62. Raea
Raea
We return to the caves, buzzing with energy I haven’t felt in weeks. I’ve already told everyone about our new living quarters. Carys agreed it was the right move. Brynna stormed off like she always does, ignoring the rest of us.
“Clara’s going to be sad,” I say. “She’s done well here.”
Ryker brushes the stray strands of white hair out of my face. “She’ll be okay. I’m sure Finn will introduce her to all the children there.”
I nod, kissing him. His hands find my waist as his tongue parts my lips. Gods, the taste of him lights every nerve in my body on fire. It takes moments before he has me pinned against the wall of our room, my legs hooked around his waist as he devours me like he’s a starving Fae male.
My hips shift as I grind myself against him, needing friction. It’s been weeks since I’ve had him. Every night, we barely have enough energy to wash the sweat off before crawling into bed. I’m out most nights before my head hits the pillow, but today gave me a high like I haven’t had in a while.
I still feel giddy when I think about the blade.
Ryker groans when I rock my hips against his solid length. “Gods, I need to be inside of you right now,” Ryker says into my mouth. “I need to worship every inch of this powerful body. Reward you for that beautiful blade you crafted.”
My hands tug at his silky strands as I pull myself impossibly closer.
When Ryker’s mouth moves to my neck, I can’t help the shiver that rolls through me.
His sharp canines graze the sensitive skin, and I wish more than anything he’d sink them into me while he thrusts into me, claiming me and breaking me.
I want to shatter in his hands because I know he’d so beautifully put me back together.
Dirty thoughts I’ve never had before, positions, and a wild sort of desire courses through as my chest heaves against him. I’m seconds from begging when a soft knock sounds on the door between our room and Clara’s.
“Aenai,” Ryker breathes, his voice wrecked. He holds me pinned against the wall, both of us gasping for air. When he does pull back, his eyes are darker than I’ve seen. “Are you willing to share whatever those thoughts are that made you feel this way?”
His smirk pulls across his mouth. “Because whatever you were thinking,” he whispers, his voice velvety and seductive, “yes. I want you every way.”
Another knock has me sucking in a sharp intake of air as I release my legs. I feel drunk from whatever that was.
Ryker kisses me once more as he sets me down before swinging open the door, a smile in place for his sister. The door opens wide enough for me to see Clara’s tear-stained face.
“We have to leave again?”
Ryker can’t stop glaring at Finn as he gives Clara a piggyback ride through the gateway.
Our arms are empty thanks to another useful magic.
With the snap of his fingers, Finn had all our wardrobes moved into his house and put in our rooms. Aolyn’s stuff was packed into a trunk and placed in a closet.
Clara giggles as Finn tells her about getting to swim with the mermaids.
“Calm down,” I whisper, placing a hand on Ryker’s shoulder. “He’s not doing anything wrong.”
Ryker’s jaw clenches, his hand tightening around mine. “That’s the problem. What’s his deal?”
I honestly wish I knew. I’ve seen him with the other children, and he’s always friendly.
He’s the first to get down at their level and speak with them or play with them, but I have noticed that he spends extra time with Clara.
I’ve never asked if he has younger siblings.
Maybe he has a sister…or had one. That thought immediately makes my heart hurt.
Clara squeals in delight when the lake comes into view.
Overhead, the sun is setting, so the sky is painted indigo with stars twinkling into existence, but the lake glows as if it has its own light source.
At the center, three mermaids wave at her.
Two females, one male. The male who had been tossing the kids in the water earlier.
“Holy shit,” Tate whispers, walking beside us. “Mermaids. How do you think they…” He makes a gesture that looks an awful lot like two people banging. “Do you think the scales disappear when they’re…done?”
My hand flies back, slapping his chest as Ciara slaps the back of his head, walking on the other side of him.
“What the hell is wrong with you two? You’re so violent. I’m just asking questions.”
“Dumb ones,” Ciara says. She shoots me a wink that makes me giggle.
Behind us, Kellan and Kamden are lost in conversation about tactical moves and weapons. They spent the afternoon sparring with each other. They’ve been training for over two weeks, and already, you can see the differences in style from the Fae and Elven.
Trysten grumbles under his breath from the other side of Ryker about Clara, making Ry nod in agreement. Boys.
Finn leads us through the corridors of his estate, pointing out different rooms as we go. It’s much larger than I thought initially. It expands deep into the forest, allowing each family here to have large rooms all under the same roof.
