20. Lira
20
LIRA
M y throat thickened, and I couldn’t answer. The words wouldn’t form, and I knew why. I wanted to protect him from the truth… the one he didn’t know. In his mind, it was easy to view the dragons and the Seelie as the enemy. That was the reason he’d been able to push forward with his life and become the man he was today. If I took that from him, I didn’t know what might happen to him.
He blanched, turning the same color as the snow he covered his lands in as he stared deep into my eyes.
“Great Fates, Lira.” Eiric rubbed a hand down her face. “Just tell him. He won’t believe me.”
“You believe this too?” His face crumpled, and a sense of betrayal wafted through our bond.
The damage was already done, so I had to get past my fear. Still, I grimaced as I started, “I more than believe it, thorn. I saw it. Everyone in Gleann Solas and Tìr na Dràgon did. That’s what brought my parents and the dragons into their alliance. I even flew around the country because Father feared leaving Mother and me behind at the castle with all the royal guards gone. Everything was blanketed in darkness, hiding the sun and even the moon and stars. Our crops and flowers were dying.”
“Maybe the dragons did something to cause it.” Tavish placed both hands on the table. “Because nothing else makes sense to me.”
Eiric crossed her legs and leaned back. “How is it out of the realm of possibility that your father did that?”
For once, Finnian was uncharacteristically quiet, which I didn’t know how to take. If he jumped in to agree with Tavish, it could make the situation more dramatic.
“Because using enough magic to blanket the entire realm would require more magic than he possessed… more magic than I possess, even being on Unseelie soil once again.” Tavish karate-chopped the air in front of him. “It’s not possible that he could cover the entire realm. The Seelie and dragon magic would have been constantly fighting against him.”
“The dragons can’t control darkness, and no Seelie could manage something like that either… so what do you propose happened?” I bit the inside of my cheek, weighing my words and tone carefully. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe Tavish. I did. But nothing else made sense.
“I… I don’t know.” Tavish ran a hand through his hair, messing it up in the best of ways. “I have no idea how anyone could have accomplished that.”
“Tav, I hate to bring this up.” Finnian cleared his throat and leaned forward so he could look around me and meet Tavish’s gaze. “But you said the king had been acting strange for a few weeks before the attack. Could his peculiarities be linked to it?”
“He would’ve been completely drained to even attempt that.” Tavish shook his head. “When he came back from his last trip to Seelie three weeks before that, he seemed excited but secretive. Mother and I assumed that King Erdan and Queen Sylphia had announced they would be coming to visit to formally announce the merging of the two royal families.”
Something in his story didn’t add up. “But I thought you said your mother was worried about him and staying with him all the time.”
“She was, but not when he first came back from the visit. It was a few days later, when on top of remaining secretive, he began doing strange things, like pacing the castle, having a shorter temper with everyone, hovering over me in my room while I slept, and discussing how things would change when he ruled more than just the Unseelie.”
“Sounds like he had a plan.” Eiric lifted her hands from her sides. “Which he was clearly implementing.”
Tavish’s frustration grated through our bond, along with the sickening feeling of doubt. “Maybe, but that doesn’t negate that what you’re proposing he did was physically impossible.”
“We’re missing something.” Finnian rubbed his hands together. “Something that would make sense of everything.”
Tavish’s confusion and guilt gnawed at me, and I could feel his exhaustion. I glanced at Eiric to find dark circles under her eyes, and Finnian’s shoulders were hunched like he was too weak to sit up tall. Even though I felt better after taking a few bites of food and drinking water, I struggled to keep my eyes open.
“Which we won’t figure out right now.” I placed my hand on Tavish’s and squeezed it comfortingly. “We all need rest because we need to head back to the second Cuil Dorcha as soon as we’re mended. Sitting here and debating what happened twelve years ago while we’re exhausted won’t get us anywhere.” Not only that, but Tavish needed time to process what he’d learned, and so did Eiric and I. No one had considered the amount of magic needed to pull that off. Everyone had reacted to save our land and people, and the darkness had gone away after the king’s death.
