Chapter 11 #2
“I was just twenty when my fate was sealed and I became the future Lord’s guardian and companion.
I was trained with that in mind and took on that role gladly.
Before I swore my oath to the Nightweed family, I was restless.
While this new assignment tied me down, it also gave me clear purpose.
Something to be proud of. A place where I mattered.
I lost all that when I was relieved of my duties. ”
I’m at loss, sitting next to him while he pours out his heart, discussing the source of his shame.
He’s not annoyed that I brought it up, nor defensive, and the sincerity of his words is so refreshing I can’t regret making him reminisce about the past. I did not want to hurt him, just trying to keep my guard up.
Instead, his words lured me even closer and disarmed me.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be,” he says quickly. “It’s for me to worry about.
And I’ve not been idle. I’ve wanted to visit the human realm, to understand it better, so I eventually joined the Nightcloaks last year.
But while I imagined I’d be trained to undertake important missions, just two months ago I spent weeks in an elven village, making a log of everyone who ate smuggled lemons to keep track of the gnarly symptoms they went through.
I see the merit of the work, sure, but I’m no scholar.
They should have sent someone else—Apologies.
Look at me rambling about my problems when you’re the one uprooted and bravely facing a new life. ”
I stop him and stroke his forearm, thirsty for more information.
About him, his family. What can I do to make the veil of sadness lift from his eyes?
“No, those things are important too. You, I mean, are important—” I stall, breathless as my cheeks start burning, because I’ve hit a roadblock and don’t know how to trace my steps back out of this embarrassing moment.
Tristan grabs my hand and lifts it to his lips for a kiss. “To you?”
I chew on my lip, but when his mouth dances over my skin, I hardly keep in the moan pushing at my throat.
How come he has such a powerful hold over me?
He told me this is improper. I know I belong with someone else and this was meant to be a secret affair, but he makes me feel seen and understood in ways I’ve never been.
It’s crazy.
And surely, I’m only projecting my romantic fantasies onto this budding infatuation, but—
“Yes.”
When instead of an answer, he kisses my wrist, I bet he can sense with his lips how quick my pulse has become. It’s as if the stars have aligned to make this happen. Richie proved himself unworthy, I lost my job, so there wasn’t much to hold me back. I even got my grandma’s blessing to go.
“Well, you.” Kiss. “Are.” Kiss. “Important to me.” Kiss. Each planted higher on my arm and making me shiver. I feel his words to my very core and believe them
“W-we only just met, and you know I belong with someone else,” I whisper, but somehow my body leans even closer, until I’m on my knees, facing him.
In a move that makes me gasp, he grabs me by the waist and swings me above the abyss to pull me into his lap. Am I an adrenaline junkie now? One past boyfriend dumped me because I was afraid to go rock climbing, and here I am, with my back to the void behind me.
“I will court you officially once you become his Dark Companion. That’s what? Three weeks from now until the full moon. He can’t stop me.”
I shiver at the intensity of his words. He means it. And as I fall into the depths of his golden eyes, my arms lock around his neck, because he’s my only lifeline.
My heart trembles, as if it’s about to knock its way out of my chest.
But it’s not safety I crave.
“Will you still want me in three weeks?” I rasp, combing my fingers through the red waves at the base of his neck. “Or do you just enjoy the challenge of taking something you shouldn’t have?”
His hands glide under my T-shirt, thumbs tracing my sides. “Ouch. That’s how you see me? Should I commit? Take an oath? Make you my purpose?”
A hot shiver crawls up my body, digging its claws into my thighs and leaving small scars all over, because yes, this is what I want. For a man to choose me for good and stand by me, no matter what happens.
Inhaling the smoke and leather clinging to him like the most tempting fragrance, I rock forward, feeling an eerie tension between my legs, as if the offer of a promise physically arouses me. “Would you?”
He doesn’t blink, his shimmering eyes pouring honey straight into my soul. “I would.” When I slide my hand to his chest, I can sense his heartbeat so clearly. “I see it now. Gloombane’s just a stepping stone.”
He’s joking, but I’m not happy at all. I don’t want to be Gloombane’s anything. He means nothing to me, and he needed to be talked into accepting me, as if I’m an unwanted scrap of food, fit for the pigs rather than human consumption. “You were the one to save me. You pulled me out of the river.”
