CHAPTER THIRTY
elysia
The suite is quiet, all but for the whistling kettle. Moonlight filters through the high windows, streaking the wooden floor with silver and blue hues.
I stand in the kitchen, pouring steaming water over rose and moonleaf tea.
The petals bloom pink and silver in the cup, releasing a calm, floral scent that fills the air.
My hands wrap around the mug, grounding me in its warmth, though the bond hums faintly with Kaden’s agitation from the joint living quarters.
He’s seated on the edge of the couch, hair mussed and shirt half-untucked, a stack of reports and tomes scattered around him like fallen leaves.
It’s the same sight I’ve walked in on every evening for the past three weeks.
If he hasn’t been in lessons, or locked in Council meetings, or knocking me flat in training… he’s been right here. Head bowed over ink-stained pages, rifling through every file. Old, new, half-crumbled, barely legible, all chasing any possible thread or lead.
“Fuck.” He mutters, slamming shut a tome and running a hand through his hair. “Nothing, I’ve found nothing… other than that tome you found, nothing else has linked the plague to bloodlines.”
I stir my tea slowly, watching the surface shimmer. “I doubt they would keep anything incriminating in the research archives, Reinheart. I think that’s where you’re going wrong.” I tease lightly, lips curving.
His head turns to me, eyes narrowed. “Well-the-fuck-aware, but until I have a better understanding of where they would keep such documents, I can’t risk our lives breaking into restricted archives, can I?”
I sigh, clicking my tongue at the blatant dig. “Okay, so not in the mood for jokes… noted.” My fingers find the end of my plait, undoing it absently as I speak. “I thought my father might’ve hidden something about the plague in the cottage. That’s why I went there three weeks ago.”
His gaze flickers to my hands, following the movement as strands of hair fall loose around my waist. I feel his desire faintly pulse through the bond before he reins it back, leaning against the couch with a carefully blank expression.
“So…” he says slowly, “you’re finally going to tell me what you found?”
I scoff. “No, Reinheart. What I found has nothing to do with you, or the plague or The Council.”
He arches a brow, the muscle in his jaw tightening. “Whatever it was, it shook you. What could possibly be worse than The Council engineering a plague?”
My eyes snap to him, tone laced with warning. “It’s a family matter, leave it alone.”
His jaw ticks as he leans forward, hands running through his hair, exhaling through his nose slowly. “Fine, keep your secrets… for now.”
Silence settles, broken only by the soft crackle of the fireplace and the faint rustle of papers. I sip my tea, grateful for the quiet until his voice returns, lower this time.
“Are you planning to go back?”
I glance up, brow furrowing slightly. “To the cottage?”
He nods once.
I weigh the offer, then incline my head. “If I do, would you like to come with me?”
His mouth twitches with the ghost of a smirk. “I would like to, we’d find it twice as fast.”
I nod in agreement as another stretch of silence follows. Thicker now and edged with the unspoken. I stare down at my tea, mindlessly tracing a fingertip along the rim as Kaden’s voice breaks the silence.
“For what it’s worth… I’m sorry about Ronan. I don’t think I’ve said it yet,” he says, stacking a pile of tomes to one side.
I blink, caught off guard by his half-hearted apology, but despite his efforts, the bond gives him away; he’s not really all that sorry… or at least not for Ronan.
“It’s fine,” I set the cup down and meet his gaze, shrugging slightly. “It’s better this way.”
The tether flares between us, a slow pulse of regret washing over me.
His head tilts slightly, eyes darkening as he takes me in.
“You really think it’s for the best?” he asks. His voice is rough as stone as he closes the distance between us, each step deliberate. “Because the regret bleeding into me says otherwise.”
“It isn’t regret for what we did,” I say quietly, forcing myself to hold his gaze. “It’s regret for how it hurt him.”
Kaden hums in thought, eyes searching mine. Then his hand rises, fingertips brushing the back of my neck, settling at the nape.
“Good, because I don’t regret it for a second.” His thumb strokes over my bottom lip, slow and deliberate. “And I couldn’t give a fuck about Ronan.”
My eyes roll as I try to hide my racing heart. “I meant what I said… it was just release.”
His jaw stiffens slightly, then his mouth tilts up, that infuriatingly attractive smirk adorning his face. “And I meant it when I told you I’d never be able to get enough of you.”
I take a step back, trying to escape the heat of his touch, but my waist hits the kitchen counter. “Kaden—”
He leans into my neck, caging me between the counter and his body. “You can stand there and call it release all you want, but you and I both know that wasn’t what it was.”
My heart kicks hard against my ribs. “Of course it was, it was never anything more, we both knew that.”
His teeth nip at my earlobe, and I suppress the moan that threatens to escape.
“That’s such bullshit, Elysia, and you know it. I know you felt it too.” His hand tangles into the nape of my neck, pulling gently to tilt my head to the side, giving him better access to the expanse of my throat.
