Page 66 of Night Meets the Elf Queen (The Elf Queen #4)

KATANA

K atana quickly bathed and changed into a pretty dress with bright florals and lace sleeves.

Standing before the mirror she spent a little extra time on her hair, braiding half of it back into a crown, and applied a touch of blush to her cheeks and rose-colored balm to her lips.

The night with Thane had been wonderful, the best night she’d had…

maybe ever. Giving into Thane was everything she’d fantasized about and more.

She tried not to let the deal they made ruin her good mood.

One time, nothing more. Already she felt the heartache creeping in.

Why she thought she could get through it without feelings when she’d had them before last night was beyond her.

I literally call him my protector. Like he’s mine. But he’s not.

A quiet knock on the door made her jump. She quickly slipped on her shoes. Maybe Thane would change his mind, and he’d come to confess he wanted more, not just lust. That last night made him realize he wanted to at least… try.

Taking in a deep breath, she pulled the door open, and her smile fell. “Piper.”

“Hi, Katana. Thane had to go meet with King Drake, but he asked me to walk you to breakfast.”

“Oh.” She hated the sound of disappointment in her own voice. There went her dream of his confession of undying love. Well, she didn’t want that yet. They’d only known each other a few weeks, she sounded naive even thinking he’d be in love with her already… or at all. “Will he be joining us?”

“I’m not sure.”

This felt more like rejection than anything. Had she taken too long to get ready? She tried to hurry. Or had he rushed out of there, so he didn’t have to face her? Maybe he thought talking with her would be awkward. Damn it, this is not what I wanted.

Breakfast felt like an eternity. The food was delicious and Piper, Fennan, and Leif were entertaining company but all she could think about was their High King’s absence.

Even the lovely music drifting through the open airy room full of sunlight, and the beautiful artwork of statues and paintings throughout the space couldn’t take her mind off him.

She was about to stand and return to her room until it was time to leave when she heard his voice in the outside hall.

A pit in her stomach deepened and yet the very sound of him sent a tingle down her spine.

A moment later he walked through the archway with Prince Ronan at his side, and his emerald-green eyes went straight to her.

His jaw muscles flickered and without a smile, he went directly to the banquet table.

Her heart thrummed in her ears and heat rose in her cheeks.

She was going to be sick.

One night, nothing more. She chanted in her mind but got up from the table. She knew what she agreed to. There was no reason to be upset now.

“Would you like me to walk you back to your room?” Leif offered.

“Oh, no thank you. I can manage on my own. Enjoy your meal.”

She hurried out of there as fast as she could and barely made it halfway down the corridor when she heard footsteps. Slowing, she turned and said, “Leif, I—oh.” She blinked at Thane.

“Not Leif,” he said.

“I can see that.” She couldn’t help but smile.

“Where are you going?”

“Just to pack my things.” Never mind that she’d already done it.

“Did you get enough to eat?”

“I did. Thank you for asking.”

With a sweep of his arm, he gestured for her to continue walking and fell into step beside her. “The contract is signed. They will come to our aid.”

Beaming, she grabbed his wrist. “Really?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s wonderful news. I’m proud of you.” She dropped her hold and tucked her hands behind her back.

He smiled at her. “Thank you.”

An awkward silence fell. The sounds of birds chirping outside the windows and laughter from children drifted through the hall. Would it be appropriate to ask him how he felt about last night? Or should she just let it be?

He cleared his throat. “Ronan and Dax will take us to the portal, and we’ll be back at the castle today.”

They made their way up the stairs and down the hall to where their rooms were. “That’s great.” Ugh she hated that everything felt… stilted.

He stopped at her door and dipped his chin. “Well, I’ll leave you to pack your things.”

She tugged down on the door handle but turned back to him. “Thane?” He hadn’t left yet.

“Yes?”

Tell him you want more than one night! “I really enjoyed last night, and I hope it does not change things between us.”

He smiled and sighed in relief. “I liked last night too. I don’t want it to change our friendship.”

Friendship… “Right. Then we will not let it.”

“I’ll be packing my things as well and meet you downstairs.”

“Alright.”

The ride to the portal was quick and the walk back was filled with banter and play between Leif, Piper, Fennan, and Thane.

