Chapter 17 Colgrave
COLGRAVE
Iknocked on the door, but silence greeted me from the other side. I knew she was frustrated with Fisher, and assumed that was why she’d skipped dinner, but my concern grew into fear when she didn’t join us for breakfast.
“Audryn?” I knocked louder. “Are you okay?”
Still no answer.
Setting down the tray of food, I turned the knob and was surprised to find the door unlocked. I pushed it open and was met with darkness, despite the sun having risen hours before. The drawn curtains shadowed her curled figure on the bed.
My stomach sank.
“Are you awake?” I sat on the edge of the bed and pushed her locks back. Relief filled my chest when she shifted and looked up at me.
“Is everything okay?” Her voice was hoarse as she rubbed her face. “Is it the seeps?”
“The seeps are fine,” I lied; two more had stopped.
“Sorry to wake you. I was worried after you missed dinner. And then when you skipped breakfast, well, I wanted to bring you some food. I’ll leave it on the side table.
” The food might be cold by the time she got around to it, but at least she’d have the option if she wanted.
I retrieved the tray, placed it on the table, and went to leave.
“Don’t go,” she murmured as she sat up in bed. “I’m sorry for how I acted.”
There was no reason for her to issue an apology when I was the one who’d treated her like a Sutton. I sat down, taking a moment to consider my response.
“I like to do things on my own.” She took the cup from the table and sipped. “And I definitely don’t like when people tell me what I can or cannot do.”
I nodded. “I understand that. But you don’t owe me an apology. I should’ve had a conversation and expressed my concern in private.” I handed her the bowl of porridge hoping she’d eat before returning to sleep.
“Are you always taking care of everyone around you?” She took the bowl and carefully brought a spoonful of porridge to her mouth. “Who takes care of you?”
“Everyone—we take care of each other. It’s the benefit of letting others in.” I contemplated how far I wanted to push the conversation and reminded myself that I’d made an internal promise to stop holding back. “When was the last time you let someone in?”
Audryn set the bowl down and closed her eyes. She was either avoiding the question or was still suffering from overusing her magic.
“I was very close with my mother—she was my best friend, but …” Her voice trailed as she shifted down into bed.
Whatever was on her mind, she clearly didn’t want to say. I stood and pulled the blanket up to her chin; she was drained and needed rest.
“Sleep next to me?” she said.
I paused and tilted my head.
“Please, Col?”
There was nowhere else I’d rather be, but I’d scheduled a morning meeting and was already late.
Though Micah was capable of running the meeting on his own, my absence would cause those in attendance to form an opinion.
And with rumors already rampant, I wasn’t sure I could justify skipping it just to stay in bed.
I hesitated for only a moment before I caved to the pleading hazel pools; I couldn’t resist the invitation.
She shifted toward the wall, and I laid on top of the blanket fully clothed, intending to stay only long enough for her to drift to sleep.
I’d much rather feel her skin pressed against mine, but I’d settle for whatever I could get.
“Thank you.” She curled into me, making my heart swell.
Her breath slowed into a steady rhythm, and her restlessness ceased. Hours passed, and when I couldn’t stay longer, I slowly lifted the arm she’d draped over my side and supported it as I moved. I shifted my weight and prepared to slink out of bed when she wrapped her arm around me again.
“You’re leaving?” Her voice was groggy and filled with sleep.
“I’m sorry,” I muttered, and kissed the top of her forehead. “I have to.”
She looked up from under long lashes. Though her beauty was something that rivaled the most exquisite sunset, it was her resilience that I found most captivating.
“Who was the woman at your mother’s?” Audryn pulled back and a frown tugged at her lips. “The one in the purple dress and the golden crown.”
The problems Kuroden faced were complex and I once again weighed the risk of disclosing information that might find its way back to Ryder. But I wouldn’t risk ruining what Audryn and I had started to build.
“Queen Arden of Shalebridge,” I said, hoping minimal details would be enough to satisfy her inquiry.
