Chapter 10
Reyla
We'd made love through the night, neither of us able to get enough. I woke to sunlight streaming through the curtains and Farris bouncing on the bed, covering my face with enthusiastic licks.
“Someone missed you,” Lore said against my neck, his morning voice rough with sleep and satisfaction.
“Just someone?” I threaded my fingers through his hair.
“Well, I did tear the shadow realm apart to get you back.” His lips found that sensitive spot below my ear. “So perhaps I missed you a little too.”
A knock rang out on the door, and Farris yipped and bounded back toward the sitting area.
“My king? My queen?” Lord Briscalar called from beyond the door. “I'm terribly sorry to disturb you. But something unusual and quite unexpected has occurred, and I felt it prudent to come to you right away about it.”
Lore gave me a lazy, satisfied grin. “We could send him away. Nothing is as important as this.” His fingertips traced across my belly, and heat coiled deep.
“My queen?” the lord called out again. “My king? Are you…alright?”
“What if we told him we're…” Lore climbed over me, caging me with his arms and his legs, his stiffening cock between us.
That languid, muscle-melting feeling swam through me, and when he started kissing my neck, his fingertips teasing, roaming, I lost all sense of place and time.
Every time he touched me, it was so much more than lust. It was proof that no spell, no crown, no fates-damned curse could sever us.
I would've soon lost myself in him if Lord Briscalar hadn't cleared his throat.
“What is it, Briscalar?” Lore growled.
“Oh…” I could almost see the lord swallow. Hard. “I felt it prudent to let you know that Prince Dorion of Halendor Court has arrived, and he states he has vital news.”
“We can't ignore Dorion.”
“Watch me.” His fingers traced lazy patterns on my skin. “Nothing's more important than this. Than you being here, safe, in our bed.”
Heat pooled low in my belly. “Lord Briscalar is waiting.”
“Let him wait.” Lore's mouth curved against my shoulder. “I have more pressing matters to attend to.”
“My queen?” The lord's voice carried a note of concern. “Are you quite alright?”
“She's perfect,” Lore called back, loud enough to be heard. “Absolutely perfect.”
I bit back a laugh. “You're terrible.”
“And you love it.”
Lord Briscalar cleared his throat pointedly. “Perhaps I should return later—”
“No, it's fine.” I raised my voice. “We'll be out shortly.”
Lore mock scowled and flopped back onto the bed. “Traitor.”
“You may enter, Lord Briscalar,” I called, tugging the blankets up to my chin.
Footsteps sounded, and our bedroom door cracked open. The lord peered through carefully. “Ah, you are awake. Forgive the intrusion, but Prince Dorion insisted the matter was urgent.”
“Soon-to-be King Dorion, you mean,” I said, keeping the covers to my chin. “His father passed.”
“Indeed. Though I must say, having any ruler from another court arrive unannounced is…unprecedented.”
“Dorion's a friend,” I said. “Treat him well.”
“Of course.” Lord Briscalar's gaze remained diplomatically fixed on the far wall. “Shall I have breakfast brought up or will you dine with the prince?”
“Take Dorion to the throne room.” Lore's fingers found mine beneath the blankets. “What do you think, love? Breakfast here?”
The warmth in his voice sent shivers across my skin. “Yes. Lord Briscalar can have it delivered in about fifteen minutes.”
“Fifteen?” Lore's breath tickled my ear. “You underestimate me, Wildfire.”
“Prove it,” I whispered back.
Lord Briscalar's mouth twitched. “As you wish. I'll inform Prince— err, soon-to-be King Dorion you'll join him shortly.”
The door closed with a soft click.
I faced Lore, one eyebrow raised. “Now then, about those fifteen minutes…”
“Challenge accepted.” His hands were already roaming. “I’ll need much more time than that to properly remind you how much I missed you.”
“We shouldn't keep Dorion waiting too long.”
“He can wait.” Lore's voice dropped to that low, possessive rumble that made my toes curl. “I've waited lifetimes to have you back in my arms.”
Sometime later, and dressed in simple clothing, though not leathers for a change, we strolled into the throne room with Farris at our heels, finding Dorion lounging on Lore’s throne. And Talvon standing nearby, glowering at Dorion.
When we arrived, Dorion stood and sauntered across the dais, joining us on the open floor below, his gaze skimming my frame. “Reyla, you look amazing. So glad to see that.”
Lore and I shared a wicked smile. Not long ago, I hadn’t known if I’d ever see him again. Standing here beside him now felt like a miracle.
“Someone rescued me,” I said, linking my arm through Lore’s.
My husband huffed. “My wife rescued herself.”
