Page 111 of A Queen’s Game (Aithyr Uprising #1)

Chapter Seventy-Two

Elyse

T ime moved too quickly during the carriage ride back, perhaps because Elyse spent it in Brynden’s lap, her mouth locked on to him. “This is the longest you’ve gone without talking,” she said into his collar.

“Do you wish me to talk more, my teasing goddess?” he said, lifting his chin so she could better kiss his neck. “I could tell you all the filthy things I wish to do to you.”

She laughed into his skin. “I’d prefer if you did those filthy things to me.” Dangerous words, but she meant them. Kissing Brynden was intoxicating. Was all kissing like that, or was it because they were a unique version of elf?

Elyse tried to block the topic from her mind, but it kept coming back. How did he learn that of her? How in the gods didn’t she know?

And if breeding with normal elves diluted the bloodline, did that mean both her parents were this variant? One would assume being better at aithyr would have protected her mother’s mind against the magical energy, but it didn’t. Perhaps it made a person more susceptible to it, which meant she—

“Goddess,” Brynden murmured, “I can hear you thinking. What is distracting you at a time like this?”

Her mouth hesitated, pulling away from him. “So this other type of elf we might be—”

“That we, in fact, are.”

“Okay, that we, in fact, are. How is that a secret? How are we different? It makes little sense.”

Brynden took her hand, kissing her palm. “With due time, I will explain, but realize this: our community is small, hidden from outsiders, but we’re scattered throughout Syllogi.”

“And reproducing with normal elves dilutes whatever traits we get from our elven variant.”

“Correct, my studious wife-to-be,” he said, kissing her nose.

“So then my parents were this type of elf.”

Brynden hesitated. “Well, yes and no. Your father’s grandfather was the standard type of elf, diluting that bloodline. Gyrsh only has partial traits.”

“And what of my mother?”

“Ah, she was from an extraordinary family. Many were furious when she chose Gyrsh as her partner, saying she had thrown away her breeding potential. But then we got you.” Brynden cupped her face, gazing from eye to eye.

“As extraordinary as she, if not more so. I think that’s why your father despises you—you look like him, but you will amount to greater things than he ever could hope to be.

” He laughed, shaking his head. “I keep telling Sylas you take after your mother, but he doesn’t believe me. ”

“And that’s how Sylas knew my mother—beyond the Circle of Mages?”

Brynden blinked. “I didn’t realize how much he told you, goddess. But partially, yes.”

“And did you know her?”

“No, I never met her. Our social circles never mixed, but enough with this,” Brynden said, peering out the window.

“It looks like we’ve made it to our destination, and I only want to think of my goddess.

” Brynden kissed her again, his fingers sliding into her hair, his tongue into her mouth.

He pulled back, biting her lip. The only response she managed was her quickened breath and a nod of her head.

Brynden helped Elyse out of the carriage and up the front steps to the townhouse.

He leaned down, kissing her passionately as he opened the door.

As it shut, Brynden pushed Elyse back against the wall, one hand caressing her neck, the other squeezing her hip.

Gods, what did she do with her hands? Did she put them on his hips? His neck?

Someone cleared their throat and Brynden tore away from her. In the living room, his uncle stood with her father before a group of Satiroan nobles. She knew all of them, the males who worked under her father.

Elyse’s face grew hot as Brynden laughed. “Apologies, I forgot your meeting would still be underway.” In a fell swoop, he picked up Elyse and threw her over his shoulder. “Hope you all have a wonderful evening.”

A few chuckles came from the other room as Brynden started on the stairs.

“Put me down,” she hissed.

“I’ll put you down when I have you in my room, goddess.”

“You should at least go say hello.”

He chuckled. “I have more pressing things to take care of.”

“Well, they’re all going to know why I’m here.” Gods, she could imagine the rumors already.

“Good,” he said. “Then they’ll know that you’re mine .”

Elyse watched as Sylas ran up the stairs behind them, as if the situation couldn’t be more embarrassing.

“Is everything alright?” he asked.

Brynden turned around, the sight of Sylas replaced by the stairs. “Nothing could be better.”

“Hello, Sylas,” Elyse added, trying to look over Brynden’s shoulder.

“Hello, Elyse,” he said. “I’m guessing your night went well then?”

“My friend, I have my lady over my shoulder and am on route to my bed. Do you truly think this is the time for such questions?”

“But she wants to?” Sylas said. “Elyse, are you alright?”

