Page 14

CHAPTER 14

LUCAS

The moment we step outside, I summon a majestic summer night. A warm, fragrant breeze. Buzzing locusts, singing crickets, and trilling frogs. I also call forth fireflies, varrins, and derlotts to flit through the trees.

I wrap an arm around Yvette and guide her beyond the garden and into the forest. Despite her recent encounter with the mangga swarm, she doesn’t hesitate, and I know it’s because she trusts I’ll protect her. Her trust gives me hope for our future.

It gives me hope that she might say ‘yes’ to the question I’m preparing to ask her.

“Gods, it’s a beautiful night.” She snuggles closer to me as we continue down the path, past the thick ferns and the pear trees. The ussha glow is all around us, more radiant than ever before.

“If you think this is beautiful, then you must one day visit the Summer Court.” I lean down to place a kiss atop her head, and I revel at the soft, appreciative sigh that emits from her throat.

“You know, when I was a child, I used to dream about traveling across the entire realm,” she says in a faraway voice. “I used to fantasize about journeying to all the human and orc territories, and I used to imagine what it would be like to visit each of the fae courts.”

“Is that so?”

“Oh, yes. I think it’s why I fell in love with books. I started reading adventure stories that were set all over the realm. Mama used to clean house for an elderly woman who had a large home library. Mrs. Gibbons. I always came along to help, and Mrs. Gibbons would let me borrow anything I wanted.”

“I also enjoyed stories about grand adventures when I was a child. In fact, I still do, but I’ve also developed an appreciation for both fae and human poetry, as well as orc battle narratives.” I help her duck beneath a low branch that’s covered in glowing moss. I consider how reading was an escape for me when the cruelty visited on me by my father and brothers became too much, and given what I know about her father, I wonder if perhaps it was the same for Yvette. Thankfully, my relationship with my father and brothers improved as I entered my second century and started winning battles and proving myself in their eyes, but I will never forget the lonely nights I spent curled up with a book as my only companion.

“I must confess, knowing you like to read is a huge plus,” she says. “I also appreciate that you didn’t mock me the other night when you found my stash of romance novels.”

“I’ve never read a human romance novel,” I admit, “but after glimpsing the titles in your stash, I am curious. Perhaps you’ll let me borrow one, and you could borrow one of my books, and then we could discuss what we’ve read.”

“I like that idea.” She laughs. “But be warned. I intend to select the naughtiest book from my collection for you to read first. It’s my goal to make you blush again. In the time I’ve known you, I’ve only seen you blush twice.”

I pull her to a stop and circle my arms around her. My hardening cock presses against her stomach, and I long to rut her in the middle of the forest. But not yet. I won’t claim her until we’ve exchanged marriage vows. I won’t claim her until we’ve promised ourselves to one another in the human fashion.

“When have you ever seen me blush?” I ask in a dubious tone.

“Whether you realize it or not, you blushed, for just a moment, when I introduced you to my aunt.” She playfully pushes at my chest. “Remember when I referred to you as a very kind and very skilled highborn fae ? Your face and your ears went dark pink for a few seconds.”

I think back to the interaction and realize she’s right. “Perhaps I did blush just a little. But can you blame me? The most beautiful female I’d ever met had just paid me a sweet compliment.”

She gives me a bashful smile, and the sound of nighttime insects swells louder as the breeze rustles the trees. We remain close with our arms wrapped around one another as the fireflies dance around us.

“What about the second time?” I inquire.

“The second time you blushed came very shortly after that first time. When I hugged you and kissed your cheek to thank you for saving my mother’s life.”

“Ah, I seem to remember my face growing a bit warm. Perhaps you are right, sweetling, though I daresay you are the only female who’s ever made me blush.”

I shift my hold on her and cup her face, admiring the way the ussha glow reflects in her eyes. The night thrums with magic and the promise of forever. I place a lingering kiss on her forehead and take a deep inhale of her delicious floral scent. She smells like lavender tea and honey.

“Miss Yvette Harmon, will you marry me?” I ask. Finally. Then I hold my breath as I await her answer. Gods, please let her say yes. Please let her agree to become mine.

She stares at me in silence for far too long, her expression completely neutral. Is she thinking about it? Or is she giving me a taste of my own medicine and teasing me?

Her eyes fill with tears, and she blinks rapidly, though she doesn’t appear stricken with sadness. Instead, her gaze suddenly brims with joy, and she nods in the affirmative.

“Yes, Prince Lucas Brossnin, I will marry you.”

“Oh, thank the gods.” A burst of happiness fills me, and I press my lips to hers. Clutching her face, I practically devour her as all the passion that’s been building inside me rushes to the surface.

Gods, how I ache to possess her, and I delight in her every little moan and whimper. She’s so responsive, this sweet human who has agreed to become mine.

Soon, we’ll be married. Mated.

How soon?

I don’t know much about human weddings, but I hope we can arrange for a quick ceremony in the next day or two. I can’t imagine waiting any longer. Given how fervently she’s kissing me back, I don’t think she’ll want to wait either.

I growl into her mouth as my cock swells larger and harder, and I savor her whimpers and moans. Delicious. Perfect. Gods, I adore everything about her.

At last, we pull part and stare at one another, panting breathlessly in the middle of the ussha-blessed forest. As I hold her close, I place soft, slow kisses to her cheeks and her forehead while smoothing my hands through her long, dark tresses. The scent of her arousal thickens in the air, a sweet enticing pungency that makes my mouth water and my cock stiffen further.

I draw back to meet her eyes and cup the side of her face. She sighs and leans into my touch.

“I cannot wait to make you mine, sweetling.”