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GAVREL ~ TWO TURNS AGO: SPRING

“Walk with me to the village?” Seryn’s words fluttered over my shoulder. I glanced at her from the top of the ladder leaning against my cottage. Before climbing down, I secured the hammer and nails I held in my belt.

Head tilting, she studied me, her delicate fingers gripping the side of her earth-toned kirtle. Her light-blue eyes glinted, the skin at the corners crinkling. Her top teeth gently bit into her bottom lip, and I clutched the ladder tightly as an image of her dragging her teeth over my bottom lip darted through my mind.

Fucking void .

“Where’s Kaden?” I scowled, dragging my gaze behind her. Typically, my brother was never far from her.

She shrugged, a small laugh falling from her. “I suppose he’s with Nya again. They’ve been pretty wrapped up in each other lately.” She wiggled her eyebrows.

A small grin threatened to spread across the rigid line of my lips. “Well, the village it is then.” I set my tools on the ground and offered her my left elbow. She smiled, slipping her arm through the crook.

I soaked in her warmth, tucking her closer into my side. Gentle beams of afternoon sunshine stroked over her face as she lifted her chin and breathed in deeply.

Mirroring her, I did the same, taking in a lungful of the moss-scented air. I wanted to see the world as she did. When she was near me, I felt something kindling deep within; something scratching underneath my skin, trying to escape.

It didn’t help that her glances lingered when she thought I didn’t notice. To my—and my brother’s—dismay, she had sought me out more and more over the last couple of turns. Even during the Dormancies, which, of course, she recollected nothing of. At least I had kept her at a distance … from what I could remember.

I set my jaw, willing my thoughts to dig elsewhere as we walked in companionable silence.

The spring and summer months were too short, and the Dormancy months too excruciatingly long. It had been three turns since I became Commander Gavrel Larkin—not that anyone at home knew. Between my right thumb and forefinger, my veiled rune tattoo prickled under my skin. I flexed my hand before rubbing it hard over the scar on my chest, feeling the thump of my heart underneath.

“Do you ever wish you could remember your time during the Dormancy?” she murmured, tucking a wayward auburn curl behind her ear and peeking at me from under her thick lashes.

No, I fucking didn’t. I wish I could forget.

With effort, as if a pile of rocks were stuck in my throat, I swallowed. “That would be something,” I murmured.

She nodded, a crease forming between her delicately arched brows. My hands fisted, pushing back the urge to smooth my thumb along that line; rid her of any doubts or unease. She wanted me to say more, but I couldn’t. The less I said—the less I’d have to lie to her.

I found myself increasingly drawn to her over the turns. The need to protect her and rip apart anyone who hurt her grew stronger with every moment.

We’d grown up together. Granted, we weren’t as close as she and Kaden, but I wanted to be closer . To crawl inside her heart and make it my home. To touch her like I wanted to. Needed to.

But I couldn’t; I was a fraud. I didn’t deserve to comfort her or to make her mine.

With each turn, I lied to everyone, especially her. But the ceaseless aching in my chest mattered not. I needed to keep her and Kaden far from the secrets bashing around my skull. I needed to keep them safe. If anyone knew what I held trapped deep within the shadows of my conscience, there was no doubt Melina would tear them to pieces, and that was the best-case scenario.

The burden of remembering the Dormancy was a constant weight trying to drive me into the dirt where I belonged—next to the people I’d hunted down and gifted to Melina with noose-like bows tied around their necks.

In disgust, I forcefully drove my fingers through my hair, welcoming the nip of pain along my scalp.

“You all right, Gav?” Seryn asked gently, her fingers softly rubbing my tense forearm, leaving a trail of tingles in their wake.

I grunted in response. She sighed, shaking her head and extricating her arm from mine as we reached the village.

My arm fell to my side, leaden and cold.

People were bustling about, the sound of the dirt paths gently crunching under their movements. I envied them—mere mortals embracing the simplicity of their days. Tending their gardens. Doing their washing, the scratchy linen of their tattered clothing grinding against their calloused fingers.

What I wouldn’t give to be oblivious.

Blameless.

Clean.

“I’ll find you in a bit,” Seryn said, flitting away to speak with Magister Barden. The blonde-haired male looked to be in his early to mid-thirties, but his knowledge went far beyond his turns.

Studying him, my palm scraped over the stubble lining my jaw. He’d settled in our village a couple of decades ago, sharing his teachings with our youth. Seryn used to soak up his lessons—always craving more knowledge. More exploration. Just more.

