Chapter 8 #2
An uncomfortable silence lingered, and She turned away, leaving him and the tension behind.
She walked briskly, eyes darting to each window She passed, watching the sky blacken far too quickly.
She hadn’t much time. Fortunately, the villa was considerably smaller than the palace, making it much easier to find an empty corridor. She held Her breath.
The watchtower.
Light exploded around Her, and She stumbled across rough, gritty stone. Delphi paced beside the watchtower sill, arms crossed over her blue dress and head tucked beneath the hood of her cloak. She started, then frowned. “Where have You been? I’ve been waiting for ages.”
“I lost track of the hour.” Leila lunged forward, wrapping Her sister in a hug. “I was stuck in the most tedious meeting with Flynn and his father.”
“I’m sorry, for a second there I thought You said Flynn.”
“We sought his aid and shelter.”
Delphi gaped at Her. “Flynn Joseon? The imperious Prince of the Sovereign’s Tournament? A man who cares for little more than his own pride and reputation?”
“They are the wealthiest landowners in Thessen with plenty of warhorses and military contacts. It was an obvious move toward securing My army.”
Groaning, Delphi resumed her pacing. “God. Why do the worst decisions have to be the most logical?” She stopped short, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Flynn is an ass.”
“His father isn’t much better.”
“How’s Tobias handling this?”
“Handling what?”
“Flynn tried to kill him,” Delphi said. “Multiple times. I imagine he’s taking this hard.”
Flashes of the tournament swept Leila’s mind—Flynn’s fist plunging into Tobias’s nose, his sword at Tobias’s throat—and She forced back a shudder. “It was Tobias’s idea. But . . . he’s tense.”
“Shocking.”
“I’m trying to do the right thing.”
“That was sweet of him. Taking You to a man he hates solely to serve Your cause.”
Leila sighed. “Please, don’t make Me feel worse than I already do.”
“Why do You feel bad?” Delphi said. “Leila, this is for Thessen. Sacrifices must be made. I’m just saying, it takes a big man to set aside his anger.” She smiled. “I knew he was good for You.”
An ease swept over Leila. Her mind was suddenly wrapped up in Tobias, and in recent memories that left Her warm all over and grinning.
“What?” Delphi chuckled.
“I made him come last night.”
Delphi’s eyes widened. “Did you fuck?”
“No.” Leila shook Her fist, demonstrating Her recently acquired skill.
“I see.” A knowing smirk swept Delphi’s lips. “Polished his silver?”
“He was so vulgar. It was thrilling.”
Delphi laughed, though her eyes were on the skyline. “As much as I’d love the details—”
“You have news.”
Delphi’s throat bobbed, an answer in itself. “Brontes was gone for several days. I hadn’t a clue where until he returned.” Her expression turned somber. “He was with his sellswords.”
“You know where they are?”
“Just that they’re secluded far from here, toward the north, it seems. He’s gone to great lengths to keep their location hidden. Probably has them tucked away in the countryside, close to—”
“Kovahr.” Leila clenched Her jaw. “That way they can invade with ease, and all the realm will believe in his cause.”
“Not everyone believes Brontes.” Hope flashed in Delphi’s eyes. “People in the palace are talking. They’ve seen him for years—question his motives. You have allies here.”
Footsteps echoed up the watchtower stairs. “Delphi? Delphi.” Hylas barreled toward them, panting. “Apologies.” He leaned onto his knees as he caught his breath. “Soldiers are scouring the corridors.”
“So, knock,” Delphi growled.
“They’re questioning everyone. I had to make myself scarce.” His large eyes flitted between the sisters. “I’m sorry, but we need to go.”
Leila’s heart lurched. “Please be safe.”
“We won’t disappoint You,” Hylas said.
“I don’t care about that.” A lump lodged in Her throat, and She tried and failed to swallow it down. “Just be safe.”
She planted Her palm to Delphi’s chest, then to Hylas’s, filling them up with Her light.
Still, it wasn’t enough. Perhaps the blessing would betray Her.
Shadow walking was difficult to maneuver under extreme duress, and Her light hadn’t exactly been behaving as of late.
The tournament Culmination burst through Her thoughts, along with the glowing handprints covering Tobias’s body—blessings She hadn’t intended to bestow, their appearance still a mystery to Her.
She pushed aside Her worries, though the weight in Her gut remained.
She was leaving Her sister behind yet again.
