Page 153 of To Scale the Emerald Mountain

I trace my fingers through Alec’s beard. “I will be happy anywhere you are,” I say as I stroke the line of his jaw and the apple of his throat. “It’s beautiful here. I’m sorry. Every time you’ve tried to show me the beauty of our home before, I acted like a bored, bratty child.”

“I am glad that you appreciate it now. And you were a bored, bratty child.” Alec’s dark eyes shine.

“I’m tired and hungry. Can we finish the tour another day?”

Alec holds me closer. “Good thing I already had your favorites delivered to your chambers,” he tells me before pulling us into the void.

CHAPTER FORTY-THREE

ALEC

Ellya was not particularly intrigued by the council meeting; that was obvious.

I cannot say that I blame her. They are usually quite tedious and needlessly long-winded.

The councilors did relent to my decision on Cescily stepping up much easier than I had anticipated. My shoulders are looser knowing Quinndohs will be in the hands of someone so capable, knowing that she will get the credit she deserves.

Small mercies are often the ones that bring us the most peace.

The joy and excitement Ellya showed when I took her around the palace was its own form of magic, as if she was seeing it all for the first time again. I could not help myself when I asked if she thought she could be happy here.

Only hours ago, she was still drowning in her pain and determined to reject me, reject us. When she told me she will be happy anywhere that I am, my heart swelled and the uselessness I have been wallowing in for months eased.

But a small part of me is fearful that her distance and coldness could still return.

All I want is to see her happy.

Ellya sits across from me now on her bed, devouring fried pastries and laughing—the soft chime reaches deep to ignite life into parts of me I never knew were there.

She tells me about the times she and Cescily would sneak out in the middle of the night as teenagers to drink ale in the city taverns, Cescily compelling the barkeeps to serve them and the patrons to pay them no mind.

Of course, I knew. Kraeston and I would follow them, wearing glamours, ensuring they did not get into trouble and stumbled home safely.

My look of horror fades when I can hold in my rouse no more, and my lips tilt with ill hidden amusement.

Her eyes go wide, and she throws a dough ball at me. “You knew! You knew the whole time!”

I laugh and pop the ball in my mouth, chewing with relish. “Of course, I knew. Do you really think I would not know that my underage mate and baby sister were traipsing drunk around the city in the middle of the night?”

Ellya feigns displeasure, but I see the smile she fights.

“Not only did I know,” I pull her forcefully into my lap and lift one of her hands, sucking the dusting of sugar from her delicate fingers. “But I was always there.”

Her mouth goes wide in mock outrage. She tries to push away from me, but I hold firm, refusing to let her go.

“Do not act like you are not shining on the inside right now, knowing I was always there to protect you, should you need it.” Her smile and following kiss are confirmation enough.

We lay together, talking about everything, our conversation and banter as natural as it has ever been. We laugh until our sides acheas we rehash her trying to knock me unconscious out of irrational jealousy at the sight of an empty house.

As our peals of laughter fade, Ellya’s gaze turns heated. She straddles my lap when she asks me just how many times I have fucked my fist to the thought of her recently. I caress her thighs with my thumbs, communicating my deep desire through the gentle strokes.

I give her a flirtatious smile. “You might think less of me if I told you.”

Her eyes sparkle as she leans into my neck, saying with her sultry breath against my skin, “I want to see it.”

I am pleasantly surprised by her boldness in her inexperience. Squeezing her hips, I rock her against me and I begin to immediately harden. Ellya watches my face with anticipation, waiting for me to reply.

Wetting my lips, I tell her, “I have already told you, I will give you everything you want.”