My lips puckered, keeping the lurking smile at bay. A heavy sigh fell from me as I looked at the male once more.

His age didn’t quite match up with his appearance or the breadth of his knowledge. His past and background were a mystery. It all was quite dubious.

I suspected Magister Barden was a Druik.

Although he hid it well.

Thankfully .

My chest tensed as I watched Kaden jog over to Seryn, dropping the woman’s hand he’d been holding. Mouth agape and brows crunched, she huffed and spun around in the other direction.

My lips pressed together tightly. At times, my brother could be brash.

Insolent.

Caustic.

My shoulders fell as I made my way to the blacksmith, thoughts of our mother intruding. After bearing witness to her culling, Kaden had never been the same. His edges were eroded. His eyes hardened behind a facade of humor.

I stretched my neck to each side, forcing my muscles to loosen. Yes, he was all those things. But he was also resilient.

Clever.

Loyal.

Relentless.

He’d need those attributes if he manifested any ember—like our mother. Kaden didn’t know that I knew our mother was gifted, or that he had the same knowledge, and I’d keep it that way.

The rapid staccato of footfalls approached from behind, and I tensed. “Why, good day to you, brother.” Kaden slapped his beefy hand on my shoulder, my muscles flinching and molars clamping tight.

“Indeed,” I grumbled, rolling my shoulder and nudging his hold from me. “I believe you forgot something.” I nodded toward the annoyed-looking woman standing with her arms crossed in front of one of the many small cottages lining our path.

Shoulders falling, he grimaced. “Ah, fucking soggy, nutting shit. I gotta go. See you later.” He ran off toward the woman, pasting a wide smile on his charming face while spreading his arms out to the sides. A reluctant smirk forced its way upon her lips.

My head swayed from side to side as I went about my errands. Politely, I greeted those I came across along the way. With each person I passed, the sinking feeling within my stomach deepened. Would any of these people be someone I’d have to hunt down next? I speculated, my frown digging deeper into my soul. Not if I can prevent it.

My straightened spine was unyielding the rest of the afternoon.

If I kept it that way, perhaps my humanity wouldn’t keep crumbling around it. Bit by bit with every lie—with every sin I committed on behalf of the Elders.

As dusk set in, Seryn and I meandered home, occasionally discussing random musings as we went. Not wishing to be away from her, I suggested we sit for a bit and take in the changing light and stars poking through the dimming sky—because I couldn’t resist and because I was a fucking cretin who apparently loved to torture himself. I swallowed, almost choking on the stifling shame that marred my relentless longing.

The corners of Seryn’s lips tipped up, and she took my hand, leading me to a split piece of ashen trunk lying on a patch of spongy lichen and taupe ferns.

“I adore the stars. Just think of Asteria weaving her burning embers through the aether.” She sighed, her hair spilling down her back as she gazed skyward.

She still held my right hand, nestled next to her left thigh as we sat on the log. My thumb caressed her soft, warm skin as I looked at the exposed circle of sky framed by the grymwoods’ spindly crown.

A breeze whispered around us, tousling Seryn’s hair and swishing through the trees. Her subtle, nectar-like scent brushed over me. My pulse skipped, warring within my chest, uncertain if it should be content or break free of its confines.

Breath hitching, my windpipe constricted. As they often did around Seryn, my words were rough and sticking in my throat. My chin dipped, and I studied her. “I’m sure the stars would worship at your feet … Asteria .”

Fuck .

An alluring shade of crimson crept over her chest at the new moniker, her breasts cresting repeatedly against her kirtle.

When I was near Seryn, I was a star caught in her orbit, my control sorely lacking. The pull of her was inescapable, no matter how hard I resisted; she made me question my resolve.

I blinked, clearing the spell clouding my judgment, and inhaled, hoping the lungful would wash away the singular fragrance of her. Blessedly, aromatic notes of wood and flora seeped through the damp smell of mossy earth blanketing us. It was comforting to know some living things were determined to endure. My stare fell to our feet as I scrubbed at my chest, at the thickened scar upon it.

I startled as Seryn’s right thumb smoothed the harsh line between my brow, her other fingers resting against the pulse in my temple. She leaned further into my space, not allowing our skin to disconnect. “Always so stern, Mr. Larkin. That line is going to etch into your brow permanently,” she breathed as her palm stroked down my cheek. A soft rumble sounded in my chest as I turned into her touch. I squeezed my eyes closed, trapping my need for her behind my lids before she could see it.

