Chapter 37
Camryn
Afew days have passed since I last talked to Rory. I haven’t wanted to bother her while they are journeying from Eldersmoor. Plus, I’ve been enjoying the fading alone time with Caelum. Arc will return today, and Aurora and the others won’t be too far behind.
It’s been nice just having the palace to ourselves. I’ve yet to ask him what our relationship is, and I don’t know if I need to. Nothing intimate has happened since that day in the training room.
I’ve been content with just being around him.
Don’t get me wrong, I still think about taking it to the next step. But I don’t feel rushed. I’m enjoying whatever this is blossoming on its own without feeling a need to throw myself at him.
Even though he got rid of the freaky BDSM contraption in my room, I’ve been staying in his, falling asleep to the beat of his heart and the warmth of his skin. His arms hold me through the night and when I wake up trembling from a nightmare, he’s right there soothing me.
Each night it’s the same dream. The king aboard the ship with snarling creatures and the dark-haired woman.
The battle comes ashore, and I watch as Silverveil is bombed and bloodied.
I watch helplessly as all the people I’ve met here die at the hands of the evil king.
When King Caledor finds me at the palace, he takes my hand and places a bloody crown on my head.
Last night, I woke up sobbing after Caelum was struck down from the sky in my dream. He held me in his arms, attempting to ferry me away from the realm as he realized all hope was lost. And then he was falling, lifeless.
I woke with sweat, snot, and tears streaming down my face. Caelum jolted upright and gripped my chin, commanding my focus on what was real. Even as he soothed me back to sleep, I couldn’t shake the feeling of helplessness. Of having everything stolen from me.
Caelum asked me to bring him into my dreams. To let him see what I see. But if the king is truly transcending my dreams, I don’t want to put Caelum at risk. The king doesn’t know who I am. He has a history with Caelum and knows he’s aligned with Arc.
Caelum has been teaching me how to shield my mind. Now that I’m adequate at it, I focus on sliding my shields tightly shut before I sleep so that my dream magic doesn’t seep out while I lie next to Caelum.
I awoke this morning to the smell of a hot breakfast. I sit up in Caelum’s massive bed, noting the empty space. It doesn’t take long for my eyes to fall to the curtains blowing delicately in the breeze from the open balcony.
A pair of bright red wings and Caelum’s large form is hunched over a small round table. His dark and red-streaked hair dances along the back of his neck. He’s so beautiful. I drop my mental shield and my cheeks heat as I’m sure he’s listening.
But he deserves to know how I feel about him. He’s obviously glorious to look at, but he’s so much more than that. He’s compassionate, respectful, and patient.
His head turns slightly. Are you writing a book about me?
I grin. You wish.
The only thing I wish for right now is for you to join me for breakfast.
I roll my eyes. So you can watch me stuff my mouth like a heathen?
Speaking so dirty of your mouth this early, are we?
My teeth sink into my bottom lip. I flash an image in my mind of me on my knees, looking up at him.
He chokes on a bite of food. We can do that after you eat. Now get out here.
I chuckle to myself and throw off the covers, tossing one of Caelum’s heavy sweater over my thin tunic and leggings. I practically swim in the material, and it falls almost to my knees.
I slip on a pair of wool slippers and pad onto the balcony. The sun peeks through the clouds and casts a glorious light onto Caelum’s face. He looks up at me. “Good morning, Little Dreamer.”
My gaze moves from his amber eyes to the plates of food on the table. My recurring nightmares have impacted my sleep, reducing my appetite to near non-existent. I feel Caelum’s watchful gaze on me and know he’s worried I don’t eat enough.
I grab a flaky croissant and slump into the chair. I pluck off a crumb and do my best to swallow it.
Caelum’s bare chest expands with a deep inhale. “They’re getting worse,” he whispers.
I close my eyes. I’m too tired to have this conversation. Can’t we just enjoy each other’s company before everyone gets here?
I open my eyes to see his gaze fixed on filling my mug with steaming tea. I wrap my hands around the warm cup and bring it to my lips. The heat nips at my mouth, but I’d prefer that pain to telling Caelum about my dreams.
“If you’d let me in, I’d be able to see it, saving you the trouble of telling me.” He sets down the teapot and softens his eyes on me.
I keep my thoughts off the disturbing replay of my nightmares, but keep my mental shield down.
I don’t want to shut him out completely.
“I told you, I don’t want the king to know you’re with me.
It’s probably best to keep him in the dark …
get it?” I give him a cheesy smile, hoping he’ll lighten up from my corny joke.