“Excellent suggestion.” Finnian yawned. “I’m struggling to keep my eyes open, let alone stay engaged in the conversation. Even though my magic has resurfaced, my body needs to rest on something softer than a holding cell floor.”
Eiric frowned, and I suspected she regretted helping us, especially after three of our guards had died in front of her. I couldn’t blame her, but the decision had been made and the damage done.
“And she’s still angry with me.” Finnian raised his hands in surrender. “Just so you know, I didn’t relish killing those guards. They weren’t the ones who harmed us during our captivity—they merely found themselves in the wrong time and place.”
She jumped to her feet, pushing back her chair. “Oh. You didn’t relish it? That makes it all better.” Sarcasm dripped from every word.
Finnian beamed. “I thought you’d see it differently. See, things don’t have to continue to be as—”
“Well, when we relocated the Unseelie, I didn’t smile about it,” she interrupted with a raised brow. “I wasn’t upset because, frankly, I didn’t care. So I hope that makes you like me more.”
She was goading him, and though I couldn’t blame her because his comment had been callous, he was trying to mend things between them. I’d seen a lot of Unseelie take pleasure in others’ deaths and pain, but Eiric hadn’t. She didn’t understand that was his way of showing remorse. I interjected, “Because we weren’t in Ardanos when it happened.” I didn’t want another argument to start. “Can we please not say another word until we get some rest?”
Tavish stood and helped me up. “Lira is right. Let’s retire to our bedchambers and talk further when we have more sleep. Arguing amongst ourselves won’t rectify anything. It’ll just make our tempers more frigid.”
I watched as Eiric tried to hide her yawn, her jaw clenching. “Fine. Where do I rest?”
“You can take the first bedroom on the right,” Tavish answered. “Finnian can take any of the others.”
“That’s fine with me.” Finnian rolled his shoulders back as if he didn’t have a care in the world… as if Eiric’s comment hadn’t bothered him.
The four of us headed back toward the bedrooms. I felt better after eating, but I still needed rest to recharge my body and magic.
Silence descended, and when Eiric peeled off to the first room on the right, some of the tension eased from within. I’d been afraid that she and Finnian would start arguing again, and I wasn’t sure I had the energy to break it up.
As soon as Eiric’s door closed, Finnian went to the door right across from hers. He whispered, “I’m staying here in case she decides to wreak havoc. Your sister is feisty and determined. She’s more of a challenge than the women I’m used to dealing with.”
“Because her sister is already royalty,” Tavish shot back while smirking.
“Oh, go jump in a volcano.” Finnian wrinkled his nose. “Women find me charming.”
I rolled my eyes but enjoyed the moment, which felt somewhat normal. Well, as normal as anything was here in Ardanos. “You must be losing your touch. Maybe sleep will help you.”
“Don’t fret, Lira.” Finnian opened his door. “Your sister will be thawed in my hands by the time you wake up.”
I was certain he’d never met anyone like Eiric, but I played along. “We’ll see.”
Tavish tugged me back to our door, his emotions all over the place. I couldn’t decipher what I sensed before he moved on to another.
My heart hammered. I wasn’t sure what to expect once we were alone. I hoped our revelations hadn’t changed anything between us, but the fact that I’d confirmed Eiric’s statement might have forced him to change his perception of the Seelie. Not that what we’d done was right, but at least we’d had a reason. Most situations weren’t clearly wrong or right.
We entered the bedroom, and I moved to the side as he closed the door. When the door clicked and he turned the lock, my knees almost gave out.
He turned to face me and tilted his head, asking, Are you feeling all right?
I wondered if he was deflecting his own feelings by forcing me to address why I was a bundle of nerves. I lifted my head, not wanting to come off as timid. I needed to be direct and make sure nothing changed the way he felt about me. “I’m worried. Your emotions are all over the place. I just hope you aren’t upset with me for confirming what E had to say.”
