Chapter 43 #2
No one said a word as they stood, offering the solace that only the two of them could provide to each other.
As Dainan pulled back, Asana said, “There is much to discuss. I was beginning to speak with Brida during your arrival.” Offering a curt nod, Dainan returned to my side before offering a glance to…
“Marius?” Dainan questioned.
“How do you know Marius?” I raised my brows.
“He doesn’t know me, Brida,” Marius replied. “Not truly.”
Dainan turned to face me. “The part of me that knew you,” he gestured his hand around the room, “knew what you would become, it is the same part that knows Marius.”
“And that is what we are here to discuss,” Melia interrupted, placing herself before Marius, almost as… a barrier?
“Dainan, this is Melia,” I said.
“Queen of Quiala.” Marius finished.
Dainan bowed his head in respect, “I apologize for my entrance,” He said. “It appears my magic is different here.”
“It is because there are no limitations here,” Melia said as she made her way back to the raised dais. “Quiala is a land made by the gods for the gods. We are a world without courts, and we do not subject ourselves to the petty squabbles of men.”
“Do all here possess magic?” I found myself asking.
“Yes.” Her tone was tired, irritated with having to entertain us. “I will allow Marius to answer the remainder of your questions. I have no doubt he remembers much of our ways here. Do you not, Marius?”
Marius bowed his head, rigid in his posture.
“In the meantime, I have had rooms prepared for each of you.”
“We require only one room,” Dainan interjected before anyone could say anything, grazing my cheek with his hand, his gaze locked onto mine, shadows and fire mingling in his eyes.
“Stop looking at me like that,” I whispered under my breath. “You’ll give people the wrong impression.”
“And what impression might that be, Ilia?” His breath against my neck sent a shiver down my spine, forcing every nerve in my body to attention.
“One that is inappropriate for being surrounded by company,” I replied.
Dainan turned me with an invisible force. He pulled me against him, so close that with each rise and fall of my breath my breasts grazed his chest. “I’ve missed you.” Dainan pressed his lips to mine, fierce and unrelenting.
With his touch, warmth spread through me, fire burning in my veins.
This. This is what I need. What I have needed.
My fingers dug into his neck while my other hand roamed freely through his silken hair, each of us fighting to pull the other closer. Anything to tether me to him, to this.
His hand slid down my lower back, anchoring me to him, as he deepened the kiss.
His other hand gripped my waist, not affording for there to be any space or distance between us.
I couldn’t help the moan that escaped me while arching further into him.
Within seconds, my legs wrapped around his waist, his arms supporting my back.
I needed more of him. Every part of me, the parts that were Brida, and the pieces that were something else, every morsel of who I was, craved him. His essence was woven into me.
“Dainan,” I shuddered, taking a moment to breathe as he kissed his way down my throat before pulling me back to his mouth. The thread that had been missing, the string that had pulled taut between us. We were a bond that had been forged before time itself and…
“Ahem,” Melia said. “Not that this isn’t a worthy performance, but I believe some of us would prefer not to witness your copulation.”
Dainan chuckled against my mouth, resting his forehead against mine before placing me down on the ground.
The burning sensation from my cheeks only matched the glow now emanating from my palms. Gods.
I looked to where my father had been standing.
He had turned his back. I looked back to Dainan, whose smug expression told me only that he was proud of what he’d done, and said, “You’re a terrible influence. ”
“Just you wait.” He whispered as he placed a soft kiss along my neck. I was molten once more.
With a curt nod and sly smile, Melia said, “Take this time to… refresh yourselves. Dinner will be in a few hours. We’ll talk then.” Similar to the explosion of my light, Melia dissipated into the air, but where gems had lingered in my light’s wake, only mist lingered in hers.
“Is she always this charming?” I turned to face Asana, Tamra, and Marius, all of whose grim expressions told me that this had been her in a pleasant mood.
I left Dainan to speak with Asana as I made my way towards Marsh and my father. “We’ll do as she suggests. Take the next few hours to prepare yourself as best we can, we have no idea what her role is in all of this.”
With a nod, each of them were given directions where to go by Marius.
“You know your way around.” I mused.
“I lived here before coming to Eldara.” He said.
“Is that when you left your scorned lover?” My eyes bore into him, reiterating my irritation at not being warned of the situation we had walked into.
“Not just a scorned lover… a fiancée.”
“Good Gods, Marius.” I sighed, watching the agony etch itself across his brow. “Will you two be able to get through this?”
“There will be no issues from me. I’m sorry I kept it from you… it’s not one of my prouder moments.”
I squeezed his arm, giving him a reassuring smile before making my way towards Dainan and Asana. Dainan’s shadows hissed and swirled, whatever Asana was saying, he was riled.
“Everything okay?” I placed my hand on his arm, letting him know I was there. That I would always be there. Dainan turned to face me, tears welled in his eyes.
“Brida,” Asana said. “There is someone who needs to speak with you.”