“Kyron!” she yells, squirming against my hold.
I slap her on the ass and receive a yelp. “I’ve clearly not exhausted you enough. Let’s go remedy that, princess.”
Eighteen
RAELLE
Agentle breeze brushes my upper back and the scent of honeysuckles clings to the morning air. My body protests as I roll to my back, every muscle deliciously achy. Stretching my arms above my head, I inch my eyes open. The warm glow of sunlight shines between the heavy black curtains which act as the walls to our room. Kyron left the section facing the bed open, giving us the most spectacular view of the stars as we made love throughout the night. I can’t recall the last time it felt this good to wake up and face the day ahead.
Kyron shifts beside me, and I take in his sleeping form. One arm curves above his head while his other hand rests on his chest. I study the shield inked into his bicep—the Stigian and Lucent crests blended together. The tattoo was a representation of him before he became king. A blending of two kingdoms one day to be reunited in their perfect form. Now, something very similar is embroidered on the new banners flying throughout Pliris. My gaze travels to the black hair feathered over half of his face and his parted lips. I brush a strand away from hiseyes and watch as his long eyelashes flutter just above his high cheekbones. When he’s like this, he looks more like a boy than a man who carries an entire kingdom on his shoulders.
I ease out of the bed and make my way to the washroom. After cleaning up, I return to our room and enjoy the freedom of not worrying about interruptions. The time spent with my family was well needed, but it came with a lack of privacy. In some ways, it wasn’t much different from the Allaji palace. I never knew when I’d be summoned for some quality time with my parents or asked to entertain my siblings. The last thing I could do was walk around naked and bask in the morning sun.
I make my way to the balcony and soak in the breathtaking view of the northern mountains and the bay. The waves roll on the sea and fresh air fills my lungs. Kyron’s tower should remind me of my prison in Allaji—the view of the sea and the terrifying height. But I’ve never felt so calm and safe. The flow of the water is gentler, and the air isn’t as thick from humidity. The bustling city of Stigian sits on the other side of the palace, giving me the privacy I crave. This just might be the most peaceful place in the world.
I startle as a plush blanket is wrapped around my shoulders. A firm chest presses to my back and strong, callused hands move up and down my arms. I tuck my lips between my chattering teeth, realizing they very well could have woken up the entire palace.
“Good morning,” Kyron says, his voice raspy with sleep.
“Good morning, Ky.”
He brushes my wild hair to the side and kisses my neck. “Why aren’t you in bed? You’re making me question my abilities as a lover.”
“Trust me, your abilities are outstanding,” I say, tilting my head so he can get to the spot that makes my toes curl.
“That’s good to know.”
My eyes grow wide as a spiral of black shadow flows from his fingertips. I hold out my hand, beckoning it to me. It slides across my palm and a spark of excitement ignites within me. It remembers me... still wants me. I spread my fingers, expecting the shadows to coil around them, but it floats right by like smoke on the night wind.
The shadows’ rejection isn’t intentional, but it twists my heart just the same. Kyron’s powers always reacted to me as if they were a loving pet. They came as soon as I summoned them. His fire found a home in my palm and his shadows slithered around my limbs. I always felt a special connection to his gifts, but it appears they were only attracted to the Eporri.
“Do you feel it?” he gently asks.
I shake my head. “It used to feel like it was caressing me and leaving a warm trail on my skin. Now, I feel nothing.”
He wraps his arms around me and nuzzles his nose in my neck. He doesn’t say anything, just holds me while I mourn the connection we once had. I’ve gone a month without the Eporri, but I didn’t truly feel its absence until now. The constant buzz of power was missing, but I wasn’t around anyone who would awaken its purpose. And then when I was with my family, I was too caught up in reconnecting with them to give it much thought. Kyron’s power has always charged the Eporri in a way unlike any other. I can’t help but think that maybe the stone knew it would be his in the end.
“Do I feel different without it?” I ask.
“No. I could always tell the difference between the pull of the stone and you. Your fight for what is right and your capacity to love wholeheartedly wasn’t a result of that power. Soft, funny, intelligent, compassionate, loyal, strong, sexy—I was attracted to you the moment I laid eyes on you.”
Thank the Statera that he’s holding me because my bones just turned to jelly, and I think my flesh has melted into a gooeymess. I glance back at him and smile. “Are you sure the parah bond hasnothingto do with it?”
Kyron quirks his lips and tilts his head from side to side. “The bond makes my soul feel like it has found its match. Butyoustole my heart, consume my mind, and make my cock hard.” He presses his length into the small of my back to prove his point.
Losing our bond would have crushed me, but it wouldn’t have changed the way I feel about him. What we share transcends the spiritual. It continuously grows and strengthens. Neither of us can contain it in our being. Every interaction, every experience, even the quiet moments of nothing are saturated in particles of us.
“I don’t suppose you’re up for round three?” His hand moves under my breasts and his thumb brushes my nipple.
“You’re selling yourself short. It will be our fourth round.”
He drags his lips up to my ear and nips my lobe. “You’re keeping count.”
I arch my neck and kiss the underside of his jaw. “What can I say? You make it unforgettable.”
His deep chuckle vibrates through my body, awaking my need for him. “Thank you for stroking my ego,” he says.
“Along with stroking other things.”
