31. Boleite
Estela collapses on the bed next to me.
“Fine, I forgive you for not telling me about Melisa sooner,” she pants.
The evidence of our lovemaking fills me with pride.
I stroke her cheek. “I’m a simple man. I see my mate sweating with a blade in her hands, and it’s time to steal her away. Again.”
She lays on her back, her cheeks flushed and her chest heaving, and casts me a long, appreciative glance.
“I was trying to train.”
I smile. “You can train with me.”
She raises an eyebrow.
“I doubt that, sincerely. You are not a woman—how can you teach me to fight as Svanna or Ayla? Not to mention how much… larger you are than me.” She props herself onto one of her pretty forearms, and her breasts glisten the color of polished bronze in the low light as her dark curls stick to her face.
I shamelessly let my eyes pass over her again and again, wanting so desperately to take in every sweet detail of her.
We haven’t been together long enough for such a feeling to end. We belong to each other, and we need to never forget that.
As I stand, her small, brown hand goes to my calf. “Wait.”
Every inch of my body freezes at her command.
“Where are you going?” she asks, sheepishly, as if she were shy about her utter power over me.
“The suits are ready. We need to test them soon, so that we might look for the artifact for the elves. I need to check on them again and meet with Thorne. Then we need to glamour Ra”Salore and prepare for his and Melisa’s departure.”
She worries her lower lip. “Liana and I spent all afternoon together. I have something to tell you.”
I sit down again. “What?”
“I made a suit with her and Flova. I had a lot of extra energy after our training. And… it’s for me. I want you to take me with you.”
“Into the deep sea or the meeting?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath. “Both. I don’t want you to leave without me.”
“Estela, my star, come with me wherever you wish, but the mission will be dangerous. The sea is… vast. Terrifying. I have never been there before, and we will be seeking out the cursed and ruined city of my people. Even I am a little fearful.”
She gives me a look that reminds me of just how stubborn a woman she is. Her eyes are deep flames as she glares straight at me. The Fuegorra in my chest begins to warm in a way that is unrelated to the mating bond as she looks at me and sees every part of soul. This is the power of a wise woman.
“I have already seen the underwater city in my vision. I’m ready for this.” She doesn’t flinch at the danger—she hasn’t in a long time.
Her power skims across my skin, causing me to shiver.
Seeing her laying before me, unapologetic, powerful, and rested from our twisting and turning makes my cock stir.
“What exactly did Liana teach you?” My voice comes out much lower than I intend.
She juts out her chin, looking at me with her burning eyes.
“I have been planting with Ulla in the afternoons, and now I’m meeting with Liana in the mornings. Not to mention my time sword fighting in the evenings. I am not weak. You have shown me I am not broken. Take me with you,” her voice pours into the room.
The song between us is a rumble of heat and passion and promise. I could no sooner deny her than cut off my left hand.
I draw my knees onto the bed with me, crawling toward her. “Very well, my love.”
Her hand travels to my thigh as a smile spreads across her lips, and her eyes drop to the evidence of my stirring blood.
“Very good. Now stay still, and then we will go to look at the suits together.”
Slowly, she draws up, crawling into my lap.
“I dream of this feeling,” she whispers as she pulls her hands around the back of my neck.
There are no barriers to unwrap and pull apart so I feel the slide of her skin against mine with an acute intensity.
Her mouth goes to the mating mark on my neck.
She kisses once, then bites.
I let out a groan, and she smiles against my skin. “Thank you for letting me go to the sea with you.”
Then she pushes onto me with one thrust.
She doesn’t wince as I stretch and fill every inch of her. She moans. When she pushes back from me, her pupils are dilated enough to darken her entire eyes. Our movements synchronize as she bites her lip and bares her neck to me. I can’t help leaning forward and biting her mating mark.
There is no hesitation, not even when I pierce skin once again. The metallic tang of her blood fills my mouth as her fingernails trail down my back, scraping with such sweet intensity.
Her hips tilt forward with more fervor, seeking out her pleasure in a way that I can hardly stand. She doesn’t wait for my permission. She uses me as she wishes.
“Take it, my star,” I whisper to her ear as she rocks back and forward to a frantic pace.
The Fuegorra’s song vibrates her whole body, heightening every sensation as her mouth parts and her head falls back.
I drag my tongue along her collarbone.
