Page 39 of Shadows of Ruin (The Broken Prophecy #2)

Chapter 38

Kade

T he near-constant worry about returning to Mount Legion clung to me as thickly as my shadows.

The exhaustion I should feel from keeping everyone atop their horses through the night barely registered. We all agreed getting to the palace expeditiously might allow me to rest and recharge my magic before seeing Cassandra at first light and facing my father. Dusk crawled through the pass as the last rays of sunshine crested over the peaks of the mountains.

We spent our time traveling, planning, and scheming. Exploring all possibilities for what Lana’s mother’s journal could contain and where it may be. We repeated both our prophecies so many times, I never wanted to hear them again. We only stopped for a few hours to allow the horses, and ourselves, to rest. Otherwise, we rode furiously back toward my father’s home.

It would never be mine again.

No, my home now remained firmly wherever Lana was.

Raya and Storm agreed to go straight to the king for an update, stalling him to allow Lana and me time to speak with Cassandra. If anyone could possibly push us in the right direction, it would be her. That is, if she decided her input would not harm the Fates’ plan.

I doubted I could force her, but I was on edge and willing to give anything to get the answers we so desperately needed to save our worlds.

Arriving late in the night would grant us a few extra hours to make our strategy work. The plan was solidified, and while I knew it was good, my hands clenched Onyx’s reins as another bout of terror coursed through me. The tether to Lana bordered on painful if I lingered on thoughts of my father too long.

“Do we need to go over the plan one more time?” I dismounted, looking at the others who did the same. We planned to arrive on foot, Jax taking the horses through the side gates opposite where the rest of us would enter. He swore to me he’d leave two saddled in case Lana needed to escape. She refused, but one look at Storm and I knew I had the silent promise from my brother that he would get her out.

No matter what.

I could practically hear Raya rolling her eyes as she spoke from behind me. “Storm and I will go meet with the king. Tell him of the troubles with the traitor. Make up some bullshit excuse why you can’t be the one to tell him yourself. Exhaustion perhaps?”

“And I’m going to be looking pretty—” Jax started but was cut off by Raya.

“For once, could you be serious?”

Jax laughed as he reached for the reins of our horses. “It’s not in my nature, but for you, since you asked sooo nicely, I could try.” He gave her a wink. “I’ll be finding those we trust and ensuring their loyalty.”

I could sense the unease spilling from Lana. She drew closer to me, and I wasn’t sure if she was even aware. I welcomed her presence, letting it soothe the unsettled worry in me. There was too much at stake, and all of this going wrong seemed a probability instead of a mere possibility.

Lana checked the dagger hidden in the sheath of her tunic, and the newly added white one at her thigh. “Come.” I took Lana’s hand, clasping it in my own. I had meant what I told her in my tent—I refused to act as if I didn’t need her. Not even here at the palace would I hide my feelings for her anymore.

She offered me a small smile and handed the reins of her horse to Jax to return to the stables.

“Go get a few hours of sleep after doing your respective tasks,” I reminded my friends. “We will meet after breakfast in the training ring, just like normal.”

I led Lana through the palace halls with fervor. I needed to be alone with her. I needed to feel her beneath me. Preferably naked and writhing.

I jolted into my bedroom, desperate to have a moment with Lana to reassure myself of her safety. The sinking feeling from waking up alone and finding her missing had not fully subsided.

We hadn’t taken much time to eat over the last few days, so I grabbed a pitcher of water and bowl of berries from the antechamber of my rooms as we finally settled. Ensuring Lana had some sustenance while also keeping her to myself would hopefully help calm the frazzled thing inside my chest. We both devoured the fruit and drank two glasses of water before speaking again.

“Are we sure this is going to work?” Lana asked as we moved toward my bedroom.

I eyed her as my shadows slinked over her, desperate to touch her, to be near her. “It will work, Little Rebel.”

I watched her enter the bedroom as though she did this all the time. The ease with which she settled in here calmed me.

“We only have a few hours before we have to meet with Cassandra and then the others,” I said, moving toward her. “ You were almost taken from me. I’m not sure you understand the absolute terror I felt when I realized you were gone and I wasn’t able to protect you.”

Lana sat on the end of the bed. “Kade, it’s not your fault—you were literally poisoned. I’m here now. Safe and in one piece.”

