Page 74 of Rebellious Royals

I wasn't sure if that meant our enemy had given up, or if Ms. Rhodes had simply expelled them all. Considering my magic courses had a few empty spots no one wanted to talk about, I had a feeling it might be the latter, and that put me in a very good mood.

Finding Hawke in my bed when I got out of the shower that night? It made it even better.

"Feeling a little needy?" I taunted as I looked over to make sure my door was locked.

"Already locked both mine and yours," he assured me. "I also feel like we've been so busy doing shit lately, I've barely had any time alone with you."

"So, needy," I said, dropping my towel.

His eyes slipped down exactly the way I wanted, then I flicked a hand, magically turning off the lights. Immediately, my collection of plants woke up. The Moon Shine was first, unfurling its pale green orbs to offer a soft light. Next came the pink one on the shelves. Blue was on my desk, with a pastel yellow beside it.

Combined, the colors lit my boyfriend up in a soft ambiance, removing the sharp edges most saw when they looked at him. His strange eyes had clenched, adjusting to either the light or my movement, but I liked that too. He looked so wild like this, and for him, that was perfect.

Hawke lifted the blankets, inviting me closer. I caught a glimpse of his olive skin, proving he wore as little as I did. The sheets were cool when I slid across them, but the look in his eyes? So very hot.

"Feed tonight," I whispered as I turned to him.

"Wilder..." he tried.

But I caught the side of his face, forcing him to look at me. "This is the one way I can take care of you, Hawke."

"And I want to take care of you back," he breathed.

"Oh, you do," I swore as I bent to taste those lips.

I loved this man. I also knew he was a very wild thing. I would never try to cage him. Instead, I wanted him to stay with me because he wanted to. I wanted to experience his adventures - vicariously, if I had to - and beside him when I could.

Maybe this thing between us was abhorrent to most. Well, it would've been back home, but when Aspen had introduced us, she'd made it clear that sort of bigotry would not be tolerated. Torian had threatened me, making it clear he'd kill me to protect Hawke. I'd assumed they were lovers, so finding out the Mad Queen's son had claimed a wildling as his best friend? It had been all the excuse I needed.

Because Hawke was everything I wasn't. He was brave, spontaneous, and terrifying. He was whimsical and romantic. This man was so beautiful, even if the fae would call his looks crude or harsh. To me, he looked like perfection, and he kissed like moonlight.

Soft lips; hard hands. I felt his fingers close on my lower back, pulling our hips together. His other hand shifted, twisting under our bodies so he could push his fingers into my short hair. That was enough to make a moan break from my lips.

"Oh, don't go doing that," he warned. "I came in here to cuddle."

"I didn't." And I reached down.

My hand found his hardness and stroked. Before me, Hawke's eyes closed so slowly. That look was good on him too. To see him relax against me? Knowing what he was? There was a power in this which most would never be able to comprehend.

This was my jevadu. Maybe he'd be someone else's too, but he was the one thing that always pleased my heart. I needed him. Without him, I felt empty and alone, but somehow he made me feel like the most important thing in the world when he was around.

"Wilder?" he asked, leaning back to see my face.

"You're supposed to say either harder or faster," I reminded him.

That earned me the flicker of a smile. "Babe. I could use some magic, but I know you've been working a lot too. You're showing Rain some good things, and I will not drain you like that."

"I'm good," I whispered, moving my hand again.

And again, his eyes closed. "I think you talked me into it," he groaned, his voice turning a little deeper.

"That's my beautiful man," I praised, moving my mouth down to his neck. "My Summer Duke."

He murmured at that, clearly liking it. "I'm not really a duke."

"You are now," I reminded him gently as my hand kept moving. "And you are mine."

"Oh, I am definitely yours," he swore.