Page 48

Evelina

Evelina had never truly believed she would ever marry for love, the main reason being that the only male she saw herself marrying wasn’t an option in the eyes of the kingdom, and then he never came back home.

But now she had his explanation—something she never would’ve imagined being the reason he’d stayed away. For years, she had resented him for leaving to become a Rider in the first place—and then staying away during the war—but he did it to protect her. It was all for her.

She had always thought that he’d left because he didn’t feel as deeply for her as she did for him. They were just children when he left. But she had been wrong—so very wrong.

Daimon slowly stepped forward and the sheet of water behind him parted like a curtain. Behind the waterfall was a smooth boulder. It was large enough that when Daimon followed her in, they were already pressed closely together.

He brought his hand to her face and cupped her cheek.

“I’m sorry, Eve,” he whispered. He lowered his forehead and pressed it against hers, their breath falling into rhythmic unison. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you. ”

She let out a shaky breath. “I’m not happy you lied to me. But…I understand why.”

He dropped his hand from her chin, tracing his fingers down the curve of her neck, over her shoulder, and didn’t stop until he reached her waist. He leaned down, pressing his other hand behind the crook of her knee.

Without hesitation, she wrapped her leg around his waist. He responded in tandem, sliding his hand across the back of her thigh, digging the tips of his fingers into her soft skin.

“I need you, Daimon,” she said quietly.

Wrapping her other leg around his waist, his hands steadied her on the backs of her thighs. He took a small step forward, pressing her back against the cold stone. She sucked in a quick breath from the icy sting of it, jutting her hips out at the sudden contact—which drove her straight against him.

Daimon groaned and closed his eyes briefly. His fingers squeezed tighter as he stood deathly still. She brought her hands to his shoulders and reached around until they were tangled into his hair. He leaned down and pressed his lips against hers.

Evelina’s world shifted beneath that kiss.

It was different from earlier. This was deeper, less frantic. He kissed her like she was his world.

As the water rushed behind them and covered the glow of the moon, she felt safe—cherished. She basked in the feeling of his mouth, the kiss deepening as he pressed his hips forward.

He broke the kiss, cupping her cheek with one hand while his other still gripped her thigh. She squeezed her legs tighter around him, craving more.

“If you want to stop, we will—no questions asked,” he rasped. “I only want what you want, Eve.”

She huffed a laugh and pulled him closer, his nose almost touching hers. “I’ve never wanted anything more.”

His lips met hers again and he kissed her until all her nerves melted away. She breathed him in, quickening the kiss as she begged for more, her hips rocking against him. It didn’t take long for him to oblige her silent request.

When he finally pushed into her, her head fell back against the stone behind her. He leaned in and kissed down her neck as he slowly eased out and back in. She gripped his hair, guiding his head to her breasts.

His lips closed around her nipple, sucking and drawing a cry from her lips. She felt as if lightning had struck her, and all she could do was squeeze her legs tighter around his waist as his pace quickened.

She needed more—needed to be closer.

“Remarkable,” he praised.

In the darkness of their haven, she could still feel the scars that riddled his chest. Some small and some the size of her hand. Years of fighting had left its mark on him, but she only found him more captivating. He wouldn’t be Daimon without them.

His hand slid around her neck and into her hair. He threaded his fingers into the wet strands, pulling her head back. He swept soft kisses along her jawline, slowly dragging his lips back down to her neck and collarbone.

This time, when he pushed into her, he didn’t hold back. He gripped her hair with one hand and her hip with the other, driving his hips forward until her breath caught and stars streaked her vision.

As she cried out, he followed her over the ledge and they flew together.

Between the rock and the waterfall, she could pretend there was no war. Could convince herself that she was just a woman, and he was just a man, and nothing stood between them. No inexplicable powers and royal duties. No soldiers relying on their commander. No ownership other than to each other.

She could be his. If only for one night—for one fleeting moment—she could be his.