He dips his head, lips parting against mine in a gentle kiss. Almost tentative, even as every inch of his body presses against mine. His fingers tangle in my hair and desire courses through my veins.
“Rosie.”
“Day.”
“I’m so happy you’re my mate,” he says, pulling away slightly, seeming content to just gaze at me. “If I haven’t made that obvious.”
“I can’t wait until we tell Farron.”
Dayton lightly touches the token of Autumn around his neck. “He’s going to be so happy.”
I kiss the skin above the bargain band around Dayton’s arm.We’ll see you soon, Fare.
Dayton strokes the back of my hair, keeping me pressed close. “I want you, Rosie,” he says. “I want to make love to you as your mate.”
I tilt my chin up to him. “I want that too,” I say, though I’m unable to hide the nervousness in my voice.
“There’s something wrong,” he says. “Tell me.”
I can’t help the anxious flutter of my heart. “When Ezryn and I made love, when his bond was about to break, the power overwhelmed him …”
“Don’t worry, Blossom. I’m not afraid anymore. You are the most wondrous woman in all the Vale. I will strive forever to be worthy of you. That means becoming the best version of myself, of accepting all of who I am. Accepting Summer’s Blessing.” He lifts me up, carrying me out of the water. “I’m ready to be High Prince and I’ve never been more ready for my princess. I intend to greet the sunset as a man with you in my arms.”
CHAPTER 91
Rosalina
We fall to the bed as one, legs and arms tangled. It’s so soft, sheets made of silk, gliding over my skin, a contrast to Dayton’s calloused fingertips. His lips are gentle as a breeze.
“Rosalina.” My name is a long exhale.
I straddle his hips and look down at him, admiring his beauty. Brushing the curtain of golden waves behind his ear, I caress his strong jaw and full lips, which curve into a smile at my touch. He lifts his face to my shoulder, lightly kissing his way up the tender skin of my neck, over my pointed ears, ending with a gentle kiss to my closed eyelids.
“Rosalina,” he breathes again.
“Dayton.” I stroke his muscles, knowing the strength that’s coiled beneath. But he touches me like I’m a delicate piece of porcelain.
I’ve been with Dayton before, wild and frenzied, desperate and yearning, but never like this. This slow exploration. Like every brush of his fingers is him worshiping what’shis.
I sigh deeply and lie fully over the top of him, feeling the hardness of his cock pressing against the soft curve of my stomach. But there’s no urgency. I think the Prince of Summer would be content to lie together with me until the end of time.
“I can’t believe you’re here,” he mumbles against me, “but more so, that you’re mine.”
“I’m yours,” I whisper back, tasting the salty sweetness of his skin as my lips brush his shoulder.
“This ass. Did I tell you I love this ass yet?” His hands glide down my back to cup me, fingers kneading the soft flesh.
“Hey, you have a nice ass too,” I say, giggling and grabbing his rock-hard muscles.
“Oh, I know.” He grins.
“Cocky.”
“Speaking of cocks, aren’t you going to tell me that’s nice too?”
A sly smile spreads across my face, and I slide off his body to lie beside him. I drag my hand down his chest to wrap my fingers around his large shaft, moaning at the sheer girth of it.
“You feel so good,” I whisper and begin to stroke him up and down.
