Page 42 of Woven by Gold (Beasts of the Briar #2)

42

Rosalina

I should be exhausted after the party tonight, yet sleep eludes me. I’ve been tossing and turning for an hour at least.

Maybe it’s because this is the first night in the last month I’ve actually spent alone. Every other night, I’ve been curled up in a nest of pillows and blankets outside of Farron’s door surrounded by my wolves. It’s lonely without their comforting scent, the warm fur, or in Keldarion’s case, skin…

I’d been startled the first time I’d woken up embraced by the man. But fast asleep is the only time Keldarion gives in to our mate bond, holding me with utmost ferocity.

And some nights, when I’m sure he’s deeply in dreams, I roll over and study the lines of his face, or touch the hard panes of his chest, and nuzzle into his embrace.

But since there are no wolves tonight, we’re in our own rooms, and it’s not just loneliness that’s keeping me from sleep.

A pressing ache throbs within my lower body. Heat radiates from my core, and I rub my legs together in an effort to relieve the tension.

The thing about being surrounded by four incredibly sexy men but also dealing with ice zombies and a beastly curse is that there’s not a ton of time to enjoy them.

I take in a slow breath and trace my hands up my body. I’m wearing a cream nightdress that hugs tight to my soft curves, falling just above my knees. It’s got a cute little bow right at the bust, and lacey cap sleeves that show off the arms I’ve kept hidden away for years.

It’s a shame there’s no one to appreciate how pretty it is.

My palms clasp the soft fabric. My heart picks up pace, and a throbbing urgency circles deeper inside of me. This is strange. There’s something pressing about this lust, like it’s growing hotter and hotter without me even doing anything.

I close my eyes, turning my sight inward at this building desire. I can feel it… Rough hands, uneven breath. Not mine.

His.

Keldarion.

This lust is his.

Whatever he’s doing is affecting me . Traveling through that invisible mate bond that tethers us together.

I should try to ignore it. Instead, my bare feet pad across the floor, and I slowly creep out into our joint living space. Keldarion’s bedroom is on the farthest side. I peer through the dark. Everyone’s doors are closed, but there’s a thin line of light from underneath his.

Lust shoots up my body, and I stifle a moan by biting into my hand. I ache for something I’m not sure of yet. But as soon as I see him, I’ll figure it out.

I walk over and quietly turn the knob. “Kel—”

All the air leaves me. Keldarion’s lying on his massive bed on top of the blankets, his shape illuminated by the dim candle on the bedside table.

His huge body is laid bare, every inch of him covered in corded muscle. He looks like a work of art, reclining there with eyes closed, long white hair like a halo around his face.

One hand is under the back of his head, revealing every bulging muscle in his bicep. And the other… It’s wrapped tight around the enormous expanse of his cock. It curves upward, impossibly thick and achingly hard. A rush of pleasure flits through me. His pleasure.

The bed creaks with the movement of his hand rhythmically pumping up and down, a satisfied slap each time he reaches the base. I stumble forward as if drawn to him by an invisible string.

His eyes spring open, and his hand stills. He stares at me, a silent moment passing between us.

“You knew I’d feel you,” I whisper.

He draws his hand up his cock, so slowly. “I wondered.”

Breath comes ragged out of my throat as I quickly click the door shut and stumble to the edge of the bed. He does nothing to welcome me closer, nor does he chase me away. He just stares, face stern, and continues to coax his cock in a gentle rhythm.

“I can help you,” I whisper. I can’t decide where to look: at those beautiful eyes that seem to see through to my very bones, to his chest rising and falling with each precious breath, or to the monstrous girth in his hand.

The expression on Kel’s face… It’s not anger. It’s predatory. Like the rabbit has just wandered into the wolf’s den.

“Listen very carefully, Rosalina,” he growls. I notice his eyes have left my face and dip down to my low-cut bodice, to the thin fabric that shows the points of my breasts, the curves of my hips. “Do you remember when you first came to Castletree?”

“Of course.” I crawl closer, my hands on the edge of the bed now, right between his feet. His toes curl and stretch. He makes a feral sound, warning me not to get closer.

“You agreed to obey me, the master of Castletree. We no longer have a bargain. And we’re not in Castletree.” His voice is rich with dark promise. “But am I still your master?”

“Yes,” I answer without even needing to think. “Always.”

He pumps his cock quickly, satisfied. “Then you must do exactly as I tell you, and you must not act without my explicit instruction. Do you understand me?”

The ache inside of me has only grown as I jealously watch his hand touch what I so desperately want to be mine. “Yes, Keldarion,” I say. “But please don’t ask me to leave.”

He closes his eyes and sinks his head deeper into the pillow. “I’m only fae, not a god.”

My legs tremble so badly, I fear they will fall straight out from under me as I crawl up on the bed.

