11. Colton
Chapter 11
Colton
I pace around the kitchen, my thoughts racing as I wait for Lyra to come back downstairs. Each second feels like an eternity, gnawing at me with the image of Nyx being there with her.
How long were they together in that bunker? Did they spend the whole night together? Did he touch her...or worse? The mere thought twists my gut with a mix of rage and nausea. She was wearing one of his shirts. I could hunt him down, unleash my fury—but I grit my teeth and run a hand through my hair, opting to pace instead.
I had told Lyra she needed to make her own choices, assured her I wouldn’t get mad, hoping she’d realize on her own that I’m the one she should be with. But the possibility that it might take her sleeping with Nyx to see that cuts deeper than I want to admit. Imagining his hands on her skin...
I’m probably jumping to conclusions. Maybe nothing happened. But finding her in tears, wearing his damn t-shirt, in a room that reeked of him—it’s hard to believe it’s all innocent. Chepi strolls into the kitchen, lying down with a yawn, seemingly oblivious to my frustrations.
“I don’t suppose you want to fill me in on what happened?” I ask him half-jokingly. He looks up with those innocent eyes, offering no clues.
After getting him some water, I hear the shower stop and head back to the living room.
I continue pacing in front of the fireplace, summoning a blaze with a wave of my hand, knowing how much Lyra loves the warmth and light of a fire. As I await her return, a ripple of anxiousness pulses through me. When she finally appears, descending the staircase in a pink dress that clings softly to her frame, my breath catches. The dress’s delicate straps and the way her damp hair cascades in waves over her shoulders, I can’t look away.
She approaches with her shields up, the faintest hint of her emotions trickling through to me, tinged with anxiety. Without a word, she wraps her arms around my waist and rests her head against my chest, her gaze fixed on the flickering flames. I encircle her in my arms, relishing the contact, content to stand here in silence, holding her forever if that’s what she wants. The fire crackles, filling the room with a comforting, familiar sound.
After a moment, she looks up at me, her eyes reflecting the firelight. “Do you want to sit down?” she asks softly.
“After you,” I reply.
Reluctantly, I let her slip from my embrace, feeling the loss of her body against mine immediately. I follow her to the sofa, sensing the weight of the conversation ahead. We settle next to each other, close but not touching, a respectful distance that seems necessary for the serious dialogue she’s poised to initiate. I steal a glance at her, wishing I could simply pull her into my lap and forget the world outside but knowing she needs this moment to speak her mind.
“I’m sorry, Colton. I’m sorry for being so indecisive and for letting Nyx get into my head,” she starts, her voice faltering slightly. “When I believed Nyx was the key to the prophecy—the one destined to save me—I thought I might have to be with him. If being with him could save the realms, save me from my own darkness, I was willing to try,” she confesses.
I remain silent, giving her space to continue, although hearing her say she was willing to try with Nyx feels like a dagger to my heart.
“I admit I had unresolved feelings for him, and I do care about him. I want him to be okay, happy,” she continues. I clench my jaw, bracing for what she might say next.
“He came to the bunker and woke me in the middle of the night. He told me he loves me and that he’ll love me until the day he dies. He told me my dark magic unsettles you, and...” She pauses, but I cut in before she can continue, my temper flaring.
“Nothing about you could ever unsettle me, Lyra,” I assure her, the intensity of my feelings pushing me to speak. I remind myself to let Nyx have it the next time I see him.
“He kissed me,” she whispers, her voice quivering as her eyes meet mine. “He got on top of me, and I...I kissed him back.” She swallows hard, her expression troubled. “But it felt wrong, like a betrayal, because my heart belongs to you.” She pauses, her gaze searching mine, bracing for a wave of anger or judgment. Instead, I’m filled with a sudden relief that she halted things before they went any further. “I told Nyx I couldn’t continue with him and that it’s you I want, Colton. It’s always been you, if you’ll still have me.”
I feel a wave of fear from her and I realize it must be fear of rejection .
