Page 92 of Serpent In White

I’ll be right there, my King.

“Let’s go,” I rumble to Drake, wandering up the hall.

I know he’s not following me at first. I can hear him contemplating his next move, or what he’s even doing here. But eventually, he gives in, and his footsteps join mine.

Going into the lounge is the safest bet, to ensure privacy in whatever it is the three of us may do together. But it’s such a beautiful night…

And it’s the solstice. Mother needs us outside, with Her.

And so I go through the back door, and I can hear Drake’s confused thoughts, yet he doesn’t argue. He just continues following me, his own inner comforts growing easier once we’re outside, in the woods.

This place has been our home for twenty-five years. The forest is a part of us and we’re a part of it. Walking in the dark, lighting from the party grows farther as we trace the lake with our footsteps, the nostalgia gracing me. It always does when I’m out here, because it’s so pungent; the memories of how we started. Where this all came from… two lost boys finding themselves in the secluded woods.

To think of what it’s turned into can be staggering at times. But I sit with the trepidation, the uncertainty and the wondering. I have no choice.

We’re here, and this is part of the plan, whether we like it or not.

Drake falls into step beside me, knowing where I’m headed. We walk in silence for a few more minutes, voices growing distant, thoughts rippling across the calm water of the lake. The moon is high, vibrant in its auburn hue, providing us the perfect illumination.

Reaching my destination, I plop down on the old log bench, made by Drake and me, back before The Principality, before anyone joined us or followed us. Before expectations and responsibilities.

It’s moss covered now, vines crawling, decorated in scattered clovers and baby’s breath. This is a spot I come to get away. It’s quiet, serene, and far enough from the Den and housing that I know I won’t see anyone else. The festival happening across the water is visible, the twinkly lights reflecting like fireflies suspended in time.

Drake takes a seat next to me, and I let out a breath slowly. Resting my head on his shoulder, I feel him stiffen for a moment. But then he relaxes into me, slinking his arm around my waist.

“Will Abdiel be able to find you out here?” He murmurs, his fingers grazing up and down my arm, giving me chills despite the warmth in the air.

“He’ll follow our thoughts,” I speak quietly. “He’s good like that.”

I feel Drake nod subtly.He is good. He’s so damn good, Darian.

I flinch at the tone in his thoughts.Is that supposed to be a warning? Because I know, Drake. I know it’s dangerous… All of this is.

Then why aren’t you trying harder to stop it?

Lifting my head, I glare at him. “Why is it always my responsibility?”

“Because you’re theKing,” he grumbles, and something in his voice catches in my ear. Something like… resentment. It brings on a Deja vu unlike any I’ve felt in a while.

I’m quiet for weighted seconds, letting the feelings settle over me, like a cloud of dust.

“I can’t disrupt fate,” I finally mutter.

He lifts a shoulder in a mild shrug, finishing my thought. “Nothing happens by accident.”

We sit side by side for more moments of quiet, gazing at the lights on the lake. Drake’s fingers creep over mine, and I hate how much it feels like home. I hate how good he feels when he’s just going to rip it away for the umpteenth time.

“I used to kiss you out here.” His breath brushes my cheek, and I shift. “Alot.”

His lips graze my jaw, and I whimper, leaning into his touch. “I used to let you.”

“You did more than let me.” He nips my earlobe. “You kissed me back.”

Pivoting my face so that our lips are hovering, I push myself into him.I would never have been able to resist you. Ever.

Drake’s breaths pick up as pushes me back, one hand on my chest and the other on my waist while he straddles me, making us horizontal. His eyes skate over my face as if he’s looking for an excuse to stop. A reason why we can’t do this, so he can fight it.

It’s always a fight with him.