Page 77

Chapter Seventy-Six: Rhea

Our steps are clumsy as we stumble into his room, Nox kicking the door closed behind him before bringing his lips to mine.

“Do you have any idea how you torture me?” he asks. My mouth opens to his as our tongues tangle together and his hands roam over my backside and squeeze, lifting me so that my legs can wrap around him. His arousal is a hard line between us, and I gasp desperately for air when he grazes his teeth down my neck while his fingers dig harder into my flesh. “I think about you all fucking day. Your eyes and your smile and your laugh. The way you taste. How perfect you feel around my cock. All day, Rhea . It’s godsdamn torture to be apart from you.”

My nails scour the back of his neck, words beyond me as I writhe against his body. The sitting room is alight with the glow of spelled flames, but Nox leads us right to the bedroom, somehow having the grace to give me all of his attention without crashing us into any furniture. Closing the bedroom door, he spins and gently presses my back against it, his hands sliding up my sides as his calloused skin scrapes against mine. My heart soars in my chest, desire a cresting wave building within me with every sweep of his tongue in my mouth and brush of his thumbs on the undersides of my breasts.

“This dress could bring an entire kingdom to their knees for you,” he says against me, teasing me when one hand moves lower and his fingers apply pressure to the apex of my thighs.

“I don’t need an entire kingdom on their knees for me. Only you.”

He growls, and then we’re moving lower as Nox does just that. Shadows slide against the floor and up my body, their icy touch contrasting the fire burning within me. Midnight tendrils wrap around my waist and upper thighs and help to hold me in place when Nox places each of my legs over his shoulders, moving the fabric of my dress off to the side while he positions his mouth right at my center.

“Is this okay?” he asks, one hand pressing low on my stomach while he inhales deeply, as his star-flecked gaze peers up into mine beneath his dark waves and the crown resting upon them. “Prince of Stars” Selene had called him, and I find that I whole-heartedly agree.

“Yes.” I wrap a hand around the back of his head, my other pressing firmly into the door behind me. He lays his tongue flat against me, my arousal seeping through my undergarments and making him groan in approval.

“So wet—you are always so wet and ready for me.”

I nod, the ache to have his mouth and that wicked tongue drawing along my flesh, to feel him deep inside of me, nearly unbearable.

“ Nox ,” I gasp, attempting to press closer to him while simultaneously yielding to his control. The pressure of his tongue darting out, only to be blocked by the thin layer of fabric again coils my desire more tightly.

His laugh is dark and rough at my frustrated whimper as he skims his fingers down the inside of one of my thighs, taunting me while his icy shadows dance along my skin in juxtaposition. “Do you need more, Sunshine? Do you want me to fuck you with my tongue?”

“Gods, your mouth.”

“Answer the question, love. Tell me what you want me to do.”

My chest heaves, and I’m beyond the point of caring about anything but relieving the way my entire body is strung tight. “Put your mouth on me, Nox. Please .”

The last word isn’t fully out before his finger hooks around my undergarment and yanks it to the side. And then it’s bliss—pure, unfiltered bliss —as his tongue dives into me. His appreciative groan vibrates over every inch of my body while he devours me like I’m his only sustenance. I clench my teeth together, panting through them as his tongue coaxes me closer and closer towards release. He slows his pace down, practically drinking from me one moment and then speeding up so that my toes curl from sensation the next. Two fingers slide inside of me, Nox pumping them in time to the bucking of my hips as he sucks on that sensitive bundle of nerves.

I have to remember to breathe while I struggle to grip onto any part of him that I can. The back of my head hits the door when my orgasm unravels, sending a tingling sensation over my entire body. His name echoes out into the room on my cries. I expect him to slow down, to pause and come up for air, but he doesn’t. He continues wringing me of pleasure until one orgasm moves into the next and I’m practically hoarse from crying out. Only when my lips are numb and body pliant does he slowly take my shaking legs off of his shoulders, sending the shadows back and catching me as I lean forward, unable to keep myself standing.