Delphi offered a sympathetic smile as if privy to Her thoughts. “We’re taking every precaution.” She cupped Leila’s hand in hers. “Don’t worry about us. We’re here living in luxury. Worry about Yourself—and Tobias, the poor thing.”
Leila forced another hard swallow. “Love you.”
Her sister and the senator disappeared behind Her light, and when blue walls materialized around Her, She could’ve sworn they sucked the air from Her lungs.
Deep breaths. She fought to steady Herself, but a hollowness engulfed Her, leaving Her little more than a vessel. Saying goodbye hadn’t gotten any easier. Perhaps it never would.
“God, You scared me.”
Tobias stood opposite Her, a welcome smile on his face that somewhat quelled Her nerves.
She glanced toward the door—locked, thankfully—then around his chamber.
The difference between their quarters was staggering, as his was smaller, and the furnishings were quite sparse and a bit faded.
Then Her sister’s visage paraded through Her mind, and Her heart sagged.
“Apologies, I . . .” She shook Her head. “I didn’t want to be alone.”
“Are You all right?” Tobias’s face dropped. “Was it Flynn?”
“I saw Delphi.” The concern in his gaze didn’t lift, and She sighed. “She’s fine, it’s just—”
“You miss her.” He sat on his bed, his expression softening. “Come here, darling.”
She climbed onto the mattress, curling up beside him and nestling Her cheek into the curve of his neck. His heart beat against Her ear, and She tried to take comfort in its cadence while Her mind spiraled into places it ought not go.
“I haven’t seen Pippa in ages.” She clung to the front of his tunic, nails digging into the fabric. “And I don’t even want to think of what Cosima is doing.”
“These are trying times. And You’re handling it with the utmost grace.”
“Horse shit.”
“Don’t horse shit me. I’ve been in awe of You these past few days. I knew You were a queen, but now I get to see it.” Tobias took Her chin, guiding Her gaze toward his. “Very impressive.”
His crooked smile loosened Her tight shoulders. “I didn’t like the way they spoke to you. Keene and Flynn.”
“Well, I don’t like a lot of things about this place. But that’s not the point. The point is, You, my darling, have an army.”
Leila scoffed. “Not quite.”
“Well, You have horses and coin coming out the ass, which is a proper start.”
“How are you so content with all this?” She trailed Her fingertips down his chest. “I know it’s not easy. Being here . . . with Flynn.”
“It’s easy being here with You.” Leila raised an eyebrow, and Tobias sighed. “My greatest concern is the wellbeing of those I love most,” he said. “So, if that means biting my tongue around a pompous ass and his prick of a father, I’ll do it.”
“He’s going to speak with you. Flynn. He told Me as much.”
Tobias snorted. “What a joyous day that will be.”
“He said he wanted to sort things out.”
“Do You believe him?”
“I don’t know what to believe.” She frowned. “I just want you to be happy, is all.”
“It’s a good thing You’re here, then.”
The charming glint in his eyes made Her smirk. “You and your silver tongue.”
“It’s true.” He entwined his fingers with Hers, stroking Her knuckles back and forth.
“Most days I haven’t a clue what I’m doing.
I just bumble around like a fool, hoping I make the sort of decisions that keep us alive a while longer.
And then moments later, You tell me I’m Yours, and suddenly I feel like a man. ”
“You are a man. My man.”
“See, there it is again. I feel as though I’ve grown a foot. My cock’s done the same, I’m sure of it.”
Leila chuckled. “You’re mad.”
His deep brown gaze shined, brought to life by Her laughter. “You remind me I’m not completely lost. That I must be doing something right if I’ve managed to find myself with You.”
The faintest shades of pink and orange wafted through the air.
Leila breathed them in, a citrusy scent, and exhaled, free in Tobias’s embrace.
It was uncanny how Tobias’s company alone managed to rid Her of Her troubles.
A smile had rooted itself in Leila’s cheeks, too powerful to contain, and She swept Her fingers up his arm, drawing swirls in his billowing lust. Eruptions of fuchsia burst through the room like tiny storm clouds, but all the while Tobias stared at Her, calm and captivated.
“Your eyes look like fire,” he said.
“So I’ve been told. Many, many times.”
“Then I imagine You’ve heard they’re incredibly beautiful.”
“I have.” Her hand danced as She spoke, circling the linen over his navel. “But not from a handsome man staring into them the way you are now. Feels completely different in this moment.”
Tobias leaned in closer, a whisper away. “Your eyes are incredibly beautiful.” He kissed Her. “Your lips are incredibly beautiful.” He kissed Her again. “You are incredibly beautiful.”
