“Worse than that, I don’t know how much time I have left before I transform into a dragon for good. So I pushed you away, rather than hurt you. But the thought of living another moment of the time I have left without you, terrifies me even more.”
She grabbed his hand, and he turned toward her with a cautious expression on his face.
“I’ve never considered having one someone to share my life with. But when I thought you were dead, I felt as if the world had ended for me. I was willing to let the Avatheos do anything, to take away my entire self, if it meant the pain would stop.”
He swallowed.
“Erich, I love you,” she confessed.
“And I love you,” he said in return.
He leaned forward, and his hand snaked around the back of her neck, pulling her closer as he parted her lips with his tongue and kissed her deeply. Liane wrapped her hands around his body, tugging him down to lie on top of her. They held onto one another, his hands roving over her body lazily, kissing as if they had nothing but time. She felt his erection against her belly, and she squeezed her thighs together, squirming as his hand drifted over her breast. As things got heated, and he tried to open her thighs with his knee, he slammed her knee into the wall. And she swore colorfully.
Erich pulled back to check she wasn’t seriously injured. They attempted to readjust, but the bed was too narrow, and voices were filtering in from the deck above.
“Probably not the place to be doing this,” Erich said against her lips.
“We’ve done it in worse places.” Liane smirked as she kissed the corner of his mouth.
He kissed her back before leaning in to whisper in her ear. “I don’t want you in a cramped cabin. This next time, I’m going to take my time and explore every inch of you.” He trailed kisses down her neck. A promise of more.
His words sent a shiver down her spine. And she felt the absence of his touch as soon as he pulled away.
“We’ll be in Sundland before you know it. I hope you can wait until then.” He smirked, rising off the tiny cot.
She wasn’t sure she could, but if that grin was anything to go off of, it would be well worth the wait.
“I suppose I’ll have to,” she replied.
36
Aristea felt as if she’d been living in a fog. The dreams were getting worse. The voice kept cajoling her, begging her to come down to meet her. At times, Aristea couldn’t tell if she was awake or asleep. Thoughts of that dark place beneath the palace consumed her. They hadn’t found Mathias, though they had Midnight Guards and City Watch alike searching for him.
Dinner with Duke Mattison had arrived. He was all smiles and compliments for her mother. Father and he discussed their hunting dogs and cattle. He was perfectly polite and charming. And far too much like Heinrich. Aristea saw her life with him playing out like a twisted play—forced to smile for his court and hers; berated for not being smart enough, pretty enough, demure enough. Worn down until she was nothing but a small pebble, something he could hold up and say—look at Princess Aristea, how easily she obeys.
“Since Prince Erich is presumed dead, I shall inherit the crown after my brother passes. My brother, the king, has assured me so. And with our marriage, we will bring the might of Sundland into the empire,” he said to her mother. “And our child will rule over a stronger empire.” Duke Mattison reached across the table to pat her hand like she was a simple child.
She may as well not be there. Or be a piece of furniture. Mother looked at her with a smile of encouragement. It was favorable. Ideal even. No matter that he was so much older and another man cut from Heinrich’s cloth. The empire came before all else. Wasn’t that what she’d taught her?
Aristea sat in place, like a porcelain doll. This is what they wanted her to do, sit, smile, and be the perfect example of a princess. Without agency. Without a choice. She wanted to scream and to run out of the room, tearing her clothes off like a madwoman. But she suspected even if she did, he’d still marry her. Because he craved power. Heinrich needed her womb. Duke Mattison didn’t even need that. She’d given her blood, her tears. And now Mathias was plotting against her; he’d sided with the elves to destroy her and their family. And still she was powerless.
“Unless you come to me,” the voice whispered. It seemed it was in the room with her.
Aristea looked up, and she was hovering just past Mother’s shoulder, her face veiled and her withered hands reaching out to her.
“Take the power. It is your right.”
“No.” Aristea slammed her hands on the table.
Mother, Father, and the duke all looked at her as if she’d lost her mind. She stood and stared at the three of them. These schemers who’d plotted her life. She wouldn’t marry Duke Mattison. She refused. Even if she lost everything, she would not marry this man. She’d find another way.
“I will not marry you. I will rule on my own,” Aristea declared.
Her mother looked at her, mouth agape. “Aristea.”
“Denounce me if you wish. But I refuse to.”
Duke Mattison sputtered, and Father blinked in confusion, and then Mother set her napkin aside. She thought she would scold her or tell her to listen. Mother crossed the room, walked over to Aristea, and placed her hands on her shoulder.