“So perfect,” he whispers at my chest before standing, carrying me with him towards the bed. I nuzzle my face into his neck, melting with each lungful of our mingled scents. “Do you think you can stand now?” he asks, a purely satisfied lilt to his voice.

I smile as he slides me down his body, my hands already reaching for his jacket and helping it off of him. “I suppose that ego of yours feels fairly good after that?” I ask, then work on the buttons of his shirt.

“Lots of things feel good after that,” he murmurs, making me laugh. Tucking my hair behind my ears, he kisses me like it’s an exploration of my mouth, an infusion of my taste on his tongue. I’m breathless when he pulls back and drops his shirt to the floor before his hands cup my face. “I would do anything for you. Anything . You know that, right?”

I nod, my hands gripping his wrists before I slide them down his arms and to his chest. He leans in to kiss me again, but I push him towards the bed. “Lay back,” I order quietly, my heart beating in a riotous chorus within me.

Nox’s lids grow heavy, his eyes dark pools of desire and feverish heat, but he follows my command. Scooting back on the bed until he’s propped up by his elbows, he puts his naked upper body on display before me. I carefully remove his crown and set it on the nightstand, snorting when Nox makes a noise of protest when I also remove my own, and then I crawl between his legs—one hand gripping the comforter by his hip while my other reaches out to tip his chin up to me.

“Nox Flynn Daxel, you will be my husband,” I state, my voice wavering on the last word. Husband . Bound to each other forever. A part of me wishes we could get married tonight, if only so I could continue to call him that.

His eyes bounce between mine while a smile, soft and sweet, lifts his lips. “Yes.”

I kiss those lips before moving to his jaw. “Because you are mine,” I say against the warmth of his skin, trailing my mouth until I’m right over his heart. “Mine.” His breath stutters, and his hand reaches up to weave through my hair. I continue down his hard chest and farther, lingering over the carved muscles of his stomach. “Mine,” I whisper again. A deep noise rumbles from his throat when my fingers find the buttons of his trousers.

“Rhea,” he murmurs in a low warning when I free his cock from his pants. Stroking slowly, I savor every inch of heat that my palm envelops, my gaze locked on his. His fingers curl into my hair more tightly when I lower down until my lips are hovering right over his tip, his arousal already leaking from it.

“All mine .” And then I claim him, licking a long line down the side of his cock and back up again, smiling against him when he lets out a string of curses as his taste floods my mouth.

“ Fucking gods above .” Nox’s neck arches, his head falling back as the fingers of his free hand dig into the comforter and his chest rises and falls as if he’s engaged in battle.

I take my time, exploring how his body reacts to my movements, how his groans change with every slight alteration I make to my speed or how deeply I take him into my mouth. Swirling my tongue over him, I swallow him down, yearning for more. I had been too nervous to try this with him before— afraid that my inexperience would ruin the moment, even if Nox promised otherwise.

I have no such fear now.

His stomach muscles contract, another curse slipping from between his lips when he abruptly sits up and reaches for me, pulling me off of him and, instead, placing me in his lap.

“What are you doing?” I ask, heat flaring in my cheeks as I drag the back of my hand over my mouth. “Was it— Did you not like that?” Oh gods, what if I was doing it wrong?

Nox’s eyes are feral, his hands cradling the sides of my face as he brings our foreheads together. “I was about five seconds away from coming in your mouth, Sunshine.”

“So?”

He barks out a surprised laugh, kissing me soundly and stealing every bit of my uncertainty from me. His hands work deftly to slide the top of my dress down until my chest is bared to him. Leaning in, he whispers against my skin. “I’m so fucking in love with you, and I’m not ready for this night to be over. Not yet. I haven’t—”

Pounding on the door to the sitting room silences Nox as we both tense.

“Who could that be?” I ask, looking back behind me towards the sound.