Farris leaped over to Dorion, scampering and hopping, his tail and body wiggling with joy.
Stooping, Dorion gave the nyxin lots of pats while my pet whimpered and licked Dorion’s chin.
“Welcome to Evergorne Court,” Lore said, giving Dorion a quick hug.
I did the same. After, I leaned back while Dorion held my forearms, looking me over with a critical eye.
“Tunic and pants?” Dorion gave me an easy smile, and it was nice to see that some of the stress lines on his face had smoothed. He looked good dressed in formal clothing and smiling with ease.
“Comfortable clothing,” I said with a smile.
“That bodes well.” His gaze shot from me to Lore. “I wanted to come right away with the news. Actually, I have lots of news.” He scowled at Talvon. “Someone’s listening.”
“We’ll speak in the gold room, Talvon,” Lore said, and his head of the guard hurried to the door behind the thrones and thrust it open. Lore tipped his chin in that direction. “This way. It’ll be quiet there. No one will overhear.”
We strode from the chamber and down the hall, taking seats inside the gold room, Lore and I on one sofa, his arm around my shoulders, my palm on his thigh, while Dorion took a chair across from us.
Farris hopped up onto the cushion beside me and circled around before settling. He placed his chin on his paws and stared at Dorion, his tail flipping and flopping.
After a long look at Dorion, Talvon stepped out of the room and closed the door.
Dorion’s gaze slid from Lore to me. “So tell me what happened.”
“I dove into her shadow and brought her back.” Lore squeezed my hand.
Dorion’s pale blue eyes sharpened. “I have a feeling it was harder than you make it sound.”
Lore shrugged. “Congratulations on your upcoming crowning.”
“I’ll send an invitation, though it won’t take place for weeks,” Dorion said.
“My plan includes both of you being there.” The look of sympathy he sent Lore spoke well of him.
I wasn’t going to think of us failing. We’d find the third talisman, fuse the three together, and break the curse.
Then we’ll celebrate a second time at Dorion’s crowning.
We had so much to do before something like that could happen, and being reminded of how little time we actually had left made bleakness grab onto my bones and shake me.
“We’ll be there,” I said firmly. “Both of us.”
“I believe you shall.” Dorion flashed me a smile before his face took on a more serious slant. “Change is coming to Halendor, and I’m afraid many are not happy about it already.”
“Anything we can help with?” Lore asked. “We’ve…had our own issues here.”
He and I shared a look.
“Perhaps, but not yet, though I’ll keep your offer in mind.
” Dorion’s slick smile grew. “I’m enjoying setting things straight.
My father was truly terrible. I knew that from the time he smacked me for entering a room without bowing first, but it’s been reinforced over the past day already.
” He edged forward in his chair, bracing his hands on his knees.
“But I didn’t come here for that. I went looking for her.
” His swallow took a long time to go down.
“She… Things are strange, but I found out she still has it.”
“Who has what?” I asked. When he said “she,” was he referring to the “her” he spoke of with bleakness while we were inside the labyrinth?
“Princess Laphira of Irridain, and I speak of the talisman you’re looking for.
The final one you need to break his curse.
” He nudged his chin toward Lore. “But despite my asking quite politely, Irridain Court refuses to part with it. It’s a treasured family heirloom, per her mother’s rather cryptic reply. ”
“You knew she had it?” I asked, stunned and irritated. “Why didn’t you tell us?”
“I told you I thought I’d seen it. She didn't wear it as a pendant all the damn time before.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I bet she even sleeps with it now.”
That would make it harder to steal, now wouldn’t it?
“How do you know her?” I watched his face, wondering what else he might be holding back and if he’d reveal it in his eyes or expression. “I thought your court and hers were feuding.”
“Were. Still are, I’m sure. Laphira and I… Well, it doesn’t really matter now, does it?” He sounded so bitter, I winced. “She married someone else and even had his son.” I could only describe his smile as a grimace. “She jumped into his bed fast enough. The boy was born not long after she and I…”
Ah, so it was like that. If he still pined for her, I felt bad for him. There wasn’t much worse than loving someone who didn’t feel the same way.
“You verified she still has it,” I said in a softer tone.
“I did and it wasn’t easy.” He dragged a hand through his hair, his careful composure cracking.
“I snuck into their court, right into her bedroom. She’s…
so beautiful. I—” He shook his head and stiffened, taking control.
“Her son was there with her, actually. It must be him. It was dark, and I don’t think she saw me peering through the window.
But I saw enough. I couldn’t…” He pinched his eyes closed, then opened them again.
“I left. She’s got the featherdorn pendant, though. She was wearing it.”