We don’t stop rocking against each other, but I shift and lean down. His lips whisper over mine.
“I submit to you,” he murmurs. “Fully. Completely. Forever.”
I cross the threshold into euphoria. Warmth radiates through my body, not from within, but from him. My eyes start to close, but I fight it, not wanting to look away from him. He breaks underneath me, my name coming out as a roar. His cock pulses, sending my own pleasure spiraling further.
As he promised me, there is no past. No future. Only the exquisite bliss of being wholly and unequivocally satisfied. I tumble into his arms. He pulls me close and kisses my eyelids, the corners of my mouth. I scratch at the skin over his heart.
His curse remains unbroken. Through the bond, I feel thebeast curled so tightly around his heart, protecting it, growling when I get too close.
He’s not ready yet.
Maybe he never will be.
But I’ll take him as he is.
I snuggle deeper into his embrace, willing myself to stay in this oblivion for a little while longer.
“I don’t ever want to let you go,” I whisper.
“Tell me to stay by your side. I will do whatever you ask.”
I suck in a ragged breath. “We can’t be selfish.”
“I know.” He peers down at me, dark curls falling over his eyes. “But I think we could be a little selfish tonight.”
He rolls on top of me, and I shower him with kisses between my laughter, falling back into oblivion.
CHAPTER 41
Dayton
The breeze dances through my hair, carrying the scent of salt and wet wood. I press my hands onto the ship’s rail, looking out at the vast horizon. The bruised purple clouds of dawn are being swept away by white wisps over an azure sky. Waves lap against the hull, nothing but untamed waters and blue skies ahead.
“It’s going to be a clear day, I think.” Delphia comes up behind me. Her tricorn feathered hat shields her face from the sun.
“You can tell these sorts of things?”
“Of course.” She leaps up on the railing of the ship, holding on to the ropes with reckless abandon. There’s no point in telling her to be careful. She’s too much like me.
So, I hop up beside her, holding myself steady with the rigging. A blast of salty water splashes up to pelt my skin. My ears twitch as I hear the crew murmuring our names, no doubt watching every move of the royal family.
“You’re really sure about going off on your own?” I ask.
“I’ll be fine,” Delphie says. “Besides, I won’t be alone. I’ll have Nori and your grumpy old man friend.”
“Don’t let him hear you say that. Ez is hardly an old man.” I grin. “But heisgrumpy.”
“This is important. I can feel it in my bones. The Huntresses of Aura are out there. They’ll help Summer.”
I take her in, hair blowing, eyes flashing. “You’re brave, Del. Braver than all of us. I should pass my Blessing on to you, and you could save Summer.”
“W-what?” Her amber eyes widen. “No.”
“You would be a High Princess, Del. You’re already powerful with magic. Imagine if you had the Blessing.”
“Stop it, Daytonales,” she says, taking off her hat and smacking me in the chest.
“It was a compliment!”
