With a deep breath, I guide him closer, aligning him with my body. The moment he enters me, my breath catches in my throat. He pushes deeper, stretching me, filling me completely, and we both gasp at the sensation. He begins to move within me, setting a rhythm that feels both primal and intimate. Each thrust sends waves of pleasure coursing through us, igniting every nerve ending as we lose ourselves in each other.
As he kisses along my neck and down to my chest, his hands grasp my thighs, pulling me closer to him. I dig my nails into his back, feeling the flex of his muscles beneath my touch as he drives into me. The pressure builds, coiling tighter, and I feel my body responding, ready to shatter under the weight of our pleasure. I wrap my legs around him, pulling him deeper, urging him on, our bodies moving in a rhythm that feels as ancient as the stars.
But before I reach my climax, I shift my position, ignoring Daed’s growls of protest as I roll him over. He grins as I straddle him, watching me with a mix of awe and desire, his eyes reflecting the moonlight as they roam over me. With a teasing smile, I begin to move, rocking my hips slowly, savoring the sensation of him filling me once more. The rhythmic motion sends pleasure coursing through me, and I can see Daed's chest shudder with each rise and fall. His hands grip my waist, guiding me as he helps me find the perfect pace, every thrust igniting a fire deep within me.
“Just like that,” he murmurs as I sink down on him, his voice barely above a whisper, yet it resonates through me like a melody. I quicken my pace, the heat building again as I lose myself in the moment.
The tension builds higher, an exquisite tightness coiling in my core. I lock my gaze with his, feeling his love and desperation reflected back at me.
As I lean back slightly, pushing myself against him, the pleasure peaks. The world around us dissolves, and in that moment, all I can think about is him—how he feels inside me, how he watches me with those stormy eyes filled with desire. I feel every inch of him, every pulse, and it drives me wild.
“Don’t stop, wife,” he demands. “Use me.”
The gravel of his voice slams into me, and with a final surge, I throw my head back, feeling the wave of ecstasy surge through me, leaving me breathless. At that same moment, I feel Daed tense beneath me, his body responding to my climax as he spills inside me with a deep groan. He grips my hips possessively, grounding me as our pleasure intertwines.
As the waves recede, I collapse against him, my body trembling with aftershocks. Daed wraps his arms around me, holding me close as we both breathe heavily, our hearts racing in unison. The world outside ceases to exist, and all that matters is the warmth of his body against mine, the way we fit together perfectly, like two halves of a whole.
In this sanctuary we've created, we shed our titles of king and queen, Fae and Jewel.
There are no duties to uphold, no responsibilities weighing us down, no sacrifices to haunt us.
We are simply a man and a woman who do not need or want anything but each other.
I cannot recall when I fell asleep in Daed’s arms, but the ragged cough of someone clearing their throat jolts me awake.
I bolt upright, and in the moonlight, I see six silhouettes surrounding us. My hand instinctively reaches for Daed, shaking him awake. When his eyes open and he realizes our sanctuary has been invaded, he lunges forward, smoke weaving between his fingers.
“I wouldn’t do that, Prince Daedalus,” a voice calls from the shadows, the tip of a blade pointed at my throat. “We wouldn’t want to make a mess on these fine silk sheets.”
Daed clenches his fist, and the smoke dissipates.
“Who are you?” he demands, his voice low and dangerous. “What do you want?”
The figure steps into the moonlight, revealing a tall, willowy Fae. His green eyes are speckled with gold, and his long blond hair flows like silk ribbons. He clasps his hands at his chest, and I notice his long, curved nails, resembling polished claws—sharp and deadly.
“Anethesis,” Daed states, surprise mingling with anger in his tone.
Anethesis bows gracefully. “My Prince. It has been a long time. And Princess Amara, I presume,” he adds, his voice dripping with pompous refinement. “A pleasure to meet you, though I regret that it must be under such extreme circumstances.”
He wears a flowing sky-blue robe, sheer and light as a summer breeze. Instantly, I recognize the insignia stitched at his breast: a golden ship upon a blue sea, guided by a gust of wind.
“House Ithranor,” I mutter, and Anethesis smiles, almost condescendingly.
“Indeed, Princess. I hope the comforts of Pariseth are to your liking. We toiled long and lovingly to create this haven amidst the storm. Is it satisfactory?”
I nod, unsure how to respond. “Yes. It’s beautiful.”
Anethesis nods as if it were not a question but a statement. “Yes, it is beautiful. A shame we have not been able to visit it for so long.”
Daed’s jaw clenches, and he fists the crumpled bed sheets. “What is the meaning of this, Anethesis? How dare you come here unannounced? Get out now before I lose my temper.”
Anethesis smiles politely and shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Prince Daedalus, but I cannot do that. We have traveled very far and will not be leaving until we have what we came for.”
Daed’s eyes narrow, fury radiating from him. “What did you come for?”
Anethesis dips his chin toward me. “The enchanting Jewel of the Tenders.”
“You will not touch her!” Daed booms, lunging again. But a sudden, inexplicable blast of wind throws him back onto the bed, pinning his arms taut at his sides. Before I have time to react, another gust ensnares me, dragging me from Daed and suspending me near the balcony.