“Just ignore it. I don’t care who’s there.” He gently guides my face back around, kissing me again before sliding his hands down my back. I moan as I arch against him, his mouth moving down my body and closing over one of my nipples as I spear my fingers into his hair to hold him there. Melting under his touch, I rock my hips over his length, both of us desperate to shed these final layers. But the knocking persists, this time on the door that leads into this room. Onyx shadows race across the floor and barricade the door, some of them slipping underneath it.

“You have five seconds to explain why the fuck you’re in my room!” Nox shouts, holding me tightly against him.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t important.” My gaze clashes with his at Cass’s voice. “Send your shadows back. I won’t go past this door.” Nox releases his hold on his magic but keeps his arms wound tightly around me.

“What’s wrong?”

There’s a considerable pause, as if Cass is weighing his words before he answers. “There’s something you need to see.”

We both dress back in our ball attire, leaving our crowns off as we open the door to find Cass pacing in the sitting room.

“What is it?” Nox asks, but Cass shakes his head, opening the door to let us pass before closing it behind him.

“A woman was found wandering the beach by a patrol. She was disheveled and disoriented, mumbling about needing to speak with the king. The guards brought her here, and as they were making their way to a secure room, the woman collapsed.”

Anxiety slithers up my spine and my hand grips Nox’s more tightly as we make our way down the stairs, passing a stoic Barron as we do.

“Is she alright?” I ask.

Cass’ response is slow to come. “She’s dead.”

When we reach the bottom, more guards than I have ever seen before form a barricade blocking the foyer from being accessed by anyone coming from the gardens or the main entrance. A wall of blue magic further separates the guards from something— someone —in the space they are surrounding.

Sadryn stands next to Councilman Hadrik and another guard, the latter’s hand resting firmly on the hilt of his sword. When the king spots us coming towards him, he holds up a hand, and Nox halts our steps. Murmuring something to the councilman, he makes his way around the somber guards, the room silent other than the occasional shuffling of feet.

Nox is the first to speak to his father. “What’s going on?”

Sadryn’s eyes move to me, his gaze softening as he leans in. “Are you sure you want to see this?”

I nod my head as Nox drops his voice lower and asks again, “What is it?”

Sadryn motions for us to follow him with a tilt of his head. He guides us past the guards to where the blue magic is glowing. With a flick of his hand, the magic disappears, and lying before us, frail body pale against the black stone floors, is a woman with brown hair. She looks emaciated, as if the life has been sucked out of her, leaving her just skin and bone. Her cheeks are concave, her pale lips dried out, but there’s something about her that strikes me as familiar.

My gaze draws over her outfit, the gray color of her dress and the white apron that covers it. Though dirty and tattered, the clothing too plucks at a memory. There’s a note attached to the front of her apron, and I lean in a little closer to read what it says.

I warned you .

Ice churns in my blood as my eyes move to Nox’s. Anger and sadness war within them, and his hand trembles with restraint in mine. I look back to the woman, at her delicate fingers and finer features. The truth strikes me, a jagged dagger sawing at my bones, as I gasp. “Tienne?”

Nox nods, having already come to that conclusion.

“Oh my gods, why does she look like that?” Had my uncle been starving her? Or was this the consequence for crossing over the Spell?

“The Cruel Death,” Nox says somberly, his free hand running through his hair as Cass and Sadryn give him their attention. “This is what someone who has the Cruel Death looks like.”

Sadryn nods, but his jaw ticks, disquiet tightening his features. “She crossed over the Spell and somehow made her way here. Given her condition, it seems nearly impossible that she didn’t have help.” Nox stiffens as he takes a step closer to me.

The guards break their formation, dark leather armor with metal details gleaming under the massive tiered chandelier above, to let Councilman Kallin and Daje through. The former stares down at Tienne, a flash of what looks like disgust quickly rolling over his face before he schools it back to neutral. I grit my teeth together when he meets my gaze with a dismissive glance.

