Page 25

I t feels like days that Treia and I stare at the maps, pouring over every detail, anything that looks like a critical piece of the puzzle.

By the end of the third hour hunched over a map together, my hate for her had dissolved ever so slightly.

My growling stomach reminds us both that we hadn’t eaten at all today, so we reluctantly leave our posts at the charts, heading for the kitchen. Taking a seat across from her, I watch as she plaits her braid and stretches her arms out. She had been nice enough after the others had gone, making conversation and taking our task seriously.

“You’re protective of him like you still care.” The words are out before I can consider the consequences.

She raises a thick, perfectly shaped eyebrow at me. “So what if I do?”

“You’re not together anymore; I assume there is a reason for that,” I reply, pushing at the vegetables on my plate.

Watching me for a moment, she finally drops the cold stare and takes a sip from her wine. “Ridge and I were never going to make it long term. It was fun for a time, but he and I are different people. Really, I think he only ever entertained the idea because it would further unify our realm.”

Her words stun me, and as I process, I realize it’s the former part of her response that is so shocking to me. “You say that so casually, yet like I mentioned—you seem like you still care for him.”

“Even if he decided he was through with you tomorrow, would you still care?” She turns uncharacteristically bashful, fiddling with her bread. “The way he looks at you? I was never on the receiving end of that. Ridge was cold. Secretive.” She flicks her gaze up to mine briefly. “He will always have secrets, Aledrya.”

I nod, chewing on my food and staring at my plate. He’d asked for time to reveal his secrets.

I was going to give him that.

Mercifully, the conversation shifts to the maps once again. We make more idle talk before Treia stands, rolling her shoulders back. “I’m going back to Fradell tonight. Send word in the morning should our other contacts respond about their forces.”

I scrunch my brow. “Did Ridge request aid from other neighbors?”

“Yes. We’ll need all the help we can get.” Treia sighs, giving me a sheepish smile. “I wouldn’t do anything to interfere with you and Ridge. But if you let him go, just know that I’ll be there; waiting.”

There is nothing I could say that wouldn’t end in me setting her ablaze, so I remain silent. She turns and heads toward the corridor that will take her to the Keep.

Heading off toward the room I’d stayed in my first night here, I cast a rueful look toward Ridge’s closed door. The only thing that keeps me from bursting through it is knowing he’s not on the other side. To my surprise, Seeona is still in my room, turning down the bed.

“Hello,” I offer brightly, closing the door softly behind me. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen you.”

She fusses with something on the bed, seemingly flustered. “I thought you would be in Mister Ridge’s room tonight. I’m behind.” Her curt words are so at odds with her lovely accent.

“Sorry to have you do extra work. I wasn’t sure if I was invited into Ridge’s quarters tonight,” I mumble and stare aimlessly out the window to the dark sea.

Seeona adds nothing, floating over to light an extra lantern and laying out a nightgown. “How long have you worked here?” I find myself asking, peering over my shoulder at her .

She blinks at me, stopping her busy hands. She pauses for so long, I wonder if I said something to offend her. But to my surprise, she finally answers, going back to folding and straightening.

“Five hundred years.”

Now it’s my turn to gape in disbelief. “I guess I had never let myself consider how long an immortal lifespan could be,” I ponder aloud, my mind spinning.

“I have served Ridge’s family for a long time.” She clicks her tongue at one of the pillows, fluffing it. “His great-grandfather, grandfather, his father. Now Mister Ridge.” I don’t miss how she refers to him as ‘Mister.’

A smile tugs on the corner of my mouth. “Why do you call him that?”

Seeona smiles, and it’s absolutely mesmerizing. Her joy is palpable when she deigns to show it. “Even as a small boy, he was always a warrior.” She chuckles, motioning me to follow her into the bathing chamber. “When Ridge was still a child, he fell out of a tree while his father was away. Even with a broken arm, he came into the house calmly and started giving orders about how we would all stay calm, and how he would present the story to his father.”

I beam at her. “He sounds like he was intense, even for a small child.”