Despite their conversation, the previous night had changed her friendship with Thane, for her part anyway.

His laugh made her stomach seem to flip and do unnatural things.

The way he smiled, even if it wasn’t directed at her, heated her to the very core.

His voice even sounded different to her ears, like he was a siren calling her to him.

If he felt the same way, he didn’t show it.

Once they stepped inside Castle Dredwich Leif, Piper, and Fennan went their separate ways, leaving her and Thane standing in the foyer. Thane turned to her to speak until Presco came around the corner. “I need to talk to you both about where Valeen and Hel are.”

Sick to her stomach with the news, Katana found a large empty room at Castle Dredwich, with a harp that was enchanted to play on its own. As soon as she closed the double doors, the strings began to pluck. She couldn’t break down and cry with worry. She had to believe they would make it back.

The All Mother hadn’t brought them together again just for it all to end so swiftly. She pushed the heavy navy curtains to let in the sunlight and opened the windows for the warm summer breeze. Floral scents drifted inside, and the sun’s rays filled her soul.

She took off her shoes and set them next to a high-backed velvet chair and pushed a table aside to clear a large open space.

The rug beneath her feet was navy and white with florals and flourishes.

Closing her eyes for a moment, she let the music flow into her, felt it in the very depths of her being, and then slowly moved her feet.

This was her offer to the All Mother to protect Valeen and Hel. She swept her arms, turned into a spin and leapt again. It had been a long time since she danced, and her ankles weren’t used to the movements anymore, but it was coming back to her.

The harp seemed to move her, to lift her arms and bend her torso.

She let her training take hold, not thinking of what would come next, but dipped and twirled and kicked.

The flowy fabric of her sage-green dress whirled around her.

Sweat beaded at her temples, and her breath came heavier than it did when she was a goddess, but she liked the way the movements worked on her muscles, the way it burned.

There was part of her that wanted to go to the underrealm to bring her sister back, but she knew she’d be more of a hindrance than anything. Valeen was strong, powerful, and determined, so she held out hope.

Katana lifted one leg high above her head then arched back until her hands touched the floor.

She kicked back and flipped into a standing position again.

Then she circled her arms and kicked her leg out and around her, spinning in place.

Until she caught sight of something dark against the doors and stopped.

Her breath hitched and she nervously tucked her hair behind her ear. “Thane. I did not realize you came in.” He was smiling. “How long have you been standing there?”

“I just walked in. You’re a wonderful dancer.”

“Thank you.” She cleared her throat. “I used to dance in front of an audience of thousands, and yet for some reason you make me more nervous than they did.”

His green eyes softened. She loved the color of them. It reminded her of a forest and the wilds and beauty of it. “Why?” he asked. “I’m not judging you. Admiring maybe.”

“I know but one person is more intimate than many.”

“Could anything be more intimate than last night?” He raised a brow.

She smiled and bit her lower lip. Her breath seemed to get away from her. “Well, last night wasn’t a performance.”

“It wasn’t? It certainly felt like it.”

Katana suddenly felt like she needed to drink cool water. “And how would you rate said performance?” She giggled while slowly moving her hips in a circle then winked at him.

He laughed. “One hundred out of ten.”

All Mother, his voice and his gaze on her was making her stomach do things it shouldn’t. One night. One time. That’s all.

“You can keep dancing. I didn’t mean to stop you.”

“Oh, no, it’s alright. I am glad you came. Have you heard anything more about Valeen and Hel?”

He strode forward to the table next to her and lifted the lid off a crystal bowl. He plucked out two of the silver-wrapped treats inside and rolled one between his fingers. “No. If they aren’t back tonight… I’ll go after them. I won’t leave them down there.”

Her heart seemed to clench in her chest. “You are very brave.” She brushed her hands down her body to straighten the wrinkles in her ankle-length flowy dress.

It was terrifying to think of him leaving for such a horrible, dangerous place and yet she adored him for it.

It was how big his heart was, how much he cared for her sister and his brother, even if them being together broke him.

When she looked up, he was watching her. He popped one of the chocolates in his mouth then held out the other to her. She carefully unwrapped it and bit it in half. It was sweet and gooey at the center. “Thank you.”