“Stop,” he says.

I obey.

“Kneel before me.”

I do, sitting on my heels on the soft bed, caged in by his huge legs. My heart races as I stare at his throbbing form. Though I’ve seen Keldarion naked—and felt his hardness against me—this is the first time I’ve truly been able to take in the High Prince of Winter. Thick veins curve up its length, and I imagine running my tongue along each one, tasting the sweetness. My breath quickens as I fight the urge to pounce on it.

“Stars be damned,” he rasps, his eyes running up my body. “You are gorgeous.”

I sweep my tongue over my lips. “Careful, Keldarion,” I say huskily. “If you compliment me like that, I might get confused and assume you like me.”

His lip curls, and he brings his other hand down to cup his balls. “You do enjoy torturing me, don’t you?”

I lean down, eyes half-closed and mouth open. “I could find other ways to torture you that are more to your liking—”

“Sit up,” he says.

I do, heat flushing to my cheeks.

He never stops stroking himself as he says, “You may not touch me. And I will not touch you. Do you understand?”

I glare at him through my lashes, but his face is all business. He grits his teeth and squeezes the base of his cock. It’s so thick, I can only imagine what it would be like to sit on top of him, to try to push all of that inside of me…

His voice is low, husky. “Do you understand?”

I shake my head, refocusing. “Yes. But if I can’t touch you and you won’t touch—”

“Raise your skirt.”

With featherlight touches, I push the edge of my nightdress further up, slowly revealing the soft flesh of my thighs.

“Are you wet?” he asks gruffly.

“Yes.”

“Show me.”

I gather the nightdress around my waist, and he sucks in a tight breath. Then I slide a finger through my center, shivering at the contact. When I pull my hand away, the candlelight dances off my arousal.

“Does this please you?” I ask.

He runs a tongue over his teeth, and I’m half expecting to see sharp canines by the predatory look in his gaze. “Very much.”

I shift my weight forward, bringing my shimmering hand close to his straining cock. “Would you like to feel for yourself?”

He closes his eyes and grunts, his hand pumping hard. “Don’t… tempt me.”

“Why not—”

“Suck it off,” he orders.

I do, placing my fingers deep in my throat, holding his gaze the entire time. My heart skips in my chest as he holds me in that piercing blue stare. His face is a work of art, a perfect blend of rugged masculinity and refined elegance.

There’s an intensity in his gaze that draws me in. His eyes seem to hold secrets, and I want to unravel them all. The way his brow furrows as he watches me sucking my own fingers deep makes my core burn. Is he picturing my mouth wrapped around him like I am?

Kel’s jaw tightens. “Put that hand back where it belongs.”

I drift it to my aching cunt, running my fingers up and down. “It belongs to you, Kel.”

His nostrils flare and he pushes himself up on his forearms, hand slowly working on his swollen member. “Tell me what you’re thinking.”

I laugh, flinging my head back, brown waves tumbling over my shoulders. “What aren’t I thinking? I’m wondering what it would feel like to have you inside me.”

There’s that flash of fire in his icy gaze. “And?”

“How the rough stubble on your jaw would feel between my legs.”

“And?”

My breathing becomes labored as I rub my clit faster, more desperately. “And I’m wondering how you would react if I licked the tip of your cock.”

He shudders, and I’m washed with the scent of him: pine, cedar, and the musk of arousal. There’s something primal about his smell, something that speaks to a deep, instinctual part of me. “I would be very angry.”

“I’m used to you being angry with me.” I lean forward.

“You said you would obey me,” he growls, and I flop on my heels. “Touch your breasts.”

My pussy is nearly aching with the need for release, but I pull my hand away and cup myself. Kel’s eyelids flutter as I knead the soft flesh. My dress is so thin, I know he can see the points of my nipples. I pinch and pull, wanting to show this stubborn High Prince exactly what he’s missing.

He shakes his head and his face is twisted in anger. But it’s not anger . I feel it through the bond: desperate, hungry need.

“Show me,” he says.

I take my time inching the pretty lacey sleeves off before revealing the mounds of my breasts.

Kel sits forward, eyes wide and unblinking, devouring me in a gaze. For a second, I think he’s about to leap on top of me. I close my eyes and enjoy my own hands, my soft fingers tracing over my nipples. I take a deep breath, his scent enveloping me in a shroud of desire. It’s as if every inhalation I take is infused with his essence.

“I need to see your body. I need all of you,” he says. “To see all of you,” he amends quickly.

I allow myself a smirk as I pull the shift over my head, stretching my whole body out for him to see. He was the one who called himself master when I came in the room, and yet, I feel like I’m holding so much power. And as I sit at his feet, completely bare before him, it’s the strangest feeling. Normally, I would be so self-conscious, my soft belly swelling over my thick thighs, but I don’t feel insecure at all.

