Page 19

CHAPTER NINETEEN

S olarius hadn’t intended to stay out all night, in fact, his aching body started screaming hours ago for him to find his way back to Windsong and into Narissa’s bed, but crushing Calfair’s face with his fist had only temporarily relieved some of his seething rage.

He’d been shocked when Drake chose to remain at the Thundercloud with him and indulge in a few drinks, considering their amity was forced by way of marriage.

If it wasn’t for his sister, Creslyn, Solarius would have attempted to take Drake’s life on more than one occasion.

Granted, he would have failed miserably with Drake being a god of shadow and prophecy, but he would have put up one hell of a fight.

Despite Drake’s ability to be a smug asshole the majority of the time, he did have his uses.

Walking through shadows, for example, was incredibly convenient.

Not to mention his ability to venture into the shadow realm and scroll through prophecies the same way one might casually flip through a book.

It was how Solarius’s family learned war was coming to Aeramere, through one of Drake’s prophecies.

But prophecies were not written in the stars.

They could change and be altered, they could transform, if by nothing more than an act of fate.

If Solarius could find a way to prevent his world from descending into chaos and ruin, he would do it.

Even if it meant betraying his own mother.

Drake had learned that Trysta Starstorm was a current guest at House Galefell, a bit of knowledge that was most peculiar, seeing as how his mother and Lord Aeolus Skyhelm were far from friendly.

Whenever Queen Elowyn held her High Council, they were at each other’s throats, bickering over which House deserved more protection from the uprisings led in Prince Aspen’s favor.

All of which had been oddly silenced since the prince decimated a ghastly number of corrupt magical creatures who attacked during Novalise and Asher’s wedding a few months prior.

He’d simply slammed his fist into the ground and vanquished them without a second thought.

All rumors of an uprising were dispelled after that impressive display of power.

Solarius buried his chin into his overcoat as he trudged through the snow-covered streets of Galefell in search of a carriage to return him to Windsong.

He kept his head down, focusing solely on his footsteps in the hopes of not drawing any unwanted attention.

Drake was already headed north toward the majestic house sitting in the clouds to see about gaining an audience with Lord Skyhelm.

An unlikely feat as House Galefell owed House Celestine no favors.

Then again, Drake usually got what he wanted, so perhaps it would be a successful trip for him after all.

A soft whinny sounded from the other side of the street and Solarius darted toward the waiting Eponians when something soft plowed right into him.

“Oh, I beg your pardon.” The alluring voice from his dreams floated up to him and he grabbed the female’s shoulders.

The bond surged to life, heating him thoroughly.

“Narissa?”

Her gaze flew to him, lashes fluttering, lips parting.

Concern pulled his brows into a scowl.

“What are you doing here?”

She shifted, trying to loose herself from his hold, but he kept his grip firm.

She huffed once, her breath misting before her.

“I figured I would enjoy my own company and explore Galefell, since my husband chose to stay out all night.”

A couple passed by arm in arm, their curious gazes lingering a little too long for Solarius’s liking.

His hands instantly slid from Narissa’s shoulders to her wrists, drawing her closer.

Her fingers were cold so he covered hers with his own, holding them against his chest.

“You kicked me out,” he murmured quietly, his thumb tracing idle circles across her knuckles.

“Of the room . Not the cottage.” She pressed her lips into a smooth line, plastering a carefully crafted smile to her face before looking up at him.

“I did not think you would leave and just?—”

Her little gasp did something to his heart.

“You’re hurt.” Narissa’s icy green eyes softened, and she tenderly touched the cut on his bottom lip and the bruising beneath his eye.

Her soft fingertips caused his heart to pound and his blood to pump straight to his cock.

“What happened?”

He shrugged, keeping his emotions in check, determined to stay nonchalant.

There was no reason to worry her, no reason to tell her he almost beat Calfair into a bloody pulp, that he would have ended him right there if Drake hadn’t stepped in and hauled him back.

Solarius rubbed his lips together, wincing when the cut split open again.

“I got into a fight.”

“Mm.” Her pretty pink lips pursed in consideration, and it took every last bit of his willpower not to lower his head and kiss her.

Then she hooked her arm through his, tucking herself into his side like she belonged there and said, “Come along. We should get you cleaned up before anyone starts to talk.”

Too late for that, Solarius thought with a sardonic grin.

News of his brawl with Calfair would be widespread and would probably reach Ariesian’s ears before they even got back to Windsong.

Not that he would be punished for such an offense.

Solarius had no doubt that once he explained his side of the story, Ariesian would agree that Calfair’s ass beating was well worth it and very much deserved.

Ariesian might be the responsible, stoic firstborn son, but if there was one thing he would never tolerate, it was a slight against his family.

And Calfair drugging Narissa then fucking her was definitely an insult.

The carriage ride back to Windsong was blissfully silent.

It wasn’t as though he didn’t want Narissa to talk, he actually loved the sound of her voice, but a pounding ache had formed at the base of his neck and then proceeded to dig its claws into his temples.

He didn’t know if it was from the few injuries he’d suffered, too much alcohol, or not enough sleep.

Likely a combination of all three.

Narissa led him to the main living area and ordered him to sit on the sofa before the roaring hearth.

As the heat from the fire seeped into his bones, he watched in amazed silence as she disappeared to the bedroom, returning a few moments later with the necessary supplies to take care of him.

A soft green towel was tossed over her shoulder, and she carried a small bowl of warm water in one hand, with a few jars tucked into her crook of her free arm.

Setting everything on the glossy wooden end table, she shoved back the sleeves of her gown, then gathered her wild tresses, twisting them on top of her head into a messy, lopsided bun.

A handful of loose strands curled around the nape of her neck, while a few more framed her face.