Looking down at Tienne again, my heart drops into my stomach as I remember just how kind she was to me. How she and Erica brought me dresses and gave me all those gifts. How they helped make sure I had my satchel and boots. Was Erica alright? Why had Tienne crossed the Spell? How had she known to come here ?

Nox releases my hand to wrap his arms around me, his body blocking Tienne from my view as he moves us a few steps away.

“He did this because of me,” I say only loud enough for him to hear, conscious of the ears around us. Tears burn my eyes when I meet Nox’s concerned gaze. “He—” A held back sob ravages my throat, and Nox places a hand on the back of my head and holds me to his chest.

“Not just you, Sunshine. I knew Tienne too,” he rasps, leaning his head down to speak closer to my ear. “She knew I was visiting you, I think. She somehow seemed to know everything that was happening in the palace. I wonder if King Dolian found out just how involved she was.”

“Perhaps the lady should not be here,” Councilman Kallin says, assuming me to be distraught merely over the sight of a dead body. Nox’s magic thickens around us, his head snapping over his shoulder as he snarls at Daje’s father.

“Son, I think we should act as if the threat is still active. We still don’t know how this woman managed to cross the Spell in her condition. How she ended up so close to the palace. It might be a good idea for you both to go back upstairs and—”

“We should have a meeting about this, Your Majesty. One His Highness needs to be a part of. If this is a targeted attack against him for his time spent in the Mortal Kingdom, then we will need a thorough breakdown of everything he knows,” Councilman Kallin implores. Daje adjusts awkwardly on his feet as he stares down at Tienne’s body.

The king nods, if a bit reluctantly, and Nox sighs as he turns to Cass. “Can you bring Rhea up to our room and stay with her?”

Cass, having gotten his sword somehow, reaches out a hand for me, but Sadryn intercepts him by stepping between us. “Until we have the full details of what happened, I want you to be protected at all times.”

“I can take care of myself just fine. Cass is more useful with Rhea.”

But Sadryn shakes his head, a protective gleam shining in his eyes. He may rule this kingdom, but he’s a parent first and foremost. This has shaken him enough that he wants to make sure Nox is properly guarded, and I can’t say that I blame him. I feel Nox’s magic rising while his father gives him a warning look.

“I’ll go with her.” All eyes move to Daje as he carefully walks around Tienne’s body until he’s at our side. “If it’s alright, I’ll stay with her until you’re finished.”

“Daje, you have your own duties—”

“I don’t have anything to do here that can’t be done by any one of these available guards,” he states, interrupting his father. He holds Nox’s gaze, determination set in his features. “I’d be happy to help.”

I reach up and lay my palm against Nox’s cheek, directing his attention to me. “That is a good idea. Let Daje help.” He has already proven that he is loyal in protecting me, goes unspoken between us.

Nox turns to kiss my palm as his brows draw together. “I will be up as soon as I’m done here.” He leans in, his lips grazing my ear gently, and whispers, “This is not your fault, Rhea.”

My eyes close as I force air into my lungs. I logically know that it isn’t, yet the guilt… It still has a home within me. Like some long-buried weed that keeps coming back no matter how many times I try to squash it.

“I love you.”

“I love you,” I promise, kissing him lightly on his lips before pulling back.

Nox turns to Daje, absolute resolve coloring his voice. “Wait until you hear from me.”

Daje nods, and with one last glance at me, Nox joins his father, the two men conversing in quiet voices with Cass and Sadryn’s guard at their side. I don’t look at Councilman Kallin as we turn to leave, not in the mood to see his scowl turned on me. Daje and I climb the stairs back up to the third floor where Barron is waiting on the landing.

“Barron, can I ask a favor of you?”

“Of course, My Lady,” he answers, his hands clasping behind his back as his brows draw low over his eyes.