Approaching her, I wiggled myself between her legs, resting my knees on a pillow fallen on the floor. I reached for a strand of hair that had come loose and twirled it in my fingers. “I need to feel you, Little Rebel. I need you everywhere. I want your scent all over me so there is no mistaking who you belong to.” I ran my nose along her jaw, her soft skin begging to be touched. “I promised you the next time I had you completely, we wouldn’t be rushed, or in the middle of a field. We can worry about saving the world in a few hours, but for this moment, you are mine, and I am going to worship you like the queen you are.”

Pink hues blushed Lana’s cheeks. “We’ve been riding for days, I need to bathe.”

“Shh.” My shadows caressed her lips, silencing her protests. “I am a Fae on my knees, craving the sanctuary only you can provide. One I desperately desire.”

The shadows receded and I leaned forward, my lips lightly brushing against hers as I barely contained the unsated beast coiled up inside of me, still consumed with thoughts of losing her. Within a breath, her lips parted and welcomed me inside. Our tongues danced, swirling in a hot, heady need.

My hands clasped the back of her neck and angled her chin upward, allowing me a deeper reach into her mouth as a soft moan escaped her lips.

I moved along her jaw, stopping at the bottom of her ear, nipping at the lobe, as my hand palmed her breast. “Let me make you mine,” I whispered.

Lana pulled back and looked directly into my eyes. Her playful gaze did nothing to hide the longing. Her lips parted as her breathing grew heavy. Even the Fates themselves couldn’t ignore the pull between us. The absolute inferno of desire. “Do your worst, Kade Blackthorn.”

Without another moment’s hesitation, her arms were above her head, signaling for me to remove her tunic, which I gladly obliged. I followed suit, kicking off my shoes. Lana did the same as she removed her pants but lost her footing and had to grab the edge of the bed for support.

Chuckling, I couldn’t help but admire the sheer beauty of the woman before me. She was smart, brave, and beautiful. And she was mine . Even without magical abilities, she was more of a queen than any who came before her. In either kingdom.

I pressed her against me and picked her up by her ass as she let out a yelp in surprise. One I cut off as our mouths met again, desperate for each other.

I walked us over to the small wooden desk in the corner of my room, covered in maps and other papers I had haphazardly strewn over the years. I plopped her on the edge and with one flick of my wrist, the shadows sent the papers careening onto the floor. Perhaps I would reward them later for removing the obstacles by feeling Lana come around them. Come around us both.

Letting my shadows roam her body would have to do for now. They tweaked and palmed her nipples as her hands raked down my back.

“Now, Kade,” she whispered in a demanding tone. “Don’t make me wait.”

Trailing kisses down her body, I licked and tasted her inch by inch. She arched her back, placing her hands on the desk behind her, pushing her breasts toward me, teasing me and begging to be played with.

“Patience, Little Rebel,” I teased. “Good things come to those who wait. ”

She smacked my arm playfully. “And you’ll have a dagger in your side if you don’t fill me with your?—”

My shadows tweaked her nipples, and she inhaled a sharp breath, as I plunged my finger into her entrance. My Little Rebel was already soaked with need.

She moved her hand, bracing it against the wall, pressing her body down onto my hand. The walls inside of her throbbed, begging to be massaged.

Our breaths mingled, intertwining as hers escaped in short pants. Her head fell back as she rolled her hips to meet my finger coaxing the pleasurable moan slipping from her lips.

“So close,” she whimpered.

Grinning, I sucked on her nipple, flicking it with my tongue in tandem movements with my finger, while I slipped a second finger inside of her. “Come for me, Illiana.”

She jolted at the sound of her name and crested over into waves of pleasure as she rode my fingers, grinding herself into them.

My cock throbbed in need. Watching her come undone made me feel like nothing else would ever be as hot or turn me on as much as she could. Lana would be the end of me. She would destroy me, and I would allow it. Willingly.

“I am not nearly satisfied,” Lana drawled, as she slid off the desk, pushing me back gently. Slowly, she moved me toward the edge of the bed. “Sit.”

My mouth watered. I loved when she got bossy. Demanding my obedience and rewarding me with earth-shattering oblivion.

“Yes, my queen.” I tilted my head in a bow, and she rolled her eyes at me. I obeyed her though, my hands resting on my knees, ready and waiting for her next command. She ran her fingers through my hair, and my cock twitched. One simple touch, one fucking touch and she owned me. The inexplicable pull grew stronger every time our bodies touched. That little spark craved her, demanded she be near .