Solarius swore he’d never seen anything so fucking beautiful in his entire life.

She dipped the towel into the warm water, soaking it, then squeezing out the excess liquid.

And when she dropped to her knees, situating herself between his legs to dab at the cut on his lip, his shaft hardened to the point of pain.

“This might hurt.” She leaned forward slightly and braced one hand on his thigh to balance herself.

Her touch may as well have seared away his clothing.

She dabbed the warm towel to his mouth, her full breasts brushing against the bulge in his pants, and he bit back a groan so it sounded like more of a feral growl.

He clenched his fists to keep from touching her, his nails biting into the skin of his palms.

Her brows pinched together and her tongue darted out, wetting her bottom lip, and damn the stars, he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her mouth.

“I told you it would sting,” she chided, pressing the towel to the top of his cheekbone.

Solarius almost laughed, but he didn’t want to piss her off, and he definitely didn’t want her to leave.

Narissa thought he was in pain from his injuries, which was adorable, all things considered.

But she had no idea her soft little touches, her absolute nearness, were driving him mad with desire.

He wanted to stretch out on the sofa, pluck her off the ground, and have her sit right on his face.

Narissa’s cheeks flamed, and she made a squeaking type of noise.

It was then he remembered the bond, the way they could see one another’s thoughts, project their emotions upon each other.

“What’s wrong, Rissa love?” His magic stroked the bond as he slipped into her mind, and he was rewarded with another breathy little gasp.

“ Are you afraid to have me feast between your thighs?”

A look of determination washed over her face, but she refused to meet his gaze.

She tossed the towel over the arm of the sofa and opened a jar of healing salve.

Using her middle finger, she scooped out a small amount and applied it to the bruising beneath his eye.

It smelled medicinal, like ginger and lemon, but it was nothing compared to the tempting scent of her.

“No, my lord. I am not afraid.” She trailed her fingertips along his jaw, like she was committing the shape of his face to her memory.

“ Though I do think you might suffocate from such an endeavor.”

Solarius laughed.

“Trust me, my lady, I will not suffocate. But if by chance such an unlikely event occurred, then I could think of no nobler way to die.”

The corner of her lips tipped up and she shook her head.

Those wild, fallen waves that slipped loose from her bun teased him.

Tormented him.

A furious dark pink blush bled into her cheeks, and he wondered if the rest of her body flushed just as beautifully.

She leaned back, placing her hands on her knees, and studied him.

“Are you hurt elsewhere?”

His broken ribs were fucking killing him, but his pride kept him from admitting as much to her.

“No.”

“Liar.” Her retort held a bite, and she flicked her fingers forward, urging him to remove his shirt.

“Nice try. Let me see.”

“It’s fine, I promise. It’ll heal up soon enough with?—”

“Solarius.” Narissa crossed her arms in an attempt to scorn him, but all it did was cause the tops of her sun-kissed breasts to spill over the beaded bodice of her gown.

“Take. It. Off.”

He grinned wildly, yanking the hem of his shirt out of his pants.

“If you wanted me to take off my shirt, Rissa love, all you had to do was ask.”

Her eyes rolled to the cavernous ceiling of the cottage and then she was leaning forward again, her fingers nimbly working away at the button of his shirt, a tiny line of annoyance etched across her brow.

He longed to kiss it away.

When the fabric of his shirt fell open, Narissa’s eyes widened in horror, her golden skin blanched, and she clamped one hand over her mouth.

“Sol…” His name was a whispered prayer coming from her, yet her tone was tainted with sympathy.

“You must have broken at least three ribs.”

Solarius didn’t mention she was probably right.

Calfair’s cheap magic shot definitely messed him up more than he cared to admit.

He glanced down at the damage and gritted his teeth.

His skin was mottled with splotches of dark purple, angry red, and sickening blue green.

The bruising was horrendous, spreading all over most of his right side to his hip.

The pain emanating from that area of his body was a stabbing ache, like a freshly forged dagger was embedded in his bone.

He sucked in a sharp breath, hissing when she lightly splayed her palm over his discolored flesh.

Narissa opened another jar of salve.

This one was a pale green color and smelled distinctly of fresh earth and grass.

“You’re lucky you’re still standing, my lord.”

“You should see the other guy.”

Her fiery ocean gaze flicked to his face, and he flashed her his most charming smile.

“It’s not funny,” she muttered, scooping out some of the ointment with two fingers and delicately applying it to his injury.

He watched her work, staring at her capable hands, at all the pretty rings she wore glinting in the warm firelight.

He imagined those same elegant fingers gripping his cock, stroking and pumping him, guiding him inside her wet heat.

She was so close, surely it was obvious to her now.

Surely she could see the way his cock stiffened, damn near reached for her, but she just kept gliding those velvety hands of hers over his abdomen, oblivious to his torture.

Solarius squeezed his eyes shut and let his head roll back against the sofa.

His shaft strained against the confines of his pants.

Stars above, if she kept touching him like that, he was going to explode right here.

And he wouldn’t even fucking care, because then Narissa would know exactly the kind of effect she had on him.

“I should…” Hesitation clung to every word.

“I, um…if you would excuse me, my lord.”

“My lady.” His voice was hoarse, and he inhaled a ragged breath.

Solarius felt her pull away.

But he did not open his eyes, and he did not stop her.

Because if he begged her to stay, he’d be unable to control himself, and he’d fuck her until she could no longer walk.

But she deserved more than that from him.

Narissa deserved better.

She deserved to be cherished.

To be honored.

And he wanted to worship her, he wanted to take his time admiring every inch of her body.

When she finally gave herself to him, he would treasure each breathless moment.

So he would wait, until there was everything and nothing left to say, until he earned the love and trust of his wife.