Chapter 44
“H
ave a good night,” Azahara was desperately trying to escape from everyone.
They had allowed her to take a quick shower in Alyse’s quarters, but apart from that, they wanted every single detail of what had happened, especially concerning Death.
Jayce had thankfully provided their story, sparing them from an all-night interrogation.
She understood their need to know what they were getting into, so she obliged by sharing the necessary information.
However, when the questions shifted to the fight with the Kraken, she was ready to call it quits. That story could wait for another day.
Alyse groaned, “How are you even tired? I’m hyped up on so much adrenaline I can feel my blood pumping in my veins.” She had been hanging around Kaen for too long, and that made Azahara nervous.
“She imploded a Kraken, what do you mean how is she tired?” Thank goodness for Akua, who became her voice of reason. Xol was also right there, but she knew the urgency to retreat into her room. It had nothing to do with her being tired.
With just fifteen days to reach Itotaki, it would be a close call, but they were confident they’d make it. They decided to delve into the specifics in the morning.
After a few more minutes of banter, they conceded and allowed her to leave in peace.
Jayce had already departed several hours prior, and when she inquired, he mentioned trying to break through whatever wards were placed around Karver and her family.
He said that while he was strong, Jaakobai held enough Magic that could contest him.
It didn’t make him stronger, just capable of it.
Jayce had his Magic his entire life, whereas Jaakobai was new to wielding that much.
It would be difficult for him, but Azahara didn’t want to underestimate his pride.
It was also his family’s Magic, which could make it easier to consume and use. This was new territory for Jayce.
Inhaling deeply to calm her nerves, she swung open her cabin door and stole a glance inside.
Jayce occupied the lone chair, facing outward, engrossed in the view beyond the open window.
For a fleeting moment, she imagined Kaed standing beside him, engaged in a discussion about what their next move would be.
The need for his presence was paramount, and she felt fortunate to have Jayce, who understood the significance of it.
I will love and protect him—his words resonated with her on a level he could never fully comprehend.
“Massage for your thoughts?” When he met her gaze with his captivating amethyst eyes, her smile broadened even more.
“I’d tell you without the massage but if you are offering…” The potent, feral urge she experienced earlier, though subdued, lingered.
She observed him rise and motion toward the bed.
Without hesitation, she slid out of the gown she borrowed from Alyse and settled onto the plush white bedding.
Crossing her arms under her head, she rested a cheek on her forearm.
Noticing him gazing at her, she raised an eyebrow, turning slightly for a better view, “What?”
He shook his head with a smile, a soft, husky laugh escaping, “Just enjoying the view.” Rolling her eyes, he continued, “I’m serious—” He walked over, the bed dipping as he crawled towards her, “It’s like every angle of you is perfect.
” She felt her cheeks flush. “It only compliments everything that you are.”
“And what is that, exactly?”
“Flawless.” Before settling over her, he kissed her temple.
“I have plenty of flaws,” she admitted, feeling the first of his hands against her lower back.
“Okay, name one, then we’ll get to what was on your mind.”
Biting her lip, she confessed, “Quick-tempered.” His thumbs hugged the sides of her spine and pushed straight up, eliciting a groan.
“I also have this internal distrust for people, even if it may not seem like it on the outside.” His hands came to her shoulders, wrapping around them, a reminder of where they had been just the night before.
She buried her head into the sheets to stifle the sounds escaping her.
“Well, I’d say the distrust in people is warranted.
I don’t think anyone would fault you for that.
” Whether that was true or not, she hated it.
“Your quick temper, I’ll concede to that being your only flaw.
” It made her chuckle; thankful he wouldn’t try to fight her on it.
She knew her temper had become difficult to deal with since Howl.
He moved back down to focus on her hips and the small of her back. “Now, your thoughts.”
Taking a deep breath, she sighed as he applied pressure to the rolling of his thumbs, “I was imagining you and Kaed when I walked in, talking about what our next move would be.” There was no hesitation in his attention, and she smiled, “Life would never exist without the sun and its moon. That is exactly how I feel. While I know his life is uncertain, I still hold onto the hope that I can be as lucky as this world to have both of you.” Her fingers gripped the sheets.
