Chapter Eleven #4
“Yep.” I stepped closer to the waterfall, still holding his hand. “It’s breathtaking. Like a little slice of paradise.”
“I used it as inspiration for areas of the greenhouse,” he said, keeping pace beside me as I explored the perimeter around the grotto. “An oasis I can visit without ever having to leave the castle.”
I looked over at him. “Wouldn’t you want to leave it though? Being cooped up inside all the time would make me stir crazy.”
Onyx stared at the waterfall, almost wistfully. “Staying in my lonely tower is for the best.”
“Well, not anymore.” I took him along with me as I spotted vines with some kind of blue flower growing up the rocky cliff. “I refuse to let you stay there. No more hiding, from me or the world.”
“Is that an order?” He softly smiled. “I should have you know, I’m not as easily swayed as your other mates. Nor am I as pleasant.”
“You think Maddox is pleasant?” I asked with a snort. “Or Rowan? I have plenty of experience with stubborn, snarky men. You don’t scare me.”
His smile turned lopsided. As I knelt down to closer examine the vines, he rested his palm on the top of my hair, the touch so light it tickled. Gave me butterflies too.
Was it an intentional touch or a subconscious one? Like our bodies drawing us closer without thought.
“What is this?” I asked, studying whatever was growing on the vine. It wasn’t a flower like I’d assumed. Light blue petals covered what looked like an oval-shaped fruit, the outside a deep shade of blue with silver swirls. Like stars in a sapphire sky.
“Grotto melon,” Onyx answered. “A favorite of mine.”
“Grotto melon?” I scrutinized the fruit. “That’s a bit on the nose. You couldn’t have called it something more… provocative?”
“What would you suggest?” He bent and plucked one from the vine, brushing it over the front of his robe to wipe it off before taking a bite.
“I don’t know.” I watched his mouth as he chewed. Juice from the fruit coated his lips, and I swallowed hard, my throat suddenly dry. “I guess grotto melon works.”
“Try one.” A smile lit his eyes as he ate.
“Why?” I grabbed one and turned it over in my hand. The outer skin was sleek and smooth and gave under the pressure of my thumb. “Is it a magical melon? Will it do anything to me if I eat it? Make me super tiny or ginormous like what happened to Alice? Or make me grow horns and a tail?”
“Take a bite and find out for yourself.”
Warmth prickled at my ribs at the delight in his eyes. I’d rarely seen him in such good spirits. I averted my gaze to the fruit and took a bite. YOLO and all that. If it turned me into a demon or some kind of monster, so be it.
But it was harmless. Delicious too. Sweet citrus burst across my tongue with a slightly tart aftertaste.
“Well?” Onyx asked.
“It’s good.” My taste buds hummed as I chewed. “Better than good. Like a combination of honeydew melon and blood orange. It would be amazing in a pie.” I took another bite. “Or a tart with a shortbread crust and a vanilla pastry cream. Perfect balance of sweet and acidic.”
The softest of sighs escaped him. “Once again your mind turns to food.”
“A great baker never stops learning and trying to improve their skills.” I stood from the grass and stepped over to him, lifting my half-eaten fruit and placing it to his lips. “Trying new things and taking risks is necessary. All part of the job.”
“Taking risks is one of your specialties.” Onyx grabbed my waist with one hand and drew me closer, holding eye contact with me as he bit into the fruit. Heat spiked in my veins, and my breaths stuttered in my chest. “Always rushing toward danger instead of running away from it.”
“And you think you’re one of those dangerous things I should run from?” I rose up and brushed our lips together. Once, then again, the pecks light and fleeting.
“The most dangerous of all.” His breath tickled my lips. “A demon lord’s temperament and a dragon’s strength and fury. If you were wise, you’d push me away and never turn back.”
I kissed him instead.
The sweet citrus of the grotto melon mingled with his woodsmoke scent, and I dove in deeper, seeking more of his intoxicating taste. My soul soothed before being set ablaze, the bond between us stronger than it’d ever been.
Why? Because he’d opened up to me when telling me about his parents and bloodline?
“Evan…” A rough sound growled in his chest, like a dragon in its cave warning a passerby to keep on walking.
“What?” I glided the tip of my nose over his and looked into his eyes. The rubies were on fire, the crimson and faint orange threads winding through them bright. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No,” he said, bringing his hand to my neck as he slowly pushed me against the rock wall. “I want to taste every part of you. For as long as I possibly can.”
And then his mouth was crashing against mine, fueled by a lustful fervor. I moaned into the kiss and arched my back, bringing one leg up to hook around his waist. He grabbed my thigh to hold me in place and pressed into me, dipping his tongue into my mouth.
For as long as we can.
Why he thought we’d someday crash and burn, I wasn’t sure. Because from where I stood—being pinned against the rock and panting between hot and heavy kisses—we were only just beginning to soar.