Chapter 58 Farron
Farron
Warm steam wraps around me, softening the chill that still clings to my bones from the long trek through the snowy hills.
The trek that only Dayton and I did. We were halfway up this hill before we turned back and realized the others weren’t behind us. Imagine our surprise when we saw Rosie, Ez, Kel, and Cas all standing outside the building surrounded by briars.
“What?” Cas shrugged. “Forgot I had a briar patch up here. It was too chilly to walk.”
Isdamp Hytte is a place I’ve come to quite enjoy in Winter. Keldarion first took me up here years ago. My mother thought my swordplay was lacking and sent me to Frostfang to learn from the oh-so-amazing hero prince. After my muscles were jelly, Kel had led me up here to relax.
The steam hut is tucked into the hillside, surrounded by snow. There are many throughout Winter, but this one is used by the royal family alone. It’s situated right beside a frozen lake, which I have less fond memories of.
Last time I was here, my scrawny frame wrapped only in a towel, I had felt so much lesser than the Prince of Winter, but now Kel and I are equals.
It’s not just that I’ve filled out since then, my body strong with lean muscles, but my power has grown, my confidence.
We’re both high princes, both mates of Rosalina.
You have broken your curse, a voice reminds me. You have an ember of the Green Flame.
“What are you smiling about, Fare?” Rosalina asks. She’s got her wavy hair piled atop her head and a towel wrapped around her body, though her curves are still visible. I wish I could part this steam so I could see her clearer.
The steam hut is cozy with smooth wooden benches surrounding the room. A tub of water shimmers in the corner, its surface moving with tiny ripples as droplets condense and fall from above. Hot stones sit in a bucket nearby.
Through the slats of a narrow window, the frozen lake glitters like a sheet of shattered diamonds under the sunlight. Beyond it, the hills roll endlessly, their white expanses broken only by the dark silhouettes of towering firs. I lean back against the warm wood, letting the heat soak in.
“Just happy we finally all get a break,” I say.
We may have stopped the underfae army, but we still have the realms to rally, Wrenley to find, and Sira to kill.
All in time, Autumn blood.
All in time.
It’s been too long since we’ve all been like this—together, unguarded, alive. I close my eyes for a moment and let it settle. The warmth, the laughter, the sheer relief of having survived another day.
Caspian sits near Kel. Ezryn is leaning on Rosie, body relaxed. Because he’s with his family, he’s unhelmed.
“So who’s going to jump in the lake after we warm up in here?” I ask, smiling.
Kel, who’s tucked so far back in a corner, I can only see the glint of his gaze through the steam, gives an ominous smile. “It’s an ancient tradition. Good for the mind and body.”
“I’m certainly not doing that,” Rosalina says. “Cas will take me back to Wolfhelm, and I’ll bathe in warm water there.”
“Anything you wish.” Cas smiles at her. His response is so immediate, his eagerness to please. It’s different seeing them in love. The harshness of his features is gone. She’s everything to him…
She’s his weakness, a voice purrs in my mind.
If that’s the case, then Rosalina is my weakness as well.
No. You’ve claimed the power to protect her forever.
The thought comforts me, and I settle back into the warmth. “Kel made me jump in the lake when he first brought me here.”
“It was good for you,” Keldarion says.
“What about you, Day?” I ask. “You love the water.”
Dayton, who’s sitting next to me, doesn’t respond. He’s got his long golden hair tied up in a knot, but his handsome face is stuck in a glare. A glare fixed on Caspian.
Cas stands and pours water over the hot stones. “Do you have a problem with me, Sea Puppy?”
Dayton shakes his head. “You’ve kissed Kel.”
“Yes.” Cas raises a brow.
“And you’ve kissed Rosie and Farron.”
Cas drops the ladle back in the tub and turns to Dayton. Cas only has a towel around his waist. It sits low on his hips, showing the thin line of dark hair below his belly button. My gaze travels over his chest, tinged pink from the heat.
“That’s correct,” Caspian says.
Dayton breathes out a long sigh, then stands. He walks across the small hut to Caspian, then grabs him roughly around the waist.
Then Dayton kisses him.
Large hands tangle in Caspian’s dark hair, their slick, sweaty bodies pressed together.
Cas makes a surprised sound but doesn’t pull away.
Instead, he grasps Dayton’s arm, slim fingers clutching the hard muscles.
Dayton’s hand lowers down Cas’s spine, causing him to shiver.
