Chapter 4 Rhianelle
The howling wind ruffles through my hair ferociously, lashing the tresses against my cheeks. I stare into the distant midnight storm across the field, my breath misting in the frigid air.
This must be another nightmare where I find another cruel death at the hands of the Fae king. I didn’t think I could fall asleep after what I did to Garrett earlier, but here I am.
In this barren land, where the earth is painted red.
I don’t have my fighting leathers or armor with me this time. Just a simple pale white dress. Blaire used to wear this in her vigil to the Goddess Arawynn.
The moonlight illuminates the broken bodies of slaughtered fae soldiers in the field.
I try not to look at the horror on their faces.
There are only two possible endings to this nightmare.
Either I kill Eirik or he kills me. I pick up an abandoned sword on the ground and move past the sea of corpses to find him.
Sometimes, I don’t understand why I fight so hard every time. Eirik is going to get me. He always does.
The devastating trail leads me to a ruined temple. A shadow looms at the entrance, tall and terrifying. I can’t afford to lose my nerve now.
This is it.
I raise the sword high to strike. My step falters halfway before reaching the Fae King.
A small noise leaves the back of my throat.
Eirik’s eyes are empty and devoid of warmth. He is long dead with his own blade embedded in his gut.
My ears twitch over a soft sound coming from behind me.
It grows louder, weaving into a beautiful tune.
I have never heard such a haunting song before.
The thundering in my chest slowly paces back into a regular rhythm.
I should be scared of this strange, sad lullaby in the middle of an abandoned temple, but I’m not.
Something about it stirs a feeling of comfort in me.
The melody continues playing, beckoning me to climb the stairs.
This spellbinding music is clearly a bait by whatever creature is waiting for me at the top. But I’m too curious to know who could have such a strong calling. Sirens from the Isle of Belestis are long extinct. At least I can take comfort in the fact that I won’t be turned into a shriveled husk.
At the very center of the open rooftop lies a dais and at its apex sits a throne. A male lounges on the seat with his head propped on a fist. My breath catches at the mere sight of him.
I behold the chiseled jaw, the unbound raven black hair, the pale shade of his skin. He looks as if he is crafted from the night itself. There are no words for this kind of beauty. I remain transfixed by him, studying the broad shoulders and every inch of his sharp features.
That sculpted physique is honed and made for battle.
I know with absolute certainty that he is the one responsible for the chaos and massacre of the fae army below.
A chill crawls down my spine at the thought.
I wonder if he is one of the commanders in our battalion.
Perhaps he’s one of the gifted knights of Volundr or one of the suitors my uncle has lined up for me.
This is the second time we have found each other.
Lady Deirdre once told me, ‘Twice is never a coincidence’.
Perhaps I am destined to meet this person. Everything about him is pulling me in. I remember Garrett’s word from earlier.
He could be your mate.
Our eyes lock and my skin tingles under his piercing gaze.
The summoning becomes unbearable. Before my brain can reconsider the decision, I run up the dais and climb into his lap. I hear his sharp intake of breath as I settle on his thigh. The male stares at me with an arched brow.
Gods, he is more devastating up close.
“Umm… Hello, again.”
The stranger watches me intensely, his gaze falling on my sword for the briefest of moments.
This is a horrible mistake. He may think this is an attempt for his life.
But he makes no move to remove my weapon from me.
In fact, he’s not the least bit intimidated by it. I cast the sword aside immediately.
His eyes trail the clattering blade on the floor before they slowly return to look into mine. There’s a certain dark menace to his beautiful face. My pulse hammers wildly in my throat. I can’t believe I’m actually doing this.
“I’m sorry, but I have to know,” I say quietly. I raise my trembling fingers to brush a long strand of hair behind his ear.
I inhale a deep, sharp gasp.
His ears are flat and…human. This guy is not my mate. Why did I think I’d be blessed with such a precious bond?
I swallow nervously as his chilling eyes now focus on me. Fear overtakes me once again. Despite the ripple of threat he possesses, the longing doesn’t fade. He is beautiful, dark, and forbidden.
And I want him.
I wonder if his lips taste as sinful as they look. Well, it’s just a dream anyway. If I die, I die. I lean down, brushing my lips against his.
This is extremely awkward, especially when he is not kissing me back.