“I thought I would never have you,” I confess, letting my frustrations and fears surface. “When I found your note, and Drew told me she had revealed the truth about Nyx and me being brothers, I was afraid you’d never forgive me for keeping that from you.” I pause, running a hand through my hair, trying to find the words to explain the chaos that followed the council meeting, how my parents stormed out, likely grappling with the fallout of secrets long buried. “I wanted to tell you, Lyra. So many times, I nearly did, but something always got in the way. And now with everything out in the open, my mother must be livid. After the council meeting, she and my father... I don’t even know if they’ll stay together. Granger found out she cheated on him years ago, kept this secret about me not being his biological son.”
She narrows her eyes, the hurt evident. “Why did you keep it from me for so long?” she probes, and I know I need to be honest.
Looking into her eyes, filled with a mix of hurt and the need for truth, I realize any justification might sound hollow. “I tried to find the right moment, but fear always held me back. We shared so much in Zomea, where you opened up about everything. And there I was, holding back the one thing that might change everything between us. I’m sorry, Lyra. I should have trusted you more.” My voice is thick with regret, understanding the weight of my withheld truth and how it might have shaped her struggles.
“If you can forgive my consideration of being with Nyx, then I can forgive you for keeping this secret,” she says, and my heart swells with relief.
I admit, if she had chosen Nyx, I would have found a way to forgive her, eventually. We weren’t committed to each other, and under the weight of that prophecy, it’s hard to fault her for considering every possibility.
“No more secrets,” I promise. Her smile lights up the space between us, and it’s all the permission I need. I pull her into my lap, tipping her back slightly as I capture her lips with mine. The soft squeak of surprise that escapes her fuels my desire, deepening the kiss, reveling in the feel of her in my arms.
She pulls away, breathless. “Take me somewhere,” she says.
“Tell me where you want to go,” I murmur as I trail kisses down her neck, the taste of her skin igniting a deep hunger within me.
“Out there,” she breathes, pointing up through the glass dome. I rise to my feet, keeping her close in my arms. Her delighted squeal makes me smile as I channel us away.
In an instant, we’re at the top of the highest waterfall in the Dream Forest, a place clearly visible from the villa. Setting her down gently, I watch her expression transform in awe—she’s breathtaking under the sunlight filtering through the trees.
She turns slowly, absorbing the view of the river winding through lush greenery. Magic crackles softly overhead with the breeze, making the leaves shimmer. Her eyes light up, reflecting the enchantment of this secluded spot.
When she looks back at me, there’s a fierce hunger in her gaze that matches the intensity of my own. I close the distance between us, drawn irresistibly to her.
The sweet aroma of spring water mingles with the scent of fresh leaves as the wind swirls around us, showering down green and lavender foliage. Lyra looks up, her smile radiant under the cascade of leaves. I reach up, gently removing a leaf tangled in her hair, then slide my fingers through the silky strands to clasp the back of her neck, drawing her closer.
As she meets my gaze again, the mesmerizing swirl of cobalt and emerald in her glowing eyes captivates me. I’m lost in the depths of her look, enraptured by the enchanting allure, until I lean in, reconnecting our lips in a kiss deepened by the magic of the forest around us.
I hoist her into my arms, and she wraps her legs around my waist, clinging to me as I devour her. There’s no room for soft and gentle kisses; my need is too urgent, too demanding. Clutching her tightly, I press her against me, my arousal undeniable against her stomach. Impatience gets the better of me, and with a snap of my fingers, our clothes vanish, becoming a pile on the forest floor. She breaks our kiss with a giggle, glancing at our discarded garments.
“Someone’s in a hurry,” she teases.
I lean close, whispering into her ear, “Oh, my shadow, I plan to savor every moment once I’m inside you.” I nibble at her earlobe then carry her toward the water’s edge. Her grip tightens as we approach the top of the waterfall, her excitement palpable. “Hang on tight.”
I leap off the ledge.
Her scream pierces the air, a thrilling sound that makes me chuckle as my wings unfurl, gliding us smoothly through the cool mist of the falls. We plunge into the warm waters of the swimming hole below. As Lyra tips her head back to look up at the cascading water, I take advantage of her distraction. I capture one of her breasts, teasing her nipple with my mouth, eliciting moans as she begins to grind against me.
I release her breasts and grasp her hips, lifting her until my swollen cock aches at her entrance. The need to be inside her is almost overwhelming. She brushes my damp hair out of my face and reaches down between us, grabbing my cock and giving it a firm stroke, her teeth tugging at her bottom lip with anticipation. I press into her a bit, testing, and the warm clench of her pussy nearly undoes me.
