“Sounds lovely,” I grin.
Rhydian flows to his feet and offers me his hand. I take it, and the zing I feel from his touch is surprising. This man is my lover. We have had all kinds of sex. The simple feel of his skin against my own should not be so exhilarating. Shouldit?
He takes my arm and we stroll the short distance through the knee high flowers to the gazebo. He releases my arm and the absence of his touch feels cold.
I climb on to the bed and lay back amongst the pillows. Oh wow! This has to be the comfiest thing I have ever lain on. It is like lying on clouds! Rhydian settles next to me and I snuggle up to him. His arm drapes over me and I sigh in bliss. This is perfection. Sheer and utter perfection.
“So, this is for napping?” I ask.
“Yes.”
What a wonderful idea. Stuff yourself silly with a ton of delicious food and then have a nap. All out in the fresh air and sunshine.
I would have been happy with a regular picnic on a normal sized picnic blanket, and then resting my head on Rhydian’s lap and having a snooze. But I’m not going to complain about all this wondrous luxury.
Suddenly, Rhydian’s fingers brush lightly under my chin. He tilts my face up and leans in for a kiss. A soft brush of lips. Barely there. It tingles. The sensation sinks through me, all the way to my soul where it ignites a smouldering heat.
I grab a hold of Rhydian and don’t let him pull away. I demand another kiss. He obliges.
My toes curl. My heart flutters. My muscles turn to goo.
He kisses me deeper and I whimper and tighten my grip on him. His hand slides down to my ass and gives it a squeeze. I moan and press myself against him. This bed doesn’t have to be only for napping, does it?
I’ve just eaten a ton of food. It is the middle of the day. We are out in the open and surrounded by dozensof servants. My arousal does not care. My desire is not bothered. My lust thinks it is exciting.
I break away from the kiss. Rhydian’s eyes are dark and heated. The sight of his hunger for me has me squirming in delight. He is as hot for me as I am for him, and that is wonderful.
“The servants!” I manage to gasp.
While apparently I don’t seem to mind a bit of exhibitionism, it is not fair on the staff. They probably don’t want to have to see, or hear anything when they are simply trying to do their work.
Rhydian clicks his fingers and the servants all bow and drift away over the meadow and back towards the palace. Soon we are all alone.
“Better?” asks Rhydian.
“Perfect,” I agree.
He smiles and leans down to kiss me again.
And it is a very long time before I think of any further coherent thoughts.
Chapter forty-one
Ithink this throne room is my favourite room in the palace. Every time we are here, I am reminded of my glorious victory, and the memories fill me with joy. It has been months now, so I guess it is never getting old. I’m going to gloat and preen about it forever.
I have no idea what we are doing here today, but that doesn’t matter. I don’t need to know. My role is to stand here, next to Rhydian’s throne and look pretty.
He never holds the end of my leash anymore. It just trails down my robes and looks decorative. It is probably strange that I miss being led around. Maybe I am a kinky freak, but it was a connection between us. Some part of him holding some part of me. These days I have to make do with the occasional heated glance. But that’s fine. Public Rhydian is the aloof ice prince. Private Rhydian is all mine.
Even more fey stroll into the throne room. It is getting busy in here. The sunset is casting red and orange light through the tall arched windows, making all the fancy clothes look even more spectacular.
This event, whatever it is, is going to be quite something. It is probably something to do with the upcoming summer solstice, which I gather is a huge deal.
My gaze is drawn to Dyfri. He has made it a short way into the room, but has been stopped by a brown-haired fey whose name I don’t know. I watch as Dyfri gives a beautiful curtsy and exchanges a few words with the man standing in his way.
I frown. They are far too far away for me to hear a thing, especially over the background noise of a thousand small conversations. But I have a sinking feeling that I know exactly what is going on. Dyfri is being ordered to this man’s bedchamber.
My fists clench by my side and I tear my impotent gaze away.
