Page 12 of A Storm of Fire and Ash

As Fintan and I ascended the narrow flight of worn stone stairs leading to his chambers, thoughts of my father consumed my mind.

The flickering torchlight cast dancing shadows on the walls, adding to the somber atmosphere.

After Fintan gestured toward the darkened passageway that led to the dungeons, an unspoken tension settled between us, filling the silence with weighty anticipation.

Upon reaching his room, he pushed the heavy door open with a gentle creak and gestured for me to enter first, carefully balancing the two plates of food stacked high on his arm.

“You’re pretty good at that,” I said with a smile and walked in.

“You should see the other things I’m good at doing,” he murmured, closing his door and walking over to a table that sat in the middle of the room.

I could feel my face flush with heat, but the blush quickly faded as I took in my surroundings.

This was unlike any room I had ever encountered before.

The walls were adorned in a deep navy blue, creating an atmosphere of sophistication, while gold trim highlighted the edges and moldings, adding a touch of opulence.

The space was vast and divided into three distinct sections.

In front of me stood an imposing table crafted from dark mahogany, accompanied by two elegantly upholstered chairs that seemed to invite deep conversation.

Directly ahead was an enormous grand window, framed by thick, sumptuous gold drapes that billowed gently in the light breeze, revealing a glimpse of the balcony beyond, which had a stunning view of the sunset.

To my right, a plush couch beckoned, its fabric richly textured and in perfect harmony with the room’s color scheme. A towering bookshelf filled to the brim with an array of hundreds of books stretched up to the ceiling, and a sleek, moving ladder was attached to its side.

This was something straight out of a fairy tale.

My jaw dropped in awe, taking in the delightful blend of luxury, comfort, and intellect that surrounded me.

Holy shit. This was incredible.

“You like to read?” the prince asked.

“Are you joking? I love to read!” I said with too much excitement.

“Well, my room is your room. It’s much nicer than the stuffy rooms the guards stay in. Feel free to come here anytime you’d like and read whatever you want.”

I bit my lower lip, a nervous habit, as I made my way over to the elegantly set table.

“I couldn’t possibly disturb you, Prince,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

“I wouldn’t want to impose on you and your.

.. company.” The words tumbled out clumsily, but the underlying thought was loud and clear.

Given the Prince’s striking good looks, I imagined he entertained a different beautiful woman in his lavish chambers every night.

A rush of jealousy coiled tightly in my stomach like a serpent poised to strike.

Fintan let out a rich, warm laugh that danced in the air between them. “You’re funny. Sit,” he commanded with a playful glint in his eye.

With a graceful flourish, he pulled out the chair for me before settling into his seat. He gently tucked me in, and I could hardly concentrate on anything other than the feast laid out before me. My stomach grumbled audibly, an embarrassing reminder of my hunger.

Fintan observed me closely, his gaze intent as he picked up a crusty piece of bread and took a bite, his expression one of satisfied indulgence.

I couldn’t resist the spread of cheese, and dove into it eagerly.

As the creamy texture melted on my tongue, I let out an involuntary moan.

“Holy Divine, this is the best cheese I’ve ever tasted!

” I reveled in its rich, savory flavor while Fintan shifted slightly in his seat, clearly entertained by my reaction.

I gobbled down my food with a fervor I had never experienced before, each bite a small delight. When I finally paused, a sense of fullness washed over me, heavier than I had ever felt.

“Wow. I don’t think I’ve ever been so full in my entire life!” I exclaimed, but the gleeful moment quickly fled, replaced by the weight of reality. A frown crossed my face as I was reminded of the reason I had come here in the first place.

My heart ached, the pangs intensifying. Instinctively, my hand moved to my chest, fingers brushing against my skin as I whispered, “I don’t think it will ever heal.” The vulnerability in my words hung in the air, heavy with unspoken grief.

Fintan leaned across the polished table, his warmth radiating as he grasped my trembling hand with both of his.

“It’s completely okay to feel this way right now,” he said softly, his voice calming like a gentle breeze.

