Chapter 61
THALRIC
The reception hall glows with candlelight and laughter, music drifting through the air as couples dance across the marble floor. Aurora’s laughter rings out beside me, bright and musical, when a familiar pair approach through the crowd.
Prince Ren of Cambryn—his fox tail swishing lazily behind him—and his wife, Princess Rapunzel, weave their way through the guests.
“Thalric,” Ren greets warmly, clasping my forearm. “It’s good to see you again, my friend. I’m glad everything worked out between you two.” He gives me a sly grin. “Then again, I had no doubt that it would.”
I saved them when they were attacked by bandits in the forest. I had hoped we’d see them again, but I wasn’t sure.
Ren turns to Aurora. “Imagine our surprise when we learned you were the lost princess of Briarwyn.”
“And now we’re practically neighbors.” Rapunzel smiles as she steps forward, her long silver-white braid gleaming beneath the light. “We wanted to wish you both every happiness.” She looks back at her Fox Shifter mate. “Marriage is wonderful.”
Ren loops his arm around Rapunzel’s waist, and nuzzles her cheek. “It certainly is, my Rapunzel,” he whispers in her ear.
“I’m so happy for you both,” Aurora says, practically beaming. “And it means so much to us that you came.” She takes her hands. “Please promise to visit often.”
“We will,” Rapunzel agrees, embracing Aurora warmly.
When they finally pull away, Ren dips his chin in a subtle nod. “We’ll leave you to your celebration, my dear friends.”
I watch as the Fox Prince and his human mate disappear back into the swirling crowd.
Aurora slips her hand into mine. “They seem happy.”
“I believe they are,” I murmur, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. “And so are we.”
Her lips curve in a stunning smile, and for a heartbeat, the world feels perfectly right.
As the night wears on, only a few guests still linger in the reception hall.
Ryllen walks over to us with his personal guard—Lorys—trailing behind him.
“We’ll be leaving in the morning, but I wanted to say farewell to you now,” Ryllen says.
“I just wanted you to know you’re both welcome any time in my kingdom, and I look forward to seeing you both again soon. ”
I grip his forearm, and he grasps mine in return. “It was an honor to fight beside you,” I tell him. “You will be missed, my friend.”
He smiles. “Same to you.”
Lorys steps forward and bows in respect. When he straightens again, he grins. “Perhaps next time we meet, we can spar as we planned.”
“Next time,” I agree.
Aurora embraces the Fae Prince warmly. “Thank you, Ryllen. For all you’ve done. We’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you both as well.” He nods and then turns to leave.
As soon as he’s gone, I notice we’re finally alone, except for Kaen—Aurora’s new Gargoyle personal guard. His head snaps to mine and he dips his chin in confirmation, signaling to me that everything is ready, just as planned.
He bows low and then exits the reception hall.
My instincts flare as I turn to my mate. Resting my hand on the small of her back, I guide her toward the open balcony.
Cool night air brushes my skin, carrying the scent of jasmine and stone.
I gaze down at Aurora. Moonlight bathes her in silver. She’s the most beautiful female I’ve ever seen. And she’s all mine.
She gasps in delight as I sweep her into my arms. “What are you doing?” she laughs. “I thought we were going to our chambers.”
“Not yet,” I reply cryptically as I step onto the railing. I flex my wings and then leap from the balcony. Her brilliant laughter fills the air as we lift into the night sky, soaring high above the castle.
“Where are we going?” she asks breathlessly, clinging to my shoulders.
A smile curves my lips. “It’s a surprise.”
The city falls away beneath us as we make our way toward the high mountains only a few miles beyond. To the nest I’ve been preparing especially for her. I’ve been shaping this place since our engagement, carving and arranging every detail, weaving magic with Fiora, Lyria, and Maribel’s help.
If Aurora were a Gargoyle, this would be our life—a permanent dwelling in high places. A nest carved in stone. But she is heir to a kingdom. The castle will be our home. So this place will be our private escape.
As we draw near the cliff wall, anticipation fills me. “Close your eyes,” I whisper.
She smiles and does as I ask. I take great care to land smoothly at the cavern’s entrance and then carry her inside.
Gently, I set her on her feet, keeping my hands at her waist to make sure she’s steady. “Now, you may open them.”
When she opens her eyes, her soft gasp sends pride surging through my chest. Fire burns in the hearth in the far corner, the warmth chasing away the chill in the air. In the center of the cavern lies a great nest. I built it just for her, layering it with the softest furs and the thickest pillows.
Along the opposite wall, recessed shelves hold her collection of gemstones that I’ve gifted her over the years.
She brings her hand to her mouth as soon as she sees them. “These are from the cottage. All of them. Fiora said I couldn’t bring all of them, and I hated leaving them behind, but you brought them here.” She throws her arms around me. “Oh, Thalric, I’m so glad you brought them.”
My tail brushes along her calf, winding upward in a slow, instinctive caress as I hug her tight to my chest. “This cave is wonderful, my love,” she whispers in my ear. “It’s perfect.”
A smile crests my lips. “You haven’t even seen all of it yet.”
