Then he veered back and planted kisses all over me. From my lips to my cheek, my jaw, my neck, my arms, my collarbone, and the tops of my heaving breasts. The man did this with such vigor, sated chuckles trickled from my mouth.
Aire straightened, masculine laughter rippling from his chest. Sweeping through my locks, he shook his head. “I need to fuck you again.”
“Perfect, because I need to make love to you again.”
“But first, nourishment.”
“An order?” I teased. “Plan on looking out for me, soldier?”
A cute divot burrowed into the side of his cheek. “As I live and breathe.”
“Then maybe you could stay for longer than dinner.” Shyness wasn’t my style, yet my cheeks baked. “Maybe stay the night?”
Aire’s mirth dissipated. “I’d like that.” Gathering me closer, he rubbed his nose over mine. “And perhaps you wouldn’t mind a second residence, in addition to this cottage? When you’re feeling impulsive, you might consider lodging at the castle overnight.” Hope filled his voice. “Or… as long as you want.”
My stomach fluttered. “Oh, I very much want.”
He blushed, a passionate light suffusing his features. “Your mother is welcome too, of course. If you both wish, we can arrange a chamber in the nobility apartments for her, whenever she’d like to join you.”
And now my eyes stung. “I’d like that too.”
His lips curved in the most endearing way. “As for my own suite, I would be honored if you claimed it as yours as well. It’s far too large for one person.”
“What about the bed? I’ve been eager to see it for seven years.”
With his cock still encased inside me, a beastly noise scrolled from his throat. “You’ll do more than see it.”
“My, my. Are you flirting with me?”
Playfully, this burly knight declared, “Only with you, beloved.”
I nodded against his lips. “Damn right.”
By the glint of the flames, we whispered and made plans. Naked, I gave him a tour of my forge. And with a little extra time before dinner, Aire draped me across the workbench and hooked my limbs over his waist, our hands and lips everywhere, our bodies tireless, our hearts evenly matched.
Together, we made the most honest sounds we ever had.
61
Lyrik
Someday, I would go the fuck to hell.
When I did, I would take Summer with me.
As the carriage rocked like a drunken sailor over uneven forest terrain, I kept the mantra in my enterprising head. Not now, but eventually the king would eat shit and die. My brews would make sure of it.
Winter would help. No other kingdom could supply me better.
Slouching on the velvet bench, I propped my boot heels onto the opposite seat. Somewhere behind my swanky ride, Jeryn and Flare occupied their own carriage. Likely, they’d drawn the window curtains by now and started on their third round of fucking. I didn’t catch much about the pair, but I knew hot and bothered looks when I saw them. Those two had been keyed up to bang long before we set out this morning.
Probably a bad call to use their given names as if we were allies, but whatever. Although I should give a fuck about hierarchy, I really didn’t.
That aside, the Winter King and his fiery mate seemed genuine. They didn’t mince words. I respected that.
Anyway, Jeryn’s arctic stare and Flare’s burning gaze suggested they hadn’t invited me strictly for revolutionary kicks. They suspected more to my story, so I’d have to be careful around them.
Resting my scalp against the paneled interior, I focused on the Season ahead. The place I came from—partially—but had never seen. If visions of enough toxic warfare to reduce King Rhys to antimatter could get me through the first three miles, I might have a chance of making it another three.
