The colors of the Calderran forest met him as he stepped onto the protected balcony. Rich greens, browns, golds, purples, and reds filled the space, built into tiers of dirt. It felt like stepping out of a cabin in the middle of dense woods. The stacking of the plants gave depth to the space, making it feel like it continued on beyond what the eyes could see. Vines curled up to the ceiling, while other plants seemed to grow out from the walls, completely filling the outer edges of the space.
Thick glass curved up in walls around them and spiraled into a dome over their heads. Native purple flowers bloomed all over the space, making the glass appear to be not clear but the faintest shade of lavender. Metal hardware glinted along the windows, indicating they could be opened to let in fresh air.
Centered in the oval space was a wide one-armed sofa twice the size of the one in the nook of the grand suite. Soft cushions invited hours to be spent taking in the beauty of nature masterfully planted in the private space. A tiny rectangular table sat in front of it, offering space for mugs of coffee and books.
“Celina…” Rodric stared in awe at the ensconced forest, touching the leaves of a plant near him. “This is incredible.”
It was a miniature of the atrium at the center of the keep, but not an exact duplicate. While that living atrium boasted a colorful garden and walking paths, this was an intimate joining of nature and comfort.
Globes of light were strung across the space, giving it the amber glow of candlelight. Looking directly through the orbs to the lavender glass walls and ceiling produced a magical sparkle that made him grin. He touched one, finding it warm but not hot.
“Are these the same as the ones that light the dancing space at the tavern?”
“Yes, an old family friend put them in generations ago.” Moving back, she leaned against the royal tinted glass, smiling at his obvious enjoyment of her secret balcony.
Moving over to her, he peered out the glass to the space outside. Mountains and the open space of the courtyard he’d darted across earlier in the evening greeted him, showing him where he was in the estate’s layout.
Pressing a hand against the cool glass, he nuzzled the side of her neck and put his lips near her ear, lowering his voice to the tone that made her shiver. “Is this glass opaque from the outside?”
“Yes.” Celina’s voice caught, her eyes heating up in a turquoise glow of desire. Her hand traced up his chest and neck as she arched her back, pressing into him.
Moving her wealth of hair aside, he feathered kisses down her neck. Her fingers curled into his hair, anchoring herself as she raised up on her toes. She met him kiss for kiss, pulling him eagerly into a slow and thorough seduction against the curved glass of the forest balcony.
Reveling in the feel of his mate, Rodric let go of the tight hold he kept on his heart and his magic, joining her in pure delight as all their senses melded. The cold touch of amorite made contact with his skin as she moved her hand through his hair, the feel of her joining bracelet sending a bolt of wholeness through him.Forever, my love.
Light dimmed in odd swaths of shadow, drawing his attention up. Celina followed his gaze while keeping her hand around his neck. Snow drifted from the sky, hailing the beginning of the storm. The white flurries fell onto the glass ceiling and continued down the walls into the night below, lending even more enchantment to the space.
Looking back at his mate, Rodric smiled, admiring the enchantress he’d first met, loving the woman he’d come to know.
“I think I’m going to like winter in Calderre.” Leaning down, he kissed her passionately, soaking up the feel of her essence entwined around his soul.
