Chapter 27
Vastion
Our kissing went on for hours, and though she let my hands move fervently along the curves of her body, I dared not push any further.
She had finally granted me this, and I could survive off these passionate exchanges for eternity.
If she would just stop that occasional whimper into my mouth.
If she would just stop her instinctual writhing against my groin. If she would just…
I exhaled a sigh and rested my forehead against hers. “I can’t stay away from you.” She placed her palms on my chest. “I long to be in your orbit, and any morsel you give me, I’ll take.”
She shook her head back and forth against mine, trying her hardest to deny me. “I can’t give in to you.”
“Why not?”
“Because I didn’t choose you,” she said woefully.
“But I chose you…” My words betrayed my hope.
She tried to hide herself from me. Beneath her long, fiery strands of hair, she concealed her face. I lifted a stray piece, placing it gently behind her ear.
I spoke against the hollow of her cheek. “Don’t you feel a pull between us? It’s undeniable.”
Unwilling to answer me with words, she moved her mouth once more to claim me, igniting my blood.
I accepted her wordless answer as her tongue swept firmly against mine.
She moved slowly, sweetly, avoiding any cause for pain.
But I was not in pain. My mind was far from it, and I wanted to take her in my arms and toss her beneath me so I could position myself between her legs and press my body to hers.
Even with her nightdress between us, I longed to feel the slope of her breasts against my chest, but I knew now was not the time to be greedy.
Her affections were as delicate and as fleeting as the petals of a dandelion, so I’d relish its momentary beauty before it vanished on the wind, carrying with it my wishes for more.
I grasped her hair firmly in my hand and tilted her head, placing soft kisses all along her neck. Her skin buzzed with warmth, and I bravely placed another kiss along the border of her shoulder where her dress had slid aside.
Enraptured by her, I exerted every ounce of will I could muster. “You’re going to be the death of me.” I shuddered against another deep kiss, her teeth tugging at my lower lip causing me to groan, “Fuck, Es.”
There was no hiding my arousal. It was firmly between us, and any time she deepened the kiss it caused her sex to grind against me, threatening to send my control spiraling toward the edge. My fangs were becoming unbearable to keep concealed. They practically ached to free themselves.
It had been so long since I’d felt myself against a woman.
If it weren’t for the number of times I’d relieved myself in the Falls since welcoming Esiree, then I’d be an embarrassing mess for certain.
She threw her head back, granting me access to the column of her neck, and I swear she writhed her hips in small circles just to torment me.
I had almost died this evening, and yet she was intent on delivering me to the gates of the Endless herself.
When she finally lifted herself off to lay next to me, I sent a small prayer up to the Gods because I had been only a minute or two from losing it altogether.
Her chest rose and fell with exertion. We hadn’t consummated the marriage, but we’d certainly riled ourselves up. I pulled her into my chest as she curled onto her side. The last remnants of her lantern’s candle making its way toward the final glow.
Esiree quickly fell into a slumber in my arms, and I welcomed the sound of her steady breathing against my bare chest. I stayed by her side all night, even sliding my body down fully into the bed and covering myself with the same blanket.
Though I would not sleep, I would rest my wounds and my soul.
There was a moment, late into the night, where she stirred, repositioning and snuggling herself further into my embrace.
“Try not to hate me, please…let yourself try,” I pleaded in a whisper, unsure if she heard me. Unsure if it would even matter, when the dawn came.
As I rode the high from our previous night’s encounter, I found myself fulfilling every Muirian grievance without hesitation—an action that had Lord Elek and Orin whispering profanities at every turn.
Watching my wife’s eyes light up with each granted request fed my desire to please her even more.
If I had known all I had to do was bankrupt my treasury to see her smile, I’d have gone broke weeks ago.
The following day the carriage ride was a welcome surprise.
At first, she played her invitation off as a commandment to take it easy and rest after my encounter with the Forlorn, but by that point I had already recovered fully.
Still, I gave in to her baseless request, and about halfway into the return to shore she tossed her book to the ground and her tongue found mine again.
Her hands roamed greedily as she straddled my lap, the rugged road crashing our bodies together, driving me further toward the brink of madness.
