She nods and bucks her hips under me, matching my rhythm, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. I watch her reflection in the glistening marble railing: her face contorted in pleasure, her features soft and ethereal as she gazes up at the night sky. For an instant, I find myself hypnotized by her beauty.
Then, I feel it. An unrelenting tension growing with each stroke. No more holding back.
“Rosie,” I groan, my voice low with need. I slow my pace, drawing out the pleasure, my fingers still rubbing her clit, and I watch as she begins to succumb, her breaths ragged and shallow.
“Yes, Day,” she pants, her eyes closed tight. “So close.”
“Then come for me, love,” I murmur. “Come, my beautiful mate.”
Rosie’s breath hitches as the waves of pleasure crash over her, her body convulsing. Quickly, I straighten her and draw her up against my chest. She turns her face toward me so I can see as her eyes roll back in her head, lost in the euphoria of her climax.
I cannot hold back any longer. “Rosie,” I groan, my voice hoarse with need.
Her eyes flash open, meeting mine. So beautiful. I slam into her one final time, my cock jerking and twitching, and release deep within her. Rosie’s fingers dig into my arms as she lets out a guttural cry, her body still convulsing in a fierce orgasm. The stars from the night sky seem to descend into my vision, the whole world lit up in sparkling lights.
Rosalina collapses in my arms, panting heavily as our bodies stay locked together.
The sound of the ocean crashing against the shore blends with our heavy breathing. I slide my hands over her slick skin, rubbing her still shaking thighs, her hips, her ass, drunk on the sight of her.
“I love you, Day.”
“I love you.” I lean down, pressing a tender kiss to the back of her neck, my heart swelling with the truth of it.
Growing up, I used to sneak my way down to the docks. Not the main docks of Hadria, but farther. I’d take my horse, Felix, and ride out of the city, over the hills, and to the smugglers’ bay. It wasn’t because I wanted to rebel against my parents, but because I loved to marvel at the stunning flags, the brilliant ships, and because the pirates had the best stories.
Maybe they knew I was a prince and humored me, or maybe I won them over with my jokes—which were hilarious even then. But I’d spend hours down there while they unloaded goods and sat around playing cards, and I soaked up their tales. They spoke of all their adventures, sailing over waves a hundred feet high, of smoky cannon fire, of siren songs. But there was one thingall these stories had in common, one thing these pirates searched for above all else.
Treasure.
“I’m going to find the biggest treasure in all the world,” I’d proclaimed to Felix, riding back against a red-stained sky.
Now, many, many years later, I know I have the greatest treasure of all, wrapped in my arms.
Rosalina stirs, curling deeper into my chest. Silky moonlight illuminates her pale skin, and her dark hair falls in thick waves over the pillow. A thin sheet drapes over us, shielding against the nip of the sea breeze. She wears a fine nightdress of light cotton. Gently, I stroke my finger down the curve of her face.
“I will always love and protect you,” I vow to my mate.
My mate. The feeling doesn’t get old. Anticipation curls in my gut at the thought of telling the other princes. Kel and Ez might give me a hard time for taking so long to realize it, but I know they’ll be as thrilled as I am to share a mate. I may have lost my own brothers, but I found brotherhood just as deep in the two of them.
My fingers drift to the maple leaf necklace. I’m most excited to tell Fare. Did he feel it already? Or is he too deep in the Below? Is this why it’s always felt so magical between us because we had a mate destined to bind us together?
Something unsettling tingles at the back of my mind … the passion with which Caspian and Kel came together, how Farron had screamed at Rosalina that Caspian wasn’t her mate …
Rosalina is the Queen’s daughter, and mates with each of the High Princes. Surely, she is not destined to be with someone of the Below, as well.
I clutch her a little tighter. It doesn’t matter. I will love and protect her through anything.
Warmth burns in my chest, and magic still tingles on my skin. My curse has ended. Gazing through the windows to the night sky fills me with hope.
I may not be a perfect man, but I understand now why I can’t run from my problems or hide my troubles with drink and fake smiles. There are people worth fighting for, and I know I’d give my life to keep them safe.
The Enchantress’s glowing image drifts into my mind.I guess you decided I’m finally worthy of my mate, huh?A laugh ripplesup my chest. The funny thing is, I don’t even care what the Enchantress thinks.Idecided I’m worthy of Rosalina, and that’s what really matters.
I’ll spend the rest of my life proving it, I think, looking down at her.
Gently, I untangle from my mate and cross to the open balcony. The stars glitter in the sky, but Hadria gleams with its own sort of light. Candlelight flickering in the brick houses, moonlight making the sands shine white. In the distance, Soltide Keep gleams on a cliff above the sea, the illusion of Castletree behind it. That is where I belong.
The people of the Summer Realm have always been blessed with fierce leaders. Justus, my mother, Damocles, among the many other heroes of old. It is my turn to uphold their legacy. The thought used to make me want to disappear into the bottom of a wine bottle. Now, pride swells in my chest. Nothing will stop me from protecting what they worked for. I’ve fallen down and gotten up enough times now to know I can be the leader Hadria needs.
