Forty-One
CHAPTER
Ipulled the glass of sweet wine to my lips as I peered out into the courtyard at the ongoing celebration.
Adorned in a dark blue dress with shimmery silver embroidery, I was dressed like the rest of the Court of Stars and Zathrian, too.
My hair was down, except for the intricate fishtails that kept my curls out of my face, and the shimmery silver hairpiece that Zathrian gave me to complete the look.
We looked good together.
United as one.
It was odd being back here after everything that had happened.
Neil’s Manor had been rebuilt. Surprisingly, it looked untouched, as if the destruction had never occurred.
The Wall was good as new. The sky was a tapestry of billowing white clouds as far as my eyes could see.
The clouds seemed more feathery today than what I could remember, thin and scattered.
Rolling hills and towering mountains, and ethereal mist and waterfalls that cascaded down the cliffs could be seen from the corner of my eye.
Untouched besides the herds of Pegasus who resided there.
A sense of peace and tranquility was restored to this Realm, and the Court of Clouds just as much.
Acheron’s ascension would be starting soon, but it didn’t seem right to come back to the Realm of Clouds and not visit her. I was hesitant, a bouquet of baby’s breath in my hand. Zathrian accompanied me to visit her resting place.
My heart ached. For the time I knew Aradia, she was always kind to me.
My first real friend. My only real friend for the longest time.
While I didn’t voice it, I did miss her.
A lot, actually. I swallowed hard. Zathrian’s hand rested upon the small of my back, urging me to approach Aradia’s resting place.
Her tombstone was white, surrounded by white flowers that bloomed from the clouds at my feet.
I knelt down, carefully placing the bouquet in front of her grave.
“Rest easy, Aradia,” I whispered. My thoughts circled back to the memories we made together, and all the nights we shared.
Aradia once dressed me and did my hair every morning.
She kept me company when Neil could or would not, and she always indulged me by speaking of topics of conversation that were not ones she had much knowledge in.
She was a kind soul, and a soft spirit. I hoped that she had found peace in the Realm of the Passed.
Tears pricked at the corners of my eyes as I rose to my feet. Zathrian pulled me into his embrace, rubbing circles on my back.
“It’s not easy, I know,” he whispered, planting a kiss on my head.
I hugged him tighter, nodding at his words.
“We can stay for as long as you need to.” He leaned his head against mine.
“I’m ready. Acheron’s ascension should be starting soon,” I whispered.
Zathrian nodded, taking one last look at Aradia’s grave before he led me to the Manor I once called home. Where we would watch Acheron become High Lord of the Realm of Clouds.
For as bittersweet as today had been, it was a joyous day overall.
The celebration was what one would expect it to be—decor of white and gold and an overabundance of flowers and delicious foods. The Realm of Clouds truly felt light, no longer riddled with the darkness that once plagued it.
Music. Laughter. Food. Drinks.
They didn’t have Shepherd’s pie, which was unfortunate.
Acheron would make a fine High Lord. I was confident he would rule over the Realm with grace and poise.
Honor and devotion, too. Unlike Neil, he was kind and wore his heart upon his sleeve.
He was a good person who genuinely cared about those around him.
He looked so happy, with his arm looped around Mateo’s shoulder, both laughing and chatting the evening away.
A golden cloudy crown sat upon his head to signify his new status, and the gift of power the Gods had given him for taking on such an important role within Wisteria.
I could only imagine the weight lifted from his shoulders, not having to hide the truth anymore that he was Mates with Mateo. Finally, there was peace within the Realms.
It made me wonder if Mateo would relocate to the Realm of Clouds permanently, or what was to come. How this shift within the Realm would affect ours, and the people within it. My thoughts came to an abrupt halt, smelling the familiar scent of Tobacco Vanille.
Zathrian came up behind me, wrapping one arm around my torso, while the other held a glass half-full of sweet wine.
“Hello,” he greeted me happily.
“Zath,” I replied with sugar on my lips, glass in hand.
He pulled his own glass to his lips to take a sip, and I turned my head just enough to peek up at his face. Zathrian lowered his glass, keeping his arm wrapped around me, and rested his head upon my shoulder. His lips brushed my ear, his breath hot. Goosebumps formed upon my flesh.
Desire. Longing. Passion. Lust.
Emotions he pushed from his side of the Bond.
“I want you, Starshine,” he whispered seductively. Pulling my back against his chest, he held me closer against him. My breath hitched, and my heart skipped a beat. Pulling my glass to my lips again, my eyes drifted toward Acheron and the celebration around us.
Not now. We’re at Acheron’s ascension celebration. Gods above.
“Aerilyn, baby,” he whined, nibbling at my earlobe.
I didn’t pull away. I should have, given where we were and the way he was embracing me. I didn’t have to ask to know what he wanted. He wasn’t drunk by any means, but the sweet wine certainly made him feel some sort of way. And deep down, I felt it, too.
Not just because of the Mate Bond, but because I reciprocated the feeling.
Gods above.
What was it with High Lords and feeling frisky at social events?
I tilted my chin back and downed the rest of my wine before reaching over toward the nearest table to put the glass down. My hand reached for Zathrian’s cheek, seeking that chiseled jawline of his. My fingertips lightly grazed his smooth skin.
Zathrian’s head dipped, planting soft and sweet little kisses all over my neck.
Smiling, I became entranced by the moment. My mind was fuzzy with enjoyment.
Zathrian blindly placed his wine glass down onto the table closest to us.
I heard the glass clink, hitting the table and then toppling over, crashing onto the marble flooring.
Neither of us seemed to care. Zathrian’s hands slid down my body, his hands firmly gripping my hips, and gently swaying me along with the soft music that played in the background.