“Ridge always had a kind, determined spirit; he was meant to rule. He’s a good male, despite what he thinks of himself.” She smiles at me, chuckling to herself. “Don’t let him make you think he didn’t do his fair share of roughhousing, though.”

I stifle my laugh, sitting down to unbraid my hair. She floats over, wearing a bright green dress that compliments her rich, auburn hair. She swats my hand away, taking up the braid and a brush. I close my eyes, letting her fuss over me.

“Your hair is a mess,” she chastises, working on a knot not at all gently.

“Oof,” I complain, my scalp protesting at her forceful brushing.

She gives me a devilish smile in the mirror. “Then next time, braid your hair properly before you fly off.”

Seeona departs for the night, and I indulge in a hot bath. Regret gnawing at me the entire time. I keep seeing Deah’s face, wondering if she was in our room when Torrent forces ransacked it, or when Abacae had left the note .

I change into the nightgown, but I pace back and forth in front of the four-poster bed. Why did I let them talk me out of going to retrieve them so easily?

Artemis’s voice fills my mind. You know you did the right thing by staying and spending time on the maps. You heard Laz; they are safe.

I mindlessly rub at the tension in my chest. Then where are they?

Orion says he is in route back to the Keep now, she says, sleep lining her voice.

Settling on the edge of the bed, I notice a book Seeona had clearly left for me on the nightstand. I pick it up, leafing through idly.

Flipping to a random page, I note it’s filled with the history of Xecelsion and the Fae. This section details out royal lineage and their powers, with hand-drawn maps on some pages, the edges tattered. Something catches my attention as my eyes rove over the details.

The province that should read Wastelands is blank.

Hastily flicking through pages, I notice every other map shows the Wastelands territory marked correctly. Strange to think someone would have made such an error.

Weariness begins to nudge me while combing through the historical section. Shucking the book to the other side of the bed, I curl onto my side. The bed feels entirely too large; not even the cloud-like mattress could soothe my restlessness.

A soft knock sounds on my door, the heavy wood muffling it. “It’s me,” Ridge’s voice calls roughly from the other side. I sit up, pulling the blankets up with me.

“Come in,” I call back, feeling the nightgown slip off my shoulder as I shift under the comforter.

Ridge quietly opens the door, stepping through before closing it behind him. He looks at me for a moment, still standing by the doorway. Hair mussed, likely from nervously running his hand through it, he offers me a small smile. “I’m sorry to bother you so late, but I thought you would like to know your friends are all here and resting. They’re all fine, just rattled.”

“Where?” I try not to wince at the distance Ridge left between us .

“I gave Deah the room next to you.” He points to a door I hadn’t noticed down the wall. “You have access to each other through that door.” His gaze slides back to meet mine, exhaustion rimming his eyes. “I still owe the others an explanation for where they are.”

I leap off the bed, scrambling to the door. I unlock it, and smile at Ridge. “Just in case she wants to come in at any point.”

Ridge chuckles, sliding his hands into his pockets. He’s so apprehensive and unlike himself, it makes me uneasy.

“So…the King of the Fae is in my room,” I say teasingly, fiddling with the edge of my nightgown.

The only time Ridge ever seems off-kilter is when the word king is mentioned. One of his hands instantly goes to rub the back of his neck as he looks past me toward the sea beyond. He blinks, eyes now focused on me, but his face is guarded.

“One of the reasons I don’t share who I am is because it makes people nervous around me. I don’t want subjects ; for people to tip-toe around me and stroke my ego. The Ravels are filled with people with opinions—really damned good opinions—and I want to hear them. Not in a court, but passing through the halls, in casual conversations. I want those in the Ravels to feel comfortable around me.”

I nod, as if I could possibly ever comprehend.

“A crown is merely a scrap of metal.” His eyes shine with something deeper than pride. “I don’t need to bear a title to love my people.”

“You’re different than I thought you would be. I thought you to be an arrogant asshole.” I can see the male that Ridge really is; a brutal, devoted ruler. “But really, you’re gracious and open with the people you trust. You don’t hold yourself above anyone.”

