She looked up at him, and his whole world was reduced to her wide brown eyes. “Well, say something!” she said.
Savine smiled down at her as he said, “I love you too, Avery Hollis.”
She stood on tip toes and he tugged her close to him, lips pressed together as she parted eagerly for him. Savine didn’t hesitate as he swept his tongue to meet hers. Avery loved him. His whole body strummed as he let her words sink into his soul.
She pulled back from his kiss, swaying on her feet as he steadied her. “Okay, woah. Can you help me back to the bed? I’m feeling dizzy.” Savine scooped her into his arms, carrying her across the room to the bed.
He brought her a cup of water, feeling the need to claim her as his soulmate continuing to stir within him. Goddess damn him, she was still sick, and all he could think about was burying himself inside her.
“What are you thinking?” Avery asked, sipping the water.
“Ave, you know what I’m thinking right now,” Savine smirked.
Avery let out a little laugh. It was like the twinkling of bells, so light and delicate. “You want to complete the bond? Well, considering my frail human body can’t handlekissingI don’t think that’s an option right now. But as soon as I’m better, I’m yours. I want to feel that full soulmate connection with you.”
“And I want that with you. How will this work though? You don’t want to be my queen. What will I call you to my subjects?” Savine asked as he thought about the logistics of what she’d actually said.
“Call me your soulmate, but can we wait a while before I take the official title of queen? Maybe just let me practice magic and support you from the sidelines. Then if your folk aren’t actively trying to kill me I can take a more open role. But I’m warning you, politics aren’t my thing. Don’t fire Raikin.”
Savine laughed at that and slid into bed with her, thinking about what she was suggesting. “You’ll need a title, and I’m not going to hide how I feel about you. The folk will talk about why I haven’t made you queen.”
Avery pulled her body closer to his, the bond between them pulling tight. “Let them talk. Nothing else matters as long as we know what we are to each other. I’m your soulmate, Savine and I’m not going anywhere. Now, I need a nap. Then I want you to give me a tour of your treehouse. By the way, how did you forget to mention that detail?”
Savine tangled his hands in her hair and pulled her head onto his chest. “It didn’t seem to matter at the time. It was always just my former home.”
Avery yawned.
“Rest, Little Flower, you’re safe with me now,” Savine whispered into her ear, more for himself than Avery’s reassurance.
Chapter 20
Morgan
“Should we borrow this spell book?” Morgan asked as she picked up an ancient book bound in leather. “I think learning to communicate mind to mind could be useful, plus that spell on using a fae’s essence sounded intriguing.”
Susan nodded as she reached out her hand to take the text. “Are you sure Rylo won’t mind us taking the books to our rooms?”
Morgan passed the book to her as she looked through the stack on the coffee table in front of them. They’d spent the day pulling every book they could find on witches and spells from Rylo’sexpansive library, but they still hadn’t found any mention of the Divine Five. At least they’d discovered that ancient spellbook. Susan had gasped as she looked through all the spells, obviously passed down from one witch to another over time. How did Rylo acquire such a book?
Elio entered the room. Morgan hadn’t figured out what Elio was to Rylo. A friend? Did he have friends? An advisor maybe? Asking what their relationship was felt too personal.
“What have you found there?” he asked, taking in the stack of books. Whatever he was, Elio was far nicer to her than Selene, who still scowled at her every time they made eye contact.
Susan gave him a friendly smile. “Would King Rylo allow us to remove one of the books from the library? It’s a spellbook.”
Elio crossed his arms, looking at the book in Susan’s hands. “It’s a spellbook for witches? Goddess knows how King Rylo got his hands on such a book! It’s probably the only copy left in Aeritis, and should stay here. King Rylo said you’re welcome to use any books in this room though. Although I’d caution against practicing magic in his library. This room is like a place of worship to him.”
That was a gentle no. “That shouldn’t be a problem. Could we have some paper? We can just write the spells down that we’d like to practice,” Morgan suggested.
Elio nodded as he walked toward a cabinet in the back of the room, returning with thick parchment paper, ink, and a quill.
Morgan smiled at him, taking the paper and ink and placing it on the table near the books. “Thank you.”
Elio pressed his hands together, a grin on his handsome face as he looked at Susan. “If that is all, I was instructed to show you a place King Rylo designated for you to practice magic.”
Susan and Morgan didn’t object as he began walking toward the balcony. Perhaps they would practice just outside the library? That would be convenient.
The fae stretched out his wings and gestured for the women to step close. His bronze eyes twinkled as he smirked at their surprise.