“I can’t imagine the pain you’re feeling; losing your mother is an unimaginable heartache.

It’s okay to feel that your heart may never heal, because grief doesn’t follow a timeline.

But know that with time, the love and memories you shared can bring comfort.

Allow yourself to feel what you need to feel—grief, sadness, anger—it’s all part of the journey.

You’re not alone in this; I’m here for you, and I’ll be here for you while you find your way through this.

You deserve every bit of joy that’s waiting for you. ”

My heart melted.

Overwhelmed by emotion, I stood up and walked over to the prince. I nestled onto his lap, and in a moment that surprised even me, I tilted my face up, allowing my heart to take the lead as my lips brushed against his.

His lips were incredibly soft, sending a ripple of tingles coursing through me as I savored the connection, momentarily losing myself in his presence.

But just as quickly as that surge of feeling came, I pulled away abruptly, standing up again, my cheeks flushed with a mix of vulnerability and surprise.

“Oh my gods, I’m so sorry! I don’t know why I did that. You were just being kind, and I—I’m so stupid. I—”

The prince stood up suddenly, a sense of urgency flickering in his eyes.

Before I could take a step away, he seized my hand, drawing me swiftly against his strong chest. His lips found mine with an intensity that silenced me completely.

This kiss was unlike any other, imbued with a fiery passion that surged between us, leaving me breathless and bewildered, as if in that fleeting moment, the world around us had faded into nothingness.

His hand found my waist with a grip that was both commanding and reverent, grounding me in the moment even as everything else began to blur.

He moved his arm from my waist and slipped beneath my thigh, lifting me effortlessly into his hold, while his fingers wove through my hair, cradling the back of my head like I was something fragile—something precious.

Then his mouth claimed mine, and when his tongue slid past my lips, it ignited something deep inside me.

Heat bloomed between us, raw and consuming, and I gave in completely, letting the fire take me.

Our tongues tangled in a rhythm both desperate and deliberate, and a soft moan escaped me before I could stop it—betraying just how much I wanted him—needed him.

He growled low in his throat at the sound, and his hold on me tightened, pulling me closer until there was no space left between us. His kiss grew more intense, more possessive, like he was trying to drink me in, to memorize the taste of my surrender.

Without breaking contact, I wrapped my legs around his waist, anchoring myself to him. I pressed harder against him, aching for more than just the kiss—for something deeper, something real. I needed to feel him, all of him, in a way that made me forget everything else.

And in that moment, I did.

I was greeted with a very large and a very rock-hard Prince Junior.

He pushed my back up against a wall and started pressing kisses to my neck.

Gods, this felt divine.

I rubbed myself against his hard length again, “Fuck, El, you keep doing that and I’m going to come in my pants,” he said, his voice hot against my skin.

He kissed my neck again. “You taste so sweet. I need to taste all of you,” his deep, velvety voice reverberated through the air, sending a shiver cascading down my spine as he smoothly led us to his bed.

The room was steeped in a warm, intimate glow, with shadows dancing along the walls. Each step he took brought a heightened sense of anticipation, the faint scent of sandalwood lingering. It felt as if time had slowed, drawing us closer together.

My body pulsated with a whirlwind of emotion, a storm of feeling that left my thoughts tangled and unfocused. An intense heat crept over my skin, igniting a burn that spread through me like wildfire.

Divine, not now! I said desperately to myself, squeezing my eyes shut, willing the sensation to ebb. I envisioned a powerful wave crashing over me, drenching my flames in coolness, and to my relief, the searing heat subsided almost instantly.

Fintan lingered between my legs, and I dared to open my eyes.

“Are you okay?” he asked softly, concern etched in his features.

“We don’t have to do this. You made the first move, so I thought.

.. We don’t have to do anything. I’m just..

. I’m addicted to you. I can’t seem to control myself around you. ”

Suddenly, I had realized what was about to happen. I couldn’t sleep with the prince! I needed to find my father and get the Hel out of there. I would figure out my magic with his help. “I… you’re right. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have kissed you.”