Page 34 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

“I don’t care. But you can rinse them in the pond if it makes you feel better.”

“Alright,” she relented, and took off her boots and socks, dipping her feet into the cool water. She placed them back on the grass and he took one in his hands, pulling it in his lap, and kneaded his thumbs into her sole.

A sigh escaped her as she let the tension leave her body. Eyes closed, she leaned her head back on the hill behind her. They stayed silent as he increased the pressure, focusing on her heel.

When she opened her eyes, he was staring at her with wonder.

“You’re…beautiful.”

The way he looked at her made her breath hitch. Like his world began and ended with her. He’d always had such an intense gaze when he watched her, but now…now it was so much more. Like he was finally letting her see how he truly felt.

“Did you bring me here to seduce me?” she teased.

“No. I promise. There will be no seducing until after the journey.” He rolled up her pants and his hands moved further up her leg, focusing on her calf muscles.

She relaxed into it as she bravely asked, “How long have you known?”

“Known what?”

“You know…us…” she said, blushing.

“So, they told you.”

She continued playing with the grass as she looked around at the butterflies. “Yes, they did. I thought you were going to kill someone last night, you know.”

“I wanted to,” he said with a hardness in his voice.

She looked back and met his eyes. “When we face Andras, I will break every bone in his body and listen to him scream as I dismember him. Then I will find The Scourge and burn him from the inside out.” Her heart leaped in her throat at the violence in his words.

“Anyone who wishes you harm will find themselves in utter agony. I won’t hesitate to end a life if that’s what it takes to keep you safe. ”

“That’s…intense,” she whispered.

“It’s the soul-bond. Those who are blessed enough to have one will do anything to protect the other.”

She swallowed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to scare you. I was waiting until after your transition to fae when you’ll likely feel the pull.”

“What does it feel like?”

“I don’t know how to explain it. Like my heart is on a tether, pulling me toward you whenever you’re near.

My soul aches if I see you’re hurt or scared or upset.

It’s primal. Protective.” They remained silent, staring at each other before he spoke again.

“ You asked how long I’ve known? I suspected the day I pulled you from the water in the bog. ”

“What? We’d barely known each other for a week.”

“Fate doesn’t care about that,” he said. “Sometimes soulbonds know immediately and other times it takes years.”

“And it took you a week.”

“Yes. Well…I had a suspicion. When you disappeared and I realized you were being pulled under, I panicked. I didn’t understand why I was panicking over someone I didn’t know, but it clicked when I pulled you out…though I was in denial.”

“I remember asking why you had a strange look on your face. That was the moment, wasn’t it?” He nodded. “And we got into a huge fight later that same day,” she added.

“We did.”

“But you’re sure now?”

He stared at her with intensity as he finished rubbing her calf.

“Yes.” He let go of her leg and started on the other.

“I suspected that day in the bog, but the moment I knew for certain was when you fell asleep in my arms after Corvus attacked you. I knew then and there I would tear apart the world to protect you. It scared me.”

She swallowed as tears blurred her vision. “What now?”

He stayed quiet for a moment. “Nothing. We can keep doing as we’ve done.”

“Is that what you want?”

“It doesn’t matter what I want,” he said.

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Of course it matters. Why wouldn’t it matter?”

“I’m not the one adjusting to a new world. I’m not the one who was stolen from their life, brutalized and hurt, and thrown into a war they never even knew existed. What you want matters more.”

There was so much newness, and she was overwhelmed with every aspect of this life. But she loved it here. And she wanted to be with him. That, she knew for certain.

“I’ll wait as long as you want. I would wait for centuries if it’s what you needed. And if you don’t want anything at all. That’s okay too,” he added, which made her cry harder. He reached for her face and wiped away her tears. “Why are you crying?”

“I don’t know,” she sniffled.

He leaned forward and gathered her into his arms, pulling her to straddle him. She nestled into the crook of his neck as he brushed her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead.

After a few minutes, she gathered herself. “I’m scared.”

“I know.”

“I’m scared of everything. I’m scared of the journey. I’m scared of facing Andras and Deidamia. I’m scared of another horrible battle I know will be even worse than the ship. I’m scared of my magic. I’m scared of this…of us.”