“If you hear any updates, will you let us know? I have a feeling Prince Nox will be busy for the rest of the night, and I know it’s ridiculous given who he is, but I’m worried for him.” I’m only now realizing that I never offered Nox the same assurance he gave me—that this wasn’t his fault either. That we are both trapped within the snare of an absolute monster.

Barron’s expression eases into understanding. “Of course. I’ll check in periodically, but try not to worry, Lady Rhea. I believe that His Highness is strong enough to protect the entire kingdom if it truly came down to it.”

I offer him a grateful smile before leading Daje down the quiet hall, the hairs on the back of my neck rising. We enter the sitting room, the space now seeming too dim with Daje in it. I carefully wrap my magic around one of the spelled flames and carry a part of it over to another sconce, repeating the motion twice more so the entire sitting room glows in golden light. I remember when I first saw Nox do such a thing, how incredible it was to watch him control the flames and wonder if I might ever be able to do the same.

“You’ve gotten good at controlling your magic,” Daje muses, taking a seat on the navy-colored couch and stretching his legs out in front of him.

I shrug, sitting in the leather armchair across from him as I grab the fabric of the cape attached to my dress and wrap it around myself. “It’s not anything any of you guys can’t do.” My gaze travels over his own fancy attire, his tunic one of emerald green with bronze-colored detailing. Dark brown trousers and black dress shoes accentuate his look. “Sorry you got pulled from the festivities,” I offer with a slight wince.

Daje laughs, running a hand over the top of his head. “It’s alright. I was all but done for the evening anyway when…” He tapers off, gesturing to the door. When Tienne’s body was found. I grip on to the cape more tightly. “You knew her?”

I contemplate not answering or even lying, but he already knows I’m from the Mortal Kingdom. Any other details pale in comparison to that larger secret. “I did. She was very kind to me after something tragic happened.” My throat tightens at the onslaught of memories—at the sights and sounds and smells embedded within them. “I worry who else might suffer because I’m here.”

“Why does he want you back so badly? Is he aware that you have magic?”

“He wasn’t until the night Nox helped me escape,” I answer, avoiding his other question. But Daje quirks a brow, clearly wanting me to explain further. My lips flutter before I turn my gaze to one of the spelled flames. “He was in love with my mother, and she married his brother instead. He thinks I’m his second chance, I guess.”

“Second chance at what?” It’s my turn to give him an arch look, hoping that I don’t actually have to say the words out loud. Daje’s brows furrow together for a moment before they rise impossibly high on his forehead, making a sullen chuckle leave me. “But you’re his—”

“Niece. Yes, I know.”

“Gods,” he says in shock, disgust layered in there as well. “And Nox saved you?”

“He did.” Understanding seems to dawn within him as he turns his body so he’s lying back on the couch, his arms crossed under his head. I draw my legs up onto the chair, settling further into it. “I’m happy he apologized to you,” I divulge as a yawn escapes me.

Daje shakes his head, his gaze on the ceiling above us. “He didn’t have to. I know what it feels like—that need to do everything you can to protect someone.” He opens his mouth like he wants to say more but then shuts it, letting the words hang there.

I decide not to pry about his relationship with Bahira, instead reaching out for one of the pieces of smooth dragon stone Nox left on the table. The circular, flat black rock is cool in my hand, and I rotate it over and over again as nervous energy makes me fidget in the silence.

I blow out a shaky breath as the memories of Tienne unravel in my mind. The pressure grows behind my eyes, and I squeeze them shut to keep the moisture locked there. Another kind person caught in the destruction of my uncle’s sick plans. I warned you . I knew he was capable of such atrocities, but a part of me hoped he might eventually realize that his attempts were futile. It feels selfish to think that way—to minimize the deaths of Immie and Tienne to nothing more than just endeavors enacted by King Dolian to try and get me back to the Mortal Kingdom.

“I’m sure it won’t be much longer,” he says, noting my anxiousness without even looking at me. Quiet falls once again as we wait for word from Nox.