Page 60 of Of Ash and Iron (Flame Cursed Fae #3)

Chapter 60

Maddy

" I 'm ready."

Kain's reply is instant. "Meet me at the Gryphon's Nest."

I open my wings immediately, anticipation making my stomach flip.

Now I don't have Featherblade's blade to steady me, I'm distinctly less sure of myself, and the fear that I might pass out while flying keeps me hesitant as I glide, more than fly, to the base of the Gryphon's Nest tree.

Kain is there, leaning against the wood, and he's smiling in a way I've never seen before.

His huge form is just as solid, as fierce, and as beautiful. But the hard lines and bitter malice that etched his features before are gone.

I step to him, and he reaches out. We both pause, fingertips an inch apart. Then he closes his fingers around mine.

Happiness floods me, and his grin widens. "Come. I've missed this place so much."

His fiery wings explode out, and then he's beating them, pulling me up into the air with him.

I beat my wings hard to keep up and let him steady me. "What place?"

"The Aerial Platforms and the Winged Courtyard."

When we land, I'm breathless with wonder.

Massive statues of ancient Valkyrie line the courtyard's perimeter, their wings spread in eternal flight, and faces serious beneath horned helms. Each statue is twice the height of a real fae, creating sheltered alcoves between them. I glimpse glittering fountains and patches of colorful flowers, before my attention is drawn to the courtyard's floor. It is circular, and the outer stonework is beautifully carved with runes and knot designs, but in the center is a breathtaking mosaic of Odin bestowing wings upon the first Valkyrie.

Arches soar high over the courtyard, all carved feathers that catch the light. Climbing vines with those little purple flowers wind between the pillars, all the way up to what I assume are the Aerial Platforms, an intricate network built into the branches of the tree. Different levels spiral upward, each designed to challenge someone learning to fly.

The lowest platform features basic training equipment, and there are guide rails and safety nets. Higher up, golden hoops of varying sizes float between branches, creating complex flight patterns. Crystal chimes hang at different heights, I guess to ring during exercises.

Near the top, where the branches thin, I can just make out an obstacle course. Rope bridges and tunnels swing between platforms, as do hanging weights easily large enough to take somebody out. The highest level opens to clear sky.

"I can see why you missed this," I breathe. "It's beautiful."

When I look back at him, he's staring at me. "So are your wings."

I smile, shy suddenly, and try to curl one around myself to look at it. I stumble.

He laughs, and the sound is utterly glorious. "I'll teach you. But for now, let me tell you, they are perfect. Like you."

My cheeks warm and I smile at him.

"Come."

With a heated look, he turns, and I follow him. He leads me between two winged statues into a hidden garden. Wildflowers dot the soft carpet of grass, their sweet scent filling the air.

My skin prickles with anticipation as Kain moves closer, the heat of him making my breath catch. He's so close. And he's intoxicating.

"Two hundred years," he murmurs, lifting his hand to my face but not quite touching.

I shiver, holding my breath.

"Two hundred years of nothing but rage. Then you…" His voice roughens. "You crashed into my life."

I sway toward him. Every nerve ending in my body seems to catch fire as his fingers finally brush my cheek.

"I have dreamed about touching you like this," he says, brushing his whole hand down my cheek, along my jaw. My heart thunders against my ribs. "About how your skin would feel. If it would be as soft as I imagined."

"Is it?" The words come out breathy, barely audible.

His thumb traces my bottom lip, and I can't help the small sound that escapes me. "Better," he growls.

I reach up to touch his face with trembling fingers. No ice needed. His eyes darken at my touch, pupils blown wide with desire.

"I love you," I whisper, trailing my fingers down his jaw.

He makes a sound deep in his throat, primal and wanting. One hand threads through my hair while the other pulls me flush against him. Desire courses through my veins like molten metal, and I have to force the ice to stop forming.

"I love you too, princess."

His lips meet mine, and it's like every star in Yggdrasil has exploded.

Two centuries of longing combined with a connection I didn't know could exist come to life as he kisses me like a man starved. I tangle my fingers in his hair as his arms tighten around me.

A soft moan escapes me as he deepens the kiss. Ice flies involuntarily from my fingertips, but instead of pulling away, he just laughs against my mouth and kisses me harder.

"My princess," he says between kisses that are growing more desperate by the second. "My magnificent, impossible princess."

I press closer to eliminate any space between us. There's been so much space, for so long. His responding groan vibrates through my chest as his kisses trail fire down my neck.

"I never thought—" I gasp as his teeth graze my jaw. "I never thought we'd get to have this."

He pulls back just enough to meet my eyes, his own blazing with promise. "We get to have everything now, princess. Everything."

"Everything," I repeat breathlessly as his hands slide down my sides.

"Do you know how many times I've imagined this?" His voice is rough with desire.

"As many as I have. I dream of you every moment, waking or asleep."

He groans, pressing his forehead to mine. "Princess, you have no idea what those words do to me."

"Then tell me."

"I want to take my time with you." His thumb traces my bottom lip. "I want to learn every inch of you. Want to find out what makes you gasp, what makes you moan, what makes you say my name like I'm a fucking god."

His arm around my waist is all that keeps me standing as desire floods my system. "Kain…"

"Just like that," he murmurs against my ear, making me whimper. "But slower. Desperate."

His lips find mine again, and this kiss is different—deeper, wilder. His tongue sweeps across my bottom lip, and I open for him instantly, wanting more. When I tug gently on his hair, the sound he makes is almost feral.

"Careful, princess. I've waited two centuries to touch you. If you keep making sounds like that…"

"What if I want you to lose control?"

"Don't tempt me." But his hands tighten on my hips, pulling me closer. "I want to savor this. Want to make it perfect for you."

"It already is. It's you. It's us."

The noise he makes is something between a growl and a groan as his mouth claims mine again.

His hands slide up my back, tracing where my wings meet skin. The touch sends sparks of pleasure through my entire body, making me arch against him with a gasp.

"Sensitive there, princess?" The words rumble against my throat as he explores the spot again. "I'll remember that."

"Make me fall apart, Kain. Make me yours."

The sound he makes is barely human. In one fluid motion, he spins us so my back is against the garden wall, caging me in with his body.

His kisses turn savage, claiming, and I meet his passion with my own. My desire builds to an almost unbearable pitch, until every touch, every taste, every shared breath feels like coming home and burning alive all at once.

"Please," I whisper.

"Begging already, princess?"

"I know you can control yourself. Tell me what to do."

"As you wish," he growls. His hands glide down my sides. "Undress. Touch yourself for me. Slowly, caress your skin. Feel every inch of your body."

Biting my lip, I follow his commands, starting with my neck. I trace my fingers along tender skin, making my way down to my chest. Slowly, I unlace my leather wrap, then peel off my shirt.

He watches me intently, hanging on every movement I make. The intensity of his gaze fuels me, making me bolder with each stroke. I delve into the valley between my breasts with one hand, brushing my fingers over erect nipples.

"You wish this was your hands? Your fingers?" I ask.

He makes a strangled sound.

"Why do this to yourself when you can touch me now?"

I hook my fingers into the waist of my trousers and push them down, watching his face. Desire burns in his eyes, and then he's moving, lifting me, walking me backward.

I furl my wings in awkwardly as he sets me down on a stone ledge in the wall behind me. My heart hammers as his eyes burn. "Open your legs."