Kjeld shoved one of his loose braids back from his face, puffing out his chest in annoyance. “Whatever you say, Starweaver.”
He wasn’t sure why he called her that, but he liked the way the irises of her eyes expanded and the pretty stain that colored her cheeks when he said it.
“I don’t weave stars,” she mumbled softly. “I grant wishes upon them.”
He scoffed, rocking back on his heels. “Not anymore you don’t.”
Caelian flinched as though he’d struck her across the face. Her eyes filled, the tip of her nose turned pink, and her bottom lip trembled. A single tear betrayed her, slipping free and sliding down her cheek.
Oh, but fuck that was the wrong thing to say.
“Cae—”
“Don’t you dare speak my name.” She shoved him away from her, or at least attempted to, but he granted her the courtesy of at least pretending to stumble backwards. A sniffle escaped her, and she swiped hastily at her eyes. “You viciously cruel, inconsiderate bastard.”
His jaw locked, he deserved the insult.
She gathered up her skirts and swept past him, tears spilling faster than she could stop them. He hated that he’d been the one to make her cry. Again.
“Forgive me, my lady.” Kjeld’s arm shot out and he snared her by the wrist. “It was wrong of me to?—”
Caelian whirled on him in a flurry of satin and lace, the devastating blue of her eyes alight with cold fire. Her gaze narrowed and fury radiated from her as she stared up at him. “Release me at once.”
Ice dripped from her tone, freezing the blood in his veins. So, the starlit fae could be assertive after all.
He let go of her without hesitation. “Apologies.”
She inhaled sharply, then stalked toward the door without a backward glance. Yanking it open, she darted outside, slamming it soundly behind her.
Kjeld stood in the silent aftermath of his own mistake.
He should never have said such a callous, severe thing to her. Yet for whatever reason, he found it damn near impossible to control himself around Caelian. Verbally. Mentally. Physically. There was something about her that made him want to rage at the skies while worshiping her like a goddess at the same time. It was damning, this back and forth of emotions that made him feel like he was being ripped in two directions. He was too volatile. Too wild and extreme. One minute, his anger was soothed by her suffering. And in the next, all he could think about was tasting every inch of her silky skin.
Groaning, he loosed a long exhale and cursed himself for being so ravenous for her. He shifted, adjusting his aching cock in his pants, disguising the obvious reminder of how much he craved her.
With any luck, Caelian was already well on her way back to House Celestine. Then he would at least be granted a few moments to fuck his hand without interruption, even if it washer face he imagined the entire time. Lush, pink mouth. Eyes like the night sky. Full hips and thighs. She was so small in stature compared to him, though, he could easily toss her over his shoulder like a sack of grain. In fact, he bet he could take her up against a wall with no hands, and she might even let him if he could ever get his temper under control.
She wouldn’t let him anywhere near her if he continued to insult her so blatantly.
Kjeld roughed a hand over his trimmed scruff, imagining her pinned to the opposite wall, or maybe even bent over the counter at the sink. He flicked open his belt, then paused, listening for the telltale sign of her footsteps to ensure Caelian was well on her way back to the house.
The gentle crunch of her boots against soft earth and grass was distant, to be sure.
“Fucking gods,” Kjeld muttered and hooked his belt back into place.
She was going the wrong way.
CHAPTER SEVEN
Caelian’s chest heaved as she climbed the uneven terrain of the mountainside. It had not been her intention to hike the well-worn path that wove between the Moonfall Peaks, but she found herself in possession of the strong desire to rein in control of her riotous emotions. Her nose burned and she knew her eyes would be puffy and swollen—damn that blasted general for being so heartless. The quick spear of his remorseless words cut through her like a blade, and she’d been unable to recover. Nothing could’ve prevented the unbidden tears, or the way he so easily shredded her heart into a thousand insignificant pieces.
Another shuddering breath escaped her.
She was panting now, as it wasn’t often she opted for such grueling physical exercise, certainly not the type that left her weak from exertion.
Still, she continued to climb the worn path, her boots digging into the rocky surface of the ground, her skirts gathered into tightly clenched fists. Though it was well into midmorning, the air was brisk and lacking the warmth of the fast-approaching summer. Gusting wind barreled into her, making every step an uphill battle. Its howl echoed in her ears, drowning out thetedious quiet. Chills raced down her spine as her dress clung to her skin, the length of fabric rippling behind her like a banner. She gritted her teeth to keep them from chattering. A bank of low-lying clouds shrouded the amethyst peaks, and a dense fog curled around her.
Before her, the path leveled out, and Caelian considered her options.