“Show me,” she says, her eyes bright and curious as she looks around the space.
I guide her to a door across the way. Fiora and the others used their magic to create a waterfall-fed bathing chamber, a discreet toilet area, and another large room with a kitchen stocked with food. All of it built for her comfort.
“This is beautiful,” she says as she explores the cavern. “I love it, Thalric.”
Fierce aching joy fills my chest as she brushes her fingers along the various shelves and plush furniture. This is what I’ve always wanted: to build her a nest, to have her as my mate. And now she is here, and she is mine. My mate, my love… my everything.
When she turns back to me, she stretches up on her toes and loops her arms around my neck. She brushes her lips to mine in a tender kiss, full of longing.
Intense need burns through me as I carry her to the bed of furs, settling her gently in the center of the nest.
Her cheeks flush a lovely shade of pink as she looks up at me. “I thought we had to do a mating flight for you to claim me.”
The mere thought of claiming her makes my entire body ache with need. Leaning down, I cup her jaw and trace my thumb over her full lower lip. “First, I must make you ready to take me.” My voice is low and rough as I crawl over her. “And then, I will claim you and mark you as my mate.”
Leaning down, I press my lips to hers. The kiss is soft and tender at first. I trace my tongue along the seam of her mouth, asking for entrance. When she parts her lips, my tongue finds hers and curls around it.
She tastes of honey and wine and when I move over her, she parts her thighs and I settle between them. My stav is hard and erect, and I’m desperate to be inside her. As I roll my hips against her, she clings to me even tighter.
My length presses insistently against the warmth of her center, only the barrier of our clothing separating me from her entrance. A soft moan escapes her, sparking something dark and primal deep within.
I run my hand through her hair and grip the silken strands in my fingers, tipping her head back and angling her mouth to mine as I deepen our kiss, tasting her more fully.
Her lips part beneath mine, and I drink her in. Her breath quickens as her hands clutch at my shoulders, pulling me closer.
The world around us falls away until it is only her… her warmth, her scent, the way her heart flutters in her chest. Careful of my claws, I slide my hand down her body, tracing my fingers over the gentle swell of her breasts.
She gasps and arches into my touch.
Tugging gently on the neckline of her dress, I pull it down, freeing her breasts. I close my mouth over the sensitive peaks, and she moans as I begin a gentle suction, grazing the hardened tips with my sharp fangs, careful not to break her skin.
“More, Thalric,” Auri breathes, running her fingers through my hair and caressing my pointed ears, driving my desire even higher. “Please, don’t stop.”
I turn my attention to her other breast, laving my tongue over the hardened bead at the tip until she’s panting heavily and writhing beneath me.
“Thalric,” she says my name like a prayer as she kneads the muscles along my shoulders, trying to pull me even closer. “I need more.”
I trail my hands down her body and over the sensuous curve of her hip. Gathering her dress in my hand, I push the voluminous skirt up to her waist, tracing the tips of my fingers over the petal-soft skin of her inner thighs. “Open for me,” I breathe against her lips. “I want to taste you.”
She parts her thighs even more. A deep growl escapes me when I realize she isn’t wearing any undergarments.
My heart pounds and need burns through me like fire as I drag my fingers through her already slick folds.
Her delicate scent fills my nostrils, delicious and intoxicating.
Something dark and primal unfurls deep within, and I am desperate to sink deep into her warm, wet heat.
Clenching my jaw, I struggle to maintain my control. I want her bare beneath me, but this dress is impossible. With lace and various ties, it’s not easy to remove.
She tries to help me, but then lifts her gaze to mine, her pupils blown wide. “Tear it,” she whispers. “I don’t care. I want you.”
My restraint snaps. Extending my claws, I slice a line down the center, and it falls away.
My nostrils flare as I gaze at her lovely form. Moonlight spills through the cave’s opening, bathing her in silver light. I can hardly breathe. She is everything I have ever desired. “You are so beautiful,” I whisper. “My lovely human mate.”
My stav strains against the leather wrap around my waist and I remove it as well.
I want so much to join my body to hers. My hands shake from the sheer force of my need as my gaze travels over her, tracing every line and sensuous curve.
My entire body aches with need, my stav heavy and pulsing. A bead of liquid gathers on the crown of my stav. I’m desperate to be inside her. To knot her and give her my claiming mark as I fill her with my seed.
But I force myself to hold back. She is fragile, and precious, my beautiful human mate.
Lowering my head, I press my lips to the hollow at the base of her throat. Her pulse flutters beneath my tongue as I taste the sweet salt of her skin.
I press a series of kisses down her body, worshipping her with my lips and my tongue until I reach her breasts. She arches into me with a soft cry, her hands threading into my hair as I take her into my mouth.
I turn my attention to her other breast and then continue down her form. When I reach her lower abdomen, I pause. Firelight dances across her skin, and a fierce, quiet hope unfurls in my chest—a primal yearning that someday she might carry our child.
I press a lingering kiss to her soft skin, closing my eyes as I breathe her in. When I lift my head, her honey brown eyes meet mine as I trace my fingers along her inner thigh. “Let me worship you, my savryl.”