“Why were you meeting with her?”
“We have a close relationship,” I said, not ready to risk disclosing the alliance between the two kingdoms.
Audryn shot up in bed, eyes wide. “Like you’re fucking her?”
“No, no.” I chuckled.
Her body slumped. “So, what then?”
“It’s complicated.” I sighed and rolled on top of her to lay gentle kisses on her neck. “We share a common interest, that's all.”
“And that is?” she pushed.
I blew out a deep breath.
“I told you Ryder could send a better land wielder." She chewed her lip. “Are you looking to replace me?”
“Even if I were, Shalebridge is filled with healers. Though I suspect there are some with elemental magic who immigrated before the travel ban was in place. But no—I only want you.”
Initially, Rivale had only ordered the ban. But when fae continued crossing the border, King Sutton made an example out of each absconder. Not only were they executed, but the kingdom they crossed into was threatened with retaliation for letting the crossing occur.
“What type of magic do your people have?” she asked.
“Most fae here are distance wielders. They can move from one location to the next in the blink of an eye.” I'd always been envious of that.
“So they can go anywhere they want?”
“Kind of.” I traced a finger down her arm. “They can't blindly jump locations. They’ve had to have physically been there before.”
“What about the witches—those from Oras?”
It was no surprise that Audryn’s knowledge of magic was dismal. Rivale's strict rules allowed only approved literature in its public libraries. King Sutton had even once boasted that he’d had books removed right under their noses, the restriction going entirely unnoticed.
“Witches possess a variety of magic. And those who don’t, well, they practice magic so dark that the benefits never outweigh what it takes to perform it—or so I’ve been told.
” I pushed a rogue strand of hair behind her ear.
“The witches from my father’s kingdom either have eroding or voiding magic. ”
“So you possess the same as Amalee?”
“No." I shook my head. “I’m a voidist. Mine allows me to temporarily null the magic of others, either individually or as a group.”
“How’s that even possible?” Her eyes widened. “An entire group?”
“A small one, sure.”
Audryn shook her head slightly in disbelief.
“It’s not as impressive as my sisters,” I admitted, “and definitely not as impressive as yours.”
“Well, I can think of something you have that is impressive,” Audryn purred as her hand slid down the front of my pants.
I stilled her stroking hand. “As much as I would love to, I need to meet Micah.”
Before I could change my mind and submit to her sweet touch, I rolled from the bed and leaned down to kiss her. Our mouths turned into a passionate frenzy, and I nearly dropped to my knees.
“Go.” She pushed me away. “I’m going to take the day off to recover. Maybe I’ll explore a bit of the capital.”
I withdrew a handful of coins from my pocket and set them on the table. “Whatever this doesn’t cover, purchase it and tell them I’ll bring payment tomorrow.”
She didn’t protest and merely rolled onto her back and ran her hand over her breast, lingering to circle her nipple.
Tingling pricked my skin as I felt my blackened eyes close in on her.
With an arched back, her hand roamed over her abdomen and continued down.
My mouth went dry. Slowly pulling her nightdress up with her free hand, she continued her travel until she found her panties.
“Go,” she moaned. “I’ll think of you while you’re away.”
“Fuck,” I groaned as my dick hardened against the fabric of my pants.
Even knowing I had to leave, I hesitated. Leaning in, I ran the tips of my fingers down her body and paused at the crotch of her white cotton panties. I pulled the fabric aside and reveled in her slickness with the tips of my fingers.
“Save some for me tonight?” I plunged two fingers into her. She clenched around my digits and grabbed my wrist with her hand. She let out a soft moan and rolled her hips. “I really have to go,” I breathed, “but I promise I’ll make it up to you.”
Withdrawing, I brought my fingers to my mouth and sopped up the lingering moisture with my tongue. Her intoxicating taste would keep my mouth begging for more. Yet it was everything else that kept me aching to return to her side.
Taking one last look at her fondling hands, I left.