“Good little shadow prince,” Lana murmured. “Just where I want you.”

Fucking Fates, this woman.

She dropped to her knees, and I moaned in anticipation. Knowing my cock would be in that perfect mouth of hers sent shivers up my spine. She looked up at me, her icy blue eyes piercing my very soul as she licked me from balls to tip before wrapping her mouth around and taking me completely inside of her.

“Little—”

She pulled off and tskd. “No talking. Let me take you.”

All I could do was nod in response, hesitant to disobey her wishes again in case she decided to punish me for my transgressions.

Lana smiled and cupped my balls in her hand, gently massaging them as she took the top of my cock in her mouth, licking and swiping the tip. It felt so damn good. I wanted more, needed more.

When she took me deep and I felt the back of her throat, I gripped her hair. “I am not ready to come, Little Rebel.”

Her gaze seared into me as she stared from her knees, licking the length of me as she pulled away. She didn’t stop though. A groan worked up my throat as I stared at her taking me so perfectly.

She swirled her tongue around my tip. “I want to taste you.”

She took my length again, and I couldn’t stop my hips from moving in rhythm with her. “That fucking mouth,” I ground out.

Lana hollowed her cheeks, sucking all she could take while wrapping her hand around the rest of me.

I thrust, feeling her gag slightly. Then she moaned, and it was too much. Her hands, her perfect mouth, all of it threw me over the edge, and I shouted her name prayerfully as I came .

I loosened my hold on her hair, rubbing small circles on her head as she took every drop. Her tongue flicked out, licking her bottom lip, and I lost it. Shadows poured into the room from me, and I leaned forward, tugging her upward and kissing her.

She stood between my legs, arms wrapped around my neck. “I love you,” I whispered against her mouth. “I am yours, Little Rebel.”

I cupped her face, searching hers as tears welled in her eyes. Somehow I knew she wouldn’t say it back, yet I also knew she felt it. I would show her every damn day what those words meant to me and earn them from her. I didn’t care how long it took.

“Say you’re mine,” I whispered, letting my lips touch hers, too lightly. She tried to press herself into me more, but I shook my head. “Say it.”

“I’m yours.” The words barely left her mouth as she pressed her lips against mine again. This time I let her in. She grasped my body like she thought I might disappear, and I took her delicious moans into my mouth.

“I will beg if I must, but I need to be inside of you,” I said, not recognizing the sound of my voice.

I barely registered her movements, as she stood and straddled my lap. I grabbed her hips, watching her lower herself onto my slickened member.

“Fuck,” I hissed.

A cocky grin spread over her beautiful face as she stared at me. I memorized the sound of every breath, every angle of her face as she slowly moved up and down, rocking her hips while she lowered herself again and again onto me.

It was fucking divine.

“You’re so tight around me.” My hands gripped her hips tighter as she moved, arching her back. “Made for me. You’re made for me.”

Lana’s body clenched. “More. I need you deeper. ”

I gripped her hips and leaned back slightly, thrusting into her, letting her maintain her illusion of control while I lost mine beneath her.

“You are amazing,” I praised, thrusting harder. “So perfect.”

All she did was moan in response, her hands roaming her breasts as my shadows supported her back so she wouldn’t fall. I didn’t trust myself not to completely lose myself inside of her and tip us over the edge of the bed.

I slipped my hand between us, rubbing against her clit.

Her breaths grew shorter, quicker, and I could feel her starting to reach her peak.

“Come with me, Kade.” A desperate plea.

“Anything for you, Little Rebel.”

I gripped her hair, tugging her head back and licking along the column of her neck. I slammed her body into mine, and as her hips rocked harder, she sent us both into oblivion, her screaming my name while we came down from the electric sensation of pleasure.

I pulled her in close, not allowing her to move. Not ready to release her and have our bodies separate. I nuzzled my face into the side of her neck, surrounding myself with her beautiful hair.

We sat there silently, trembling in aftershocks, joined in an embrace that spoke more than words ever would. Our kingdoms would have to find a way wherever we ended up, because I would never again be parted from her side. I would not give her up. I couldn’t, even if I tried.

The ache in my chest, which remained after Hale kidnapped her, finally ebbed enough that I took in my first full breath. Her scent surrounded me, soothing every corner of my soul.

I loved Illiana Dresden, my Little Rebel, and whether in this world or the next, she would forever be the compass that pointed me home.