Chapter Twenty six
Darce had the most stunning bathroom. The tiles on the walls looked like a star-filled night sky.
Reaching out my hand, I touched the cool surface, making sure my eyes weren’t deceiving me.
The soft lighting made it feel very welcoming, and the enormous plunge pool looked inviting where it sat in front of the two large wooden shutters with a view over Eallarim.
Steam was rising off the water as I dropped the black, silk sheet I’d wrapped around myself.
The warm water soothed my aching body, and I breathed in deep, trying to work out the aroma of the oils in the pool. Was that cinnamon and honey?
I closed my eyes for a few short moments until I heard footsteps. When I opened them, Darce was leaning against one of the shutters, watching me intently.
“Despite all the times I thought about you being here, you still feel like a dream,” he breathed.
“Your bathroom is much bigger than mine. I can actually swim in this.” Doing a few strokes, I reached the end near where he was standing.
The water there turned into a beautiful sparkling waterfall that cascaded down the palace into a river that ran through Eallarim.
“I’m going to have to demand a larger bath,” I teased as Darce sank to his knees, touching strands of my hair that I had tied into a high bun.
“This might be the place I claim you.” Swallowing as desire filled my body, my gaze was fixed on him.
“It will soothe your body. The first time can be a little painful for females, and there will be a little blood.” It was taking all my willpower not to pull him into the water so he could take me now.
“I’m not doing it right now, Alora, so you can forget it.
” Why could he read my face so well? “We need to get some answers first. Unfortunately, that will have to wait until tomorrow.” With an offered hand, he helped me out of the water, wrapping a robe around me, and planted a soft kiss on my neck.
“I’ve laid a few items of clothing on the bed for you to choose from.
The ladies-in-waiting have left some breakfast for us, too.
” At the mention of food, my stomach grumbled.
I had been so distracted with his body and mine that food had completely slipped my mind.
“Come on. Let’s eat,” he chuckled, taking my hand in his.
The breakfast spread was amazing. Cured meats, cheeses, all kinds of colourful fruit, and sweet breads lay before us.
The juice in my goblet tasted like oranges. “We freshly squeezed the oranges. It’s quite delicious as a breakfast drink,” Darce commented, noticing the surprise on my face.
“The only thing we squeeze are our grapes to make wine. Orange juice. What a clever idea.” Taking another large sip, I continued to eat the incredible buffet.
Once my hunger was satisfied, I gazed over the clothing options Darce had acquired for me.
There was a stunning, black lace dress, an outfit that looked like leather trousers with a thin fitted tunic, and a skimpy outfit that I was pretty sure was for Darce’s eyes only in this chamber.
When I picked up the leather and tunic, he gave me a sly smile.
“You knew I’d pick this one?” I questioned, putting the trousers on.
“They are similar to your fighting leathers. I thought you would prefer those over the dress.”
“It seems you know me pretty well.” Darce moved, helping me do up the last few buttons on my tunic.
“Nyx is going to meet us near the offering temple. I’ll only be a few hours with Nox.
You’ll have my undivided attention when I am done.
” He pecked my lips and then took my hand in his.
“If anyone asks, you’re an orphan from Ustavar.
It’s a fishing village. You prepare the fish that gets sent to Eallarim.
We met when I saved you from drowning around a hundred years ago.
I’ve trained you in battle, but you’re not interested in being in the main army. Okay?”
“It’s lucky that you taught me how to prepare a fish in the Barren Lands.”
“And you complained, telling me it was a skill you would never use.”
“Asshole,” I teased, allowing him to lead me out of his chamber.
****
I HAD TO REMEMBER THAT I was disguised and would not be recognized. Keeping my eyes down, I tried to control my panic at the sight of all the Noxlin in front of me.
“Relax, Starshine. They are looking at me more than you,” Darce reassured me, pulling me closer against his side. “It’s not everyday I walk hand in hand with a female.”
“Maybe we shouldn’t hold hands.”
He let out a loud laugh. “Not a chance. I don’t want some other Noxlin trying to make a claim on you.” I couldn’t tell if he was joking or not.
The cobbled streets were lined with houses made out of wooden beams and clay. The sky was a purple haze of twilight.
