‘Someone. Anyone—please make it stop.’I prayed and prayed, hugging myself tighter until a dazzling shimmer caught my eye, teasing the darkness and making the shadows around me curious. It sparkled like diamonds and stars dancing among each other in a rhythm I could not hear. A hand struck through the glittery portal, a formidable, strong hand that had luminescent stars dotted around it. Being so desperate for aid, I accepted it without much thought and was instantly pulled in, saved from the monsters that haunted my dreams and in the embrace of comforting yet muscular arms.
“You are safe, darkling.” The deep voice affirmed, his thumb gently caressing my cheek, which had me looking up, hoping that I could match the magnificent voice to an equally magnificent face, but was met with disappointment when all I had seen were stars blurring my vision from seeing the stranger.
“I recognize you stranger,” I cocked my head to the side, the stranger’s body tensed.
“You are the lust within me, some figment of my imagination that makes me less lonely.” I answered with certainty, as this was merely a dream. The stranger hummed to me in agreement, the sound sending waves of tingles to my core. I bit my lip and stepped closer into his embrace, he had gladly welcomed me in. He caressed my neck and my eyes had rolled back from the intimate contact, feeling his palm delve lower between my breasts. I whimpered softly when he brushed the tips of his fingers over the swell of my breasts. He reminded me of someone, someone made of fire, embers and rage. Like the prince with ruby eyes.
“Please,” I urged, begging for more.
“Morana, wake up. Morana, hey. Wake up.” The dream realm shook and moulded into different colours, the warmth from the stranger’s absence left me cold and shivering. My eyes fluttered open and I gasped, trying to make sense of my surroundings.
Silvery white hair flashed from the soft glow of the fire hearth,hewas kneeled by my bedside. “You were crying in your sleep—OOMMFF,” I would not let the teasing stranger escape this time, no more. If what I desired could only come from my dreams, then I would gladly accept it. I had him under me, pressed against the blankets and pillows, keeping him there with my fists against his muscular chest.
I slowly opened the buttons of my nightdress and with a satisfied smile, I heard his breath hitch. My dress had ridden up my hips that so desperately sought out friction and with a sigh of relief I felt the protruding heat against my thighs that only spread like an inferno. His hands were no longer shy, they travelled and roamed, gently tracing my thigh, playing with a tendril of my hair. Then palming the dip of my waist until a hand rested on the curve of my lower back. It pushed, bringing me down closer to him.
“God’s, you’re so soft.” He murmured and panted until he was caught by surprise when I moved against him, making him whimper. Like a pup—this great, strong man whimpered like a pup and it made me smirk, feeling powerful, causing a strong wave of tingles that shot straight to my core.
“Your Highness, is everything alright— “A familiar voice entered the room and it had startled me so, that I blinked away the dreamlike haze I was under.
The Prince of Apollo. Trapped underneath me. Shirtless. With beads of sweat collecting down his sculpted neck and chest. My breasts swelled, nearly exposed and thighs uncovered for all to see.
“Get OUT, Inanov!” The prince all but growled, sitting up to cover me from further humiliation but the damage was already done. Heat welled in my face and collected in my chest, it felt like being dumped in an iced lake.
What in Nocturna’s name...
“I —I apologize.” Inanov stammered, his mouth open and closing, fumbling for the doorknob and then shutting the door shut with a bang.
“Morana—” I cut him off before we could damn ourselves any further.
“Get back to your side, now.” I was furious with myself, and embarrassed. I had forced myself upon him... what in Nocturna’s name was wrong with me?
The prince moved away, but did not leave—uncertainty clouding his gaze. “This was a mistake and I deeply apologize. I had thought this was my imagination and that you were...someone else.Anyone else.” I desperately tried explaining myself.
Adrion’s face hardened and with a coldness I had not seen before, he pushed himself away and got into his own bed.
“Indeed. What a mistake.”
Sleep did not consume me at all for the night that still remained.
Chapter 27
Kastell Manor
"Necromancers are to be sentenced to death for their crimes in interfering with the balance of life and death. To kill a necromancer is no easy task, the last and only person who was capable of killing necromancers was the old Queen of Duvessa. She extinguished them from Terran, restoring the balance that was desperately needed."
Duvessan Fae History.
The following text has been transcribed in an oath of truth by Volda Keely Darkblood of the Darkblood Witch Coven.
The original text has been destroyed upon command from the High King of Apollo, Solaire Gideon.
Ifelt the innkeeper's eyes on me this morning. I sat around the same table as I did last night.
The night dreams I had of whispering girls and the blue eyes of the innkeeper's daughter stared into my soul—until screams from women so loud in my dream were enough to make me plead for mercy, leading me to commit an act I so greatly regretted. I had left the room before first light and relieved a silent Inanov of his duties, taking watch in his stead. I braided my hair tightly, ensuring none slipped out of place. My armour had dried, and I was wearing it on full display. We were to leave the inn anyway, so the innkeeper might as well see a warrior instead of a maiden in need of protection.
“The only thing here that needs to be feared is me.” The dark thought crossed my mind and I blinked it away in surprise.
I looked her in the eye as I strapped my fire blades. One on each thigh. One in my boot. And two along my waist.