I open my mouth to argue, but the words are jammed useless as his lips leave a trail of feather-light kisses. The bond vibrates like a second pulse, rapidly building desire pooling low in my stomach. I try to force it down, to ignore it… but then his head lowers.
His lips skim over that sensitive spot, and my knees nearly give. “You can tell yourself it meant nothing. But it felt right, didn’t it?”
“Kaden…” My head swims as he continues the trail of lazy kisses, my nails digging into his forearms as his shadows trail up my thighs, licking at my bare skin, cold and merciless but my body leans into it. “We can’t... we shouldn’t cross that line again.”
“Why not?” His hand slides beneath my shift, trailing up my thigh before slowly pushing my underwear aside and sliding one long finger inside of me.
A soft moan escapes unchecked from my lips, and he sucks in a sharp breath between his teeth, curling his finger to caress that sweet spot that has pleasure wrapping tight around my spine.
“Does this not feel good?” He withdraws slowly, then pushes back in again. “Because your body is telling me otherwise, Elysia. You’re already so fucking wet. Your pussy is practically begging me to fill it.”
His finger curls up again, and heat rushes through my veins, my vision blurring at the edges as pleasure builds with each slow thrust and each teasing curl. His thumb moves to make firm circles against my clit, matching every teasing thrust, and I nearly fall right over the edge of reality.
“Does this feel good, love?” His voice is a low rumble.
“Yes,” I breathe, barely audible.
His hand tightens at the nape of my neck, tugging gently till I’m staring directly into his burning gaze. “Do you want me to make you come?”
The challenge burning behind his eyes steals the air from my lungs until the only breath I manage is the one he inhales.
His scent, his warmth, the way his finger works me higher with each agonisingly slow curl.
Everything about him unravels the last of my reason, and suddenly I’m aching for him again.
A knowing smirk tilts his lips, then he withdraws and grasps the bottom of my thighs, lifting me onto the kitchen counter.
His lips meet mine in frenzied demand as his hands roam over my body, leaving sparks of electricity in their wake.
The rest of the world falls away, mint and tea mixing together until all I can taste is us.
He pulls back, eyes laced with carnal need as he removes my underwear with lazy ease. My light blue shift bunches at my hips as he presses a light kiss to my lips before stepping back.
“Spread your legs for me, Elysia.” His voice is rough as stone, the demand coursing through my body in waves of heat as I follow his instruction. His gaze locks on my core, and arousal crashes through the bond in a wave so volatile I could drown in it.
“Gods, you’re fucking perfect.” A deep groan works up his throat, and then he’s on me again, his fingers sliding against my slick folds, sending pleasure racing up my spine.
Breathy whimpers escape my lips as his fingers move with expert precision, making firm circles against my clit, that tight ball of pleasure growing tight.
Stars begin to prick at the edge of my vision as his talented fingers work me higher, then reality collapses around me, his touch the only thing anchoring me as my climax swallows me whole.
His mouth meets mine and swallows my cries, fingers still working circles on my clit and dragging out my orgasm till it’s almost painful. Every rune light shines too bright, then dims as I lose myself beneath his touch.
A familiar pressure brushes against my thoughts, and a second later, his voice slides into my mind, deep and laced with lust. “Fuck, look at you. I can’t wait to feel you wrapped around my cock again.”
He drags my hips to the edge of the counter, spreading my thighs impossibly wide, then leans in to place a gentle kiss on my lips.
“Tell me to stop Elysia, and I will. But if you don’t… I’ll worship you like the light I’ve been starved of.”
My breath catches, and before I can respond, his mouth is on mine again, all heat and desperation. I lean into it too easily. The taste of him. The heat of his body. The intoxicating smell of cedar wood and cinnamon.
“When you come beneath the weight of my tongue, make sure you scream my name.”
Then he drops to his knees, those mismatched eyes burning into mine as his mouth sets me on fire, dragging his tongue from my slick entrance to my clit. White-hot pleasure streaks through my body, and I cry out, the sound filling the suite as his voice echoes in my mind.
“This is all I’ve been able to think about since I first got my hands on you.
” His tongue flicks over my swollen clit, hands splaying wide on my inner thighs.
“Your taste. Your scent. The little sound you make right before you come.” He swirls around that sensitive bud over and over, teasing, arousing, driving me higher until his tongue robs me of every thought.
“Do you think about it too? How perfect it felt to have me inside you? How your body surrendered so beautifully to me?”
“Yes.” My response is a broken whisper as my head lolls back, pleasure building rapidly. Fire courses through my veins, burning hotter with every teasing flick. Then he slides a long finger inside of me, and I stop breathing entirely as he works it in and out of me with slow, deliberate strokes.
A pounding, uncontrollable need courses through me with every heartbeat, demanding an outlet, demanding I trade her sweet taste for the incomparable perfection of sinking into her when she comes.