Based on their last conversation, she looked like a fool. She had made it clear she intended to not fall for Brynden’s promises, yet now she would marry him. “I’m alright.”

“Better than alright,” Brynden said. “I believe congratulations are in order.”

There was a moment of tormenting silence as Elyse squeezed her eyes shut. Perhaps she was a fool.

“Congratulations, indeed.”

“Now, if you’ll excuse us.”

“Elyse,” Sylas added, “I’m sure Keyain is expecting you back at the palace at some point.”

“Always playing the caretaker,” Brynden said as he turned around and started on the stairs. “Now, back to the important part.”

Elyse came face to face with Sylas. His brows were knitted together, a frown tugging at his lips. Then he tapped his temple as his voice sounded in her head. “ Is this what you want? Are you alright? ”

It took her a moment to realize he did magic. Elyse nodded her head. Brynden was what she wanted.

“ If you need anything later, my bedroom is down the hall. ” There was a moment of silence and then she heard, “ Whatever comes of this marriage, know that I’ll be there if you ever need me .”

His words brought a smile to her lips, gaining one in return from him. She hadn’t yet moved to Chorys Dasi, but she already had a friend. With a final look, Sylas turned around and went back down the stairs.

They reached the top floor and started down the hallways. “Goddess,” Brynden murmured, “you stopped petitioning for me to set you down. I don’t know if I should be delighted or worried.”

“Delighted,” she said. “I’m just a bit nervous.”

“Of course, my goddess. I promise to take care of you.” His hand rubbed down the length of her back, causing heat to blossom at the bottom of her stomach.

When they arrived at his door, he kicked it open and brought her inside.

Once the door was shut behind them, he finally set her down.

The room was spacious but cozy with its thick carpeted floor, lush red curtains flanking a fireplace before it sat two chairs and a small table between them.

To the other side was his bed, draped in black fabric and red pillows.

Elyse walked to it and drifted her hand along with the silky fabric, uneasiness filling her. Gods, she had never done this before.

“Goddess, this is a very surreal moment.” Brynden drew her attention, his gaze roaming Elyse’s body.

“I have imagined you in my bedroom a thousand times over, yet to see you stand here, next to my bed.” Brynden swallowed hard, walking to her.

“You are not of this world, my goddess. Let me prove to you I can be worthy.”

Her heart skipped a beat as he leaned in, caressing Elyse’s face with a kiss as he pulled her closer to him.

Brynden’s touch set her alight and his words made her swoon.

He was everything she never thought she could have, and more.

His love meant freedom, a life that only existed in dreams. Brynden fought for her, and now she couldn’t imagine not being his.

“What if you’re already worthy?” she whispered.

Brynden silenced her with a deeper kiss, his tongue sweeping across her mouth as a hand moved to her chin. With a finger, he tilted her head, kissing down her neck. “Well, I want to make sure I am. Let me make you feel incredible, my goddess,” he murmured into her.

Elyse’s hands found his shirt, tugging him closer as her breathing turned ragged. His soft lips brushed over her collarbone, Elyse shuddering from his touch. Brynden’s hand slipped behind her back to her zipper. “May I?”

Heat flared at her core, and she managed a nod. The fabric slid down, encouraged by Brynden’s hand, and she stood nude before him. His gaze turned liquid as he took her in.

Elyse reached for his shirt, lifting the fabric up over his head. Underneath, Brynden’s body was hard, his chest broad, his stomach lined with muscles. She placed a hand on his heart, causing him to shiver.

“Surreal,” Brynden murmured, pulling her tight to his body, his skin against her. The closeness took her breath away. “And incredible—I’m the luckiest male in Syllogi to see this bit of you. I only ask that I can have more. I want all of you, Elyse.”

“I’m yours,” she said, kissing his chest.

“Say it again.”

“I’m yours, Brynden.”

“Call me Az.”

Elyse pulled back to give him a look. “Your childhood nickname?”

“The name that only my closest friends call me. And I want you to be closer to me than anyone.”

“Okay,” she whispered, kissing his chest again. “I’m yours, Az.”

He growled, fingers lacing her hair as he grabbed the back of her head, kissing her.

In a swift movement, he swept her up and laid her back on the bed, the silk smooth against her skin.

Az laid himself on top, his muscular arms flanking either side of her as he kissed her lips, her neck, moving down to her breasts.

Elyse lifted her hips against him with a breathy moan, meeting his thrust.