. Pulling some toward me, I watch, learn, and help. She smiles.

I have so many questions about Venora, but I suppose those answers will come in time. “Cara, did you have to heal the witch queen often?”

Dorian pours more water into the pot from a jug. “The witch queen required healing for herself, her whore, and those followers who are not shadows. The war of good and evil takes its toll and Venora threatened the lives of the slaves to gain Cara’s help. Much of the payment for the use of her healing was to be tormented by those who are shadow demons. She has endured much.”

She gives him a sharp look.

“You’re right. We have all suffered at the hands of the witch queen,” Dorian says.

From the way he touches her face and the love in his eyes, I realize they are mates. I suppose I should have seen it before. “Perhaps Aaran’s mother can restore your voice.”

Cara smiles at Dorian.

“She says that as long as I can hear her, that is enough.” He nods and kisses her forehead. “Even so, I miss your voice.” He gives me a wink. “Even when she was scolding me.”

They share a look that perhaps isn’t meant for my eyes before he moves off to help pack up the camp.

T he sun is above the horizon when we’re finally all moving west. I don’t allow Aaran to carry me. Between all the healing and the effects of the glen, I feel much better.

Walking next to him, I can’t help but ask, “Why didn’t we bring all the injured elves into the glen for healing?”

Hiking his pack higher, he scans the land between us and the sea. “The fairy’s magic is not guaranteed. They favored us, but that doesn’t mean they would the others. In fact, the magic can resent the asking. To try would be foolish and waste time we don’t have. Venora will heal. She will hunt us herself or with her armies.”

“How do we fight armies of those shadow demons?” The idea of it makes my gut tighten. Their energy is so horrid it’s like having all the joy ripped from you. I shudder. The longer I am in this world, the more I think this is an impossible task we will never survive.

His fingers gently touching the back of my neck shakes me from my negative thoughts. He speaks softly for my ears only. “I thought we would have a few moments this morning before we reached camp. It didn’t occur to me that there were guards in the meadow.”

I blush, though I don’t really feel embarrassed. It’s more the warm memories of our bodies entwined that heat my cheeks. “What did you want to say?”

He looks around as if making sure no one is too close. “That being with you was the greatest gift I have ever received and to thank you for the honor.”

“My end of the bargain was just as valuable. No need to thank me.” It comes out more annoyed than I intended. In my experience, men thank you for sex when they leave the bed before the sun comes up and don’t expect to call you for another date.

Shaking his head, he takes my hand. “This is coming out wrong. I only meant to say that the time in the glen with you was important to me. Not a moment, or a whim, but a vital part of my life that I will always cherish.”

In the center of my chest, a knot forms. My heart doesn’t know if it’s full or about to break. “If we survive this, which honestly, seems unlikely, I will go back to my world.”

“Yes. I know.” He squeezes my fingers before releasing them. “I still stand by my feelings. Whatever happens, we will have those memories. They will carry me.”

What does that mean? Carry him where? To the end of his life? Is that what I want, for him to never know a lasting love? “Aaran, when I go, you’ll marry a nice elf and make elf babies. Girls, who have your hair and eyes.”

Nainsi steps beside me. “I can see the ocean’s shine in the distance. Maybe a day and a half from here.”

Bert squints. “Then we’ll need to find a seaworthy ship from there. Ships need upkeep, and who knows what that witch has done over the years.”

Where Aaran’s mind had been a soft hum inside me, he closes that door now. I didn’t actually hear his thoughts, though I think, if I had tried, I could have. It was a sense of his well-being. Now there is nothing, and I miss it.

His jaw ticks. “We just have to see what we find. I’m glad you decided to join us, Bert. Not sure if anyone else knows how to sail across an ocean with any skill.”

Bert huffs. “That’s a good question. I’ll make a round through the group and see if there are any sailors among us.”

Nainsi slaps his bottom. “I can sail, captain.”

Grinning wide, Bert says, “You’re a fine first mate, my love.”

They take different directions and begin their inquiries.

“Aaran?”

He shifts his gaze to me. His handsome face is tight, and worry creases his brow.

“We can worry about whatever is between us if we live. I will happily take whatever moments you spare for me while this madness ensues. Please don’t add my feelings to your list of troubles.” It’s the best I can do. I don’t have all the pretty words that he does. I’ve never needed them or wanted them until now.

The tightness around his eyes eases even as sorrow creeps into his gaze. “I want to promise you everything.”

“If you could promise to survive, that would be more than enough for me.” It’s a half-truth, but he’s still closed off, so he can’t know.

Rather than tell me a lie to give me false hope, he takes my fingers in his and kisses the back, then turns my hand over and presses his lips to my palm.

The warmth of his love spreads from where his lips touch.

Without a word more, we walk across the open plain exposed to whatever evil Venora has planned, with our army of freed slaves beside us.

A day and a half totally exposed. If the witch has a dragon, she could wipe us all out in a heartbeat.

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