Page 54 of The Tracker's Dawn: Sunderverse

CHAPTER 19

We materialized inElf-hame a moment later. I expected to see the edge of the forest where Damien’s token took us every time we used it, but this time we materialized much closer to the Elyndell. A massive tree with a girth as wide as a compact car stood to my right, its thick branches spreading above us, completely blotting out the sky.

The sweet scent of flowers rode in the air. Grass tickled my toes through my strappy shoes, and the sound of loud crickets filled my ears. We were draped in shadows, but gentle light glowed a short distance away, flowing out of round windows, hanging lanterns, and honest-to-god candle lamp posts. We stood about fifty yards away from a cluster of Fae homes, their natural walls twisting out of the ground, and their roofs topped with leaves and moss. Through a window, I made out a family of four, sitting at a table, enjoying their dinner together.

“This place is like a dream,” I said under my breath, afraid that I might break the spell.

“It is.” Jake interlaced his fingers in mine and led me in the opposite direction of the homes. We turned away and walked down a narrow dirt path, lined by ankle-high grass and flowers.

“Where are we going?”

“You’ll see,” Jake said, a smile in his voice.

He walked next to me, tall and proud, casting glances in my direction every few seconds, his silver gaze twinkling with mischief and true happiness.

“These trees are massive.” I gestured towards a row of trees to our left. They followed the path at a distance, though after a short, lovely walk under a purple-blue sky dotted with brilliant stars, the path twisted into the trees, leading us toward the biggest one of them.

“Witchlights, that tree is thick as Eric’s skull!” I said.

Jake laughed. “I’m glad you didn’t compare it tomyskull.”

“Oh, yours is not that bad. It’s more like...” I scanned the trees until I found one that wasn’t as wide, “... that one.”

“I guess it takes one to know one.” He chuckled.

When we were almost to the huge tree, he tugged on my hand and made me stop. He then pulled a folded piece of cloth from the inside pocket of his jacket and stood behind me.

“What are you doing?” I glanced back over my shoulder, eyes narrowed.

“Blindfolding you.”

“Oh, I like this.”

“Me too.” He reached around me and tied the silk handkerchief over my eyes. When he was done, his fingers traveled down the length of my neck, then slowly slid over my shoulders, the touch so light it made me quiver.

He kissed the crook of my neck and inhaled my scent. “You smell delicious. I can’t wait to taste every inch of you.”

The purr of his voice seemed to get under my skin like a shiver intent on reaching my very bones. The thought of his tongue on my skin almost undid me. This was exactly what he’d done to me the night we made love for the first time, the night he claimed my virginity. He seduced me all night, driving my desire into a tailspin that plunged into indescribable depths once we were finally alone.

At the time, I’d been completely inexperienced and at his mercy. Now, however, I knew how to play the game, and I didn’t intend to let him be the only participant.

Throwing my head back, I stepped into him, pressing my body against his solidity. I seized his hand, which rested at my waist, and pulled it over my stomach until his arm encircled me. I moaned in pleasure.

“I can’t wait to do the same to you,” I said as I pressed further into him, my backside rubbing against his front.

“Be careful,” he warned. “I have to last the night, and it won’t be easy.”

Last the night? I hoped he wasn’t expecting that from me. I wanted him so much that I was sure the sight of his naked body would be enough to drive me to ecstasy.