“You’ll guard it?” she asks, her voice barely audible.
“Yes.”
Breathing out slowly, she nods, and with a caress of his magic, he lets hers go.
It rushes through her like a tidal wave, overwhelming and powerful. Too powerful. Too much to control. Frightening in its strength.
But she harnesses it as well as she can. “Sing for me,” she whispers to the trees. To the leaves and the branches.
Tharios could do it with his plant magic, too, but he always says her magic creates far more beautiful symphonies than his ever could.
And they dance. It’s a give-and-take full of the sensual. Full of touch. Her hands on his neck. His chest. Never leaving his body as they move together to nature’s serenade. His touch makes her flesh sizzle as their magic meets in tiny bursts whenever their hands brush against each other.
He catches her against his chest as stars hang overhead, the passage of time meaningless between them. His breath is heavy on her neck, and her own heart pounds.
“I need you,” he groans. Then he laughs. “We were supposed to talk.”
“Entire conversations can be held without words, my love.”
“And what does this one say?”
“Isn’t it obvious? At the end of the day, there’s only us, Tharios Westaria.” She stares into his eyes as her chest heaves. The intensity of his gaze makes her body tingle with every memory of their shared touch, even as their magic sizzles between their joined palms.
And then the heat of their magic vanishes, his own magic a shield around hers once more.
“I’ve laid a trap for a faerie,” he whispers. “And she fell right into it.” He kisses her with a passion so intense she can barely breathe. Then he pulls away, whispering against her lips. “At least that’s what I thought. But all along, it was her trap snaring me.”
And he finds her lips once more.
A Lifetime Ago
Episode 122
Astheeveningwearson, Elowyn dozes off and on in Rominy’s lap, and he holds her close. Whatever possessed him to invite her to curl up with him like this is hard to define, but it felt right. Even as Mother’s face paled and Arisanna’s cheeks flamed.
Life is too short to waste time caring about being proper every minute of the day. Even an elven lifetime.
Eventually, Father stands so swiftly and easily that it’s hard to fathom. “I should turn in. I’ll be leaving on the early train tomorrow. Cerian, will you give your parents my regrets for not offering them a proper farewell?”
“Of course.”
“Will you return with Father?” Arisanna asks Mother, and Mother sighs.
“I hate to leave either of you, but even a queen has pressing matters to attend to. Besides, you will soon return to Lostariel, and I look forward to visiting you there before long.” She turns to Rominy. “I’m still not thrilled that you’ll be gallivanting all over creation for who knows how long, but I suppose your father is right, and this will be good for you. I’ll miss you.” She gently brushes Elowyn’s hair from her forehead. “Both of you. I’m sure you’ll be up and about in no time.”
Rominy’s heart warms at Mother’s words.
“I sure hope so,” Elowyn murmurs drowsily, and Rominy chuckles as he presses his lips to the top of her head.
They all say their goodbyes. Arisanna hugs Mother and Father in turn, and soon their parents are gone.
“We should let you rest,” Arisanna says. There’s a hint of sadness in her voice, but it’s doubtful most people would notice it. Did Cerian hear it?
Cerian reaches for Arisanna’s hand. Perhaps he did.
“Where did Tharios go?” Cerian asks. “I haven’t seen him in hours.”
“Where he is now is his own business,” Grandmera says from nearby. “We have all monopolized his time enough lately.”
