“Or here, Fire.” Over my skirt, his fingertips teased my slit, then pulled away. “Until I have pulled you from the mists and you are back with me.”
I swallowed, fighting the urge to pin him to the ground and go back to my games of pretend. “Jonas, I mean what I say.”
“As do I.” He tilted my chin with his knuckle. “The only reason I fear you, is because of how swiftly you had me on my knees. If you’ve stolen anything from me, it is my heart.”
I arched a brow. “Have you been reading some of these books? That sounded rather like a line I’ve read.”
“Perhaps. Do you not like my declarations of devotion, Fire? Too scripted? Too fantastical?”
A soft laugh escaped. “I always want your truth and your honesty. I have trusted too easily before, and I never want to be made a fool again.”
“My truth? All right. I am not letting you push me away; where I belong is at your side. The pain you felt tonight, I want you to let me hold some of it—preferably all—if it should take you again. The way you have stood by me when fear overwhelms me, I want to do the same. The truth is I want all of you. Your fire, your tears, your laughter, your hopes. I want them all. You are more than enough for me, Skadi.”
Jonas kissed me again. He didn’t pull away.
I was lost to him. Somehow we ended sprawled over the rug, clothes cast aside, his slow, deep thrusts filling me, proving with each motion his every word.
There was nothing hurried. We took our time, explored every surface of each other, like this moment created something new—there were no secrets between us, no walls. Jonas held me close, my name like soft prayers whispered against my skin.
My legs locked around his waist, desperate to draw him closer until he became part of the marrow in my bones.
We didn’t leave my sanctuary the whole of the day and into the night. I fell asleep against his body, limbs tangled, and to the slow, steady beat of his heart.
Chapter 47
The Nightmare Prince
“Jonas.”A hand patted my cheek.
I blinked against the dim light. “Gods, Sander.” Half-awake, I still managed to see to it my naked wife was covered with one of the knitted blankets from one of the chairs. We’d fallen to the floor of Skadi’s library and loved each other until sleep took us. I waved my brother away. “Be gone.”
“We found him.”
My breath caught. “Him?”
“We know who gave Oldun the tonic and we know where he is.”
Careful not to rouse Skadi, I slipped my arms from beneath her body, tucking the blanket around her shoulders, and slid into the trousers Sander tossed at me.
“Someone needs to guard her,” I hissed at my brother while I accepted a tunic he’d brought for my use.
“Good thing I’m here.” Mira shoved into the library, a stack of quilts and a goose down pillow in her arms.
I pressed a quick kiss to the top of my friend’s head. “Thank you.”
“Jo.” Mira was bright and filled with a vibrant enjoyment for life most days, but there were moments as this when her unseen viciousness bled to the surface. “If he is out to hurt her, make him suffer.”
I rushed to my room, gathering blades, boots, and a hooded coat. “Who is it?”
“Maj shared Oldun’s memory. I recognize him from the vows, one of the king’s guards, but don’t know his name. We put the word out, and one of the dock house keepers sent word he thought he saw a strange fae take a room for the night with plans to sail on the post ship to the Ever in the morning.”
Only one elven guard had reason to resent this alliance. “Cian. I guarantee it is a man called Cian.”
Skadi would need to forgive me. A turn where his head was pinned to the wall would come earlier than planned.
“Jonas.” Sander stepped in front of me. “I am at your side, you know this, but there is the alliance to consider.”
My lip curled. “An alliance broken first by the elven when they sent Oldun to my room.”