“Teo,” she pants, breathless.
“Yes,” I growl.
“Lay back,” she demands, pushing me over.
I obey, and then hitch my hips upwards as she gasps, eyes rolling closed. I impale her as deeply as our bodies can allow, and she welcomes every hard inch with such unbridled passion.
It doesn’t take long to finish, and she collapses against me with a sweaty slap.
Instinctively, my hand comes up to brush away the hair from her overheated skin.
“You are so beautiful,” I murmur, brushing my knuckles over her shoulders. “I stole you away as a kicking, biting creature, desperately looking to escape. To kill me, even, and protect your brother. Your mind was consumed with one thing… and now?”
She looks up at me with her tired eyes. “Now what?”
“Now you are a queen. Rescuing humans, training your magic, strong. Decisive. You come to me without a stitch of shame to take your pleasure which I will happily give. It is… magical.”
She blushes hard. “I?—”
“No,” I cup the sides of her face. “You are mine. You are powerful—take what you need. I live in awe of every appetite of yours. We will make a marvelous pair… forever.”
She swallows. “Forever. You don’t fear the future?”
I shake my head. “Fate gave me you. I once feared that you would never be able to stand to look at me… but now, look at you. Our hearts beat in time. We can fell any enemy—rebuild any kingdom. I have you.”
Her breath hitches.
“I know. Now get cleaned up. It is time to meet with Thorne and Flova.”
She smiles at me, a sight as bright as the sun on my skin, and pushes off.
I watch every curve flex and wobble as she saunters to the bathing room, but I lay back on the bed, looking up at the metal ceiling. My words still ring in my chest and heart, resounding just how truthful they were.
Anything is possible with this woman of mine.
As we walkinto the forges, Flova and Thorne are already conversing.
Thorne has a sleek rapport with the smith, as he waves his hands all around him. I imagine some story coming to life.
I see his smirk follow his punchline as Flova tips his old head back and laughs. I grimace. I dislike how easily Thorne has charmed so many in our court.
A few of the Faefurt assassins are scattered about as well, inspecting the suits and poking at their flexible crystal surfaces.
They whisper at each other as we approach.
Estela hangs on my arm and says, “Lord Thorne, how nice to see you again.”
The white-haired elf pauses and turns to look at us.
I get half a glance before a warm smile fills his face, and he gives me a deep bow.
“Dear queen,” he says to her shoes. “What a delight to see you again, as well.” He nods in my direction. “Your Highness.”
Estela’s warmth leaves my side as she breezes over to the suits.
“Flova, why didn’t you show me the others?” she asks in my people’s tongue.
His face melts into a smile.
“Melting crystal is hard work, milady. We were busy,” he replies conspiratorially, and they start to comb through the details.
Liana and Vann arrive moments later. They both wear frowns as they look at the elves in the group. A part of me wishes to commiserate with them, but I stand my ground in an offering of peace.
“Is everything completed?” Liana asks.
Flova, who was wholly wrapped up in the kind words of my mate, looks up.
He nods. “I am happy to say yes.”
Liana smiles. “Very well. When will we test one of these out?”
I cough. “We will be taking Estela with us.”
Vann frowns. “We will?”
Liana gives him a withering glance. “Of course they will. Teo, Estela, and… Thorne. Travelers of the sea!”
Vann steps forward, scowling. “I’m hurt you forgot me in your list. The four of us will go—who knows what creatures lurk in the ruins of Iravida.”
Liana agrees.
“What indeed.” Then she clasps her hands behind her back. “My apologies, Lord Vann.”
I look at Flova, then back at the suits. “You really have worked miracles with this.
He nods at me, pleased with himself.
Estela smiles. “When will we go?”
Vann shrugs. “Tonight?”
“Tomorrow, after Ra’Sa and Melisa leave for Zlosa. Thorne can perform the test.”
The white-haired male laughs and says mockingly,
“Yes, send the enemy so you don’t have to peel my body off of some giant urchin.” Then Thorne straightens and points to Vann. “I think not. What about that hulking mountain?”
Vann glares but says, “I will do it.”
“Don’t act like this is deep sea diving. Meet me in the royal pools—it will be easier to test in shallow waters.”
Everyone relaxes, but I look back at Estela and feel anything but calm.
I will be fine, she says back to me, with a smile. My heart warms.
Very well, my queen.