She rocked into him, settling in for a slow, steady grind. “Even though you satisfy me every time, I can’t get enough.”
“Good.” He slid his hands to her breasts, cupping them as he pulled in to kiss and suckle them while she rode. Then he ran one hand down between them and found the nubbin of her sex, teasing it with the heel of his thumb. “Rock faster, my own. I love it when ye shout yer pleasure.”
She held tight to his shoulders and did as he asked, riding faster, grinding harder. And then she came as hard as if she hadn’t had sex in years, shuddering and clutching as the world exploded in a good way. She screamed as he roared his bliss along with hers until she sagged against him, completely spent.
“I hope we don’t wear each other out,” she said, gasping to catch her breath.
“I hope we do,” he replied, rubbing her back and squeezing her ass in a way that suggested they weren’t done yet.
* * *
As much ashe had hated to emerge from his bedchamber, Jeros knew he had to, mainly because of the war. Dressed in a worn, open-throated leine and one of his older kilts, he ambled down to the library, knowing Darkcord, his sergeant at arms, would seek him out there if he had news that needed attention.
He had left Lexi asleep with instructions to Rill that she was not to be disturbed by anyone, not even the Fae tiger. They had rested very little last night. Not that he was complaining, but Lexi’s nightmare bothered him. No matter what she said, no matter what she swore, he knew she still harbored some regret. He could feel it, smell its stench in the air, see the pain it caused her. He could only hope that the regret would disappear as she adjusted to life in the Seventh Realm.
A sharp rap on the library door tore him from his musings. “Aye.”
Nightleaf entered, bearing a tray with covered plates, a pitcher, and a tankard. “Forgive my forwardness, Yer Highness, but I thought a bit of sustenance might be warranted since ye missed yer supper while in search of the young unicorns yesterday evening.”
“Thank ye, Nightleaf. A bit of ale and some bread is most welcome.”
“And there is this, my prince.” The butler pulled an envelope with an annoyingly familiar seal out of his waistcoat.
“When did that arrive?”
“This morning, my prince. Quite early, in fact.” The butler poured the ale and uncovered the plate of bread and cheese.
“Whisky, Nightleaf. Ye know that seal always warrants whisky.”
“Aye, Your Highness.” He went to the cabinet, poured a large whisky, and returned with it. “Here ye are, sir.”
“I suppose the messenger is waiting in the smaller parlor?” Jeros broke the seal and unfolded the letter, recognizing the handwriting immediately. His father usually had scribes write all his correspondence, but not this one. This one was written in his father’s own hand. He looked up from the page at the butler standing there with his head bowed. “Is the messenger waiting?”
Nightleaf shook his head. “No, sir. The messenger stated there was only one response to that missive, and ye would know better than to challenge it and send the wrong message. So said His Royal Highness, King Salfan.”
Unfortunately, his father was correct. Jeros could not, in good conscience, refuse a summons to Court. Not this time. The highly personal summons from the king himself meant only one thing. They knew. The rich purple bands across the sky had announced that he had finally found his fated mate and bonded with her. He tossed the royal command onto his desk and downed his whisky just as Lexi entered the room.
“Leave us,” he commanded Nightleaf.
The butler nodded, gave Lexi a gracious bow, then hurried from the room.
“Ye should still be sleeping,” he said in a tone he hoped would reassure her. Dressed in a day gown of pale green with her hair down, he had never seen her look so lovely. His mouth watered to taste her kisses once again.
“Aylryd was getting too rowdy for Rill to handle, so I thought it best to get up and separate them.” She meandered closer, concern in her eyes. “What is wrong?”
Rather than lie or tap dance around the truth, he nodded at the paper. “My parents have summoned us to Court.”
“That sounds like they’re suing us.”
“What?”
“Never mind.” She picked up the letter and read it, her expression becoming more pained by the minute. “How do they know? It just happened.”
“Purple bands across the sky. Remember what I said about the Seventh Realm ensuring that all the Fae were kept informed when it came to the Royals?”
“You need to find a way to uninstall that feature.”
“What?” He thought her words were meant in jest, but he wasn’t certain.
