Page 40 of Journey to the Elderoak (Daughter of the Earth #2)

L ater that evening, they were gathered in the dining hall.

Casimir had moved to sit next to Ava, trading places with Raine who was now across the table.

Her heart warmed at his insistence on being close to her.

Everything was different now that he’d confessed his feelings under the willow tree two days ago.

Ava wanted nothing more than to be near him. To touch him. Hold him.

She’d stayed in the bath as long as possible, washing the guts from her hair and body until her skin was rubbed raw. After emerging, she’d smothered herself in lavender lotion to ensure the smell was gone.

Dressed in a taupe cotton tunic and brown pants, her still damp hair hung in a braid. Casimir had taken a quick bath and met them at dinner after resting and napping more, his arm still in a sling.

The table was laid out with the usual fares. Roasted meats and root vegetables, baked breads and jams, potatoes and other sides. Kai had joined them tonight and was sitting next to Jorrar, laughing with him about something .

As they filled their plates, Thorne cleared his throat. “Since you two were gone, we discussed the ball and the guests who’ll be attending. Raine and Quinn developed our security plan and have been communicating it to the guards.”

“So, who’s coming?” asked Casimir as he sipped his wine.

“Oh, the usual,” Raine said as he waved his hand, brushing Casimir off.

There was a nervous energy in the air and the others looked uncomfortable; tense. Ava tried catching Raine’s eye across the table, but he avoided looking at both her and Casimir.

“Will someone tell me why you all are acting weird?” she asked.

“Nobody’s acting weird,” said Raine. “You’re just overly sensitive right now with your big fae feelings.”

“What?” she scoffed. “You guys are definitely acting strange.”

Casimir had gone still and was staring at Thorne.

“What’s wrong?” She looked at him, but he ignored her.

“Who is coming to the Solstice Ball?” he asked again, glowering at Thorne.

The whole table went silent as Thorne cleared his throat. “Well…all of the kings and queens are coming.”

“From every kingdom?” he asked.

“Except Frosthaven.”

“Orion?” Casimir whispered.

Thorne nodded. “And Jareth.”

Confused, Ava glanced at Casimir again. Why was he so angry?

“No,” he said. “Uninvite them.”

“We can’t and you know that,” said Thorne. “Our relationship with them is rocky at best.”

“No thanks to you, Cas,” whispered Quinn.

“And”—Thorne cast a sharp glance at Quinn—“we need to mend that if we’re going to ask them for help in the war. ”

“I can’t believe you would invite them,” Casimir said. “After what happened last year.”

Ava looked between Casimir and her brother. “What happened last year?”

“Casimir and Jareth got into a brawl and destroyed half a forest,” said Raine casually waving his hand.

“Who’s Jareth? And are you talking about Orion, the King of Caelestia?” she asked, trying to remember all the names she had studied.

Casimir remained quiet, still looking at Thorne.

“Well, if you won’t tell her, Cas. I will,” said Raine.

He didn’t respond.

“Tell me what?” said Ava.

Everyone was quiet.

“Tell. Me. What?” she asked again and pulled on Casimir’s arm.

He looked at her. “Orion is my father. Jareth is the heir to the throne, and my half-brother.”

She froze, letting go of his arm. “Your father is King Orion?”

“I told you my father was from the astral kingdom.”

“But you didn’t say he was the king!”

“You didn’t ask.”

She threw her hands in the air. “Oh great. I was supposed to say ‘hey, he’s not the king, is he?’ That’s insane. Why did you lie to me?”

Raine whispered to Quinn, “Mom and dad are fighting again.”

“Oh, shut up,” Ava and Casimir said in unison.

“I didn’t lie. I just…didn’t tell you.”

“And that’s called lying by omission,” said Raine.

Quinn snorted.

“Why not?” she asked Casimir. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Well, like you…there are things I’m not ready to talk about, princess. ”

“Oh, we’re back to that now? Keeping secrets, prince ?” Ava shook her head as she processed the news. She knew she shouldn’t be angry with him, but she couldn’t help it. Another secret. And this was a big one.

“Ava,” Thorne began.

But she ignored him as Casimir leaned in. “Don’t call me that.”

“But you are one. A prince. I can’t believe it,” she said as she looked away from him and sat back in her chair, crossing her arms.