His next kiss was long and lingering, as if he was relishing the taste of Her.
She pulled him in deeper, sinking into the bedsheets as his body writhed against Her own.
His hands on Her hips, the tip of his tongue toying with Hers—it was all so suggestive, a temptation She hadn’t the patience for.
She reached down the front of his pants, wrangling his cock and stroking it slow and firm.
“Oh my God.” Tobias groaned, nuzzling his face into Her hair. “Oh my God, Leila.” He hesitated, then took Her wrist, halting Her. “Wait.”
Leila faltered. “I thought you liked it.”
“I do,” he said. “A lot, actually. That’s the problem. It’s very distracting, and I need to concentrate.”
“Concentrate on what?”
He let out a laugh. “What do you mean, on what? I want to please You. I want to make You tremble and cry out my name. God, do You know what Your moaning does to me?”
His gaze was penetrating, muddling Her thoughts. Heat bloomed in Her cheeks and between Her legs, and despite Her desire to be alluring, or seductive, or at the very least articulate, all She could manage was a soft “Oh.”
“Oh?” He furrowed his brow. “Am I making You uncomfortable?”
Her fucking voice—it had disappeared somewhere, busy with more important matters, the little bitch.
If She couldn’t speak, She’d act instead.
Her kiss was deep and voracious, Her nails digging into his back, and he growled as She ground Her hips against his.
Aroused and ignited, he cupped Her breasts before slinking his hand down Her waist and between Her thighs.
His voice came out breathy against Her mouth.
“Can I touch You?”
His words were gentle, but fuchsia eddied around him, revealing the depths of his desire. Shuddering, Leila nodded, and he slid Her legs apart, gliding his hand up Her inner thigh.
“Tobias . . .” Her voice had apparently found itself again. He massaged the soft flesh just shy of Her entrance, and She groaned, desire throbbing between Her legs. “Don’t tease Me.”
His finger slipped inside Her with ease, and She gasped.
Slow, easy strokes, and a second finger joined the rhythm, filling Her mind with lechery and sex, with images of Tobias on top of Her, inside Her.
She closed Her eyes, drowning in the movement, reveling in the foreign feeling of being touched.
It was heady and intoxicating, though not particularly effective. She took his hand in Her own.
“Like this.” She pressed his thumb to Her clit, guiding it in soft circles.
“I thought You’ve never done this before.”
“I’ve never been with a man. But I’ve done this to Myself many times.”
His eyes widened, and he clamped down on his lip as if to keep himself contained. “You can’t just say things like that, Leila.”
He kissed Her hard and fast with tongue and teeth, unleashing a fraction of his lust through his ravenous mouth.
All the while he obeyed Her command, a bit awkwardly at first, but he hit his stride once Her breathing hitched and quickened.
Perhaps he was studying Her, memorizing the motions that made Her buck and purr, barely grazing when Her throat caught and kneading when Her hands raked up his back.
She hadn’t realized until then that Her legs were spread wide, that She was circling Her hips in time with his touch, that when She moaned in his mouth, his cock jumped against Her leg.
“Like that?”
She nodded, biting his bottom lip. “Keep going.”
And he did, thank God, as the pleasure swirling within Her was reaching its crescendo.
She grabbed at his hair, then at the sheets, arching Her back as She rode his touch harder.
“Tobias.” His name was a lifeline, something to tether Her in place.
“I’m so close . . .” And then the beginning of the end undulated through Her, Her hips flexing as control gave way to release.
Bliss consumed Her from the inside out, and Her core throbbed, overwhelmed with indulgence.
It was too much, too potent, too good. She moaned his name again and again, over and over.
A torrent of heat and rapture swelled through Her. Then it ebbed, leaving Her with Tobias’s touch and a gentle ache between Her legs. Her nerves sparked like tiny flames across Her skin, and a languid ease wrapped around Her.
Pink filled the room like a beautiful fog, tasting sugary on Her tongue.
She hadn’t noticed in the moment, too caught up in the power of Her orgasm, but Tobias’s billowing lust wrapped around the space, filling Her lungs with yearning and sweetness.
To be wanted like that, coveted during such an intimate moment, was a pleasure in itself.
Tobias came in closer, trailing kisses down Her throat. “I take it You enjoyed that?”
She nodded, luxuriating in his greedy touch and the heady scent of his desire. When he brought his lips to Hers, She smiled.
“Do it again.”