With a gentle tug, I pull her up, her feet landing on the log next to me. Everly moves to step away, but I tighten my grip on her hand, not ready to let go. As I do, her foot slips and she shrieks, her panic slamming into me as if it were my own. Swiftly my arm bands around her waist, hoisting her against me.
“Don’t know if I should hit you for making me slip or thank you for stopping my fall,” she grumbles.
My grin grows wider as I tilt my face down to hers, unable to hide my amusement. “A thanks might be nice.”
Everly laughs and pushes away from me. “I’m sure it would.”
Stepping back, she glances down and readies herself to jump. Without hesitation, I jump down and spin around, prepared to catch her.
“Really?” She quirks her eyebrow at me in disbelief.
“You’re right. You got this.” I grin, turning and walking away.
Everly's clumsy movements create a cacophony of sounds as she jumps and stumbles before finally catching up to me. I can’t fight the chuckle every time I hear her trip and mutter a curse under her breath. She is different from any other woman I have encountered before, her presence refreshing like a breath of pure fresh air. Unlike others, Everly isn’t driven by a thirst for power or a desire to use me for personal gain. She also has a body that demands worship, with curves that drive me wild. Though it hasn’t escaped my notice, she appears to have lost some weight since her arrival. That thought causes me to frown.
The scent of damp earth fills the air as I navigate through the maze of ferns, bringing a sense of tranquility to my surroundings. I smell the mist a second before it cools the air.
“Is that a waterfall?” Everly asks, her hand landing on my back as she catches up.
“Yes.”
I clear a path through the large ferns, Everly steps into the small clearing where the sound of the waterfall fills the air. She draws in a sharp breath as she takes in the cascading waters, shimmering like liquid silver as they descend from great heights, forming a delicate veil of mist around the area.
A lush landscape, vibrant with hues of emerald and sapphire, surrounds the waterfall which spills into a serene, crystalline lake. The waters are a mirror to the sky above, reflecting the ever-changing dance of sunlight and the ethereal glow of the faerie moon.
“Look at this place . . . ” Everly gapes in awe as she slowly makes her way across moss-covered rocks, softened by time and draped in verdant velvet, to approach the water’s edge.
“You can wash off here. These waters are the purest in the land.”
Her gaze swings my way, and she laughs. “You brought me here to wash?”
With a shrug, I reach for the neck of my tunic and pull it over my head, tossing it aside.
The resulting spark in her eyes captivates me, her smile so warm and genuine it draws me in. She has this uncanny ability to put me at ease.
With a wink, I kick off my boots and unbutton my pants. Everly's eyes wander over my chest, desire flickering in her gaze. The sight of her biting her lip sends a jolt of lust through my body. Fuck, this woman completely owns me. I move toward her, letting my pants slip dangerously low on my hips.
“I love the way you look at me.” My voice is low and rough.
I push some of her sun-kissed hair behind her ear, letting my eyes take her in.
“Well, you are the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on,” she murmurs, her fingers dancing up my abs to rest on my chest.
I bend my head down, skimming my mouth over hers. “I don’t know what spell you’ve cast over me, but I never want to break it.”
My mouth covers hers, a rumble sounding in my chest, as need and passion engulf me. Everly’s hands grip my arms tightly as I devour her mouth. The blood rushing through my veins feels like it’s on fire. Her hands slide up my arms to wrap around my neck,her touch like a sweet elixir, leaving a lingering warmth on my skin.
Breaking the kiss, I grab her tunic and pull it over her head, her long golden hair falling around her shoulders.
“So sweet, so beautiful,” I whisper against the skin of her bare shoulder as I unclasp her bra, letting it fall to the ground. A grin spreads across my face as a tremor courses through her body, accompanied by goosebumps that follow my touch.
Stepping back, I swiftly remove my pants and take three large strides toward the water before diving in. The cool water wraps around me, invigorating every cell in my body. I can see clearly under the water and pull myself toward the middle of the lake.
Breaking the surface, I swipe my hair back and face the shore where Everly stands in only a pair of pink panties, her bare breasts on display. I let out a low groan, my dick growing hard at the sight of her. She is more alluring than any nymph or goddess I can recall. I just stare at her, taking in her beauty, the magic of this raw unfiltered moment. I want to remember everything I’m seeing and feeling, to be able to relive it whenever the dark tries to take over.
“It’s nice!” I call out, flashing her a smirk.
She smiles, and I swear my heart stalls in my chest. I watch as she carefully navigates the rocks and slowly sinks into the water, her gorgeous body disappearing under the surface bit by bit. Swimming toward me, her golden hair floats around her in the water as she takes in the view. Those spellbinding eyes light up when she looks up at the waterfall behind me.