“Is this as light as it gets?” I asked as my nostrils flared with the smell of fresh bread. Turning the corner, we came upon an array of shops, all in different style buildings. A large, black stone church lay at the end of the street, taking centre stage.
“Yes, this is daylight for us. It’s the same in Ustavar. Remember that. It gets lighter once we reach our side of the mountains.”
“This place is incredible.” A baker’s establishment was on my right, displaying all manner of cakes and bread in the window. The more I looked, the more places came into view. There was a place with shoes, jewellery, paintings, flowers, and clothes. “What is the purpose of this place?”
“It’s for pleasure, and a way for my kind to do business with each other using their talent. Everything comes at a small price. A few coins for a tasty cake or a new pretty pair of shoes. We call them emporiums.”
“The king and queen don’t demand all the gold?”
“Of course not. They have enough of their own. To be honest, my parents spend more gold coins here than any other Noxlin.” Royalty that shared their wealth was a concept I had never heard of.
“What about your offerings to Holy Ether? If your kind are spending all the wealth, what can you possibly offer her?”
“We offer our time and prayers. On special holidays, we make offerings, but that’s only a few times a year.”
“You don’t do rituals every few days?”
“There has never been a need to,” Darce admitted, looking into the crowd. My eyes found Nyx the same moment he did. “Have you got your cover story memorised?”
“Orphan from Ustavar. You saved me from drowning, and I gut fish.” Darce was still chuckling at me as Nyx approached.
“He finally let you out of his bedchamber, I see.” Nyx gave me a wicked grin. “Please tell me you haven’t been locked up there since our last meeting.”
“Lora has been home since then to sort out her affairs. She’ll be our guest for a month.”
“A whole month.” Nyx linked her arm with mine. “He must like you.” Darce rolled his eyes at her. “Don’t worry, Lora, a whole afternoon of me telling you the truth about this asshole will put you right off him.”
“Play nice, Nyx,” Darce threatened but seemed amused. “I’ll meet you at the tavern in a few hours.” With a soft kiss on my forehead, he wandered into the crowd.
“Darce told me to spoil you. Are you a clothes or weapons type of female?”
“I am in need of some new daggers.”
“Oh, we are going to get along fine. Follow me. I know just the place.” She pulled me along excitedly down a side street.
****
NYX WAS VERY EASY TO get along with. After showing me six different sword establishments, we moved on to armour. Conversation was easy with her because she was a warrior.
“Have you seen much battle?” she inquired while we were taking a break in one of the many taverns.
“None. I had little knowledge of war until Darce began training me.”
“He is a good teacher. He’s shown me many moves over the years.” My heart sank a little, wondering how many females Darce had trained. Had he been physical with all of them? Had he and Nyx once...? I couldn’t finish my thought as jealousy coursed through me.
“Have you and Darce been intimate?”
“Intimate?” Nyx snorted. I was being too polite and quickly changed my style.
“Have you ever fucked?”
“Fuck no! I’m not into males, even if Darce is rather pleasing on the eyes.” Oh, Nyx preferred the company of women. “Plenty have told me what a good fuck he is, though. I can see the appeal.”
“Oh, he’s certainly that. My body has never felt so satisfied, yet craves more and more.”
“That’s the euphoria. Sex will do that to you. It’s fucking addictive, chasing all those orgasms.”
“Darce has had many females then?”
“As I’m sure you’ve had many males. I can see why our prince is a little smitten with you.
” Trying to hide my blush, I looked away into the crowd.
That’s when I noticed Darce making his way towards me.
“He couldn’t even stay away for three hours.
” Nyx sniggered under her breath. “What have you done to him?”
“I don’t see many items of clothing?” he quipped, looking inside the two bags next to me. “Daggers?” he questioned.
“To help me gut the fish.” A smile played across his lips as he kissed me. “Have you finished with Nox already?”
“Yes. You need to buy a dress before we leave, though.”
“Why?”
“I’m taking you dancing tonight.” Dancing? Did he mean ritual dancing?
“Oh, are we going to Firefly Arch?” Nyx clapped her hands with excitement. “Have you ever been, Lora?”
“She hasn’t,” Darce answered for me, tucking a piece of hair behind my ear. “We’ll see you later, Nyx. Tell Mrak, Nadine, Nisha, and Lisha.” He took my hand in his, then picked my bags up and led me out of the tavern.