His hands moved under her arms, wrapping over her chest to her shoulders, and hugged her. Taking care not to put too much pressure on her, his chest pressed against her back and his forehead to her head.
“I hope for the same,” he kissed the back of her neck, “You deserve us both, and I will do everything in my power to make it happen.” She turned her head, seeing his eyes filled with strength and determination.
He would do it, even if it meant his life, and that wasn’t what she wanted.
If something were to happen to him, and she lost them both, there would be no world to reshape.
No realm to protect. It would all be gone, and in the end, if it were just her alone, she would make sure no life existed to feel the pain that she had.
“Overthinker…” He turned her to lay on her back, “Why do you do that?” There was no condemnation in his tone, just pure curiosity.
She sighed, “I tend to see the underlining words people don’t say, and in them, the truth behind what they mean.”
“What did mine tell you?” He parted her legs and settled between them, his hand reaching to the side of her neck, his thumb brushing against her jaw.
“That you would sacrifice your life for my ultimate happiness, but I don’t want that.”
He shook his head, “I’m...” he paused, as if weighing his words, and deciding that wasn’t what she needed to hear, “I said you deserve us both, which includes me in that, so I won’t be doing anything stupid to endanger that. I promise.”
Her arms were wrapping around his neck, “Promise again.”
“I promise,” he leaned towards her.
“Swear it.”
“I swear to you: my world,” his hand wrapped around the back of her neck, and she ran her fingers through his raven hair. “I’ll always come home.”
Before her mind could take her to a place where it didn’t need to be, he locked his lips to hers.
He snaked his other hand around the small of her back and lifted her hips to his.
Every part of her buzzed, especially when he pushed against her groin, and for the first time, she felt his arousal against her.
It made her gasp involuntarily, and immediately caused his lips to curl up into a smile.
He broke the kiss and bit gently down on her bottom lip, her eyes rolling back in response, “I can put the glamour back over it,“ he joked, her heart thrumming against her chest, “if it’s too much.”
She felt her face burn in both embarrassment for ever making the comment, and the complete, sexual excitement. “I mean it is a lot,“ she pulled him closer, “but, that isn’t a bad thing.”
He let out a throaty laugh, “That wasn’t what I was implying, but” he leaned towards her ear and whispered, “thanks.” When the sensation of his lips pressed against her neck, another jolt of pleasure ran through her.
One of her legs curled over his, pushing herself up against him, and a groan escaped from his throat.
“I will stop, Aza, you just say the word.”
“I know you would,” her hands were pulling at his shirt, moving the fabric up to his shoulders, and feeling him shift to help it come completely off.
“I don’t want to stop, not now.” Again, his lips were on her neck, and soon his teeth, nipping and sucking along her skin.
One of his hands moved down her body, slowly taking in every inch of her.
From the curve of her waist to her pear shape hips, down to her legs, he meticulously touched with gentle measure.
It made her body shiver, and bumps rose from head to toe.
He trailed his lips down her collarbone, to the curve of her breast, “This body deserves to be worshiped,” his tongue rolled over her nipple.
“—Jayce…“ His name came out mixed with a gasp.
She felt his fingers moving between her thighs, “I plan to do that for eternity.” His lips clasped around her hardened bead, just as his fingers slipped between her slit and ran the length from her soaked core to her clit.
Her hips lifted and she let out moan, which she quickly slapped her hand over her mouth to stifle.
They were no longer on the Floating Mountains of Xi, or alone on the ship.
Her heavy breathing broke through her hand as his thumb applied pressure and in a circular motion, rubbed at her bud. He bit down gently on her nipple, before moving further down her body, his lips drawing a line to her belly button and to her hip bone.
Daring to look down at him, he was moving his hands and placing them around her legs.
Before he lifted his gaze to meet hers, he kissed her inner thighs.
She bit down on her lip, nervous beyond belief.
Even after so many times bathing, she never felt clean of him.
Would he still linger, and if so, would Jayce know?