Day’s grip tightens, drawing Cas’s hips against his, coaxing out a near-pained mewl.
I drink in everyone else. Rosalina’s mouth is open, Ezryn’s shaking his head beside her, and Kel…well, Kel’s got his usual hard expression. Does Dayton know he’s risking a broken nose? Probably, but he doesn’t care. I’m sure people have risked a lot more for a kiss with the Prince of Thorns.
As for me, I can’t get enough.
Watching Dayton’s strong body pull Cas in, how his muscles gleam with tiny beads of sweat. How Caspian is writhing against him, fingers pressing so hard into Day’s arm, I’m certain they’ll bruise. How he parts his lips for Day to slip his tongue in, deepening the kiss.
Fuck, it’s so hot.
My cock hardens under my towel, and I’m grateful for the steam to hide my growing erection. But gods, what I wouldn’t give to slide my hand beneath and…
Dayton pulls away, grinning and breathless. “There, we’re even now. Considering you kissed both my…my Rosie and my Fare.”
Caspian takes in several low, shallow breaths. “Fuck, you are a good kisser.”
“I know,” Rosalina and I say at the same time.
Caspian gives a light chuckle. “There’s only one person in the group I haven’t kissed now.”
Dayton puts his hands on his hips. “Seriously? I bet I could kiss everyone before you.”
“If it’s a contest to kiss everyone, I’ve already won.” Rosalina smirks.
“Rosie, you’re too beautiful to count.” Dayton waves a hand. “Every being in all the Enchanted Vale would be blessed to kiss you.”
“They better not try,” Keldarion growls.
“It has to be a willing kiss,” Rosalina says. “You can’t surprise kiss them.”
Dayton makes a disappointed sound, but Caspian crosses his arms. “You want to enter that type of competition with me, Sunshine? What are we betting?”
“How about…” Dayton leans down and whispers words in Caspian’s ear so low even I can’t hear them.
Caspian’s face turns pink, then completely red. He tries for one of his signature confident smiles but ends up simply looking embarrassed. “Well, we’d need Kel and Rosie’s permission for that.”
Rosalina giggles, and Keldarion rolls his eyes.
“Doesn’t matter what you bet,” Kel says gruffly. “Dayton is never kissing me, and Ez isn’t kissing anyone except Rosalina.”
“You two are ridiculous,” Ezryn says, but there’s a faint smile of amusement there.
“Never say never, Kel.” Dayton grins. “Didn’t you hear what an amazing kisser I am?”
Caspian leans against him, eyeing Ezryn. “I’m beating you, Sea Puppy. Just one to go for my goal. Come on, Ez, haven’t we had fun together lately?”
“No, Ez!” Dayton collapses beside him. “Kiss me now. You love pissing off Cas. I know you secretly liked it when I called you ‘Daddy.’”
Ezryn gives an annoyed grunt and playfully pushes Dayton off the bench, who falls dramatically to the floor.
“Never happening, boys. It’s all for her.” Ezryn pulls Rosalina against him. Then he stills, inhaling deeply against her. “You liked watching your mates kiss, didn’t you?”
I inhale the warm air and intoxicating scent upon it. Rosalina’s arousal. Yes, she liked watching her mates kiss very much.
Rosie’s cheeks redden, and she burrows her face in Ezryn’s neck. “It’s not my fault when you all start kissing like that.”
“I mean,” I hedge, “this is a private sauna. Isn’t that why Kel brought us here?”
“Are you suggesting something naughty, pup?” Dayton says, suddenly in front of me. And now it’s not just Rosie’s arousal I’m smelling; it’s Cas’s, painted all over Dayton’s salt-sweet skin.
I shrug, though every part of me wants to climb into his arms and rip his towel away.
“What about a new game?” I suggest. “One where the winner is punished. Whoever finishes first jumps into the frozen lake.”
“Are you talking about defiling the Isdamp Hytte, Autumn Prince?” Keldarion says.
A few years ago, that hard tone would have had me shivering, but now I just raise a brow. “Nothing our mate won’t enjoy.”
Keldarion looks to Rosalina, who peers up from Ezryn’s shoulder. “What do you say, Rose?”
“I’m in if you’re in.”
Keldarion cuts his icy gaze back to me. “Well, Autumn Princeling, I wouldn’t mind hearing that high-pitched scream again like the last time you went into the lake.”
I give a low chuckle. “Trust me, Kel. This is one game I’m not going to lose.”