“What is Firefly Arch?” I asked once we were back out on the cobbled streets.
“You’ll see. I don’t want to ruin the surprise.
” He looked like he was getting his bearings.
“I’m surprised you didn’t buy a single item of clothing.
You seemed to take joy out of changing your scantily dressed body.
You made me lose my mind on numerous occasions in The Shielding Valley, which would suggest you enjoy clothing. ”
“Maybe I was waiting for your approval of what to wear.”
“You look incredible in anything. Although, my cock twitches every time I see you in black. It’s wrong, but I feel as if I’ve corrupted this beautiful, pure flower, and she’s all mine for the taking.
” Desire laced his tone, and I had to stop myself from mounting him right in the street. “Come on. Let’s go find you a dress.”
****
AFTER THE LADIES-IN-waiting pinned my hair into place, I looked at my reflection. My Noxlin disguise suited me. How was that even possible?
The dress Darce and I had chosen didn’t leave much to the imagination.
The fabric barely covered my skin, but hid all my delicate areas.
It was a beautiful, black material that sparkled and flowed down my body, and had a small train at the back.
It plunged low on my chest, showing my breasts off perfectly.
“I’m not sure how well hidden you will be looking like that, Starshine,” Darce groaned once we were alone again. He was watching me in the mirror with hungry eyes. He came up behind me, placing his hands on my hips.
“You agreed on the dress.”
“My cock was clearly overruling my head.”
“I imagine you’ll have to remain extremely close to me the entire night.”
“That won’t be a problem.” His voice was hoarse as his lips caressed my neck while he pulled me flush against his chest. His hands easily pushed the fabric on my thighs away.
When I felt his fingers slip inside my core, I moaned loudly, watching myself become aroused in the mirror.
Darce was watching me with dark hooded eyes, his lips slightly parted.
He set a fast, torturous pace, his arms the only things keeping up upright as I succumbed to the power of his fingers inside me.
“Fuck, I could watch you come undone all fucking day,” he snarled, watching my climax ripple through my body.
I slumped against him as I tried to regulate my breathing.
“We better leave in a few minutes. You won’t want to miss the beginning.
” I had no idea what he was talking about, but it didn’t matter.
With a wave of his hand, we were surrounded in darkness.
When my eyes could focus, I was able to make out a vast, green moss archway hidden in an ancient forest.
“What is this place?” There was a dim light coming from within the arch, and the most beautiful music was filling the air. It seemed it was being played by strings, but the sound was unlike any harp I had heard.
“This is the Firefly Arch.” Darce took my hand in his, leading me beneath the beautiful stonework.
When I took in the sight in front of me, my breath caught.
Thousands of fireflies danced around the ruins of what appeared to be an old church.
The stone had been shattered long ago and was the colour of bright green moss and lichen.
Hundreds of Noxlin were dancing and laughing to the music being played at the far end.
They were playing strings, but not the harp that we used in Dallethas.
The depth of the strings, the story the instrument was telling, almost brought tears to my eyes.
“What music is this?”
“We have various musical instruments, but our favourite by far is the violin.”
“The violin? How does it compare to a harp?”
“The violin holds tension on the four strings so it can vibrate freely with the bow and make the sound you’re hearing.”
“It’s beautiful.” I was so lost in the fireflies and the music that I hadn’t noticed all the eyes on Darce and me.
“Are you ready for your first dance lesson?” he smirked, putting an arm around my waist and gripping my hand with his. “Don’t worry, I’ll use my shadows to move you into place. Just follow my lead.”
I didn’t get a chance to ask any questions.
He was already spinning us towards the rest of the dancing Noxlin.
My feet felt as if they were floating on clouds as he elegantly moved us in time with the music.
Fireflies dropped lower, surrounding us, but I couldn’t look away from Darce’s face.
His adoring gaze was melting me from the inside. His expression made my breath hitch.
Love. I felt nothing but love for this male. I had only been here two days and already he’s stolen my heart completely.
This was a dream I never wanted to wake up from. If I had to take my last breath, I would think of this moment before going to Holy Ether.
From that point on, I was his and he was mine.