Chapter 5
AURORA
My heart flutters, warmth curling through me as I allow myself to enjoy my dream. It’s one I’ve had many times before, and I’m not ashamed to admit that I enjoy the nights that it comes to me.
I’m wrapped securely in Thalric’s powerful embrace as his molten gold eyes stare deep into mine, emotions swirling thick and unspoken between us.
My breath catches, heart racing as I press my hand against the strong, solid wall of his chest. His muscles tense beneath my fingers, heat radiating from his body.
“Thalric,” I whisper. “Kiss me.”
His eyes darken as he envelops me in his leathery wings. He leans closer, his gaze never leaving mine as he cups my cheek, his thumb brushing over my skin.
“Aurora,” he murmurs, voice rough. “I’ve waited so long for this.”
My breath shudders as warmth pools low in my belly.
His gaze drops to my lips, full of hunger, before he closes the small distance between us, capturing my mouth in a searing kiss.
A soft moan escapes me as I melt into him, utterly lost.
His powerful body presses into mine, hard muscle against my softness, and I arch into him instinctively, craving more. My fingers tangle in his silken hair, pulling him closer, needing him like I’ve never needed anything before.
I gasp as he trails heated kisses down my neck, my skin tingling beneath his touch, breathless and desperate. “Thalric—”
My eyes snap open, and I bolt upright in the bed. I’m panting heavily, my heart racing, and my skin is flushed with warmth. Drawing in a deep breath, I try to calm my breathing even as the vividness of my dream lingers.
I’m in my room. I don’t remember Thalric bringing me home last night. I must have been asleep. The last thing I remember was drifting off in his arms after my nightmare.
It’s not the first time I’ve slept with him after a bad dream. I’ve gone to him many times for comfort. He’s always made me feel safe.
But it’s no longer just innocent reassurance I seek. I crave his closeness, his warmth, his strength. But now, it’s something deeper, something powerful and intoxicating… something I’m terrified he doesn’t share.
I bite my lip, guilt twisting within. Thalric has always been such a good friend, always there for me when I need him most. How can I risk that friendship by admitting my feelings? How can I bear the thought of losing him if he suspects?
Because I don’t just crave his comfort… I crave him. And the thought terrifies me.
Sighing heavily, I push my troubling thoughts aside and ready myself for the day. When I sit down at the table for breakfast, my Fae Guardians are already waiting for me, expectant looks on their faces.
The sisters share a long glance, something meaningful passing silently between them.
I narrow my eyes, suspicion rising. “What is it?”
Fiora clears her throat. “We thought about what you said last night, and we’ve decided upon something.”
She glances toward Lyria, who beams with excitement. “We had hoped to surprise you later,” she says, “but we thought it might be better to tell you now.”
Lyria squeezes my hands, her eyes sparkling. “For your twenty-third birthday, we’re taking you to the capital!”
A smile crests my lips. “Really?”
“Yes.” Maribel grins.
This is a dream come true. Finally, I’m going to see the royal city, the capital of Briarwyn. Joy fills me, and I fling my arms around them. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”
“We thought you’d be pleased,” Fiora adds. “I think you’re going to love it.”
Excitement thrums through my veins. “When do we leave?”
“Soon,” Fiora says. “Your birthday is only a few weeks away. Thalric and his family will accompany us. He’s to begin his training for the royal guard.”
Happiness blooms in my chest. For the first time in my life, I’m finally going somewhere. “This is going to be wonderful,” I breathe, practically floating to my room.
When we reach the capital, I can search for an apothecary willing to take me on as an apprentice. And maybe I can find a place to rent that’s close to the castle, so I can be near Thalric.
Oh, I can’t wait to tell him. And the best part is, we’re going together.
The rich scent of earth and fresh herbs surround me as I kneel among the garden beds, gathering rosemary and thyme. Sunlight filters lazily through the trees, painting golden patterns across the ground and warming my back.
The distant sounds of the village drift to my ears—the clang of Brakkus’s blacksmith hammer, dogs barking, and children playing.
I’ve already finished my chores this morning and after I finish picking herbs for Lyria, I’ll be able to go visit Thalric. I can hardly wait to tell him my news.
A sudden gust of wind sweeps through the garden, rustling leaves and sending strands of my hair dancing across my face.
I glance up just as Thalric drops gracefully from the sky, landing beside me with a solid thud.
His wings flare slightly before folding neatly behind him, and I smile, unable to hold back my joy.
“Thalric!” I brush the dirt from my skirts as I rise. “Have you—” I start to ask him if he’s heard the good news but stop when I notice the stiff tension in his broad shoulders, the troubled shadows in his golden eyes. “Is… everything alright?”
“My father.” He runs a clawed hand through his dark hair. “I’ve just come from another one of his lectures about responsibility.” He shakes his head. “Sometimes, I think I’ll never be able to live up to his expectations.”
Guilt fills me. “I—I didn’t even ask you last night. Was your father terribly hard on you? Gods, Thalric, I’m so sorry I got you into trouble again.”
