Some of the tenseness leaves his muscles. “Not that I’ve ever known. If there has, the pair has kept it a secret. But I have a theory why ours exists as it does.”
Even though this tangent began as a diversion from more serious matters, I find my interest genuinely piqued. The wordtheorytends to do that to me. “You do?”
He nods. “You know how I told you that the Bonding ritual is performed as a sign of mutual fear and respect, most often used to forge alliances? That it’s rare to be done in mate relationships? Well, I think that’s why ours works the way it does. Because we are more than just allies Bonded by name. We love each other.”
My heart flips at the wordlove,and with it comes a warmth spreading through my chest. Could he be right? Could only Bonded pairs who love one another form such a deep connection? A darker thought comes to mind: if that’s the case, does it work that way with Amelie and Cobalt, just like I fear? Is there…love between them?
I shake the question from my mind. This is supposed to be my respite from thoughts of Amelie. This is about me and Aspen.
“I sensed you when you were away from me earlier this week too, after you went to Grenneith,” he says. “Just like tonight, I sensed your pain. Even though I promised I wouldn’t seek you through the Bond, my awareness of you and your emotions was strong.”
His words toe the line before dangerous territory, the kind that could have me gasping for air and fighting back tears again. I have yet to give him the full details of my trip to Grenneith and the journey back to the wall with the freed fae courtesans. Eventually, I’ll tell him all about it. Perhaps when I’m in better control of my emotions. But not today.
Needing yet another shift in subject, I tilt my head back and step closer to him, a wide grin on my lips. “You know what else is strong? Your ability to use water like you did today. I had no idea you could do that.”
He says nothing for a moment, and I wonder if he’ll let me get away with evading serious subjects twice now. Then his grin mirrors mine. “I suppose you haven’t seen me use my magic much, have you?”
“Lorelei told me you had the power to fill the baths at Bircharbor at will.”
“I may have done that for you a time or two,” he says with a smirk. “Anything to encourage you to get naked.”
A welcome heat warms my core, and I wrap my arms around his waist. “Is that so?”
“Can you blame me?” He leans down and presses his lips to mine. His warm mouth is like nourishment for my flesh. I yield to him, allowing our kiss to gently linger. When we pull away, I rest my head against his chest, letting my ears fill with the lullaby of his steady heartbeat.
“You can learn to wield water too,” he says, returning to our previous conversation. “As a queen, you have access to all four elements now. It’s only a matter of learning how to manipulate them.”
I tilt my head to meet his eyes, a flash of excitement running through me as I recall the feat I accomplished with the fireplace. “I think I used air today.” I tell him all about it, and of course, he exaggerates his pride in me.
“Combining two elements doesn’t come easy,” he explains. “Even the fae who’ve inherited more than one element tend to favor one as their primary. I take after my father’s side and am much stronger with earth. And, as you know, I can also control water to a degree. I combined water with air to lift the water from the pools today and transport it to us after the dust storm. That’s also how I was able to fill the tubs at Bircharbor. And Ustrin, like you’ve learned for yourself, used fire and air to transport flame.”
“You really think I can learn earth and water too?”
“Of course I do. I know how capable you are. Not only are you a queen, but you were strong enough to steal my cold, dead heart. If you can do that, you can do anything.” His tone is teasing, his crooked smirk such a wicked sight it has my heart racing.
More aware now of the heat of his body pressed so close to mine, my thoughts turn devious as a much more enticing distraction comes to mind. “Do you realize this is the first time we’ve been completely alone since yesterday?”
He runs his palm down my hair, then trails up the length of my arm until his warm hand settles over my bare shoulder. I close my eyes at the sensation of the slow caress. “I’m aware of it.”
I open my eyes and drink in the brown, gold, green, and ruby shades swirling in his irises. I run my hands up his chest, then grasp his collar firmly between my fingers. “You and I have unfinished business.”
“What about your sis—”
“She can wait.”
His eyes sparkle as his smirk matches the mischief in my heart. I tug his collar, and his lips are on mine again. My arms wind around his neck, pressing him closer to deepen the kiss. His hands rove the bare skin left exposed by the dress, then begin to explore every inch the sheer silk covers. My fingers tangle in his hair, then move to the branch of an antler, teasing a tine with my caress. He emits a hiss of pleasure, then moves his mouth down my neck. His fingers feel like fire through the silk of my gown as they trail the neckline. He tugs the neckline aside, and I arch against him, his warm hand full against my naked flesh.
My hands move down his back. When I reach the bottom hem of his shirt, my fingers lift it so I can feel the heat of his skin. Our breaths grow ragged and our kisses move deeper, his tongue moving against mine, conjuring images of what his tongue did last time we explored our passions together. My legs nearly give way at the thought, and I move against him, rocking my hips to sate the craving for a deeper feel of him.
Then suddenly, Aspen tenses, and it isn’t from desire. Completely still in my arms, his lips press into a tight line as a low growl rumbles deep in his chest. I pull away, brow furrowed. I study his face, but his eyes aren’t on me. They’re locked somewhere behind me.
Don’t move,he says through the Bond.
But it’s too late. I’m already whirling around.
At the center of the courtyard stands a shadowed figure. Dressed in a dark hooded cloak, all it reveals is a flash of teeth glinting in the moonlight, followed by the gleam of a blade.
15