Her arms wrap around my neck, and our eyes lock—intense, fiery. With a firm grip on her hips, I slowly lower her onto me. Her breath catches, a soft whimper escaping her lips as she takes me in, inch by inch. The sensation is excruciatingly perfect, and I resist the urge to fuck her hard, letting her adjust to me.
I lift her up slowly, setting a rhythm that has her meeting my thrusts instinctively. She runs her hands through my hair, gripping my shoulders for leverage, her nails digging in slightly, spurring me to pull her tighter against me. When her lips find mine again, she devours me with a desperation, as if I’m the only water in a desert she’s been lost in. Her tongue explores my mouth with urgent hunger, and I’m lost in the ferocity of her need.
My hand stays wrapped tightly around her, while my other hand wanders between us, pressing against her clit. At my touch, she moans into my mouth, a sound so raw it nearly drives me over the edge. I circle her clit with my thumb, coaxing another moan that vibrates between us, fueling my arousal further.
Moving us to the edge of the water, I press her back against the cool, wet rocks, lifting one of her thighs to deepen my thrusts. She breaks away from my kiss, her head falling back as she gasps, “Colton, oh gods.”
The sound of my name on her lips intensifies my movements. I want to hear more, need more from her. “I want to hear you say that you’re mine,” I demand, pausing with my cock teasingly pulled back. “Mine and only mine,” I clarify, before driving back into her hard, claiming her with every thrust. I want her to remember the feel of my cock for days to come.
“I’m yours, only yours,” she says, her breath ragged as she locks eyes with me. “Now and forever,” she adds, her voice a whisper of commitment against the rush of the waterfall around us. I thrust into her relentlessly, driven by the affirmation of her words, until she is screaming my name, her body convulsing around me in a powerful release. Her climax triggers my own, and I surrender to the sensation, spilling into her as waves of pleasure crash through me.
As her body relaxes, spent from the intensity, she leans heavily against me for support. Carefully, I maneuver us to a nearby ledge and sit down, keeping her in my lap, my cock still pressed inside her. She rests her head on my shoulder, her breaths evening out.
Gently, I brush wet strands of hair from her face and plant a tender kiss on her forehead. Around us, her hair floats in the water like a blanket of white silk, framing her face in the soft light filtering through the water.
She slips off my lap to sit beside me, leaving a void where her warmth had been. Even submerged in the water up to her neck, her form shimmers invitingly through the crystal-clear depths.
“What are you smiling like that for?” she teases, catching my admiring glance.
“I think you know exactly why, enchantress,” I reply, my voice a low rumble. Her laughter rings through the air, beautiful and carefree, and she playfully splashes water at me. I catch her hand mid-splash, pulling her back to me with a gentle tug. She willingly wraps her legs around my waist again, her hands threading through my hair.
Leaning in, she kisses me—her lips soft, her touch tender. Her tongue traces my bottom lip tantalizingly before she pulls back slightly, her eyes sparkling with emotion. As she lowers her shields, her intense feelings flood into me, leaving me nearly breathless.
“I love you, Colton,” she whispers, her voice laden with sincerity. Hearing those words—ones I’ve longed to hear and have held within my heart—stirs something profound in me .
“I know. I can feel it,” I respond, surprising her slightly with my response. Before she can retort, I let my own shields drop, revealing the depth of my feelings. She inhales sharply, overwhelmed by the raw emotions now laid bare between us.
“I am so madly in love with you, my shadow,” I confess, my voice thick with emotion. “It would take more than any prophecy, more than the gods themselves, to keep me away from you. You’re mine now, and I’m never letting you go.”
Her smile, sweet and filled with love, draws me back to her lips. I kiss her again, sealing my vow with the taste of her mouth.
“Lyra Lewis, marry me. Let’s complete the ultimate bonding ceremony and intertwine our souls forever,” I say, holding her gaze, feeling the ripple of surprise through her open shields. It quickly warms into excitement and love, confirming she’s not just agreeing out of obligation.
“Yes,” she breathes out, her smile widening.
