“Almost, baby.” He throws his head back, powerful muscles in his neck straining. Another thrust, so deep inside me that my stomach flips. Then another and another. I can’t hold on.
“I’m coming, Day.”
He bursts within me. It feels like the world shatters and re-forms. My cock twitches in his palm, ropes of cum shooting between us. I fall, trembling, clutching him. His head sinks to my chest.
We lay entwined for a long while, heartbeats still wild. My breath feels shaky as he moves, kissing my chest, my neck, my cheek. “Fare. Fare. Gods, you’re beautiful, baby. You feel so good.”
Delirious. He sounds delirious.
Doesn’t he know that this is so much better than he could find in a tavern for one night? Or maybe I’m wrong. It’s not like I know.
He’s all I’ve ever had.
Day presses a gentle kiss to my forehead, my fingers trailing lazily up and down his spine. “You’re so beautiful, Fare,” he murmurs, the words a soft caress against my skin.
I love you,I whisper in my mind, feeling the truth of it settle deep within me. But outside, I push him off me and grin. “You’re right, thatwasfun.”
His smile falters before he laughs. “Come on, let’s clean up. I have a promise I need to keep.”
Our absence was not noted,the celebration still in full swing. Dayton and I make our way to the drink table as we try to rehydrate from our exhausting rendezvous.
“Be right back,” Day says and drifts into the crowd.
I look around the ballroom. Keldarion is exchanging harsh whispers with his parents. He releases a sigh and turns to the crowd.
“Hey, Little Leaf.” Dayton taps me on the shoulder, and I turn to him. “My promise.”
“What promise?”
Dayton shifts awkwardly from foot to foot; I notice he’s got one hand tucked behind his back. “I got you?—”
“Attention, everyone.” Keldarion’s voice booms across the ballroom. The music fades, and a hush falls over the crowd. I glance around, noting the anticipation on everyone’s faces.
Runa looks every bit the proud mother, her icy elegance softened by a rare smile. Erivor stands tall and imposing, a look of satisfaction etched on his features.
Keldarion clears his throat. “Thank you all for joining us tonight. I have an important announcement to make. For some time now, I have been courting Lady Tilla.” He pauses, allowing the weight of his words to sink in.
A hush spreads over the crowd, a mixture of curiosity and excitement. I glance at Dayton, who raises an eyebrow. Keldarion continues, “Lady Tilla has shown me the depth of her strength and grace, and I am honored to have her by my side.”
I gaze back at Tilla, standing among some Spring nobility. Her expression is inscrutable, eyes fixed on Keldarion. There’ssomething in her posture, a tension that belies the calm mask she wears.
He’s going to propose, I realize, like he mentioned earlier. To me, a proposal should fill the air with celebration and warmth, except it feels like the entire ballroom might freeze. In fact, by Keldarion’s feet, thin lines of ice creep out.
Keldarion takes a deep breath, his gaze steady. “Tonight, I wish to?—”
A high-pitched scream erupts from outside the ballroom, and the whole place ripples with panic.
Keldarion steps forward, his expression hardening with determination. “Stay in the ballroom. I will investigate. Ezryn, with me. High Prince Damocles, Father, and High Princess Niamh, protect the people.”
“Damn.” Dayton’s mouth falls open. “Commanding the High Rulers, and he’s not even in charge of Winter yet.”
The High Prince of Winter draws a glittering sword. “Go, my son.”
Keldarion rushes beside us, Ezryn following closely. “You two, with me.” He points at us.
Dayton staggers to the side with the movement, and I glimpse a rose falling from his hands. It gets crushed beneath the soles of the other guests, but I tear my gaze away and follow Keldarion.
We rush out of the ballroom, closing the large doors behind us, and make our way to the main entrance hall. Some of the staff and guests have pushed themselves against the walls, trembling. The main door to the castle is opened, and beyond, I see the true outside of Castletree, the grounds and the bridge that leads to the forest. But before the door is a slumped mound of black cloth.