He doesn’t.
“Camryn, I know you are strong and capable, but maybe there’s something to your dream that can help us better prepare. After all, you’re likely having them for a reason.”
I consider his words. He’s probably right. I’m an outsider here.
But I shake my head. “I’m not risking you.” I clear my throat, dropping my gaze to my burning hands still wrapped around my mug. “You’re too important to me.”
He sighs and I return my gaze to his. A half smile curves across his mouth, and he stretches his hand to mine, tugging it free from my mug.
He cocoons it in his hands as he scoots his chair closer to me.
“You’re important to me, too. More than I’ve said.
I care for you deeply, Camryn. Ever since I first laid eyes on you, you’ve roared your way into my heart.
” His grin deepens. “So if you wish to keep me from your dreams, I will respect your decision. But please, consider sharing them with someone else. Perhaps Arc.” A scowl crosses that beautiful face of his.
I frown at the thought of allowing Arc into my mind, and it shows me how concerned Caelum is. He wouldn’t suggest asking Arc for help if it wasn’t necessary. “I will consider someone.”
Caelum sighs and places his free hand over his heart. “Thank you.”
I smile at him before my gaze falls to the bare skin of his chest. It’s practically winter, yet he’s sitting on the balcony in just his leather pants.
He notices my gaze and unspoken thoughts. “I’m hot blooded, you know.” He wiggles his eyebrows at me.
I roll my eyes and he tugs on my arm, pulling me into his lap. I gasp and rub my hand along his smooth skin. “You can keep me warm if you’re afraid I’ll harden into ice.” He grins at me.
My hand slides to the back of his neck as my gaze slides to his lips, full and pink from the chill in the air. “Maybe I want you hard as ice.” Oh, Camryn. He’s rubbed off on me.
I wish to rub you in many places.
His eyes trail to my lips and before I can stop myself, I crash into his waiting mouth. The spice of his tea lingers on his lips and my tongue swirls over the delicious taste. He opens his mouth and sweeps his tongue into mine. His hands slide around my waist, gripping my hips tightly to his lap.
When his cock hardens beneath me, I moan and my plunge my tongue deeper into his mouth. I lock away all thoughts of my dreams but allow my thoughts to flow freely. You’re too good to me.
He growls. You deserve everything and more, Camryn.
I shift so that my legs straddle him. He leans back in his chair, holding me tighter to him. I think I love you. Fuck. I didn’t mean to think that.
A chuckle rumbles from his chest. Yes, you did. But I don’t think I love you.
I tear my lips from his and rear back. I gape at him, his lips ruddy.
His face is solemn. “I know it. I love you, Camryn. I feel it. Here.” He grazes a palm over his heart while he gazes at me with warm eyes.
I suck in a deep breath of frigid air and grip his face. I crash my lips against his once again and he echoes into my mind. I love you. I love you, Little Dreamer.
I moan and soon taste salty tears that have slicked down my cheek. I love you, Caelum. I fucking love you.
Hearing my unspoken words, he stands from the chair, and I lock my legs tightly behind his back. He strides into his bedroom, kicking the balcony doors behind him. A fire roars to life in the fireplace as he treads confidently to the bed.
When the covers brush against my back, I unlock my legs and look up at the glorious winged male that hovers above me. His dark hair dangles in his face and I reach up to brush it back, only to pull his lips to mine once again.
He crawls onto the bed above me, the mattress sinking beneath him. But I feel none of his weight as he braces himself on his elbows.
His lips leave mine and I look at his darkened gaze. “What do you want, Camryn? Tell me.”
My chest heaves with ragged breaths. “You, Caelum. I want you. Inside me.” I bite my lower lip as I study his face. His mouth twitches before he kisses me gently. He shifts back onto his heels, his gaze scanning my body.
His eyes gleam at me. “You’re like a present. I don’t know where to start.”
I chuckle and sit up, tugging his sweater over my head. “Let’s start with this,” I say as I drop it to the floor.
My thin tunic does little to shield my perked nipples, and when his gaze falls to my chest, heat blossoms from my core.
He hovers back over me, one hand skimming my waist until it meets the edge of my shirt.
He kisses me deeply while his hand dips beneath the material and glides over my bare skin.
I take a sharp inhale as his warm hand bursts to life every cell of my body.
When it wraps around the small mound of my breast and his fingers tug gently on my nipple, I moan.
His gaze flashes to my shirt before it returns to my gaze. “May I?”
I pant. “Yes, please.” I need his skin on mine.