“Because you’re the Aztia!” he shouted. Iyana sat back on her heels, surprised by his outburst. His emotions always seemed to waver between stoic or withdrawn and mischievous. This was a new side to him. He ran a hand through his hair. “Look, the stars and the original Aztia had a…falling out before we went to the sky. And my family sent me here with explicit instructions to get close to you and guide you, but nottooclose.” He sighed. “But then I met you, and you’re this fuckinggorgeouswoman with aggravating quirks like not wearing shoes even when it’s in your best interest, and I knew right away I was lost.”
Now Iyana was confused, even while her heart soared at his words. He thought she was gorgeous. “So…what’s the problem?”
His expression was pleading with her. “I have been strictly forbidden to do what I’ve just done, and if I don’t stop myself now, there isnothingin this world or the next that will keep me from you.”
“Altair,” she said, gently. He closed his eyes, blowing out a shaky breath, like his name on her lips was his undoing. When he opened them again, instead of the dull gold color of a moment ago, they were sparkling with heat and desire.
“Fuck it,” he said, grabbing her waist and tugging her onto his lap. It happened so fast Iyana didn’t have time to react before he was kissing her again. But this time it was slower, more tender. His hand cupped her cheek. She ran her fingers through his deliciously silky hair. The passion from a minute before had tempered. Iyana sighed, and Altair pulled her closer to him, fingers digging into her waist. They kissed languidly for several minutes, neither one of them attempting to further things. Happy to stay in this moment.
As they slowed and broke apart, Iyana experienced a sense of peace and completeness she’d never felt before. She also felt something large and hard underneath her, and she slowly ground her hips against Altair. Rough hands grabbed her hips to still her.
“Astalle,” he growled. “Not here.” His eyes were intense on hers as his voice deepened. “When I take you for the first time—because it will be when, not if—it will not be on a forest floor.”
A shiver of excitement and anticipation ran through her, but her mind caught on to something he’d said. “What did you call me?”
“Astalle?”
“Yes, how did you know my surname? I don’t think I’ve ever told you.”
A crease formed between his brows. “Astalle is your surname?”
“Obviously, why else would you call me that?” asked Iyana, thoroughly confused.
Altair barked a surprised laugh. “It would be your surname…” He laughed again, louder. “Astallein the old language meansstarheart. It was—it was a term of endearment.”
Iyana suddenly enjoyed her name much more, especially rolling off his tongue. Sighing, she stood up off his lap. It was getting into the late afternoon, a cooler bite to the air as the sun hung low in the sky. They were hoping to reach an inn before all the rooms were taken, and if she didn’t stop touching him now, she wouldn’t careabout his promise not to fuck her in the woods. Still, shoving him to the ground and tearing his clothes off was tempting. Altair chuckled.
“Come on, my star, let’s get you into the bed you’ve been lusting after.”
“Yes, please,” she chirped, now looking forward to things other than sleep.
Chapter 15
Emmeric
Emmeric had an arduous night of sleep, full of tossing and turning. He knew Prince Zane was going to want a report about what had happened, and he honestly wasn’t sure what to tell him. Also, the few times he did drop into sleep, he dreamt about Iyana. It was always the same: her walking towards him seductively. But he never let it get as far as before, waking up before he confused himself further. Three times he’d had to jolt himself awake. The last one, Emmeric had his lips on her again, and it was this dream that followed him throughout the day.
In the morning, he reluctantly dressed and headed downstairs for breakfast. The smell of biscuits and honey drifted up the stairs to greet him. Various patrons were milling about, some having completed their breakfast early to get to work before the sun fully rose. Talon and the twins were already at a table, the twins looking a little worse for wear. They must have partied too long last night, which wasn’t unusual for them. Emmeric was sure bags were shadowing his eyes as well, though for a different reason. Talon, as always, was his chipper self, chatting away. When he caught sight of Emmeric, he clapped Geoff on the shoulder, making the hungover man groan.
“Told you he was alive,” said Talon. He smiled brightly at Emmeric, and he couldn’t help but grin back. “They didn’t believe me when I said you were here. They thought I took something weird and was hallucinating.”
Emmeric chuckled, slipping into a chair at their table. “That certainly sounds more fun.”
“Exactly,” said Talon. “Now I have to deal with your cranky ass again.” They broke into raucous laugher. Damn, it was good to be back with his best friend.
“Too loud…” Gordon groaned.
“Where’s Zane?” Emmeric asked.
Talon shrugged. “You know he prefers to sleep in. I’m sure he’ll be down soon.”
They spent the next hour eating breakfast, drinking mead, and joking around like they hadn’t just been apart for a week thinking they’d never see the other again. Both of the twins eventually laid their head down on the table and fell asleep. Geoff’s face was on his plate, grits in his hair. It’d be a hell of a time getting it out once it dried.
Zane eventually sauntered downstairs. Talon moved his chair to the side, grabbing another one for the prince. Emmeric noted he wasn’t wearing the royal fashion and actually appeared much more relaxed in civilian clothes. As he sat, Talon slung an arm around his shoulder.
“Good morning, sunshine!” Talon exclaimed. Zane raised a brow. Surely he’d never been called ‘sunshine’ before, and Emmeric couldn’t hide his grin. The crown prince silently took stock of the two sleeping twins, gentle snores surrounding the table, then focused in on Emmeric. Emmeric gave the prince a small nod of respect. He didn’t dare do anything more if they were attempting to stay undercover.
“I’m happy to see you found your way back to us,” said Zane. Which shocked Emmeric. Typically, the prince wouldn’t say more than two words to him, let alone behappyto see him. He wasn’t sure the man even remembered his name, and he’d been one of his personal guards for close to ten years.
