Page 65

Chapter 62

ASPEN

We landed heavily on the planks of a wooden dock, jutting out into still waters. Iris threw the cloak back off her shoulders and shoved away from me. Her eyes flashed, sharp and searing, like she was considering which method she’d use to kill me.

She was angry.

Good.

Feel. It. All.

“What makes you believe,” she screamed, gesturing forcefully at me, “that you have any right to take me from my post?”

Her hands trembled slightly before dropping, her eyes widening at the register of her own voice. “I… I’m sorry…” Her voice became small, and she averted her gaze.

I stepped into her space, grabbing her wrists and lifting them gently, forcing her to look at me.

“Don’t you dare do that,” I said, my voice firm. “Do not hold it back. I can take it.”

I watched the war in her eyes. She drew her bottom lip between her teeth.

“Aspen, I?—”

“No.” I cut her off sharply. “Stop making yourself smaller for others. Get. It. Out.”

She yanked her hands from mine and began pacing, back and forth, back and forth.

“How is everyone just fine?” she shouted, rubbing the back of her neck with both hands, furious. “People are dying.”

She turned sharply toward me, tears spilling down her face.

Keep going. Get it out .

“We are failing them.” She threw her hands out, as if she could spar with the universe itself. “People die in front of us every day, and it doesn’t matter how hard we try.”

Her breath hitched, voice raw with grief. “He was so close. We just needed more time to convince his wife to use the tonic. He wanted to use it...”

She swiped a hand across her face, not noticing the small cut left behind from her retreating claws.

“He...he...I told him I could help him. And he’s just gone . I spend every waking moment I can in that wing, and it doesn’t matter. They’re not getting better, and everyone is just… resolved to it.” She clenched her hands into fists, pleading with the air. “Nothing I do helps. The Council,” she spat the name of the group that had haunted her, “hasn’t answered any of our requests for aid or resources. It hasn’t touched someone important enough to them to care. And because it’s the outer realms suffering, they stand by and do nothing.”

Her voice cracked, but she pushed forward, relentless. “Even here, everyone will mourn for a day or two, and then they just… move on. Like someone didn’t just disappear from existence.” She sucked in a ragged breath. “I know we’re all doing everything we can, but I don’t understand how they can move forward. They’re able to keep going—and all I can think about… all I can feel… is rage.”

She stepped toward me and crashed both fists against my chest. I caught her, wrapping my arms tightly around her as she continued.

“It isn’t fair, and I’m so fucking angry ,” she ground out, pounding her fist against my chest again, her tears dripping onto my shirt.

“I’m so angry,” she repeated, letting her forehead fall forward against me.

“I know,” I murmured, resting my chin atop her curls. “That’s why we’re here.”

She pulled back, tilting her head up at me, searching for an answer.

I cupped her chin, brushing my thumb over the damp trail on her cheek.

“Do you trust me?” I asked.

“With my life,” she whispered, without hesitation.

Goddess. I had no idea why.

I begged my heart to slow.

“We’re getting in the water,” I said thickly, releasing her and stepping back several paces. I shrugged off my coat, then grabbed my shirt with one hand and pulled it over my head.

“Aspen,” she groaned, her shoulders slumping. Her body practically wilted. “It’s freezing. And if you think getting me naked is the solution to all my problems?—”

“Now, Virlana,” I chuckled, arching a brow. “I have plenty of plans that involve getting you naked. This is not one of them.”

Heat rose to her cheeks, and I didn’t even try to fight my smug grin. Goddess, she was stunning.

“Temperature regulation, remember?”

She sucked in a breath. “The entire lake?”

“Yes.” If I was right about what she needed, though, it would be worth every drop of magic I used.

Her mood shifted in an instant, her gaze raking up and down my body. A shiver crawled up my spine, anticipation curling low in my gut.

She crooked a finger, beckoning me back to her.

Move, you idiot.

I strolled toward her, helpless to resist the invisible thread between us, the one that seemed woven from my very being. She brought her palms to my arms, fingers tracing lazily over bare skin. The dock could have collapsed beneath us, and I wouldn’t have looked away from the hunger in her eyes.

Except, I misjudged exactly what that hunger was for—because a heartbeat later, she gripped my biceps and used all her weight to shove me into the lake.

I surfaced, sputtering, staring up at her in disbelief.

“That was for making a decision for me without consulting me first,” she said fiercely.

Well played, Virlana.

She peeled off her vest and, without hesitation, reached for the hem of her burgundy gown, pulling the entire garment off in one swift motion.

Iris Virlana stood there in nothing but her undergarments—which could barely be called garments, with how little they covered. And she smirked. Fucking smirked at me.