She looks incredible. Skin pink and flushed, sweat beading along her chest, doe-eyed and breathless as I lick and tease like a man starved. Fuck, she tastes so sweet. I could do this all damn day
“Kaden.” I gasp for breath, gripping the edge of the counter so tight my knuckles blanch. It’s his desire flooding our bond, his thoughts invading my mind, his desperation and power brushing against mine.
Gods, I need to fuck her, to sink my cock into her as she burns for me. I need her nail marks in my skin, need her cries filling this whole fucking suite, need her knowing what I can be for her… anything and everything she needs.
She’s heaven in my mouth, my Elysium.
Flawless. Perfect. Mine.
My legs begin to shake, the edge of my vision going dark before light erupts, piercing and bright as I throw my head back, soft cries leaving my throat.
“Eyes on me, love.” His rough voice fills my head, and I obey, vision still swimming as my climax rolls through me.
“Good girl.” His eyes pin mine as he withdraws his finger, then drags his tongue over my entrance. A low growl rumbles up his throat as he leans back, hair mussed, face wet and eyes searing with unmistakable need.
My chest heaves, still recovering from my orgasm as he stands, shadows hastily lowering his slacks before pressing his hard length against my entrance.
One hand moves to the nape of my neck, bringing my lips to his in a frenzied kiss as he pushes the tip of his cock inside of me, only to slowly pull back out again, over and over until I’m on the brink of madness.
“Kaden, please– I want–” I gasp, trying to push myself down the impressive length of him, but his hand on my waist holds me in place, firm and unyielding.
He skims his nose down my neck, “Please, what? Tell me what you want.”
A half-amused, half-frustrated huff leaves me. He damn well knows what I want, what I need.
“I want to hear you say it.”
My eyes search his frantically, a challenge lying behind those mismatched eyes.
“I want you.” My voice is a desperate whisper.
“You have me.” He leans in, placing soft kisses down my neck to my collarbone, then hovering over the swell of my breasts. Gently, he nips at the sensitive skin, then pushes into that first inch of me again, going just a fraction deeper before withdrawing completely.
Gods, I’m going to kill him.
A deep chuckle caresses my thoughts as his tongue and teeth relentlessly suck and nip at the sensitive flesh along my chest. Every flick of his tongue matches the pound of my pulse. My breaths become ragged as my vision begins to pinprick, caught up in the haze of him.
“Tell me what you want, love.”
My hands reach out, guiding his lips back to mine. I suck his lower lip between my teeth, biting just hard enough to draw a single bead of blood.
“I want you inside me, all of you. Please.”
He groans into my mouth, the sound equal parts approval and temptation. “Good girl.”
He pushes me down onto the full length of him, and my head swims.
The intrusion is painfully sweet, and I moan at the stretch, the fit, the utter perfection of him. He doesn’t give me long to adjust; his tongue begins swirling with mine as he withdraws slowly, stroking every inch of me, then slams home again.
His fingers dig into my waist, pulling me into every driving thrust. There’s no way to rock into him or gain leverage, to force him to quicken his pace. I can only surrender completely and simply feel. He winds me up slowly, building the coiling pressure within me tighter and tighter.
Every thrust is deliberately slow. I can feel every inch of her wrapped around me, her pussy tightening as her orgasm builds. Overwhelming need to take her deeper and harder courses through me, volatile and demanding. I thrust into her again, hitting that sweet spot, and she unravels.
Fuck, I can’t take it anymore. I need more of her.
I gasp, my climax coming to a screeching halt as he withdraws suddenly and throws me over his shoulder like I weigh nothing. One second we’re in the kitchen, the next I’m bent over the back of the sofa as Kaden positions himself behind me, his knees sinking into the cushions.
His warm breath fans the back of my ear as he positions his cock at my entrance, spearing his hand through my hair. “Be a good girl and scream my name when you come.”
A guttural sound rips from my throat as he thrusts into me with brutal force, hitting deeper at this angle.
Fire burns through me, wild and untamed, his shadows stamping out the flames quicker than they ignite.
His hips set a demanding pace, and all I can do is grip onto the back of the couch for leverage, nails tearing into the fabric.
“Gods,” I breathe, barely audible.
“Which gods are you calling to, Elysia? Because it’s only me and you in this room.
” His voice is deep and wrecked, sending a shiver up my spine.
His hand reaches between my thigh to tease that sensitive bundle of nerves, and I fucking liquefy.
“You moan my name when you come, understand?” His voice is a low, possessive growl.
Then, when his presence curls around my mind like smoke, the world shatters around me.
Her legs shake, her back arches and sparks of fire lick at her skin as she comes around my cock. Fuck me, she’s exquisite.
I keep driving into her, fighting like hell to keep from finishing, but then she moans my name, and I’m fucking done.
An animalistic growl rips from his throat as he drives into me one last time. His release is thick and warm as it spills inside of me. Shadows rising up the walls, eclipsing us briefly while he rides the wave of his orgasm.
Seconds pass, our breathing realigns, our magic simmers down, and slowly he withdraws, pulling me into his lap.