“Why would I be upset with you or Eiric for speaking the truth? I’d wondered why the Seelie attacked and allied with the flamers. Now I have an answer. I just don’t know how anyone , including Father, could blanket the realm in darkness. That part doesn’t make sense. Father was strong, but nothing like that.” He took my hands, turning so we stood in front of one another. “But I don’t want to think about that anymore. I have a place to take a bath and lie in a soft bed with the most important person in my world next to me. Right now, before we have to leave safety, I just want to focus on that.”
My body warmed, enjoying the sound of that. “Sounds like an excellent plan.”
“I’m glad you’re agreeable.” His emotions leveled out, and warmth and tenderness emanated from him once more. “You’re tired. Why don’t you go back to bed while I clean up? I haven’t bathed in days.”
The thought of him naked and wet had need unfurling in my stomach. We’d never bathed together, and suddenly, some of my fatigue vanished. Mind if I join you? I wasn’t sure how large the tub was, but I didn’t care. The smaller it was, the more our bodies would be pressed together.
His breath caught. As long as you’re able. If you need rest—
Instead of letting him finish that thought, I covered his mouth with mine. His hands snaked around my waist, pulling me against him as our tongues intertwined. I hadn’t expected this overwhelming need to surge through me, but knowing we were together with nothing threatening us had me desperately needing him. We’d been so close to death and capture—I needed to connect with him again.
He stumbled back toward the bathroom, but he didn’t keep his fingers from digging into my sides. He paused at the door, detangling himself from me to snag a lantern on the large table. “Follow me.”
He led me into the bathroom, hanging the lantern on a hook in the white wall. The walls reminded me of cement, and there was a large, dark-gray circular tub in the center of the floor. Tavish turned the handle, and the gorgeous sparkling blue water of the realm began filling the tub. He grinned at me and reached around my body toward the sink on my right.
I waited for him to capture me in his arms, but he bent and opened a drawer, then removed a sharp knife. If he’d done that when we first met him, I’d have been certain he intended to kill me.
But not anymore.
“Aw, sprite,” he cooed then ran his tongue across my lips. “You don’t fear me anymore.”
I stepped toward him, pressing my breasts against his chest. “Disappointed?”
He moved the knife, brushing it along my arm, but it didn’t nick me. Desire flooded me like never before. “Never. I’d never hurt you. I know now that I never could have hurt you before, even if I’d tried.”
Moving the knife, he placed it at the neckline of my gown and cut slowly downward until the garment was falling off me. My chest heaved as the material fell from my body onto the floor, leaving me completely naked in front of him.
Those storm-colored eyes lightened, and his pupils dilated as he slowly took in every inch of me. He murmured, “So blasting gorgeous.”
Not having the patience that he did, I gripped the bottom of his ruined tunic and ripped it in half. I pushed the material from his body, enjoying the curves of his muscles as they flexed to let the shirt drop. When I reached his six-pack, I followed the trail of hair that took me closer to what I desired.
I ran my fingers over his cool skin, tracing his abs, and slowly made it to his waistband. Then I pulled down his pants.
He growled, kicking them off as he bent down and grabbed a container with a bottle inside. Before I could ask what it was, he pulled my body against his. He then walked backward until his legs hit the edge of the tub. He let me go, bent down to turn the water off, then stepped into the tub. I followed him, enjoying the refreshing tingle of the water over my skin.
As I sat in front of him, Tavish set the knife in the container with the bottle on the side of the tub and then went under to get clean. I followed suit, and when we resurfaced, I didn’t waste any more time. I wanted him inside me, and now.
He smirked. “I’m not ready. I want to shave first so I can feel your skin against mine everywhere.” He set the bottle and knife on the side of the tub and dunked the container in the water before putting it alongside the other things. The urge to take care of him took hold.
“Let me?” I held out my hands, wondering if he’d let me do it.
Affection swirled through our bond. “Sure.”