“That is who I am for you . I have done vile, heinous things and relished in it, Aledrya. No one becomes King of the Fae without being merciless.” Ridge’s words are rough, but I only see the fervency within his eyes.

Perhaps I only hear what I want to hear .

“I see the male in the absence of the crown.” The words hang in the air between us, a declaration, and we both know it. “The male who wears the crown doesn’t frighten me, either. I see all of you, Ridge.”

We stare at each other for a long moment, my heart pounding erratically. His shoulders seem to let go of the tension as he considers.

“You need sleep, Aledrya. I wanted you to know we had all returned.”

He turns to leave, but a strained noise leaves my throat, making him pause. Tears sting the back of my eyes as I cross the room to him. His hand hovers over the door handle, his eyes dipping down to my bare thighs. He rakes his gaze up as if just noticing my state of dress, taking his time as he does.

I stand before him, reaching out and taking one of his calloused hands as he shifts to face me fully. He allows my touch, watching me intertwine our fingers. “Your transparency means more than any amount of groveling ever will.” My voice cracks as he strokes his thumb over mine.

He uses his free hand to slip around my waist, pulling me closer. I melt at his closeness, feeling his muscled frame against me.

“Are you sure you want this, Aledrya?” The scuff along his jaw tickles my neck as he leans in to whisper in my ear. “Make no mistake, I have a very carnal desire for you, but my feelings go further than that. I need you. Tonight. Tomorrow. Every day the gods give you. I require even the worst of your days.”

I drop his hand, snaking my arms around his neck. Fire tingles below the surface of my skin, but I repress the urge to release it. He brushes my loose hair over my shoulder, scanning my face.

“I want everything you have to give me,” I admit, locked in on his sensual mouth. “Including your secrets.”

Dropping my hand, Ridge tips my chin up to look in his eyes. “I have been powerless to you since I laid eyes on you. If you choose this life with me, I get just that—your life. There will be no broken promises.”

My knees weaken at his claim, and I’m thankful I have my arms around his neck. “There can only be you, Ridge.” My heart is galloping toward the edge of a mountain, taking my reasoning with it .

He makes idle circles on the small of my back, a lazy smile on his lips. “This doesn’t have an end. I’m keeping you even in the next life, love.”

Ridge’s hand finds the nape of my neck, kissing me with such softness and affection I may die from it. I think I want to die from it. Bliss is found under his touch; my entire body prickling with heat. I tug at his shirt, walking backwards toward my bed. Reaching down, I grab for the buttons on his pants. He gently captures my wrist.

“Last chance,” he warns. I know he’d stop without a second thought if I asked him to.

Something instinctive in me claws to reach the surface. I’ve been shoving it down for a while now. These feelings can no longer be ignored. It’s a fiery need I’ve never felt. I need him to be intertwined with me like I need my next breath. I kiss him, forgoing words entirely.

Ridge scoops me up in his arms, large hands holding under my legs firmly, my legs wrapping around him. I try not to outwardly swoon at him holding me like this. “I have a feeling we’ll want to be further from the others.”

I nuzzle into his neck, kissing him softly under the ear. “Is your room an option?” He growls at my soft kisses, and my body lolls at the possessiveness in it.

“The whole damned house is yours, as far as I’m concerned.” His voice rumbles through me as I breathe in his masculine scent. His words wash over me, and I tighten my grip around his neck.

He moves to the door, still holding me close to him. “ Ridge . What if someone sees us?” I wheeze, gripping his shoulders as he flings the door open, carrying me down the long corridor.

He chuckles. “I hope they do. Would save me the trouble of making sure they know who you belong to.” His voice has turned husky, making my thighs instinctively clench.

Ridge opens the door with a flick of his power, closing it behind us as he strides over to the bed. He lays me down with a softness that makes my chest ache. I pull at his thin shirt, needing everything between us gone .

“Now I think it’s time I make sure you know,” his smile turning wicked with the words.

