Chapter 24 #2
He looks away for a brief second, as if thinking, then sets his eyes on me. “I have nothing against Marlak. I mean, he’s an asshole, and was an asshole to his brother, but I don’t want to kill him or anything.”
I glare at Azur. “Is your memory all right? You wanted to kill him just the other day.”
He shrinks his shoulders, not like a shrug, more as if he’s uncomfortable. “I thought he had removed my horns. I saw him. But he doesn’t remember it, and I don’t think he’s lying. So… I don’t know. And he’s your friend. I’d never hurt your friends, Lidiane. That’s a promise.”
I can’t imagine what it must be like to have part of you cut like that, so I give him some grace. If he thought Marlak was responsible for that, I suppose I can understand his anger.
“Fair. But can you explain this house?”
He takes my hand. “I have a question first. Will you marry me?”
Why does he have to ask that at the worst possible time? “I’m the one asking the questions here. What’s with this house?”
He looks down. “Perhaps, before I answer it, I just wanted to know if you like me, regardless of who I am, or what I have, or…”
“Why? Are you afraid I’m some kind of jewel chaser? Crown hunter? You think my love is related to your social standing?”
He gives me a broad smile. “You love me?”
“You’re insufferable.”
He gets serious again. “Does it change anything that you know you’re a princess?”
“Yes! I know that the Sea Queen and her crazy son will chase me to the end of my days.”
“I’ll be around to protect you.” He takes my hand. “And love you. If you want me.”
“How many times do I have to tell you that I want you?”
“Infinite times. I look at you and can’t believe my luck. I wonder what I did to deserve you.”
“Being a grumpy prick obviously pays off.”
He caresses the back of my hand. “Intense and enigmatic, not grumpy. Would you want me regardless? Or does it depend on who my family is?”
I’m starting to regret questioning him, doubting him, as I sense a hint of shame in his voice, and I place a hand on his face. “Regardless, Azur. Be careful, will you? I don’t want to lose you again.”
He kisses my neck, then whispers in my ear. “You won’t. I’ll always be yours.”
I lose myself in that kiss, in the feeling of being so close to him, sensing his energy, his love.
Our bond pulls us closer and closer, and I find myself lying on the bed, his hands under my dress, removing it, the touch of his skin against mine so pleasant, so soothing.
He removes his shirt and kisses me as I feel his weight on me, his chest against my breasts.
He trails my body with kisses until he’s kissing me between my legs.
My eyes close and my lips part, his touch sending ripples of pleasure through my body, sparks of something magical, profound, intense.
My senses get lost in his touch, until I’m overcome with something akin to joy, if it was a physical sensation.
Azur then sits back, and I lean over to unlace his trousers. He removes them slowly, his eyes focused on me. My breath hitches and my core warms when he frees his cock.
“I want it,” I say. “Inside me. Right now.”
He pushes me down on the bed, lies over me and caresses my face. “Aren’t you an impatient little thing?”
“Are you kidding me? After days and days not being able to touch you?”
“I’m touching you now.”
I feel the tip of his member by my entrance, a teasing touch that makes me want more. He kisses my shoulder blades, breasts, and nipples, then caresses my inner thigh. My body trembles, and I let out a moan of pleasure when I feel him entering me.
Slowly, I open up for him, until he’s deep inside me, then thrusting slowly, a hand caressing me down there, waves of pleasure rippling through my body.
His movements pause, and he says, “You didn’t answer my question.”
“You want to talk now?”
“Yes. Will you marry me?”
He moves his body and thrusts in a way that sends a shock of pleasure through me.
“Will you?” he asks again.
“Yes,” I moan. Of course I want to marry him. He’s my soulmate. Still, right now, all I want is to make him stop talking.
His eyes meet mine with a renewed sparkle of bliss. For a moment, I just want to get lost in those eyes, stare deep into his soul—where I find part of me. We’re complete now, together.
Whatever our bodies are doing is nothing compared to our souls. We keep a slow, steady rhythm. It’s just us, close together, feeling each other, the energy of our bond coursing through our bodies. It’s us, and that’s what matters.
Touching him is a blessing, and feeling him within me compares to nothing else in the world.
If sheer joy was a physical sensation, it would be this.
Our pleasure mounts and mounts, until we’re one body.
One heart, exploding in pleasure and bliss together, his seed filling me. It’s where it belongs.
He collapses over me, then lies beside me, cups my face, and kisses my forehead. “Do you still want to know who I am?” There’s a renewed softness in his voice.
“I thought we agreed it didn’t matter.”