Standing in nothing but lace, she looked every bit the Goddess that had come to ruin me.

I was utterly, completely, spectacularly doomed.

“Turnabout is fair play.”

I whipped out a gust of wind, latching onto her wrist and yanking her toward the water. She let out a full-throated laugh and leapt in, disappearing beneath the surface.

She rose moments later, slicking her hair back with both hands.

A goddess.

“Well?” she asked, a teasing smile curving her lips. “This is all you’ve got, Prince?”

Divine. Ruin me.

It took every shred of self-control not to drag her against me and map out every inch of her myself.

Focus .

“You’re angry. Rightfully so,” I murmured, circling her where she stood in the water. “You need to let it out,” I whispered over her shoulder. She shivered slightly, and I trailed my fingers across her mostly bare shoulders. “You need to scream.”

I would have given up the entire contents of the royal vault to have the look on her face permanently etched into my memory—wide eyes, parted lips, flushed cheeks glistening with water in the setting sun.

“Naughty,” I tsked, winking, stifling the internal bellow rising with the blush creeping up her neck. “You need to get it all out. Like this.”

I dipped into the water, letting out a tumultuous roar.

Breaking the surface moments later, I shook the water from my hair and moved closer.

“Let it out, Sunbeam.” I offered my hand, palm up.

She beamed at me, brown eyes glinting gold, and laced her fingers into mine, pulling us down into the depths.

There was just enough sun left to watch her throw her head back, a forceful yell breaking from her lips. Bubbles spiraled upward, her face twisted with all the rage she had held in for too long. If we were above water, it would have been ear-splitting.

I joined her. Letting go of every outrage, insult, and grief that had ever haunted my soul.

Here, in the depths of the water, we could balk at the unfairness of the world—together.

We repeated it. Over and over. Until our throats were raw, and the tension finally drained from her body.

“How did you get so good at this?” she gasped, wrapping her hands around my neck.

I’m royally fucked up.

“Practice,” I said instead.

I’m blundering through life here.

“You’re a good man, Aspen,” she said, bright and certain. “I don’t think you understand that.”

I’m not, love. I’m really not.

She seemed to sense my thoughts, because she grabbed my chin, firm and sure, and said, “You are. Thank you.”

I don’t really like people, Virlana. But I think you’re my favorite.

I slid my arms from her hips to the small of her back, holding her close. Her red hair, slicked back from the water, made her look ethereal. Even without using a drop of magic, she glowed.

I pulled her tighter. This beautiful, radiant being had squirmed her way into my life and settled deep into my soul. Her grin was unrestrained, her voice hoarse from yelling, her eyes bright with triumph. She felt everything so deeply, so passionately.

Goddesses be damned.

When the history books were written, I think this would be the moment I realized she had altered me—irrevocably.

I shoved back the treacherous thought betraying my heart before it worked its way to my lips.

Fuck. You can’t even think things like that.

She watched me, eyes warring with something intense, fingers trembling slightly where they rested on my chin. Slowly, she pulled away, moving backward, dipping lower into the water. Her gaze never left mine.

There was something there—something she wanted me to see.

She shifted, pulling her soaking brassiere over her head and tossing it onto the dock.

It landed with a soft thud. Or at least, I assumed it did. I couldn’t hear anything over the blood pounding in my ears.

Her stare burned through me, and I realized—far too late for someone who considered themselves observant—the heat waiting for me there.

Faint light glowed beneath the surface. Then, Threads shot outward in every direction, sweet harmonies filling the open winter air as a barrier settled wide over the lake.

I’m so fucking proud of you.

I swallowed a rather undignified choke and willed my pulse to slow as she rose from the water, baring the full curve of her breasts.

My breath came shallow as she sauntered toward me, and my eyes flicked down to follow a single drop of water as it rolled off her perfect, peaked nipple.

Need barreled through me, unlike anything I had ever known. It burned. Fierce. Scorching. As if my body could somehow match her blaze.

Goddesses above, I could die a happy male.

She slid a hand up the center of my torso, stopping to cup my jaw. And then, once again—she smirked.

Iris’s lips twitched. The sight barreled straight to my groin.

All I could think of was how those lips would feel wrapped around?—

Fucking Divine.

I looked at her, dumbfounded, my brain momentarily forgetting it needed oxygen. She smelled intoxicating, as she always did—sweet cranberries, spice, and the heady scent of amber. A scent so innately hers, I wanted to bottle it and get drunk on it for the rest of my life.

Tonight, though—tonight, there was something more.

Something musky. Salty.

Undeniably aroused.

Keep it under control.