She kisses me again, and the kiss turns desperate, both of us needing to be closer, to become one. She reaches for me, her hand wrapping around my hard cock, a satisfied sigh escaping her as she feels me ready for her. I lift her from the water, positioning her on the edge of the rock at the perfect height for me. As I enter her, she clings to me, her need mirroring my own. I thrust into her deeply, giving her all of me, over and over.
Later, as we manage to pull ourselves away from each other, we dry off and get dressed. Lyra suggests walking back home instead of channeling. Despite my warning about the distance, she insists, eager to take in more of the Dream Forest. Hand in hand, we walk through the forest, the day nearly spent. The sun hangs low, casting long shadows, and the evening chorus of frogs begins to fill the air, echoing around us as dusk settles in.
“Today has been utterly perfect,” Lyra says beside me.
I nod but can’t help adding, “Even with the rough start.” I immediately regret mentioning Nyx. The last thing I want is to sour the mood.
“Yes, because now I get to spend the rest of my life loving you,” she counters, stirring a fierce desire within me.
“If you keep talking like that, we’ll never make it back home,” I warn her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze, but she just laughs, her joy infectious.
“Colton!” A high-pitched voice cuts through the air, and I turn my head around in time to see one of the small Pixies dart out from the underbrush. I extend my hand, offering her as a landing spot, which she takes immediately.
“Hollie, what brings you so far from home?” I ask, knowing the Pixies rarely venture this deep into the Dream Forest.
“Haven’t you two heard? It’s dangerous to be out here in the evening. There have been Sarrol attacks in Nighthold and even a few here in the Dream Forest. The last one even occurred in daylight,” she warns us.
I frown, disturbed by the news of the increasing attacks but careful not to alarm Lyra. “We can handle ourselves. It’s you I’m worried about,” I reassure Hollie.
“I’m tiny enough to hide. If I even get wind of one of those smelly creatures, I’ll fly up into a tree hole where they’ll never find me,” Hollie declares, her light-blue eyes sparkling with a mix of defiance and bravery.
“Oh, Hollie, this is Lyra.” I realize Lyra has been eager to meet one of the Pixies. “Lyra, this is Hollie.”
“So nice to meet you,” Lyra says, beaming at her.
“It’s wonderful to meet you too,” Hollie replies, her voice chirping with curiosity. “So what brings you two out here this evening?” She taps her foot impatiently on my palm, her tiny white dress and flowing pink hair rustling in the breeze.
“We were swimming at Ruby Falls and have just gotten engaged. Lyra here is going to be bonded to me for life,” I announce, drawing her close with my arm around her shoulders.
Hollie’s eyes light up with excitement. “I love weddings! Oh, you two are going to have the most beautiful babies!” she exclaims. I feel Lyra tense beside me. We’ve never really discussed a future involving children.
“Thank you,” Lyra manages, her voice tinged with a mix of surprise and uncertainty.
“And where will the ceremony be? When is it?” Hollie buzzes with curiosity, twirling around on my palm.
“We still have a few details to work out, but you’ll be the first to know,” I assure her, trying to ease the sudden pressure of the moment. Hollie’s shimmering translucent wings flutter as she prepares to leave.
“I should head home before it gets dark, but it was such a pleasure to meet you, Lyra,” Hollie says, beginning to fly away into the deepening shadows of the forest.
“You too,” Lyra calls after her warmly.
“Don’t forget my wedding invite!” Hollie’s voice drifts back to us as she disappears among the trees.
“I can’t believe I finally got to meet a Pixie! Do they all have pastel-pink hair like that?” Lyra’s excitement is palpable as we resume our walk through the forest.
“No, they all have different colors—some are blue or purple. I’ve even seen green. But it’s always soft pastel shades,” I explain, avoiding the sudden jump into discussions about children.
“Are you worried about the Sarrol attacks?” she shifts the topic, her tone more serious .
“Yes, it’s concerning. I need to organize some patrols to ensure the Dream Forest is secure, and coordinate with others to get a clearer picture of what’s been happening,” I say, my mind already racing through logistics.
“You know who could help,” she suggests tentatively.
I sigh, knowing exactly who she’s referring to. “Yeah, I might have to pay Nikki boy a visit soon too. He’s likely got more detailed information,” I concede, and she nods in agreement, understanding the necessity despite the recent tensions with Nyx.