“I want everyone at this celebration to hear how I make you feel,” he whispered huskily.
I squeaked, my face flushed pink. “Zathrian!”.
“C’mon, baby, you know you want to,” he whispered, tightening his grip on the dips of my hips.
I hated how easily I folded for him. I bit down on my bottom lip, weaseling away just enough to turn and face him. He wouldn’t ever make me do anything I didn’t want to do, I knew that. He knew I wanted to because he was listening to my thoughts again.
“Fine,” I replied.
Zathrian reached for my hand. His fingers clasped around mine, he gently tugged me through the celebration and toward the Manor.
“Where are we going?” I used my free hand to hold my dress skirt high enough for me to be able to walk at his pace without tripping.
“Inside.” His eyes remained straightforward.
“Inside?” I questioned.
“Inside,” he repeated.
He pushed the door open, rounding the corner.
He looked lost. I could tell by the lust and determination in his eye that he was looking for someplace in particular.
I was about to ask him where it was that he was trying to go, but he answered my question by yanking me to the left and into the bathroom.
I stumbled forward, unable to gain my bearings as he pushed my back against the wall.
One hand tightly gripped my hip, the other went to my cheek.
Pulling me into a passionate kiss. His tongue forcefully wedged itself between my lips, seeking mine out in a passionate dance.
His hand that was on my hip wrapped around my back, settling on my ass, kneading at my flesh.
“I need you,” he growled between my teeth, tugging harshly on my bottom lip.
“Zath,” I mewled.
“Now.” He kissed up my jawline, turning me around to make me face the mirror. He pushed me against the marble sink, my hands gripping it, already red in the face.
“You know I respect you, right?” he asked gruffly.
“I know,” I murmured.
“Good. Because for the next couple minutes, it’s going to look like I don’t.
” He pulled up my dress. Exposing my underwear, he yanked it down.
Sloppily and with haste, he undid the button of his pants.
His left hand went to my hair, pulling my head back and forcing me to look at myself in the mirror, the other guided his hardened length to my already dripping entrance.
“You’re in control here,” he whispered.
“I know,” I murmured.
With a single thrust, he pushed himself between my folds. I let out an unexpected gasp at the sudden intrusion, at the feel of him filling my insides. My tight walls constricted around him.
“Fuck, you feel so good,” he muttered with his lips against my ear. “You’re going to watch me as I make you come undone,” he growled, thrusting harder into me.
I moaned, watching myself in the mirror. My eyes settled on us, watching him make a mess of me.
“Mmm, just like that, Airhead. That’s a good girl,” he praised, thrusting deeper. He smiled between breaths. Tightening his grip on my hair, his other hand slid around my neck. “Hold it, don’t you dare come until I say you can.”
“Y-yes Z-Zathrian,” I panted, my legs already weak and shaky from the brute force of him thrusting so hard and deep within me.
He felt so good. Every single thrust was another wave of pleasure that brought me closer and closer to my release.
I bit down on my lip, only to open my mouth and let out another moan.
I couldn’t help it; it felt so good to feel him scramble and fill my insides.
The tip of his length hit that sensitive spot inside every time he thrust deep within me.
“You are so gorgeous.” He pushed me forward against the sink. One hand rested on my back, the other continued to grip my hair, ensuring that my eyes remained on the mirror and our reflection as he pounded into me.
I moaned, trying my best to remain quiet. I knew that the celebration was happening just outside, but was unsure if the music would drown out the pleasurable sounds we made.
“This is what you wanted… for me to take you. I can’t hear you. Louder. Moan louder, Aerilyn. Let everyone at this celebration know who loves you the most.”
My lips parted, moaning louder. Each thrust, another sweet sound left my lips. I didn’t even care who heard me anymore. The only thoughts that circulated within my head was Zathrian and the pleasure that he blessed me with.
“Please, please let me come,” I begged between moans, struggling to hold it in as he told me to.
“Louder,” he demanded.
“Please let me come, Zathrian. Please,” I whined.
His free hand slid to my arms, grabbing them forcefully and pinning them behind my back.
“Don’t move, I’m close,” he said huskily, sinking into me so loudly and forcefully that the picture frame on the wall fell onto the floor.
“Mmm, that’s it, baby,” he groaned, his thrusts sloppy and inconsistent. “Fuck,” he muttered. “I’m going to come.”
I moaned louder.
“Come for me, baby. Come for your High Lord,” he commanded as we reached our climaxes together. His hot sticky seed filled my core, and my release coated his cock in return.
His thrusts slowed to a stop. Releasing my wrists, he pulled himself slowly out from between my legs.
My knees were weak, almost giving out on me if it wasn’t for him holding me up.
I could feel our juices drip from between my legs.
One of Zathrian’s hands helped steady me, the other reached for a cloth, carefully wiping off the mess we made and disposing of it.
Panting, I stayed still while he helped pull my underwear up and proceeded to fix my dress for me.
“You did so good,” he cooed, kissing me on the side of my head. Making sure I was able to stand on my own properly, he took a step back to compose himself. Looking at himself in the mirror, he carefully fixed his luscious curls and the silver crown atop his head. He looked down at me with a smile.
“Let’s get back out there. The buffet table is calling my name.” He wrapped his arm around me. Taking one last look to ensure we both looked decent, Zathrian unlocked and opened the bathroom door, leading us both back into the celebration.
I wondered if anyone heard us and they chose not to say anything, or if no one actually knew.
Leaning my head against Zathrian’s arm, I stood beside him at the buffet table, peering at the options that were available. Hungry and ready to eat.