I open my eyes to the sight of Kael’s orgasm crashing into himlike a wave breaking on rocks, carnal and unleashed. His body shudders, cock twitching inside of me as I feel his warm come filling me. “Elyssara,” he grits out, the muscles of his arms bulging with effort, veins pumping. His control, broken. His restraint, shattered.For me. He looks like a god.
He withdraws his cock, his gaze shoots to my pussy and lingers there. His lips are slightly parted, as if admiring what he sees. “I love seeing my come dripping from your pussy,” he says, his voice pleasure-addled. “You are so fucking beautiful.”
I am wrecked. My body trembles, my legs shake, and my mind is far too scrambled to speak.
Kael huffs a laugh at my languid form, and says, “Let me take care of you, El.” All I can manage is a weak nod, as a small groan escapes my lips.
Kael rolls onto his back next to me and pulls me onto his chest, tucking me into the crook of his arm. Our bodies curl together.
My breathing begins to settle as I get comfortable on the expanse of his chest. My eyes flutter closed. I’m weightless. Drifting. And all I can think is how safe I feel in his arms, and how that might be the most dangerous thing of all.
As sleep threatens to take me under, Kael kisses the top of my head affectionately and says, “It will always be me and you, El.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX
KAEL
The soundof birds chirping gently pulls me from sleep, and I reach out my hand, seeking Elyssara. The sheets are still warm, and her scent lingers, but she’s gone. Her absence is a physical ache that I feel in my chest.Where did she go?
The sun filters through the curtains of my chambers, and the low hum of Thornewood floats through the air.
I pull on my leathers and tie my boots efficiently before stepping out of my room and into the day.
This tether in my chest gnaws at me to find her. After last night, it coiled into something satisfied. Steady. But with her gone, it’s fraying again, pulling taut in search of her.
I weave and duck between branches and trunks, letting the tether lead me to her.
It doesn’t take long before the sound of familiar voices greets me, and I follow the sound up the winding wooden stairs to Council Hollow.
The room is buzzing with frenetic energy, mainly because Rubi seems to have met Seren, and their shrill, high-pitched squeals are almost deafening.
“They’ve been like it all morning, lad,” Merrik offers whilehanding me a steaming cup of coffee—the pleasures of home I’ve missed dearly. “Women and their godsdamned giggling,” Merrik adds as an afterthought.
Elyssara has her back to me, poring over a thick text with Therion, while Jax and Ronyn argue over something that is, no doubt, inconsequential.
“Prince Kael,” Daelen drops into an exaggerated bow, a smirk lining his features, clearly referencing my request to be called such at last night’s council meeting.Asshole.
I make my way to Elyssara. As I approach, I pull her hair to one side and brush a kiss on her neck, breathing in the subtle scent of sandalwood that clings to her skin. “Good morning, beautiful,” I say, keeping my voice low so only she can hear.
She turns her face to me, cheeks flushing bright red, and gives me a coy smile that makes me want to fall to my knees at the way I can make this fierce, violent woman blush.
“Nice of you to finally join us, Your Majesty,” Ronyn quips. “I suppose you’re used to having people do everything for you, though.” Ronyn’s face is pure audacity, goading me.
“That’s the first accurate thing you’ve said all morning,” Jax banters.
Therion approaches, clapping his hand to mine and embracing me. He drops his voice so low it’s almost inaudible and says, “Looks like you,” he pauses for a heartbeat, searching for the right words, “smoothedthings over with Elyssara.” A ghost of a smile appears on his face.
“To a point,” I confirm.Fuck, there’s only so much smoothing over my cock can do.
We break apart, and I move to my usual seat at the head of the table. It’s not an official council meeting, but we have matters to tend to. “So, the Obsidian Crown. What’s the plan?” I incline my head to Seren, seeing as she usually has all the information.
“After conferring with others from the council, we believe the crown is in Starlit Grove?—”
Someone behind me clears their throat, and I look around to find Rowan at the outskirts of the room. “If I may, my prince?”
The Mindweaver steps forward. Rowan is barely twenty summers old, but his gift allows him to archive, recall, and preserve memories, conversations, historical events, and even complex details in perfect clarity. He can call forward anything he’s ever heard, read or seen. All of those with Mindweaving abilities were killed during Maldrak’s purge to wipe history. Rowan’s lineage, the Nix family, was once prominent in my family’s court, renowned specifically for their gift. But now, we only have Rowan.
He’s lean and scholarly with sharp, watchful eyes and flaming red hair. His astuteness has built him a reputation in Thornewood as an invaluable addition to Zerynthia. If only he acted like it. Rowan’s mind is sharper than a blade, but he wears his genius like a burden, not an honor.
