28
THORNE
Iam Thorne Fata.
I am the last living Prince of the Shadowlands.
I am hers.
Completion feels like this. Like I’m whole with her at my side, like I’m at my best inside of her, like I’m at one with myself for the first time in my life.
With her hand laced with mine, I can take on the world, and I will. When the time comes, I will scorch the Earth for her.
It will be my honor.
Running my thumb across the back of her hand, I look up at the sky as we head toward the center of The Vale, certain it’s never been as bright as it is today. The feeling of her contentment ripples through my bones, dousing me in serenity, but with that comes the tendrils of confusion.
She seeks answers, and she deserves them.
She also seeks food, which is where we’re heading.
Clearing my throat, I clench her hand in mine, drawing her attention to me. Her pupils are still blown, her purple hair falls in waves around her shoulders, and her shoulders are relaxed.
“Instead of spiralling in your thoughts over what you want to ask first, how about we start wherever your words take us first, and we’ll go from there,” I offer, and her nose crinkles.
“What gave me away?”
I shake my head. “Stop deflecting and start somewhere,” I muse, and her eyebrows pinch.
“Starting somewhere random could mean walking through an entire minefield before we get to the other side,” she mumbles, and I shrug.
“If it’s a path worth taking, I’ll be by your side. Besides, nothing in this life is easy; wrangling a conversation so we’re on the same page is a worthy battle.”
“You’re insane,” she blurts with a soft smile, and I find myself grinning too.
“For you, yes. Now, questions, hit me with them.”
She blinks at me for a few moments before her lips part, and I get the vision of my cock nestled against her tongue. Biting back a groan, I glance away, trying to contain myself as she speaks.
“Why did you give in?” she asks, her words so quiet the wind could almost steal them away, as if she doesn’t want to consider the response.
I bring her hand to my mouth, pressing a kiss to her knuckles as we continue to walk toward The Vale.
“I don’t know if it’s a case of giving in. It feels like I could see more clearly.”
“And what could you see?”
“You.”
She cocks a brow at me, rubbing her lips together nervously as she waits for more of an explanation.
I consider what I should say, but there’s no use glossing over the truth. “I saw you earlier, out by Institute Twelve with the blades of grass.”
She gapes at me in surprise, her mouth opening and closing a few times before she manages to speak. “I knew someone was watching me, but I thought I was overthinking it.”
I nod. “I was dealing with Nathaniel’s… remains in the trees when you appeared.”
“And you didn’t think to make yourself known?” Her lips twist, and I sense her heartbeat increasing.
