Lia nodded once in quiet greeting before floating down the curved stairs. A flickering flame in her right hand lit the way, and her left palm hovered a breath above the railing, as was proper for a lady.
“You can cut the act, Hildy’s not expecting airs and pretensions,” he called, cupping a hand to his mouth to enhance his voice.
Beside him, Hildy chuckled.
“Oh, thank the gods! I’m so glad you’re home!” Solaelia shouted, clapping excitedly as a grin split her face. She tossed her flame into the air, urging the writhing ball of fire to hover over her as she flounced down the remaining steps and charged toward them. “Dismount! What are you doing? I want to give you a hug!”
“I like her,” Hildy murmured as she climbed down from her horse.
Isahn’s feet met the cobbles a moment later, and a groom materialized from somewhere below stairs to take away their tired horses.
“Extra oats and apples for both, and rub them downtwiceas long as usual. It’s been a long day and a longer journey. Thank you, Karis.” He made it a point to know the names of everyone in his employ.
“Yes, my lord.”
His smile held until the young man guided the mounts away and Lia asked, “Does this mean you’re retaking your seat?”
“Didn’t you promise me a hug?” Isahn dodged the question with one of his own and threw his arms open wide.
His slightly younger sister eyed him warily before wrapping him in a tight embrace. Heat from her trailing inferno warmed Isahn almost as much as being reunited with Solaelia.
“I missed you. I can’t wait to hear all about your adventure.”
He spat a bit of her hair from his mouth before replying, “And you will, once we’re clean, and while we’re being fed. If you don’t mind?”
“It’s your house, why would I mind?” Lia furrowed her brow before turning toward Hildy. “It’s lovely to meet you, Miss Hill, was it?”
Hildy cleared her throat and shuffled slightly, though her posture from the waist up belied none of her discomfort.
“There’s a lot I need to explain. But long story short, not anymore. This is Hildred Segreto of Domos—but don’t call her that, call her Hildy.”
“Hildy.” Lia, ever a lady, pivoted quickly. “It’s lovely to meet you. Come inside, I have a guest room ready for you. And Isahn, your apartments have been eagerly awaiting your return.”
“You have a beautiful home, uh—” Hildy looked back and forth between Solaelia and him. “Both of you?”
The siblings chuckled, and their trio headed up the stairs.
“I’ll give you a full tour tomorrow,” Solaelia offered with a grin.
Isahnstoodbeneaththeflowing water of his shower inhisprivate bath, inhisapartments, onhisbloody estate, but he still felt out of place, like he was experiencing a foreign land for the first time. Something drastic had changed in him, much more significantly than he’d first suspected. All because of that single hazy month in Domos. All because ofher. George, Georgie, the princess, the love of his life.
His mind traveled to the northern kingdom, to a bedroom with a celestial ceiling and a cacophony of colorful fabrics, to a woman with a beauty mark on her cheek, lusciously plump lips, and curves for days. He could practically feel her soft body beneath his hands if he thought hard enough.
A low groan escaped him.
He had a few minutes before meeting his sister and Hildy in the morning room for a small meal and a big conversation. That was time enough.
Kicking up the heat in his shower, he braced himself against the wall with his left hand and wrapped his right around his erection. Whirling thoughts carried him straight back to Domos, to her bed. Rolling and twisting bodies. First he was on top, then she. He explored her wetness, played with her breasts, teasing and loving her fully. Then she was beneath him again as he slid home—home—and peppered her with kisses that spoke of endless devotion.
He finished onto the tile floor and washed it down the drain, watching the swirl of water drain away. He couldn’t be sure whether his memories were real or the fantasies of a man obsessed, couldn’t say for certain how she felt in return. But he’d sort it out. He had to.
Though Isahn’s chest brimmed with a steady, humming warmth, tears welled in his eyes for a person and place he’d half forgotten. He toweled off with one word ringing in his mind:Home.
“That’squitealotof information.” Lia swirled her wine and selected a biscuit from the tray before her.
“It is.” Hildy nodded.
At their midnight meal in the morning room, they devoured meat pies followed by desserts and drinks. They’d told Lia everything—excluding the existence of the veiled city and the non-extinct status of the fae.