He turned away as well and sat still, drumming his fingers on the table.

“Well, that went well,” said Quinn.

Silence descended on the room.

After a moment, Jorrar looked at Ava. “While technically Casimir is a prince, he is not heir to the throne, nor does he want it.”

“And I take it he and Jareth don’t get along,” she said.

“That’s an understatement,” mumbled Raine.

Thorne replied, “Jareth is?—”

“A prick,” interrupted Quinn.

Thorne raised an eyebrow. “Yes. He’s conceited, thinks he is better than everyone else and not pleasant to be around. We will need to keep a close eye on him. We don’t need any brawls when we’re preparing for war.”

Ava sighed, still irritated but her anger was dissipating. She understood why he didn’t want to talk about it, especially with how much he hated his astral magic.

“Not to change the subject and all,” said Raine. “But we need to discuss our next steps now that Ava is fae.”

She leaned to Casimir and whispered, “We’re not done talking about this.”

“I know,” he bit back.

Thorne was silent for a moment, looking in between the two of them before speaking.

“First, Ava needs to train to use her magic. And continue training with weapons. While she’s doing that, we’ll finalize our plan to get the book and Isolde.

As far as training in magic,” Thorne continued.

“You’ll do that with Raine. He’s the best at self-control.

Casimir will continue with what he’s already been training you in. ”

Ava looked at Raine. “I find it hard to believe you’re the best at self-control.”

“Oh, but I am, darling. And we are going to have loads of fun.”

She laughed and the conversation returned to the rest of the ball guests.

Everyone was shocked to learn the King and Queen of Igneothenia—who had been in hiding since their kingdom set in a range of active volcanoes was conquered—had been located and would be attending.

No one had seen them in years and hope bloomed at their reappearance and the possibility they may still have part of their army after escaping the daemons.

No one from Frosthaven—the kingdom set in the icy mountains to the east—would be attending.

Ava had learned in her lessons with Jorrar that Valeria, their queen, had allowed the daemons in and was working with them.

Her desire and longing for power overarched any loyalty to the rest of the fae. Their kingdom had to be watched.

Ava and Casimir stewed in silence as the ball was discussed. Though she wasn’t angry any longer, she was hurt he didn’t tell her. And worried about what this meant for their relationship.

“Alright, let me have it,” Casimir said as he shut the door to their living room.

Ava whirled around to find him smirking. “Oh, you think this is funny? ”

“Not really,” he said, but his smile didn’t falter.

“You lied to me. How can I trust you if you’re still keeping things from me?”

“It changes nothing,” he said.

“It doesn’t? I mean…you’re a prince. From a different kingdom. Doesn’t that change something with us?”

He took a step forward. “No. I won’t inherit the throne. I don’t even want it. It changes nothing.”

“But you didn’t tell me.”

“And you’ve told me every single thing about you?” he asked as he walked closer.

“Yes…I think so. I mean, I’m not a secret princess or anything. It’s not a secret anymore.”

“But you were a secret princess. You kept things from us,” he was still smirking as he looked at her.

“First of all, I didn’t know I was a princess. Second of all, I didn’t know you, prince.”

“I said don’t call me that,” he said as he stalked toward her.

“Or what?” she backed up, hitting the wall.

He didn’t answer as he stood over her, eyes full of mischief.

“Are you enjoying this?”

He leaned in, his forearm resting on the wall above her head and whispered in her ear. “Backing you against a wall? Yes.”

Her breath quickened as she looked up at him. The way he was looking at her…like a man starved. As if preparing to devour her.

“I’m still irritated with you,” she whispered, voice coming out hoarse.

“It’s sexy when you’re mad,” he said as he leaned in and kissed the tender spot below her ear.

“You didn’t tell me,” she said.

His lips moved lower along her neck. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed. “It’s okay. ”

He removed his arm from the wall and tilted her chin, pulling her into a kiss. She put her hands on his chest, wanting more but afraid of hurting him.

“Cas.” She stopped him and he paused, looking down at her, his hand cupping her face.

“Hmm?” he asked as his thumb stroked her cheek

“I…I want the bond.”

He went still. “Are you sure?”

She brushed his hair out of his face. “I’m positive.”