He lifted her chin and looked at her, placing a delicate kiss on each cheek where the tears had dampened her face. “Why are you scared of this?”

“Because…because everyone I’ve gotten close to has eventually died…and I’m afraid of losing you too.”

“Oh, Mi’ra V?ssa,” he breathed, looking at her with a world of compassion. “I know what that feels like. We’ve both lost our families. But does the fear of the unknown mean we shouldn’t try to be happy?”

“No,” she said with a sigh. “No, it doesn’t.”

“It’s okay to be scared. I’m scared too.”

“Is that why you’re a cranky brute?” She gave him a small smile.

He grinned widely. “That’s exactly why I’m a cranky brute, princess .”

“That’s the second time you’ve called me dear one, you know. ”

“Who told you what that meant?”

“Raine.”

“Of course. He can’t keep his mouth shut.” He cupped her face before kissing her nose. “It’s because you’re dear to me.”

Her heart warmed. “You never told me what you wanted.”

“Yes, I did. Yesterday,” he said.

“Yesterday you basically told me you wanted to take me to bed.”

His eyes darkened. “I do.”

“Is that all you want?” she whispered.

“No.”

“You want more than sex.”

“Yes,” he rasped. She paused, waiting for him to say more. “I’ll take any piece of you that you’ll give me…but…”

“But?” she urged. “Tell me. All of it.”

He looked at her with tenderness, one hand gripping her hip while the other was still cupping her face, his thumb caressing her cheek.

“I want all of you. Every smile, every frown. Every kiss and touch. I want your good moods and bad moods and everything in between. I want to fall asleep next to you and wake up entangled with each other.” She played with a strand of his hair as he poured out his heart.

“I want to snuggle on the couch in silence as we read together. I want to wake up early and have tea with you on the balcony as we share our deepest fears. Or I want to lounge in bed and spend all morning holding you. I want to fight and argue with you and then I want to take you to bed to make up for it. I want to take you dancing to see the joy on your face as we spin around the room.” He moved both hands to her face as he continued.

“I want all of you. For eternity. I want the bond.” He kissed her forehead.

“And there’s nothing I wouldn’t give you to ensure your happiness. ”

She was in shock, unsure how to express the depth of her emotions. Because she wanted it too. Wanted all of what he said and more.

Casimir held her chin and pulled her into a kiss. It wasn’t feverish like last night, but slow and careful, like he was judging her reaction to his words. Her hands dove further into his hair as she kissed him back and couldn’t help but start moving against him.

His hands clenched her hips, guiding her along his hard length as his kisses moved down her neck to her collar bone. He gave her a nibble, licked her skin and a whine escaped from her throat.

More. She wanted more. Grasping his shirt, she lifted the hem, but his hands clasped her wrists and he stopped her.

“Not here,” he said.

She pouted. “What? We’re alone and have time and you’re saying no?”

“Trust me. We don’t have time.”

“Of course we do,” she said. “You’re ridiculous.”

He moved to her neck again and said to her in between kisses, “Like I told you last night. We don’t have enough time to do what I want to do to you.

I want to go slow.” She moaned as he continued.

“I want to explore each and every luscious curve of your body.” He moved lower, placing a kiss on the curve of her shoulder.

“I want to learn what makes you whimper, what makes you moan, and what makes you scream.”

That mouth of his. Those words. It would be her undoing if he kept talking to her like that. Like he venerated her. Worshiped her.

“I want all of you too,” she said, trying to ignore the ache between her thighs as he pulled away.

“After the journey, when you’re fully fae.” His fingers traced her face. “We can talk about it. About us.”

“I’m probably going to get irritated and argue with you sometimes. ”

“Good.”

“And you’ll get frustrated with me for getting distracted or not paying attention.”

“I will.” He quirked a brow.

They smiled at each other, and he kissed her again before scooting her off his lap and standing. She put her boots back on and stood, reaching for his hand.

They walked in silence, hand in hand, back to the castle to bathe, change and prepare for dinner with the group. The last dinner before she faced her darkest self tomorrow. The last dinner where she would be human should she succeed.