She wants you. In some capacity. But she probably wants it soft, gentle.

Do not scare her off.

She leaned in, breath hot against my lips, and whispered, “Kiss me, you fool.”

Her voice ricocheted through my bones, throwing flames through my blood.

I groaned, snaking my fingers into her hair at the base of her skull, and crashed my lips against hers.

My hips bucked involuntarily when she opened for me immediately, her tongue flicking out to glide against my teeth. I skimmed my hand along her side, halting at her ribcage. I deepened the kiss but relaxed my grip in her hair—I hadn’t realized how tightly I was holding her. My body shook with poorly controlled restraint.

Get. It. Together.

Iris tugged me closer, her fingers digging into my neck as she peppered hot, wet kisses along my jaw. I suppressed another moan as she moved lower, licking at my pulse point.

“Stop holding back,” she growled against my skin—then bit.

It cleaved my world in two. Unmade, and then made again.

For this. For her.

It had never been a question of whether she would destroy me—only when. That had happened ages ago. But as the imprint of her teeth molded into my skin, I released the very last shard of ice. The sliver I’d held on to, even now. I let it melt beneath her touch.

Those teeth dragged along the length of my neck, tentative. Gentle.

I pushed into them, hoping the skin would break. “ Harder, love.”

Iris grinned against my throat.

I was, once again, an absolute idiot for thinking she would be satisfied with anything less than everything I had to give.

She could have it all.

The roughness in her voice, combined with the sharpness of her teeth sinking into my neck, was my undoing. I yanked her body flush against mine, fingers tangled in her soaked strands, tilting her head back to grant me access to her neck. My thumb brushed the underside of her breast as I trailed open-mouthed kisses down the column of her throat, licking back up the same path. She tugged roughly at my hair, nails sinking into my shoulder. Her short, gasping breaths were every reassurance I needed.

I shifted my knee, parting her thighs, my hand kneading the curve of her ass before guiding her to straddle my leg.

“Iris…” I groaned against the corner of her mouth, breathing her in like she was air.

She rolled her hips, forcing me to tighten my grip and haul her even closer. I sucked at the spot between her neck and collarbone, slipping my hand under the lace covering her ass, spreading my fingers wide against the supple flesh. She sucked in a breath, raking her hands down my chest before crashing her lips against mine again.

Every place she touched felt like fire.

Then she pulled back abruptly, eyes blown wide.

“Oh, Goddess…” She heaved, snatching her hand from my chest. “Is this… is this all right?” she asked between gasps.

Touch me, please, love.

Rip me to shreds.

I didn’t want to spend another moment without her hands on me.

I grabbed her hand and pressed it to my skin.

“Yes,” I croaked, holding her gaze. I curled my fingers over hers, urging her nails to dig into my flesh. “Touch me. Please.”

I was incapable of forming coherent sentences, apparently.

I had long since stopped praying to the goddesses, but I would worship her. I’d kneel before the altar of Iris Virlana until I took my last breath. Set myself ablaze there, at her mercy.

Our teeth clashed as she deepened the kiss, her bare breasts brushing against my chest. I felt her nipples peak against my skin, and my mind blanked at the contact.

How could one person be so fucking perfect?

“I lied,” I groaned against her mouth, sweeping my thumb across her backside as she rolled her hips again. I exhaled a sharp breath, letting it skate over her ribs. “Currently, you are in possession of the most spectacular ass in Kacidon.”

My favorite thing about my magic was always the wind. That I could feel everything it touched.

And fuck, was she glorious.

I let the air swirl around her breasts, teasing one nipple before moving to the other.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I breathed into her mouth, catching her lip between my teeth.

“More…” she gasped, nails digging into my back.

A deep sound rumbled from my throat at her plea, and I shifted my mouth to her neck again, licking the salt from her skin. Divine. She tasted Divine—sweat and sin and sweetness and temptation. Everything I’d ever wanted.

I released her hair, dragging my hand down her body, brushing my thumb over her peaked nipple as I passed. Gripping her hips, I tilted my wrists back, lifting my knee higher to press directly against her core. Even in the cool water, I could feel her heat against me.

She bucked at the contact. I repeated the motion, urging her to seek more.

“Come on,” I murmured, sucking at her collarbone, sliding my hand up to roll her nipple between two fingers. “Fucking ride me, Sunbeam,” I growled.

She let out a loud moan, grinding against me in a slow, desperate rhythm.

Undone.

“Good girl,” I murmured against her skin, kissing and nipping my way down the slope of her collarbone.

“Do you know how long I've wanted to taste you?” I dipped my head, pressing a featherlight kiss to her ribs.