Because I can feel it. His lust through the bond . He thinks I’m beautiful… and I believe him.

“Fuck, Rosalina.” He throws himself flat on the bed. “Why did you come in here?”

I test him again, crawling further between his legs. “You called me.”

“I did not.”

“Your bond.” I trail a hand up to the thick hair covering his chest. He snatches my wrist. “It was begging for me.”

He holds my wrist tight, but his gaze holds me tighter. I push myself up over him, legs on either side of his hips, chest hovering above his. “Inconvenient little thing, isn’t it?” he says.

“I couldn’t agree more,” I whisper.

But it’s a lie. Because this thing between us isn’t little at all. It’s a living tether, a throbbing swell that threatens to consume me anytime I allow it the smallest bit of purchase in my heart. It’s bigger than I can comprehend, a connection beyond any physical desire. I saw it today, like a star blooming between us. I am terrified and desperate to follow where it leads.

“Rose,” he says.

“What are you thinking?”

His head dips to the side, soft strands of white hair cresting his brow. “That I am bespelled by you.”

“Keldarion,” I whisper, staring into his eyes.

“I’m thinking,” his thumb lightly grazes my wrist, his eyes fixed on mine with an intensity that sends shivers down my spine, “it would be no great wonder if you bore a loathing for this world. But you, my dear, find enchantment in the smallest things, and you shower kindness as though it’s an endless supply, plentiful as the spring rain that melts the snow.”

His words stir something within me, a warmth that spreads from my core to my fingertips. Our bond shines brightly between us. I’m bare before him, but it’s like he sees deeper than my body, into my soul. His words give me something I’ve craved for so long. He’s seen my scars but does not pity me for it. He thinks I’m stronger for bearing them, and with his words, I believe it, too.

I am undone by my love for you. The words filter through my mind. Our souls are so close together, even my thoughts are plagued by his voice.

Our bodies are so close, touching and not touching, together and not. A burst of rageful lust sweeps through me as I stare at what should be mine. He grips his cock harder and pumps. “I am at my edge.”

I stay overtop of him, my fingers returning to my pulsing slit. “Come with me, Keldarion.”

His breathing becomes ragged. “Where?”

“Cover me,” I say lowly. “Paint me with your desire. Mark me and let me be yours, just for this one night.”

My words seem to alight him. His chest heaves, and our skin nearly touches. “Rose,” he rasps. A primal heat shudders through me as my hand feverishly rubs my clit. And I feel it, not just my own orgasm rising inside but his.

He roars, body arcing with the power of his release as spurts of cum cover my body. I cry out, my orgasm wracking me like a star shower. A delicious satisfaction shivers up my spine as I revel in the heat of his load dripping off my skin. I bat my eyes, trying to come back to reality.

Kel lies beneath me, blinking and panting. My heart rises. I did that. I did that for my mate. Our bond pulses between us with its own heartbeat.

I need more of him, all of him.

I lower onto my forearms, still not touching but a breath away.

“I can’t do this halfway devotion,” I whisper across his lips. “Kiss me, Kel. Kiss me and claim me and—”

He pushes against my chest. “Get out.”

I fall onto the mattress. “W-what?”

He gets up and strides to the attached privy. I hear water running and then a wet towel is chucked at my head. Angrily, I wipe his arousal from my skin.

“Return to your room.” He comes out in loose trousers, his hair tied back into a knot at the base of his neck. He looks so fucking delicious, I want to scream.

“You can’t be serious.” I cross my arms and glower at him. “You can’t pretend you didn’t like that.” I gesture to my boobs, splattered with his desire only seconds ago. “I fucking felt it.”

He intakes a breath. He knows what I mean. Not just our mutual pleasure, but the desire that sparked through our bond. Not only desire. Love. There was love there.

He grabs my nightdress and throws it at me. It hits me like a slap in the face. A knot forms in my stomach as I pull it on. “You are serious.”

The mattress dips as he sits. The usual fury in his face when talking about this is gone. Instead, he just looks exhausted. “You know where I stand, Rose,” he says, voice a gruff rasp. “I wouldn’t bed you if my last breath depended on it.”

I storm to the doorway. “I’m sorry I’m such an inconvenience to you, High Prince. I didn’t choose this bond. If I could, I’d rip it out of my heart.”

He buries his head in his hands. “I only wish that you could.”

A lump settles in my throat, and my eyes water. “Fine. See what I care, Keldarion. If you hate me so much, I’ll go be with someone who actually wants me.”

I slam his door and march out to the middle of the living area. I know I should go to bed. I know that nothing good happens after two a.m. But I want to keep my promise: someone else does want me.

I head to the Summer Prince’s bedroom.