“It doesn’t. For you and me, it doesn’t. But you’re right that you should know. You asked me if I was the prince of the Nether Court, and I told you I’m not. I used to be, though. But my father died.”
“You mean you are…” I swallow, unsure if I heard it right, afraid of voicing what I think he’s saying.
“The king, yes.”
I close my eyes. Somehow, I can’t even be angry right now. A chuckle leaves my lips. “Well played, Azur, well played. You waited until I was in a great mood to tell me.”
He gives me a broad smile. “You’re in a great mood?”
“Yes, I am.” I slap his shoulder softly. “But I don’t like it that you hid it. And is it true? You want to destroy the Crystal Court?”
He runs his knuckles over my face. “I’ll figure out something. I don’t want to hurt Marlak, like I told you. Or Renel. We’ll find a solution, once the Witch King’s dead.”
“But… you’re betraying their trust. Astra—”
“She knows. We faced the Witch King together, and… the subject came up.”
That’s surprising. “And she didn’t tell her husband or anyone?”
“I suppose not, which I truly appreciate.”
Well, they did face death together, so I suppose it makes a lot of sense. A disturbing thought then comes to me. “A crown is a target. It could endanger you.”
“It’s why I hide it. But I want you to know that my family was not evil.
If they served the Witch King, it was for survival, not that it’s an acceptable excuse.
I don’t want to follow in their footsteps.
I want to make things right. Perhaps there’s a reason I have this transcending magic, a reason I’ll have to help defeat him. ”
“I understand.” I kiss him on the lips. “But make sure you survive, because I do love you, despite all the secrets you kept from me.”
His smile is everything that’s stunning in the world. “I will.”
TARLIA
Renel traces the curve of my hips with his hands, each touch driving me insane, then he looks at me.
“You know I’m not a king anymore, right?”
“I noticed it. Why?”
“Remember when I said you could come to the castle and live with me? Well, that’s not… It’s not going to happen.”
I reach out a hand and caress his face. “I’m not upset.”
“No. But I was thinking about the future. My father left us an inn, in the south. I was thinking of managing it, and making a living. I was wondering… if you’d like to come with me, and take care of it. It’s not royalty, like you’re used to, but—”
“I’d love to.” And it’s true. I can’t help but feel excited about a future with Renel, no matter where or doing what. “And I can learn to work hard.”
“So that’s a yes?”
“Yes, of course it’s a yes. Yes, yes, yes.”
He gives me a happy chuckle and drinks me with his eyes.
“Renel, are you going to fuck me or keep staring?”
“I want to keep staring.”
I pout. “That’s very rude.”
He traces a lazy finger from my navel to my core. “I think I want to see you aching with so much desire that you squirm.”
“Well, I’m squirming right now. Those stupid ghouls didn’t let us do it in the library, and I’ve been wanting you since then.”
“Well, you’re going to want me a little more.”
He curls his finger in my entrance and touches the right spot, making me moan.
“Fine, then. I’ll survive. I suppose.”
MIRELLA
Ziven’s in front of me, devouring a bowl of almonds, while everyone went upstairs to sleep. Growing up, I’ve heard conflicting accounts on what humans are like. Some said they were malformed and ugly, while others said they were more beautiful than any fae, and that we were jealous of them.
I’m looking at Ziven and realizing it’s true that they’re beautiful, and for some reason he’s beautiful to the point he makes my chest ache. I still recall his hand holding mine by the riverbank, as he said he’d go somewhere else with me, still recall sitting on that roof and leaning on his chest.
“Shouldn’t you also rest?” I ask.
“Well, I’m hungry too.” He gives me a grin that speeds up my heart.
“Is it true? That humans have a larger appetite?”
“Yes, we do tend to eat more.”
“But you’re slim like a fae.”
He raises an eyebrow. “Is that a compliment?”
“It’s an observation.” Upstairs, the floor creaks, and I hear a moan. “They’re not sleeping.”
“They… must be… relaxing.” He takes a sip of his juice.
“Yes.” A distant memory comes to me, from when I was young, running beneath tables at parties, watching the older fae. “I know what they’re doing! They’re kissing.”
“Yes, they must be.”
“We should do the same.”
He spits his drink. “But I’m eating.”
I look down, suddenly feeling foolish. “You don’t like me, right?”
“I do like you.”
“You think I’m ugly.”
“You’re absolutely enchanting.”
“That’s not fair. You’re human. You can lie.”
He raises a spoon. “Do mirrors lie? Look at you. You know you’re gorgeous.”
The reflection is distorted and makes my face look round. “I look like a frog in this spoon.”
He pulls it. “But you know you’re stunning.”
“Then why won’t you kiss me?”