Tristan’s features twitch, as if they’re about to crack and reveal the true expression underneath.
He groans and squeezes me tighter, pressing his face to my chest. “I know, but it’s too late now.
The thread binding your shadows cannot be broken.
I’m not allowed to make my intentions known until you’re his Dark Companion.
Once it’s done, I will make the arrangements.
There’s no law against marrying someone else’s Dark Companion. ”
My brain glitches. Did he just… propose to me?
Is this real?
An elven prince who can fly on wings of shadow, and who sees my soft heart as an asset wants to make me his husband?
My hands shake, and I entwine them on my own nape, because I should reject this crazy offer. But why would I when it feels so very right?
“Yes…”
Tristan lifts his gaze at me, and oh, he is so handsome when he smiles. “Yes?”
I yelp and grab his shoulders when he twists, but his grip remains solid. He wouldn’t let me go. My back hits the soft moss, and the warm, herb-scented air whispers over my face.
I think getting manhandled might be my new kink.
“Yes to you,” I tell him, sinking ever deeper into the fragrant bed under me.
Above him is the cavern’s ceiling, faintly lit by crystals glowing between the stalactites.
Some are green, others golden as Tristan’s eyes or red like his hair, and their glow transforms the cave into a romantic nest just for us.
When he rocks between my legs, it’s clear he’s as excited as me. I’ve never had sex outside, but… it’s not like anyone else can fly up here, right?
Tristan pushes his nose against my jaw. “How about I make my promise right now? You’ll be mine before he even touches you for the first time.”
I arch under him, my cock pressing against his hard stomach as I lick his cheek out of the sheer need to taste him. Now. Immediately.
The desire deep within is too strong to be normal, but I can’t bear the wait any longer.
“You will have to renew your vow every night we’re together.”
Tristan bites my neck in a way I worry will leave evidence for Gloombane. “It will be my pleasure.”
He doesn’t stop kissing my throat as he opens my jeans, and I mirror his movements by unlacing the front of his pants.
I’ve never been in such a frenzy, and while this must be just limerence, I never felt so connected to another person.
Sure, I’ve had crushes that have given me butterflies, but the flurry of emotion Tristan unleashed in me might just lift me off the ground.
I want him so badly, and if I am to endure a few weeks with the other guy, I’d like to at least make memories tonight.
My foot climbs his thigh, but I have no plans, just raw desire. I moan when his damp cockhead kisses my palm, and I rub it gently, eyes pinned to his handsome features.
“Make me yours, Ser Tristan.”
He groans, rocking his swollen shaft against my hand. “Moon and stars… How are you so…” Tristan sits back on his heels to pull off my boots and jeans. I can’t stand even a second of separation, but at least I have the view to comfort me.
He pulls off his hoodie, offering his beautiful skin as a canvas for the colorful lights above. I don’t know whether to look at the eels sliding lazily over his chest and arms, or the thick cock wetly kissing his stomach over and over.
And this perfect guy wants me just as much as I want him.
“So?” I ask with a smile, peeling off my sweatshirt. I might not be as impressive as Tristan, but I won’t let that stop me. I want to be with him under the stars, in this mossy cave, while the elves below celebrate the arrival of a new unicorn.
Tristan is my unicorn. I don’t need another.
“So perfect. So pretty. Your black curls, your dark eyes, your beauty spots, your soft smile, and kind soul, and delicious thighs. I’ve never met anyone with a heart as sweet as yours.
” He gives me a dreamy smile as his hands slide up the sides of my legs, and he’s back on top of me to kiss my lips. “Sweet heart. My sweetheart.”
I can barely believe this is happening, but I would be an idiot to reject something outright just because it seems too good to be true, so I fall into him. Squeeze his cock and pull him close with one arm, until our lips are close enough to meet. “I’ve never wanted anyone this much.”
He answers me with his tongue. Hot and wet, it licks inside my cheek, teasing me until I’m shaking, and pre-cum leaves a damp trail down my aching cock.
I let go of the fears that usually hold me back, because he won’t judge my romantic nature.
I’m attracted to him, as if I’m a moon unable to resist the gravitational pull of his strong form.
But unlike the silvery face watching us from the sky, I’m overcome by fever as I tighten my fingers in his silky red hair and shamelessly rock my cock against his belly.
I need him, and in this moment it seems plausible that I’ll die if I can’t get his cock inside me.