“If you’ll keep touching me, I’ll make sure of it,” I murmured absently.

Fucking fuck .

Her hand stilled, and I opened my eyes, drowning in the shining pools of hers. Goosebumps swept across her chest, and she shivered.

Slowly, my hand rose to hers, cupping it. I wrapped my long fingers around hers, bringing her hand to my mouth. I let myself sink into her unwavering gaze, watching as her lips parted and her breath hitched. “Little Star …” I groaned in her palm.

From the log, her hand left mine, gripping my tunic’s collar. I placed a kiss against her flesh, closing my eyes once more and savoring the feel of it.

“Gavrel,” she whimpered.

The breathy plea was all it took to sever the last shred of restraint I had in this moment, to make me renounce my concerns. I would fucking destroy anyone who tried to harm her.

Mine .

All at once, I dropped her right hand, and she gripped the other side of my collar, tugging me nearer. I burrowed my left hand under the curtain of her hair, clutching her nape. My right arm curved around her waist, urgently gathering her to me.

Our mouths crashed into each other, converging. Our need for one another exploded like a supernova.

Her chest pushed into mine as if she wanted to crawl inside me. Our tongues danced and caressed and savored.

The sweet taste of her drugged me; surely I would perish without being able to devour every inch of her. My hand slid to the side of her neck, my thumb pressing into the hollow beneath her jaw, fingers tangling in her fiery curls.

Mine .

Seryn moaned, tunneling her fingers through my thick hair, tugging on the strands then eagerly running them over my shoulders and biceps, sinking her nails into any inch of me she could grasp.

As we ravished each other’s lips, she consumed my very soul. I fucked up royally, and I …

Didn’t.

Fucking.

Care.

She crawled onto my lap, the skirt of her dress settling around her hips. My hands glided down to her rounded ass; I squeezed, relishing the feel of her through her chemise. She rewarded me by grinding her core over my breeches, my straining cock aching to be inside her wet heat. To nudge aside her thin underwear and slip inside.

Breathy sounds of desire vibrated in her throat as she rocked against me. My lips left hers, and I bowed my head to nip at her neck. My teeth sunk in, not hard enough to break the skin, but not gently either.

Body trembling, Seryn cried out my name, her hands holding my head in place against her. My tongue lapped at the spot where I’d bitten her, sucking and kissing her skin. She clutched my strands, directing my mouth to her heaving chest. I suckled at her skin as my left hand whipped up and yanked her kirtle and chemise down, her full breasts spilling free.

“Fucking void, Asteria. You’ll be the death of me.”

With her dewy skin flushed, she glanced down, her eyes coated in glistening desire. She grinned while her top teeth sunk into her shiny, swollen bottom lip. Her fingers pushed against the back of my head, and I obliged, sucking on her puckered nipple and swirling my tongue around the tightened bead.

“Yes, Gavrel,” she moaned, her hips pushing down more firmly, her center dragging repeatedly against my throbbing hardness.

As I sucked and lapped at her nipple, my left hand toyed with her other breast.

“Yes. Fuuuck. I’m … I’m—” Her words fumbled as she moved faster, my right hand clutching her ass as she rode me.

“That’s it, my star. Let go. Break apart,” I groaned, lifting my head to watch her come undone.

Her head dropped back, and I pinched her nipple. Raggedly, a garbled cry fled from her. Her sex clenched and convulsed against my cock.

My left hand wrapped around her nape once more, bringing her lips to mine as she came. I claimed her mouth, drinking in her moans and breath. Kissing her as if she could truly be mine.

As if I hadn’t already put her in danger by giving in to my basest desires.

Pulling away, she laughed, a look of sated delight on her face as she cupped my jaw in both hands. Her eyes were bright, as if that was where the sun hid during the night … deep within her.

“Finally,” she whispered.

A soft growl rumbled in my chest. My heart thrashed against my ribs. My cock ached, but it would have to fucking wait.

I was an Ancients-damned fool. I wasn’t in her orbit anymore; we’d collided. Two stars that were bound to implode … to collapse under our own gravity. We would drag the rest of the realm into the subsequent black void.

I would ruin her.

Destroy her.

Unable to let her go, the bitter truth of it washed over me as I pulled her closer, wrapping my arms around her back and breathing in the essence of her.

“ Finally ,” I rasped.