“It’s alright.”
“No, it isn’t.” I reach out, placing a gentle hand on his muscular arm. “I was selfish. I asked you to break the rules and never thought about what it would cost you. I promise next time—”
“Next time?” His brows shoot up to his forehead. “Are you serious?”
I blink, startled by his intensity and unsure how to respond. “Maybe… yes?”
His tail lashes irritably behind him. “That’s even worse, Aurora.”
I frown. “How is it worse?”
“Why do you constantly insist upon putting yourself in danger? What if something happens?”
“Now, you sound like Fiora.” I roll my eyes. “It’s a quiet village, Thalric. I can take care of myself. Nothing’s going to happen.”
Do you know what it would do to me if something did?” he snaps.
His gaze holds mine, worry easily read in his features. And in the silence, I realize something monumental.
Thalric cares for me. More deeply than I ever dared to imagine. And a new kind of hope unfurls within.
“I’m sorry.” I take his hand, squeezing it gently. “Truly. I’ll… be more mindful in the future.”
It’s not a complete lie, but it’s also not the entire truth. I understand him wanting me to be safe, but I don’t want to live my life constantly afraid that something might happen either.
My words seem to soothe him. Thalric shifts slightly, the sunlight catching on something in his palm. “I brought this for you.”
He holds out a silver necklace, a smooth, polished sapphire pendant hanging from its chain—deep blue streaked with delicate veins of silver, like stardust frozen beneath glass. “I found the stone and asked the Fae jeweler to turn it into a necklace.”
I smile. This must be what Cyran handed him at the festival last night while I was talking to Brakkus.
Warmth floods my chest as I take it from him. Thalric has always gifted me stones. My bookcase is lined with smooth river pebbles, glittering crystals, polished agates—all treasures from him, each more precious than the last.
In all my pining for him, I’ve often imagined that each stone he gives me is a silent promise, a romantic declaration he hasn’t yet voiced aloud.
“Thank you.” I gaze at his lovely gift. “It’s beautiful. Will you help me put it on?”
I turn my back to him and hold up my hair as he carefully settles it around my neck. He takes great care to retract his black claws so as not to accidentally scratch my skin as he fastens the clasp.
When I look back at him, a faint smile curves his gorgeous mouth, revealing a hint of his fangs. “I’m glad you like it.”
I think now is a good time to tell him my news. “My Fae guardians told me something wonderful today.”
“What is it?”
“For my twenty-third birthday, they’re taking me to the capital.” I give him a beaming smile. “And you’re coming, too. They agreed your family would join us.”
He grins in return, and I fling myself into his arms, hugging him tightly. “Oh, Thalric, it’s going to be wonderful. I just know it.”
He lifts me off the ground, twirling me once before setting me gently on my feet.
His golden eyes stare deep into mine, and I go still. His strong hands are wrapped around my waist. The warmth of his touch threads through the thin fabric, chasing a shiver down my spine.
Thalric’s wings flare slightly behind him, catching the sunlight. For a heartbeat, the world narrows to just him—the quiet rustle of his wings, the slow, steady rise of his chest, the way his gaze travels over my face like a gentle caress… as though committing it to memory.
“Auri.” His voice is low, rough with something I cannot quite name.
My pulse flutters wildly. “Yes?”
He leans in, slow enough that I could step back if I wanted to, but I don’t. My breath catches as the tip of his nose gently skims alongside mine, his lips so close we share each breath.
His wings fold forward, encircling me in shadow and light, and the world holds perfectly still. The heat from his body radiates to mine as his masculine scent of rain and stone fills my senses.
My heart pounds so loud I’m certain he can hear it. “Thalric,” I whisper. I want so much for him to kiss me, but I cannot speak the words.
His eyes drop to my lips, and a deep, shuddering breath escapes him. “Auri, I—”
“Aurora!” Maribel’s voice cuts through the air, interrupting the moment between us.
I jerk back, my pulse still racing as Thalric exhales hard and steps away, his expression torn between frustration and something akin to longing.
“Are you in the garden?” Maribel calls from inside the cottage.
Sighing, I tear my gaze from him. “Yes!”
“Can you go to the market and pick up some flour and fresh fruit, dear?”
“Sure,” I manage, still breathless. I glance up at Thalric, my cheeks burning. “Do you want to come with me?”
He hesitates only a moment before nodding.
As we walk toward the village path, silence stretches between us. Every brush of his wing against my shoulder makes my cheeks heat, every unspoken word hanging heavy in the warm afternoon air.
I can’t stop smiling as I recall the almost-kiss that didn’t happen, in the garden, but still feels like it did.
My heart flutters as I steal a glance at him, wondering if he would have kissed me if Maribel hadn’t called out.
The question haunts me as we make our way to the village. And as we walk side by side, I send a silent prayer to the gods that this yearning isn’t one-sided, and that he feels for me what I feel for him.