One hand leaves my hip, and I glance over my shoulder to see him lining up the head of his cock. My jaw drops open as he slides into my pussy, inch by inch. I impatiently shove my hips back until he’s fully seated.
I hear his breath shudder before he releases a long, growly “Fuuuuck!”
We stay like that for a moment, the heat pulsing between us, and then he slowly begins to thrust. His motions are steady at first, but as our bodies slap together, growing hotter and sweatier, his strokes become more erratic.
“Gods, Celeste, you take my cock so well.” His hands are tight on my hips, his fingers digging into my flesh. “Touch yourself,” he demands. “Play with that gorgeous, swollen clit.”
I do as he says, sliding my fingers down and rubbing frantic circles into my clit, causing even more pressure to build inside my core. Gods, what this man does to me. My head swims as the ecstasy vibrates within me. Our moans and grunts grow louder, and his throbbing cock seems to thicken inside me.
I feel my pussy clenching around him, the heat engulfing me in a deluge of rapture. I’m so close. I’m so close.
“Cum with me, Highness. Cum all over my cock. I want to be covered with your juices.”
His last words are stunted as his hips shudder against my ass, and my orgasm pulses out of me. My whole body tingles as aftershocks surge through me. He leans over me, his arms wrapping around my body as his heavy breaths slow.
I don’t know how many minutes it takes before he finally pulls out of me. He pulls me to stand and immediately turns me against his chest. His stormy eyes take in my features as he strokes my dampened hair out of my face. He looks as if he’s going to say something, and I wait, my heart pounding so hard, I think it’s going to break my ribs.
Instead of saying anything, he gently rubs his nose along mine, andthen his lips descend to claim my mouth. It isn’t urgent or rough, but gentle, lingering. I can feel his heartbeat. When the kiss ends, I press my forehead against his chest, and he breathes into my hair as he strokes the strands.
I feel like I know what he was going to say, but I’m not going to push him. I feel it. I want to say it, too. But it remains an unspoken claim between us. Not because we don’t mean it, and not because we are afraid. But because we are uncertain of what awaits us, of what fate has in store.
ChApter
Thirty-Nine
Ivystone rises from the mist like a fortress out of a dream—sharp spires piercing the low clouds, the silver-grey stone darkened by the drizzle in the air, vines of dark-green ivy clinging to the walls as if the land is cradling the castle in its delicate hands. The familiar sight should feel cold, imposing. And yet, as our carriage rumbles over the bridge, I find an unexpected warmth running through me.
Despite everything, this place has become a home.
The closer we come to the main gates, the more ease I feel, as I managed to sleep a lot during our long journey back. Since there were no more urgent situations where I needed to use copious amounts of my power, the break gave me time to reenergize, but I engaged in little magical exercises Ezra had instructed me to practice to ensure I was learning control. Nadya also practiced, as she spent most of the trip with her nose buried in her great-aunt’s spell book.
There were a few nights as we traveled through the mountains near the border that I caught sight of glowing, yellow dots in the woods we passed. I somehow could feel the presence of wolves watching the caravan, as if guarding me in case anything were to threaten my journey.
The tour is finally over. No more endless halls glittering with pretense. No more silk-clad princesses fluttering their lashes at Dante while I stand silently in the background, veiled and voiceless. Here, behind Ivystone’s towering walls, the weight of the kingdom’s scrutiny lifts—if only a little.
The rain drizzles against the window beside me, soft and constant, blurring the courtyard as the carriage approaches. Our convoy got separated halfway back from Mersos, leaving our carriage and one other with Indira and some other servants to arrive much later than the others.
The official mourning period is nearly over, and I smile at the thought of finally ridding myself of this exasperating gown.
Nadya shifts beside me, stretching her legs with a groan. “Finally back. Feels like a dream.”
“I never thought I’d say this, but I can’t wait to just blockade myself in my room and lie in my bed for a few days.”
My body feels stiff as we disembark, and I make a mental note to jump back into my training routine after I get some much-needed rest. Sir Holden walks alongside me and Nadya as we make our way into the castle. The familiar high ceilings and plush furnishings somehow make me feel like I’m seeing an old friend.
A flash of movement catches my eye as we approach the grand staircase. Dante appears as if he’s already settled in, freshly bathed and wearing crisp, new clothes.
His broad shoulders seem less tense, though there’s still a hint of a shadow beneath his eyes. I wish I could rush over to him and make sure he’s all right, to ask him how he’s holding up under the pressure of the legitimization.
He hasn’t looked my way, and I don’t have a minute to try to catch his attention because Indira appears before me and Nadya, immediately urging us up the stairs to our rooms.
I tear my gaze from him, deciding what I really need is to get out of my traveling ensemble and soak myself in a hot bath. Sir Holden leads us up the grand staircase, and as we reach the upper floor, I spot Queen Eleanor heading down the opposite wing. When she glances my way,there’s no mistaking the gloom in her eyes, a weight that no crown can lighten. She carries herself with the same grace she always does, but the grief is still apparent in her expression
I wonder if she feels more trapped here than anywhere else. Her son is gone, and her husband gives her no comfort. In fact, he gives her quite the opposite, and since he has control over the entire kingdom, she must feel she has no one on her side.
I can’t imagine what it would be like to live a life where you’re never truly free—not even in your own home. I may be subjected to an arranged marriage for the sake of my kingdom, but Dante would never oppress me like his father does to Eleanor.
And unlike the king’s marriage, my union with Dante would not be devoid of love.
