Kel strokes faster now. “Oh, how I’ve enjoyed your little presents.”
Stars, this feels so good. My head rolls back, fingers clasping the sheets. “I only did it to make you jealous.” I shouldn’t admit to that. No one I’ve been with has made me feel like this, and being inherpresence is even more electrifying. “Did it work?”
He leans over me, chest pressing against mine, hand still furiously working my cock. “You know it did.” He kisses me, teeth biting my lip hard enough to draw blood as he pulls away.
But that look in his eyes, that possessive tone that claims me—it’s near enough to send me over the edge. I tilt my head to the side, seeing Rosalina strung up in my thorns, eyes rolled back to white as my magic works her. “Ready to come, Flower?”
She responds in little gasps and sobs, the only intelligible words our names. “Cas, Kel, I-I—”
I feel her body explode, my own pent-up release not able to withstand the pleasure surging through our bond. Frantically, I grasp for Kel’s hard cock, needing to feel his release. It’s as ifsomething has awakened between the three of us, transcending words and language.
“Kel, Rose—”
My pleasure surges forth, a torrent of warmth spilling into Kel’s palm, and I surrender to him and his touch, feeling his own release coat my body. Beside us, Rose collapses, gasping and smiling.
Keldarion kisses me, and all I feel is warmth. I wish I could grab Rosalina but it’s still too soon. Is it too soon?
The reckless Winter Prince doesn’t seem to care. He grabs her around the waist, lips still locked to mine, and pulls her between us. She’s still gasping for air. Our hands and mouths and legs intertwine. I don’t ever want to be untangled.
We lie breathless for what seems like an eternity. Keldarion stirs just as the dusky pink light of the impending sunset drifts over us. Kel helps us both up and into the attached privy to wash. Kel is quickest, of course, leaving Rosalina and me alone. We don’t speak. I can’t stop looking at her, the perfect curves of her body, the long fall of her dark hair. She’s taking me in too, a flush across her cheeks.
You were made for me, I think.
I must be getting sloppy because her flush deepens.
By the time we come out, Keldarion has fresh linens on the bed and two soft long tunics laid out.
“Kel’s clothes are quite comfy,” she explains, sliding one on.
I do the same, seeing the tunic fall to my mid-thigh. The two of them crawl into the bed, and Rosalina looks back at me. “Aren’t you coming?”
Kel growls. “I’m not going to kick you out now.”
But I just shrug and point to my nose, where a small line of black rot drips. “I can’t.” I wish I didn’t sound so pathetic. Despite only exerting the smallest fraction of my magic, this rot will always win. At least I was able to spend a while on the surface this time. It was a treasure.
“No, no, no,” Rosalina says, crawling to the edge of the bed. She loops her arms around my shoulders. “You don’t feel that sick, right? Cuddling is the best part, I promise.”
“I don’t think it works like that, Princess,” I say, stroking her hair.
“Stay, Cas.” Rosalina presses her lips to mine, fingers tangling in my hair, and starlight blooms bright inside my chest so hot,I wonder how she doesn’t feel it. Maybe she does. Maybe she always has. Maybe she just doesn’t know what to call it.
I deepen the kiss, pushing her backward on the bed. I don’t know if it’s my imagination, or just the fact that dying in their arms is preferable to the Below, but I sense some relief from the sickness in my blood. I crawl into the bed beside Kel and Rosalina. “Just for a little while.”
Rosalina lies down curled in Kel’s arms, her head on his chest, and I lie on her other side, wrapping my arms around her waist, pressing my chest tight to her back.
“Are you comfy, Cas?” Kel asks, his arm outstretched long enough to play with the ends of my hair.
“Very,” I say, dipping my head into Rosalina’s hair. Feeling safer than I have in twenty-five years, I drift to sleep.
CHAPTER 35
Rosalina
“Be careful,” I say to Papa. He wraps his arms around my waist and squeezes me tight.
“You too, Rose. But not too careful. Take risks when you’re ready and rest when you need to. But most of all,” he pulls away to hold my gaze, “don’t be afraid of the fire within. It’s never led you astray before.”
My chest tightens, and I sniff back tears. I have to be strong for him, for all of them.
