Page 52

Chapter thirty-four

I awoke midday in the middle of Nickolai’s bed, his warm body beneath me and our legs tangled together as the smell of sex surrounded us.

We had left his office for his bedroom shortly after our first round.

Seeking the opportunities his bed presented.

Which, after another round of world-shattering sensations, ended with us promptly falling asleep.

I rested my cheek upon his chest, tracing my fingers on the scars from the wounds I’d cauterized.

They had healed up nicely, fading into a soft pink, sometimes purple color.

It was crazy to think that not even two weeks ago I would’ve given anything to cut them open again and finish the job they had started, and now I was naked lying next to Nickolai, caressing them.

The soft rise and fall of his chest changed in rhythm—announcing his awareness—and I tilted my head back, watching as his eyelids fluttered open to look down into mine.

His face instantly split with a smile that had my stomach flipping upside down.

Light spilled in from the window, illuminating the green of his eyes, which in turn trapped me.

I never thought I could look at them again without immediately feeling sadness for Aedon, but as I waited for the sadness to take hold, it dawned on me that it wasn’t coming.

I would always miss Aedon and his gorgeous emerald eyes. But for some reason, looking into Nickolai’s eyes at that moment, I didn’t feel sadness. I felt hope. Hope that I would one day see the ones that belonged to my son again.

Smiling up at him, my voice was deep with the sleep as I said, “Hey.”

Nickolai moved to kiss my forehead, replying, “Good morning, my angel.”

I chuckled. “I’m afraid it’s no longer morning.”

He squinted as he looked out the window at the sun that was well within the sky.

“I believe you’re right.” Meeting my gaze once more, we quickly fell into an awkward silence.

Questions began to race through my mind.

What were we supposed to do now, move on like nothing had ever happened?

Reading my thoughts, Nickolai reassured, “We can take this one day at a time.”

I sighed, sitting up, “What if that doesn’t work?”

“What if it does?” he countered.

Rolling to my back, I covered my face with my hands, trying to hide the emotions that were no doubt written all over it. This was a mistake—I knew it was from the night of Harvest Day. A person like him could never be with a person like me.

I felt Nickolai move beside me, the weight shift on the mattress causing my breasts, which were on full display, to sway slightly.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when I felt his fingers tracing up my stomach, all the way to my hands.

He moved them away from my face and I opened my eyes to find him scanning me from above.

“Do you love me, Tiny?”

My breath caught. Do I love him?

I thought about all of the times he has made me blush with excitement.

The butterflies that he brought to my stomach each time he looked at me.

And then I thought about all of the times he has pissed me off.

Our hunting trip was the first to come to mind.

Remembering the feeling of absolute panic that washed over me as I watched the claws of the kepsing stab through him before he landed on the ground, unmoving.

I knew at that moment that I loved him. That I was in love with him ever since the day I found him bleeding out near my cottage. But every day for five years I have fought those feelings—a part of me holding onto the hate that I mistakenly directed at him.

Nickolai was waiting patiently for me to answer him, watching me with hopeful eyes.

After what probably felt like a millennia, I finally whispered, “Yes.” The smile that spread across his face was contagious.

Before I could register what he was doing, he nuzzled his face into my neck, planting kisses and tickling me to the point of loud giggles.

I kicked my feet and tried to push him off, but he was like an excited new puppy, attacking me with love. “Okay! Okay! Mercy,” I begged.

He pulled back, “You want mercy?” I nodded in response. “Where was my mercy when you took forever to respond?” he asked before continuing his assault.

His tickles pulled more laughter and giggles from me, and I could barely catch my breath enough to say, “Stop, or I’ll take it back.”

He paused, a smile still splitting his face as he leaned in to kiss my mouth. “You can’t take it back now, Tiny. It’s too late.”

Even though my threat didn’t hold, he finally stopped.

Nickolai kissed me again, and I felt his growing erection twitch against my thigh. Laughter left, becoming replaced by our insatiable hunger for one another. I moaned into his mouth as he opened mine with his tongue. The familiar throb made itself known between my aching legs.

With a groan, Nickolai stopped, pulling back enough to look me in the eyes as he requested, “I’d like a fresh start.

A chance to give you everything you deserve and more.

” His words shocked me. I hadn’t expected us to start fresh but to instead just try to work through all that had happened.

But I had to admit, as I thought over his request, it became more and more clear that it was the best option for us.

I nodded in acceptance, and the smile, that I thought couldn’t possibly get wider, grew.

Nickolai gave me one last quick peck on the lips before jumping off the bed, and I got so lost admiring his naked body that it took me a moment to realize that he was leaving.

“Wait! Where are you going? I thought we were going to have sex!”