“You have no idea how relieved I am to hear you say that.” He kissed her forehead.

“What now?” she asked. “Do we like…do something?”

“Not tonight. We won’t have time.”

“When?”

He leaned in, their foreheads pressed together. “After the ball. We cut our palms, join them together and say a prayer to The Mother.”

“That’s it? Do we need to have a ceremony or something?”

“Only if you want to. But most people prefer to do it in private because…”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “Because what?”

“Let’s just say after the bond is blessed by The Mother it gets…intense. Very intense.”

“Intense how,” she whispered, heart in her throat.

He leaned in, brushing his lips against hers.

“I think you can imagine.” He kissed her hard, tongue exploring her mouth as he moved his hand to her hip and yanked her closer.

Casimir’s body pressed against hers as he deepened the kiss.

His hand slid from her hip, under her shirt and palmed her breast. She let out a sigh against his soft lips, the smell of him surrounding her.

The hint of cedar and sage. It had been a comfort the moment she first smelled it.

That night when he offered his tent for her to sleep in.

The faint scent on the bedroll had wrapped her in a safe embrace, lulling her to sleep when she’d been so lost and scared.

And now they were here. Their souls yearning to be bound.

She ran her hands along his chest, avoiding his shoulder and pulled away momentarily. “You’re too injured. You only have one good hand.”

“I can do a lot with one hand,” he said as he squeezed her breast again and kissed her once more, harder and more feverishly, pinching her nipple.

He placed gentle kisses along her neck, starting under her ear and making his way to her collarbone, whispering about how soft her skin felt, how perfect she was. His hand left her chest and worked its way down her stomach, then between her legs over her pants.

He rubbed back and forth, creating the perfect friction. She reached down and palmed him over his own pants. A groan slipped from his lips as she slid her hand lower and gripped his length.

“I want to touch you,” she whispered against his mouth as she reached for his buttons.

He caught her wrist. “Not yet. Let me take care of you tonight.”

Letting go, his hand slipped under her tunic, squeezing her hip as he worshiped her neck with his lips. His fingers skimmed along the waistband of her trousers, taunting her as he moved beneath the fabric. Lower and lower, he reached between her legs as his teeth grazed her shoulder.

“Fuck,” he groaned as he slid his finger through her slick arousal, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves.

She leaned her head back and released a whimper as he continued.

A finger slipped inside her and she gasped as he curled it toward him and claimed her mouth again in an urgent kiss. He added another and she moaned as his thumb found her clit and circled it in time with the pumping of his fingers.

She never wanted this to end. Wanted to strip naked and lead him to the bedroom, spending all night with him inside of her. The only thing stopping her was his shoulder, knowing he’d refuse until they were both healthy enough to let go.

“Please,” she pleaded, as she clung to his tunic.

“Please what?” he said, licking and nibbling her earlobe.

“Please,” she barely got out. “Don’t…stop…”

“Never.” His eyes roved over her face, greedily watching her expression.

He continued his rhythm, the slow buildup of her release nearing with every second.

She bucked her hips, grinding onto his hand shamelessly as he continued his perfectly timed movements.

Sensing her release was near, he increased his speed and her legs almost gave out at the sensation of being so close to the edge.

“Hold onto me,” he growled into her ear.

His voice sent shivers through her and she gripped his neck as she teetered on the precipice, catching him watching her. A slight increase in pressure sent her tumbling over the edge, waves of pleasure sending tingles along her skin.

“Let go, princess,” he whispered with reverence.

She cried out, closing her eyes as heat exploded through her, desperately pulling him closer. Tremors racked her legs as she fought to keep herself upright, her soul on fire. He slowed his pace, continuing to work her through the last of her climax as she trembled against him.

Pulse racing, she could barely catch her breath as she met his gaze. Removing his hand from her pants, he kissed her gently. Tenderly.

She broke the kiss and stroked his hair. “Sleep in my room tonight.”

He shook his head. “If I do, I won’t be able to control myself and I need both arms to do what I want to do.” She swallowed and stared at him. “And I need to go to bed right now before I lose complete control.”

“What if I want you to lose control?” she asked.

“Tomorrow. After the ball.” He pressed his lips to her brow before he reluctantly walked to his room. “Goodnight, princess.”