Chapter 27 #2
Then a fae with shimmering golden hair and vivid green eyes gracefully fluttered into the room, his presence as ethereal as a whisper of wind.
It was the same fae who had shared a drink with him by the flickering firelight, casting shadows that danced along the walls.
My heart quickened, a rapid drumbeat in my chest. I realized it was me.
I watched myself glide up behind Veylor. With a tender, almost reverent gesture, I planted a soft kiss on his cheek, a gentle brush like the touch of a butterfly's wings.
Was I ever that graceful?
“Bloody Shadows, what was that?” Veylor stood and stepped away from me.
As I watched, I chuckled. I wanted to poke this grumpy fae even further.
My fae self crossed my arms and wagged my finger at him with a chiding grin.
"I've been waiting ages for you to make a move," I said, my voice a mixture of impatience and excitement.
I stood in front of Veylor, his eyes bright and determined.
"So I decided to make it for you. Now, come on, we have a date.
" I extended his hand confidently towards Veylor, whose eyes widened in surprise, leaving him momentarily frozen, unable to pull away from the unexpected gesture.
Veylor’s mouth hung open. “W-what do you mean? I haven’t done anything!”
I giggled and pulled him closer. “You’ve looked at me the last three quarterly meetings with those dark, desirous eyes.
I know the desire you try to hide; it lingers in your gaze whenever it finds mine.
.” My finger tickled his cheek. “You shouldn’t hide yourself like you are the shadow itself, not when you are the moon of your court. ”
Veylor’s mouth opened and closed.
“Come now, moon, let me show you how to play in the sunlight.”
I pulled Veylor by the hand but he stood still, holding onto his chair.
"What... hold on... the Shadow Court doesn't permit such actions. We are respectable and have responsibilities to..."
Veylor's words tumbled out in a stream of incoherent babble, his eyes darting around the room as if searching for an escape.
My heart pounded in my chest as I watched.
Each beat echoing in my ears. That was when I saw myself reach out and gently cupped his face.
In a swift motion, I had leaned forward and pressed my lips against his.
Time seemed to slow as Veylor's tense posture relaxed, his shoulders dropping and his eyes fluttering shut, surrendering to the unexpected kiss.
I watched as both of our lips parted, our tongues intertwined and our arms wrapped around each other. My heart exploded, magik filled my chest. A magik so strong it felt the same as I felt for Vesper the first I touched her, felt her.
I watched as Veylor and I broke the kiss. “You’re too wound up, my Lord Veylor. Come, let me show you around the Light Court, get your mind away from work. See the pleasures of the light lands beyond the shadow lands.”
Veylor looked back at his parchment and then back to me.
The fae moved closer and whispered. "If you share my desire to dismantle the unjust hierarchy, I think we could both gain from working together." As I spoke, I traced my finger along Veylor's chest, down towards his crotch.
Veylor licked his lips. “Yes, that does seem tempting.”
I returned to the present moment as Veylor moved back. He had already rounded the bed, his fingers shaking with excitement.
I sat there in shock. Did I just watch… our first kiss?
Veylor cut into my thoughts. "She's definitely clever, beautiful even, no doubt about it.
I never considered doing it that way. It's not something you'll find in any textbooks.
It's no surprise Benedict can stretch his limbs like that without them coming loose.
She uses this intricate double, even triple stitch that's absolutely remarkable.
She's smarter than her looks suggest, and that's a rare quality. "
I tilted my head in surprise that he would call her beautiful. I thought he hated… no despised her. “Do you find her beautiful?”
Veylor paused and licked his lips. Lips I have tasted in a previous life. I had lips before, I had touched them with skin.
"She is a beautiful specimen of her type," he remarked, clearing his throat. "For a human-like hybrid, I am certain she isn't entirely human, though."
Veylor continued mumbling to himself about stitching and tools, I did not care if he thought she was human or not, it was the fact he found her alluring.
“Do you find her attractive then?” I blurted as he reached down to touch her skin.
I was curious if he felt the same attraction to her that I felt towards both of them. Was this feeling mutual? Did we both see her as someone irresistible, someone we were compelled to pursue? If that's the case, what was it about her—or about us—that made us both desire her?
Veylor's gaze trailed over Vesper's face, down her neck, and rested on her chest. I issued a warning growl, and he gulped nervously.
The reminder that he would be honest with me rang in my ear.
"I admit, I'm drawn to her, and I loathe myself for feeling this way.
Maybe that's why I've shared my Shadow's fire with her.
I want to hate her for touching you in ways I thought I would only touch you.
" He stepped back. "But there is a burning within me I cannot ignore. To be a part of what you both have, all together.”