He turned back to me as he put on his pants, explaining, “If I fuck your little pussy right now, you will be too tired for later. And I have some plans that require them to go out with a bang.”

I closed my eyes and sighed in exasperation. We weren’t even a whole day into this very delicate relationship, and already he was getting me hot and bothered just to leave me hanging.

At his approaching footsteps, I opened my eyes again to find him leaning in to give me another kiss. His lips molded to mine, caressing them in a way that had the throb increasing exponentially. I moaned in response, which turned into a groan as he pulled away.

He brought his thumb up to trace my pouting lower lip, pulling it down ever so slightly. Nickolai watched the movement with hungry eyes before shifting them to mine. His voice was nearly a growl as he said, “Get dressed. I’ll be back to get you later.”

I watched as his gaze shifted lower, and it was all the warning I had before his mouth wrapped around my nipple, sucking slightly before pulling away completely.

A frustrated groan escaped me, followed by a shout, “You are evil!”

Nickolai chuckled as he walked away, “You won’t be saying that later.” The corners of my mouth instinctively lifted at his promise.

I eventually dragged myself out of bed, regretting my decision immediately.

The cold air of the changing seasons was finally starting to make its way into the castle.

Grabbing the top blanket, I wrapped it around myself before walking into the solar where I was met with Ysabel adorned with a cart full of what looked to be a seven-course breakfast, if there was such a thing.

Both she and the food were a sight for sore eyes, but when she saw me wrapped in Nickolai’s blanket, her eyes bulged.

“You have some explaining to do,” she announced, crossing her arms and raising an eyebrow at me in mock seriousness.

I rolled my eyes at her before uncontrollably smiling, “Only with wine. In the meantime, could you start a fire? I need to go take a bath.”

“I’ll bet you do,"

Nickolai’s bathroom was bigger than mine, only slightly, with colors that seemed to be consistent with his room.

The wardrobe, which was located within another room, was split down the middle, leaving the other half open—for his queen.

I tried not to sit with that thought too long, moving on to look at the rest of the space.

“ At least he has good taste,” Khalia mumbled.

“ Can’t disagree with you there, ” I replied.

Where I had a bath that was somehow built into the floor, Nickolai had one that you stepped up into, overlooking the city. At the sight of the half-used bottles in the shower, I knew that this bath was probably never used. I had never witnessed something so shameful.

Well, if he isn't going to get any use out of it, I will.

Deposited the blanket by the door, I turned on the water, and by the time I found my own soaps under the sink, it was ready.

My cold body was slow to adjust to the scorching water, but once I was fully submerged, I closed my eyes and breathed a sigh of relief at the warmth.

I would never be able to get over going from having to warm my own bath water over the fire—never getting the temperature quite right—to this.

My thoughts drew back to Khalia. I still knew nothing about her, and unfortunately, she grew especially quiet when Nickolai was around. “ Are you ever going to tell me who you are? ” I asked mentally.

Ysabel's soft footfalls announced her entrance into the room, interrupting the much-needed conversation before it could even start. “Do you need any help?” she asked, setting down several things on the counter.

I shook my head against the side of the tub, too relaxed to voice my answer. If only I could speak to her through the mind too.

Ysabel giggled at my response, adding, “Well, let me know if you need anything. I’ve set your food and some clothes on the counter by the sink. And tomorrow, we’re drinking.” She tossed the last part over her shoulder as she left.

I worked up enough energy to shout, “Deal!” after her.

It wasn’t until the water started to turn cold that I finally decided to get out.

I found the clothes that Ysabel left me on the counter, a new set of see-through light blue underwear to match the simple wide-strapped dress, both of which I couldn’t have picked out better myself.

Between putting the clothes on and eating some of the heart-attack-inducing breakfast, I was nearly bouncing with excitement to see Nickolai again when there was a knock at the door.

While a part of me hoped it might be him when I answered, I never would’ve guessed that it would be Nickolai with a bouquet of flowers before him.

His mouth laid in the typical panty-drenching crooked smile as he moved to lean against the frame of the bathroom door, holding out the beautiful display in my direction.

I gasped at the sight, the variety of colors drawing my eye to each one. “What’s this for?” I asked, leaning in to smell the floral scents.

“I saw these and knew you had to have them.” He beamed.

Shaking my head, I resisted the urge to roll my eyes, even as my cheeks heated.

I have never had anyone do something so nice for me.

Khalia scoffed in my mind. Ignoring her, like she does to me anytime I asked her a question, I returned my attention to Nickolai, placing a kiss on his freshly shaved cheek.

“I love them, thank you!”

“That’s not all, my angel. I’ve planned out a date for us, if you wouldn’t mind accompanying me,” he said, turning to offer me his arm.

I hesitated.