“How are you feeling?”

“Scared.” She ate the rest of the chocolate.

“Would you like to help me finish my dance offering to the All Mother for Hel and Valeen’s safety?

I am so worried they will not come back.

I wish I could do something. I wish I could go but—there is no sun there and I fear I would be even weaker than I already am.

And it’s not like I can fight well anyway. ”

Thane looked out the window. He took a few deep breaths as if trying to calm himself. “You truly believe the All Mother will help them? Because I think she left us a long time ago.”

“Our creator’s hands will be made known, even if in the smallest of ways, you simply have to look.”

He held out his hand to her, palm up. “Either way, I would love to dance with you, Katana.”

“Do you know how?” She felt herself smiling and placed her hand in his. Atlanta hated dancing with her. He thought it was a useless talent.

“Of course I do.” He grinned and pulled them to the center of the soft rug and spun her in a circle.

“Show off.” Her stomach fluttered as they stepped.

She followed his lead to a dance she knew quite well.

They started with the traditional steps, then he dipped her, gliding his hand up her spine to the back while the other slid down her thigh lifting it.

Holding around his neck, she raised her pointed toe to the ceiling.

When he pulled her back upright, he moved his hands to her waist and lifted her, turning in a circle.

The air felt charged now. The placement of his hands left her burning. The music changed to something more intimate, the slow plucking of strings and the soft melody of violins seemed to buzz in her veins.

Thane brought her down slowly, eyes holding hers, as if enchanted. Their lips were but a breath away. When her toes touched the ground, she spun away, and he caught her wrist, pulling her back in, caging her in his arms.

Her heart felt like it would pound out of her chest as those striking green eyes slowly rolled down to her lips. He waited inches away. She clutched the front of his tunic in her palms, trying to stop her body from trembling.

He wasn’t ready for more. His heart wasn’t ready. He’d said so himself, and yet it felt right to be in his arms. But she didn’t want to be used to satisfy his loneliness until he was healed.

They said once for a reason, so there was no real hurt when it ended. And it would end. She hadn’t loved Atlanta for a long time, and she was primed for something more than what he offered. She wanted love and romance. Heartfelt confessions and passionate nights, and a promise of more than a day.

“Thane…”

“Yes?” he breathed.

“Maybe dancing was not a good idea.”

“Only if you don’t desire me the way I desire you. I know we said once but…I can’t stop thinking about you. Once was not enough. You’ve ignited a fire inside me.” His voice was low and husky.

She pressed her forehead to his and closed her eyes. Truth was, she wanted him, craved him and the way he took her to a place of pleasure she hadn’t known before. “Thane,” she whispered, and cupped his face between her palms. “I want you, I do but…”

“But?”

As if she couldn’t stop herself, she leaned in and kissed him.

Warmth pulsed through her, and she gripped the back of his neck, his hands pulling her flush against him as his tongue caressed hers.

He lifted her with ease, putting them eye to eye, and kissed her harder, faster until she had to pull back for air.

They weren’t immortals anymore, and any day could be their last. She started with the top button on his tunic, then went quickly to the next, exposing his soft ivory skin.

His throat bobbed as he stared down at her. “Katana,” the way he said her name sent a chill down her spine. It was a plea. “Are you sure? I can’t promise you more than today. Not yet.”

“I know,” she whispered, and finished with the last button. “And today, I want you.”

He leaned down and kissed her, his hand glided up her thigh, pulling her dress with it.

His lips moved to her throat, her collarbone, and he spent a lot of time simply kissing her skin, putting his hands all over her body, until every part of her was aflame.

They ended up bare skin against bare skin, tangled on the soft rug, all hot kisses and bated breath.

The harp and violin still played a slow melody. The sun warmed her skin through the window, but then she realized the light wasn’t only coming from outside. Her hair was alight in a messy halo on the floor around her.

Thane took a handful of the silky tresses and let it slide between his fingers. “Is this your magic?”

It wasn’t something that had happened before. “It must be.”

“You’re beautiful, Katana. All of you.” His lips and hands didn’t leave her body after that. She didn’t think of tomorrow or that next day, only of his soft sighs and whispers of her name.