He’s on top of me a moment later, every touch deliberately passionate. His lips pressed against mine set my soul on fire. I can feel the heat creeping through my veins, to my fingertips. “If you set the bed on fire, we’ll have to move rooms again,” Ridge warns, still brushing his lips on mine.

“I thought we established that I need you, so quit teasing,” I tell him breathlessly. He ignores my begging, moving to press lazy kisses along my throat. Snapping my hips up against his, he pins me softly to the bed.

“We have plenty of time for that,” he says, bringing his hand up to play with my breast over my nightgown. He kisses along my jaw, my breath catching at his wandering fingers. “All night, in fact. I plan to be very meticulous.”

“Please,” I whimper, tracing my fingers down his jaw. Ridge pushes back, smirking at me before relenting.

He stands to the side of the bed, pulling his shirt over his head in one smooth motion. Sitting upright, I tuck my legs under myself. Muscle ripples across his chest and stomach, dark inking with it. I study the marking, tracing the thick, dark lines along his muscled chest with my fingers.

Unlike mine, no additional details lie there, only swirls and magnificently drawn abstract lines. My heart speeds up as he undoes his belt, sending his pants to the floor next to his shirt.

“Gods, you’re the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on.” His hands gentle, he pulls my silk nightgown over my head, going completely still as he finds I’m bare under it.

“Aledrya,” he murmurs, pushing into my space until I’m on my back again. He watches me, eyes glittering. “I didn’t know perfection existed before you.”

Running my hands through his thick hair again, I pull him to me. His lips find mine, my skin fiery against his. I lose myself in this kiss, feeling his skin against mine. Greed overtakes me as I run fingers along the deep cuts of muscle at his shoulders, his biceps, along those dark lines of his marking .

I make idle movements across his bare skin until I find my hands wandering much, much lower.

His groan of approval makes me squirm with undeniable desire. I grab for him, and he pins my wrist to the bedding.

“Not until I’ve done my due diligence,” he tells me, kissing down my chest, stopping at my breasts. I arch off the bed as he teases, sucks, and licks at me. His dark laugh as he plants kisses down my stomach has sweat beading along my back.

“I take promises very seriously,” he murmurs against my skin. His hand falls away from my wrist, finding my hips and pulling me to the edge of the bed. He kneels, eyeing me as he does. “You may not require groveling, but you deserve it nonetheless.”

He runs his finger down me, and I gasp, teeth sinking into my lower lip. Dipping his head low, his tongue finds my entrance, filling me. I close my eyes at the sensation, gasping for air when his stubble scrapes my skin. He locks my hips in place as his tongue swirls and he adds a finger. My fingertips find his hair, hips shamelessly rocking at his touch.

I can’t help but look down at him, gasping at the sight of his broad shoulders between my legs. He raises his head, eyes dark, lips damp from his exploratory ministrations, and smiles.

“I’m going to spend a very long time learning what you like,” he says thickly as he slides a finger into me again. “You’re going to find your pleasure like this before I give you anything else.”

There are no objections from me.

Letting my head fall back, he dips between my legs again, tongue and fingers working in perfect unison. His other hand finds my breast, and he twists at my nipple until I’m fully breathless and limp.

Pulling him by his hair until he’s over me again, he thoroughly kisses me; enough so I think I could do just this forever.

I can feel him nudge at my entrance, and I snake my legs around him. He pushes in slowly, breaking away from our kiss to look down at me .

“I’m fine, so quit teasing,” I command, rocking my hips. I should be mortified at how unhinged I’m acting, but I’m too gone for that now.

He’s focused on my lips again, chuckling as he kisses me softly. “That’s no way to get what you want.” He adds another inch and I groan.

“I need you.”

He claims my mouth fully again, bringing his hand to the base of my neck. His hold is firm, possessive; it’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Being with Ridge like this, so close, is like a high I’ll never be able to replicate.

When he’s fully inside of me, he unlocks our lips and pushes himself up so he’s over me. I let my legs fall open as he moves on me, let my hands run over his back, his shoulders. Let my heart feel that all of him, all of this, is mine.