“Aspen…” she moaned, rolling her hips faster as I scraped my teeth over her skin.

“Ask nicely, Virlana,” I tsked, nipping at the soft flesh beneath her breast.

“ Please , Aspen…,” she begged, pressing down hard against my thigh.

Mine.

I lost it. Her surrender, her plea, shattered what little control I had left. I bucked against her, dragging my tongue across the underside of her breast.

I caught her wrists, guiding her arms to rest against my neck before returning one hand to her hair, the other kneading her breast. Flicking my tongue in circles, I teased the other nipple between my fingers. I grasped her ass harder, urging her to take whatever she needed. Then I pulled the peak into my mouth, sucking hard before releasing it with a sharp pop.

“Fuck…” she groaned, and the sound was heaven falling from her lips.

“Aspen, I’m… I’m…”

She clawed at my back, marking me. Claiming me.

Carve your name.

I’m yours.

I trailed my hand from her breast down to the band of her lace. I paused, tilting my head back, silently asking.

When she met my gaze, her eyes were molten. She leaned down, slanting her mouth over mine, whispering “Yes, please.”

I slid my hand beneath the lace, teasing her with slow strokes. She jerked and ground against me, frantic. I laced our fingers together where they clung to my neck.

“Come for me, Iris,” I murmured, pressing my thumb against her clit.

I bit down on her nipple, smiling through my teeth as she began to fall apart. My fingers continued to draw continuous firm circles against her core and the vision of her relinquishing control nearly sent me spiraling along with her.

I muttered praises against her skin as she shattered in my arms.

“Such a good girl.”

“So beautiful.”

“Goddesses, yes, love.”

“Oh, Divine… fuck… Aspen! ” My name poured from her lips, head thrown back as she fell over the edge. Her body seized, her name a broken moan on my lips as she bucked and gasped and came apart.

I love you.

Fuck.

What the fuck was that?

I wasn’t sure I even knew what that was. If I was capable of it.

As her tremors eased, I withdrew my hand, pulling her limp body into my chest. She dropped her head, legs wrapped around me, breathing deep. I rested my cheek on the top of her head, holding her tight.

A deep, ancient need rumbled in my chest. I clutched this magnificent, radiant, beautiful creature to me hungrily, suddenly unwilling to let go.

I love you.

I slowed my breath to match hers. She wasn’t going anywhere. She was right here. She was safe.

“Iris…was?—”

“I swear to the Divine if you ask me if that was good, I’m going to ruin that smug little face of yours,” she mumbled against my skin.

I chuckled softly against her hair, “So aggressive.”

I could feel the sting of the water against the claw marks she had raked down my back. I never wanted them to heal.

“It was horrific. Truly miserable,” she grumbled, but I could glimpse a flash of a smile.

“I need my sketchpad,” I whispered, placing a kiss on the top of her head. “Immediately.”

I needed to immortalize it, the face she’d made just as she crested the edge . The times I’d allowed myself to imagine it, the countless nights I’d spent picturing my hands gliding across the expanse of beautiful, freckled skin had been nothing. No thought or fantasy or dream, lived up to her.

“You’re incorrigible.”

“You’re perfect.”

She looked up at me sleepily, shifting her hips to adjust her view. She froze immediately. Guilt crossed her features as she was confronted with a realization.

“Aspen, I’m…” she trailed off, flicking her eyes down between us quickly. “I’m sorry, you…” she began to reach down between us, and I realized she could feel me straining against my trousers. I gently took a hold of her wrist, bringing it to my lips and brushing a kiss across her knuckles, exercising every ounce of restraint I had left

“Not now,” I said softly, shaking my head and lacing her fingers with mine. “Tonight’s about you.”

I saw the argument already on her tongue and stifled it with a kiss. Soft and sweet, like we could spend forever lost in it. Like we had the option to simply never stop.

I love you. I love you. I love you.

“What now?” she asked breathlessly, tracing a finger along my chest and pulling me from a somewhat life-altering inner monologue.

“Whatever you want,” I replied.

“Do you remember when you asked me what I wanted, after this?”

I nodded, tucking a wet strand of crimson hair behind her arched ear.

“I think I want to find answers,” she said, staring off into the last dregs of the sunset. “For everything that has been hidden for so long. I don’t want to give in to hatred and fear. I want to learn about medicine and magic and…”

Her stare pierced me like an arrow. “I’m fucking terrified.” The water stilled, as if knowing she had more to say.

She lifted her head, a halo of gold shining behind her. “And I want to do it anyway.”

Iris brought a finger to her lips.

“I want to go to the library. I have an idea.”

Anything. Everything.