I slowly pull away to find his dark eyes sparkling back at me in surprise.
He pulls me closer against him, his hand caressing the small of my back.
For a moment, I think he might kiss me. But instead of crushing his lips to mine, he leans in to whisper in my ear.
“Thief.” His voice is a low rumble. I feel it deep inside my chest. “Give me back what you stole.”
Panic flies through me. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, forcing myself to calm down. “You have the wrong person.”
His lips stretch into a handsome, wicked smile at my answer. I want to feel it against my lips again. His calloused hand brushes my arm, slow and sensuous. “We meet again, little fawn.”
He remembers me.
“Do you make it a habit of jumping into people’s laps and kissing them?”
The question terrifies me, especially when he’s looking at me like that.
“Yes. I do this every time,” I say simply.
He gives me a long, deliberate stare. It sends my heart racing.
“Careful, little fawn. You make for easy prey.” His voice is low and thrilling as he kisses my collarbone. My body sparks to life at that touch. “Did you miss me?”
I’m not going to allow him the satisfaction of the truth. He called me a thief after all.
“Not really,” I say, lifting my shoulder in a careless shrug. A nervous jitter goes through me at his dark gaze.
“A thief and a liar.” He snickers. “Fine, I’ll play.”
The stranger turns me around easily as though I weigh nothing. His strong arm wraps around my middle, holding me firm against the hard ridges of his chest. This position is…unfair. I can’t do anything to him.
His free hand glides to cup my breast. My body hums with desire when he starts kneading it, his thumb flicking and toying with my hardened nipple.
Heavens have mercy. This feels too good.
He buries his face in the crook of my neck, his teeth grazing over the sensitive skin there. I squirm against his hand, but the grip he has on me is unyielding. There is no escaping him.
His touch feels like it’s too much and not enough at the same time. If only I can make him feel the same way. I grind my hips against his rigid form. A grunt spills from his throat, his body going stiff and hard against mine.
“Naughty, little thief,” he whispers against my delicate ear.
“Not a thief,” I throw back.
I don’t even know what I took from him, but if this is the punishment, I’m going to steal everything he has.
His hand trails down to lift the hem of my dress.
Cold air slaps against my bare skin, but my shiver has nothing to do with it.
He runs his fingers on the inside of my thigh, his thumb hovering over the pulsing spot that aches.
The heat from the touch knocks the air out of my lungs.
My entire body goes rigid as pleasure builds inside of me.
I lean against him, feeling his heart beating against my back.
“Say the word and I’ll stop,” he rasps. “You’re in control.”
He’s not lying. The grip he has over my breast is loose and his other hand merely explores me unhurriedly. This is a chance for me to get away…
Instead of running for my life, I stay on his lap. My decision baffles me for a moment. He must recognize my submission when he gives my quivering thigh a gentle squeeze. I keep myself still, trying to avoid a reaction. All I really want to do is melt into him.
“You’ve gone quiet now.” A dark, low laughter escapes him, his hot breath drawing shivers on my skin. “Remember that you started this.”
I bite back a whimper when he teases my clit in rough, lazy circles. His movements are precise, as if he knows the exact rhythm to please me. Release gathers through my body like a dam about to break. His finger dips into the pool of moisture between my thighs and I let out a squeal.
“That’s a nice sound.” He chuckles softly. “Let me hear it again.”
He eases another finger inside of me and begins thrusting. Fire ignites in my belly, spreading down to my toes.
The feel of his rough hand over my breast, the delicious strokes of his fingers, and the pad of his thumb over my core are too much for me to handle.
His fingers curl over a sweet, deep spot and my muscles clench around him.
The release hits me quick and hard with the overload of sensations.
It sends me soaring and I almost fall right off from him.
A cloud of haze descends over me as I shudder, letting the pleasure take hold of me.
“That’s it. Such a good girl,” he praises, kissing my temple. The deep rumble in his tone is so intoxicating that it adds to my thrill. “But I know you can do better. Look at me this time.”
I shake my head with defiance over his dark demand.
A wicked smile curves his lips at my response.
I’m still gasping for air when he repeats the same expert movement.
The need forms a knot inside of me, reaching an excruciating point.
I shut my eyes, bracing myself as every nerve ending in my body lights up like fireflies.