I’m not ready to let him go.
But I’ll never be ready, and my body isn’t listening to my increasingly desperate commands. Eres tightens, and I drop onehand to him, feeling his cock tighten to release before he spurts into my hand as I follow him over the edge with his name on my lips.
Both of us still, our breathing still harsh and noisy. Eres’s shirt is plastered to him with sweat, my own not much better. I ease my way out of him, pulling back and pushing his ass apart.
“Kae.” The sound of my name, soft and satiated and mildly chiding on his lips is the only thing that could make me smile right now.
I run my hand down his back. “Let me see you.”
And what a fucking glorious sight he is. I watch as what I left inside him drips down, gathering it up and rubbing it into his skin.
Eres sighs, twisting his head to look at me. “Don’t fight with Dare while I’m gone.”
My brows crease. He says his name so easily, even as he stands there. “His name doesn’t belong here, Eres.”
His eyebrows raise, just a little. Concerned, not taunting. “Are you sure?”
Avoiding his gaze, I press my lips to his shirt before reaching for my own, tearing off a strip from the bottom and using it to clean him up. When the shadows fall from his wrists and ankles, I step back, watching as he pulls up his belt and fusses with the litany of bottles he stores there. I know better than to interfere with the process.
When he finally lifts his head, I attempt to wipe my expression a little too late.
His mouth coaxes me to say things. Too many things. Things likedon’t goandfuck the warandI’m coming with you.
But I can’t say any of those things.
He kisses me one more time. “Come and help me pack.”
So I say the only thing I can. “I love you.”
He grins. Unrestrained and unapologetic. “I know.”
I wait. His hand brushes my cheek. “When I’m back.”
I frown. “Say it now.”
“No.” He slips out of the dissipating shadow, smirking over his shoulder before he sets off in the direction of the Healer Quarters. “Something for you to look forward to.”
“Eres.”
It helps a little, this back and forth between us. Helps as he packs and I pace back and forth, reeling off information from the latest reports that might help knowing full well that he’s read them all too.
It helps as we face each other in the courtyard, beside a scowling Nythen and expressionless Valcor as Eres swings himself into the saddle, cheeks already flushed from the cold. His horse stamps the ground, nostrils blowing white vapour in the chilled air. Beside him, Eldritch eyes me knowingly, but says nothing.
It hurts to step back from him. “Be careful. All of you.”
Eres presses his left palm to his heart, inclining his head. “Your Highness.”
My eyes narrow, but he’s cantering from the open gates before I can respond.
Gone.
And the asshole has taken my heart with him.
Lyra
There are no farewells to be had. Not for me, at least.
Holding back my horse, I glance around at the soldiers that surround me. Most of them stare straight ahead, the families stood beside them silent. From the dais behind us in the open courtyard, the High Solar watches on. The priestess that leads our temple services to worship the old gods moves her hands in a silent blessing.