I may have very well mentally communicated that, because Ridge lowers himself to my ear, pressing gentle kisses there. “No one else, Aledrya.” I moan at his words, throwing my arms above my head and rocking my hips against him as he thrusts into me.

He matches my movement, thrusting into me, growling my name. There is nothing sexier than hearing this man so undone.

“I need—” My voice is hardly a rasp.

As if sensing my thoughts, he flips me onto my stomach, dragging my hips into the air. He pushes in, this time less gently, and I bite into the bedding beneath me.

Running his hand down my spine, he leans forward. “I will never get enough of you. You’re a damned goddess .”

He keeps one hand at the base of my neck, maintaining his claim without pinning me down. The feeling of his hand resting there makes me feel feral. My hips buck against him as he sends me over the edge again, his name on my lips. My own pleasure is enough to send him into his, and it feels as though my world stops spinning and begins to orbit around Ridge himself.

He uses his hand at the base of my neck to adjust my hair so it’s off my back. Pressing gentle kisses on my upper back, I sink onto my stomach, turning my head to the side. Placing one last kiss to my temple, he pushes off the bed, and I push myself to a seated position.

Returning a moment later with a warmed towel in hand, he helps to clean me up before covering me with a velvety blanket. “I unfortunately need to bathe; I don’t think you’d like sleeping next to me tonight covered in dirt.”

I hadn’t even noticed the dirt, honestly. Had been too focused on other parts of him.

“Mm,” I moan at the soft throw, not bothering with clothes before my head finds a pillow. I roll to my side, finding Ridge still rooted in the same place. “Are you just going to stand there all night?”

He gives me a wicked smile. “Perhaps I’m enjoying the sight of you in my bed.”

I can’t help but watch him walk off to the bathing chamber. Everything about him is firm muscle and power. I’m becoming embarrassingly attached.

I pull the blanket to my chin, unable to get comfortable until Ridge comes back. The knowledge that our friends are safe brings me comfort, but the fear of what is to come leaves me restless. My heart gallops when I hear Ridge emerge from the bathing room, the familiar scent of cedar hitting me as he crosses the room.

He slides into bed, pulling me to him. With a wave of his hand, the room falls dark. I lay my head on his chest, hearing his heart thump steadily. I can’t help but kiss him across his chest; knowing I’ll never be able to get enough. There’s a rumble low in his chest at my touch, tightening his grip.

“I’m keeping you,” he murmurs, kissing the top of my head lightly. “I have lived entirely too long without you.”

Tracing one of his muscled pecs, I force myself to focus. “What next?”

“Right now?” he asks, relaxing under my gentle caresses.

“With the Ravels. The King of Torrent.” I pause, anxious to get the next portion out in the open. “Us.”

“I’ll start with the easy one. Next for us is whatever you want. I meant it; I am undoubtedly yours. I was long before tonight. ”

He threads his fingers into my hair as I lay my head on his chest. “The Ravels will be more complex. We need our neighboring forces to make quick work of mobilizing. From there, we figure out the best course of action. That’s part of why I need you looking at the maps. We don’t have any idea where Torrent might be the weakest.”

He’s quiet for a moment, still working his fingers through my hair. “Honestly, I don’t know how we can win this war without that missing artifact. The Unborn Vase holds too much power; he can create creatures and summon power of his own volition as long as he has it.”

“What is the Unborn Vase?”

His fingers freeze briefly before picking up idle movements again. “It’s the urn of the Phoenix god. He was killed long ago, never released to be reborn.”

That much power wielded by someone with corrupt intentions is a horrifying thought.

“I’ll look at the maps again,” I promise, melting into Ridge’s warmth. “Tomorrow, you can tell me more,” I add, my fingers grazing his stomach, moving lower.

In the blink of an eye, Ridge has me on my back, wrists pinned above my head.

“You may look so innocent, but you’re not really, are you?” he says, peering down at me.

“I believe I was promised all night,” I respond, utterly breathless. “However, it’s my turn to give you what you want.”

Ridge releases me, pulling me on top of him. He tangles his fingers into my hair, bringing my lips to his. “I already have everything I’ve ever wished for.”