My pulse quickened. I enjoyed that he trusted me as he moved to sit against the back of the tub. I followed him, and he snagged my hips and lifted me, so I straddled him. His hardness pressed against me, proving he already wanted me.
Use the oil in the bottle to coat my face so that cutting the hairs will be easier and prevent the scruff from falling into the tub, he instructed.
I nodded, picking up the white container and dumping some oil into my hand. The liquid was cool and smelled of winter dew. I rubbed my hands together then gently spread it over his chin, neck, and mustache.
His breathing quickened, and his eyes fluttered shut as I made sure to coat every surface. Then I set it back on the side and rinsed off my hands, not wanting the knife to slip. The oil vanished, and with steady hands, I pressed the knife to the base of his neck and lifted upward, slowly shaving the scruff from his face. I dunked the knife into the pitcher and watched as the hair disappeared. I then went back to work, taking my time.
Sprite, this is killing me, he groaned. I didn’t know you shaving me would make me want you even more. I love you taking care of me.
I understood what he meant, and when I dunked the knife back into the water to start again, I kissed him. He tried to deepen the kiss, but I pulled away, my head growing lighter from the lack of oxygen, my desire, and having to retain control. Nope. You said we couldn’t do anything until after you’d shaved. Don’t distract me.
I’m regretting that decision. He moved so his cock brushed my clit.
I sucked in a breath but shifted away, determined to finish the first job I’d started. I worked slowly and carefully, not wanting to nick him, and with each break I took, he either rubbed against me or slipped fingers inside me, pushing me closer to the edge.
I managed to focus and remove all the hair from his face. Done .
Thank Fate, he replied, taking the knife from my hand and tossing it over the side of the tub. Immediately, he captured my nipple in his mouth and caressed it with his tongue. He moved to slip his fingers inside me again, but I’d had enough.
I needed him.
Moaning, I caught his hand and lifted my hips, then sank down onto him. He thrust his hips upward, filling me to the point I thought I’d burst. Then he wrapped his arm around me and flipped us over so that my back was now pressed against the tub and he was hovering over me.
The entire time, he somehow remained inside me.
You’ve always been on top. He moved back and thrust into me again. It’s my turn to be in control.
My back slipped against the tub with each stroke, and I wrapped my legs around his waist, wanting more. He slid one hand down my waist and between my folds, and his fingers circled as he continued to move deeper inside me.
My vision blurred as the tingles of the water heightened the electricity jolting between us and the friction that knotted deep inside me. I opened myself up to him through the bond, wanting him to know how much I loved him… more than anything in the world.
He responded, and there was no doubt we both felt the same.
This time, when he filled me, he paused, rubbing a little bit harder. The orgasm exploded through me.
His body quivered in response, and his release was a mere second behind mine. We got lost in each other, our souls connecting even more deeply. Even my magic seemed to return to its normal level as everything within us mingled with the other.
After moments, minutes, or hours, I wasn’t sure which, we came down from our high. Our bodies were completely satiated, and exhaustion set in. I wasn’t even sure how I would get out of the tub.
Tavish helped me to my feet and removed two fluffy, frosty-blue towels from under the sink, and we dried off. Then he took my hand and led me straight to the bed, not bothering with clothes.
As he pulled me into his arms, he kissed the back of my head and connected, I love you, sprite. I’ve never been this happy before.
I love you too, thorn. I enjoyed the way my skin tingled everywhere we touched. You complete me.
We drifted off to sleep in each other’s arms, feeling warm and safe.
A crash had my eyes popping open. For a moment, I couldn’t remember where we were, but when I felt the electricity thrumming, I remembered everything.
Just as my breathing leveled out, there was a loud clang, like two swords hitting.
“You could’ve beheaded me!” Eiric shouted.
“Almost doesn’t count,” Finnian chuckled. “Wait until next time.”
Oh fuck. I spun around, shoving Tavish hard. Wake up. Finnian and E are trying to kill each other.