“I must know, is it the books or the carriage ride?” I murmured against her earlobe.
“What?” she replied breathily.
“I need to know whether to gift you my libraries or schedule a daily carriage expedition. What has spurred such passion?”
I knew there was risk in broaching the subject; even just pointing out that she was giving into her feelings could cost me her company entirely.
She smirked, saying, “I simply wish to pass the time more quickly,” and caught my lip between her teeth before swiping her tongue solidly along mine.
Back aboard our ship, she played coy: keeping her distance but eyeing me shamelessly.
More than once, I let my mind wander to deviant places she had not granted me permission to go, and perhaps never would.
But I could hope. I held on to that hope while the narrows of Eventide closed in around us, my home finally in sight.
Ahead lay endless opportunities for privacy, and the chance to explore her sudden turn of affection.
Mina was none too pleased when Orin shared the news of the attack I’d suffered, but I would not endure any more poking and prodding.
I’d already told Esiree a hundred times that I was fine.
Well and truly fine. Plus, if Mina didn’t approve of that part of the trip, she was going to be even more furious when Lord Elek had her distributing wealth to Muir.
I smiled to myself, thinking of the warmth in Es’s cheeks when the humans appeared shocked as we granted even their greediest requests. Priceless.
I knew it would be difficult for Es to alter her sleep schedule again once we returned to the Heart, so I encouraged her to head to our chambers for a nap.
I’d have dinner served for us in the private dining hall this evening.
The Council would need to convene, and she’d most certainly plan to attend.
I couldn’t have her yawning at the table, or Mina would find every reason to pick at her.
After dinner, she and I made our way to meet the others, and when we reached the narrow stone walkway, I nervously reached for her hand to hold it as we crossed.
To my shock, she did not tug away from my grasp, instead keeping her hand clasped in mine as Mina and Orin came into view.
I could see my sister’s smug scowl from across the room.
“My how things have changed...” she mused. “Who knew fresh Muirian air could inspire such romanticism in even the coldest of hearts.”
“And it is no surprise that the air in the Heart has left you unchanged, dear sister.”
Tyber waddled to his seat, his tunic dragging behind his frail frame. “Thank goodness you’ve returned, My King; your sister is unfit to rule!”
Mina snapped, “Listen, old man, I’ll have you for dessert when they visit Lyr if you don’t watch yourself. I am still your better.”
He laughed in disbelief. “Oh, Mina darling, you are ever the child trapped in a gorgeous womanly shell. And there is no meat on my bones—perhaps a strapping young lad like Atticus would be more suited to your tastes.”
“Hush, you two,” Orin chided.
Es took a seat next to Tyber who looked elated to see her return safely. “I’m glad to see I’m not her only target,” she said to him, knowing full well Mina could hear them.
I sat beside Esiree and nodded for Tyber to begin the Council’s session before my sister could further spurn anyone else.
Orin brought Tyber and Mina up to speed on the details of everything that had transpired during our mission.
Tyber, pleased with the result of the first extermination, was already dreaming up ideas for refinements.
He used scientific terms that most of us couldn’t follow, but I was glad he was so motivated.
Our visit with Lyr would soon give us another opportunity to continue exploring the weapon’s viability.
“Moving forward, I will take the lead on the nests,” Orin declared.
“I do not agree, and we’ve not discussed this,” I argued, eyeing my one true friend with annoyance. This was the kind of thing I’d much prefer we had discussed privately, as I did not like arguing with him in front of others.
“I mean no disrespect, but our approach is still volatile at best. We cannot have the leader of Devana putting himself in harm’s way, and there is no arguing that is precisely what you did and would continue to do if given the opportunity.
” Orin’s argument was not unfounded, but I would not send my sentries into such risky endeavors without showing them my own commitment.
My friend understood my rationale, even without me having to explain myself.
“They know your dedication; that is why they easily pledge their loyalty to the cause, no matter the danger involved. You must heed my counsel and stay with Esiree. If not for your safety, then for hers.”
He knew exactly what he was doing, preying on my fears.
“We will discuss this more later,” I said, through gritted teeth.