When we are brought to our wing, I can’t help but breathe a sigh of relief. Overhead, the stars twinkle through the glass. Tate and Kamden take the first two rooms, Ciara next, followed by Trysten and Kellan, closest to us. Clara has a room across from us, but it is no longer connected.
Finn told me earlier that each room was soundproof, as if that was a necessity. I had nearly died from embarrassment.
He leaves us to get settled, and Clara spins, taking her new room in. I can see the awe in her eyes before she nods. “Not bad,” she says. “I think I like it better than the cave. And there are mermaids. Finn said I could swim with them tomorrow.”
Ryker’s jaw clenches as he nods.
I kneel before her. “Do you need anything? Do you want to see our room?”
Clara shakes her head, yawning. “I want to sleep so I’m not tired for tomorrow.” She turns for her wardrobe, opening it to find it packed with dresses, gowns, and more clothes than a little girl needs. “Mermaids,” she says wistfully.
We wish her goodnight before closing the door and heading to our room. Ryker whistles low when he takes in our luxurious space. The two levels are illuminated by soft candles and lanterns placed throughout.
The first floor has a seating area with velvet green sofas and wood furniture atop thick rugs. Glass cylinders four feet tall are placed throughout with more of those light bugs. Plants and greenery fill the space. Beyond is a balcony that opens to the waterfall.
Ryker opens the doors before taking my hand and leading me upstairs. I refused to tell him what the room looked like, wanting to surprise him. I watch as he takes it all in. The second level is encased in glass, woven between pale stone trees that reach into a vast dome, revealing the night sky.
At the center of the room, on a platform, is a luxurious bed of soft sheets and blankets that are buttery soft. Beyond the arch to the right is a bathroom with a tub that opens to the waterfall. To the left, a private study.
“Do you like it?” I ask even though I can feel his sense of awe and freedom through our Bond.
Ryker’s gaze falls on me. In a moment, those sapphire eyes swirl and deepen. He takes a step closer. “Ready to tell me what you were thinking?” he asks, the sound so much like a caress against my skin. “I can’t stop thinking about it.”
My cheeks burn as I bite down on my lip. I can’t tell him. Well, I can…I know he wouldn’t judge, but the things I was thinking…
Desire floods my body like a switch being flipped. I know he can scent my desire because he takes another step closer.
He chuckles, the sound teasing my sensitive flesh. He hasn’t even touched me, and I feel like I could fall apart. We have so many things to discuss, to think about, but…
His palm wraps around my waist as he tugs me closer. He drags his nose up my cheek and into my hair, inhaling. “Tell me, love.”
I shake my head, already moving to peel away his shirt. My back arches, and a moan fills the room when his mouth moves to my neck.
“It all started when I was doing this,” he murmurs against my flesh.
I can’t breathe. I ache for him in ways I’ve never thought about. Instantly, I drop to my knees, yanking at the buttons of his pants and peeling them down like they’re on fire. His fingers hook under my chin, bringing my gaze back to his.
“Do you want me to fuck you, Soraea?”
I swallow, then nod.
“Do you want me to fuck your mouth first?”
I nod again, my eyes falling closed. I’m embarrassed. I can’t look at him any longer.
He curses, then grabs a fistful of my hair. The throbbing between my legs intensifies. “You keep trying to hide that hunger, Aenai. Let me see it. Let me burn in it.”
My eyes fly open, letting him see all of me. Letting him see how completely unhinged I feel. There's a hunger within that intensifies every moment. I need him. All of him.
Whatever he sees, he doesn’t run from it. His gaze softens for a moment, long enough to flood me with acceptance and joy and his matching desire, then it’s gone. I’m left with the commanding, possessive prince who curls his mouth into a smirk with that adorable dimple.
“Open that pretty mouth of yours, love,” he whispers, his voice a velvet command that leaves me no choice but to surrender. This isn't the boy from the academy. This is a male who knows exactly how to unmake me.
I do, swirling my tongue once, then twice. His whole body shudders. I look back at him as I take him deep into my throat, until my eyes water.
“You look so pretty with my cock in your mouth.” He pulls almost all the way out, then slowly moves. His grip tightens. Still, he never loses eye contact.
I shift, the ache in my core almost unbearable. He’s not even fully undressed, and this male before me is perfection. I want to spend the rest of my long life getting to know every single pore. Running my tongue across every surface.