“I’m thinking,” his thumb lightly grazes my wrist, his eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine, “it would be no great wonder if you bore a loathing for this world. But you, my dear, find enchantment in the smallest things, and you shower kindness as though it’s an endless supply, plentiful as the spring rain that melts the snow.”
His words stir something within me, a warmth that spreads from my core to my fingertips. Our bond shines brightly between us. I’m bare before him, but it’s like he sees deeper than my body, into my soul. His words give me something I’ve craved for so long. He’s seen my scars but does not pity me for it. He thinks I’m stronger for bearing them, and with his words, I believe it, too.
I am undone by my love for you.The words filter through my mind. Our souls are so close together, even my thoughts are plagued by his voice.
Our bodies are so close, touching and not touching, together and not. A burst of rageful lust sweeps through me as I stare at what should be mine. He grips his cock harder and pumps. “I am at my edge.”
I stay overtop of him, my fingers returning to my pulsing slit. “Come with me, Keldarion.”
His breathing becomes ragged. “Where?”
“Cover me,” I say lowly. “Paint me with your desire. Mark me and let me be yours, just for this one night.”
My words seem to alight him. His chest heaves, and our skin nearly touches. “Rose,” he rasps. A primal heat shudders through me as my hand feverishly rubs my clit. And I feel it, not just my own orgasm rising inside but his.
He roars, body arcing with the power of his release as spurts of cum cover my body. I cry out, my orgasm wracking me like a star shower. A delicious satisfaction shivers up my spine as I revel in the heat of his load dripping off my skin. I bat my eyes, trying to come back to reality.
Kel lies beneath me, blinking and panting. My heart rises.I did that. I did that for my mate.Our bond pulses between us with its own heartbeat.
I need more of him, all of him.
I lower onto my forearms, still not touching but a breath away.
“I can’t do this halfway devotion,” I whisper across his lips. “Kiss me, Kel. Kiss me and claim me and—”
He pushes against my chest. “Get out.”
I fall onto the mattress. “W-what?”
He gets up and strides to the attached privy. I hear water running and then a wet towel is chucked at my head. Angrily, I wipe his arousal from my skin.
“Return to your room.” He comes out in loose trousers, his hair tied back into a knot at the base of his neck. He looks so fucking delicious, I want to scream.
“You can’t be serious.” I cross my arms and glower at him. “You can’t pretend you didn’t like that.” I gesture to my boobs, splattered with his desire only seconds ago. “I fucking felt it.”
He intakes a breath. He knows what I mean. Not just our mutual pleasure, but the desire that sparked through our bond.Not only desire. Love. There was love there.
He grabs my nightdress and throws it at me. It hits me like a slap in the face. A knot forms in my stomach as I pull it on. “You are serious.”
The mattress dips as he sits. The usual fury in his face when talking about this is gone. Instead, he just looks exhausted. “You know where I stand, Rose,” he says, voice a gruff rasp. “I wouldn’t bed you if my last breath depended on it.”
I storm to the doorway. “I’m sorry I’m such an inconvenience to you, High Prince. I didn’t choose this bond. If I could, I’d rip it out of my heart.”
He buries his head in his hands. “I only wish that you could.”
A lump settles in my throat, and my eyes water. “Fine. See what I care, Keldarion. If you hate me so much, I’ll go be with someone who actually wants me.”
I slam his door and march out to the middle of the living area. I know I should go to bed. I know that nothing good happens after two a.m. But I want to keep my promise: someone elsedoeswant me.
I head to the Summer Prince’s bedroom.
43
Rosalina
Ithrowopenthedoor to Dayton’s room without knocking. Slits of moonlight dance over the bed, illuminating the sleeping fae. A muscular arm drapes over his face, and the blankets fall low on his hips, revealing his toned chest. Breath surges in my lungs. I shut the door behind me and cross to his bed.
“Dayton,” I whisper.
