Chapter 65 For Now and Forever
For Now and Forever
Caramyn
It had been days since they’d returned. Vaerwynd castle was buzzing with life, as a new hope had sprung within the court as the account of what happened in the Shadow Woods spread, but also a sense of unspoken fear, for now the Shadowborn lived and breathed within their walls.
Frostlight would begin in a few weeks. Asterious assured her even Sinevia wouldn’t disregard Evylere’s largest and oldest celebration shared by magickind and human alike if she wanted to maintain her influence over the people.
Felhold and the rest of the kingdom would be busy with the season’s preparations, and it would give her some time to become more familiar with her power.
But Caramyn hadn’t left her room, for fear of losing control of herself once again.
Whenever she thought too long or too hard about even the slightest frustration, flames flickered at her fingertips like ash-tipped amethyst. She suppressed thoughts of how fiercely she missed the feeling of Asterious’ body against hers, and how she saw him each night in her dreams, and the embarrassment she felt knowing the prince likely could feel the strength of her desire through their bond.
At sunset, she stood at the window of her room watching snow flurries dust the withered garden below.
Her room.
A knock at the door made her turn.
“Come in,” she said gently.
“You have a gift,” cooed Azell, peeking her head in through the door. “If you want it.”
Caramyn lifted her chin in curiosity as Azell entered and placed a long box across her bed. With a mischievous smile, the maid exited without another word.
Caramyn peeked beneath the lid with slow, careful movements.
There within the box lay a ballgown—sleeveless—glittering like the night sky and accented with fabric rosettes and intricate vines of lilac and wisteria.
Quite possibly the most beautiful piece of clothing she’d ever seen.
She picked it up by the corseted bodice to examine the delicate beadwork closer.
And beneath it, she found a handwritten note.
I know you prefer personal deliveries, but I’m afraid if I’d taken the pleasure of bringing it to you myself, I wouldn’t be able to experience the full brunt of your rejection, if you decide to leave me standing in an empty ballroom—as I so rightfully deserve.
But if you still want that dance for your birthday, consider it yours.
With a blush that left her cheeks heated, Caramyn smiled.
Azell returned soon enough to help her into the fitted strapless bodice, smoothing out the thick satin skirts that bloomed from beneath the corset and flowed to the floor, and doing her hair into an intricate half-up, half down style that left her loose brown waves tumbling down her back.
With a deep breath, Caramyn counted the steps down the stairs, focusing on keeping her emotions in check as she made her way to the grand ballroom.
Just before entering, she stood at the half-open door, remembering where she had once lingered in the darkness in awe at the beauty of the empty ballroom on the other side and yearned for a moment like this.
Finally, still clinging to her breath, she pushed the door open, and walked through.
The ballroom was now bathed with lively warmth, even though night had fallen.
Starlight shimmered through the snow-sprinkled glass ceiling, creating refractions of light that seemed to fragile and celestial for this world.
Through the ivy curling up the walls and the ornate pillars gleamed a radiance that felt all too much like magic.
The white floor glittered from the kiss of moonlight above, and in the center of it, within the arcs of the crescent moon emblem, waited Asterious.
He stood, dressed in a regal uniform of midnight and silver that made those eyes of steel and thunder steal her breath as he held them fixed on her.
“You came,” he said.
“It’s almost like something just won’t let me stay away.
” Caramyn smirked, glancing down at her arm at the black patterns that mirrored his.
“And you do still owe me that dance.” Her voice was light, but inwardly, she still carried the fear of what might happen if she let too much emotion shine through.
Asterious held out his hand. “I’ll dance with you until every last star falls if that’s what you want.”
She stepped forward to take it. He pulled her closer and began to sway gently.
Her body tingled at the soft sensation of his hands holding her, guiding her footsteps through a dream, moving as one.
She let herself fall into it, swept into each movement as the sweet music filled the air in a language all its own.
“Don’t be afraid of it—of yourself.” Asterious leaned in, his lips grazing ear as he spoke. “It was you who showed me that sometimes the only way to control the power within…is to let go.”
“But what if I can’t stop myself from going too far?” Caramyn whispered. “I could destroy everything.”
“The alternative is destroying yourself. And I won’t let you do that.” Asterious’ voice was like velvet. “You showed me how to break free, Cara. And I will be here with you through it to help you do the same. Because I love you.”
Caramyn beamed, her fear melting away as she stared into those rolling thunderclouds that pierced through her like lightning.
She could fight against the darkness raging within her, but she stood no chance against the fierce longing she felt, or against the deep love for him—her mate—that claimed her whole. And when Asterious touched his lips to hers, she surrendered herself into his arms.
He breathed against her, the faintest hint of a beastly purr buried in his words. “You, little mystery, are finally mine.”
His hands found the small of her back, and a sigh slipped from her lips.
She gripped his midnight hair, raking her fingers across it as his mouth wandered from hers and down her neck and chest. With tender movements, his fingers carefully teased the lace at her back, and Caramyn reached for him, sliding her hands beneath his shirt, eventually trailing from his stomach to the hard length below.
He pushed himself against her as though he could merge himself with her where they stood.
But then he pulled away for just a pulse, and Caramyn knew he must’ve sensed her emotions overwhelming her through their bond.
“We should take things slow,” he whispered. “Until you’re stronger…only as much as you feel ready.”
“As much as I want you,” Caramyn muttered softly, “I agree.” She slid her hand out from beneath his belt and back up along his abdomen, tracing the branching scars with her fingers, still yearning to feel him to the fullest, but knowing her heart, her mind, and her power, were not yet ready.
To entwine herself with her mate, and the literal other half of her heart, while still learning the depths of the power that bound them, terrified her and enthralled her all at once. “Just hold me for now.”
“For now, and forever.” Asterious breathed into her hair before drawing back to meet her gaze. “Just keep your eyes on me.”