Page 23 of Of War and Realms

“You seriously want to run through your castle naked?” I giggle again, the idea so absurd to me.

“Yes, exactly. In fact,” he says suggestively before tearing off my shirt. “Let’s both run through the castle naked. I’ll even carry you.” He bends to knead one of my breasts, pinching the hardened nipple before biting down on the other. I gasp, so focused on his mouth that I don’t realize he has pushed the rest of my clothes down.

But fuck do I realize it when he lifts me and his cock slides smoothly over my bare pussy as I wrap my legs around him.

“You better hide us, princess, because I’m not letting go.” I smile into the kiss, groaning as he starts walking. His length rubs against me with each step; we’re both panting before he’s even down the hall.

The hall. Oh fuck, I forgot to shield us from view.

I quickly look around, releasing a breath when I see no one. I slide my essence over us, ready to focus on my prince once more. We make it to just outside the mountain before he shoves me against a wall, sheathing himself completely. His tongue catches my whimpering moan. I arch into his hold, practically begging for him to move.

“Gods, Nell. I have no fucking control around you.” His strained voice makes me clench. He gives me just a taste of what I need, driving himself into me twice more before pulling out and walking again.

As he blindly makes his way to the cave, his hands explore every inch of my heated skin. He grips me everywhere before stopping on my ass, massaging roughly the rest of the way.

Petrichor batters my senses before the sound of the waterfall does. The energy of water soothes me, allowing my soul to melt into Cas. My lips are swollen from being sucked on the last several minutes, but it’s a welcome feeling. Instincts tell me that we're just in front of the pool, and I prepare to warm the water as he steps in. But it doesn’t happen. Why is he still walking?

I look over my shoulder to see the rushing water just behind me, before meeting Cas’s eyes with a questioning look.

“I thought we’d play with my magic today. So we’re going to jump, and I’m going to fuck you against the mountain while we hope neither of our magics allow us to fall to certain death.” My head drops back, eyes rolling from just thinking about what’s coming.

Definitely me.

I reluctantly hop down, my bare feet soaking in the wet stone. I freeze when his hand clasps the back of my neck.

It’s not him. It’s Casmir. You’re safe.

It’s not him.

He’s not here.

It’s not him.

I repeat the words several times, but my body doesn’t seem to agree with my brain’s logic as the tightening of my chest becomes overwhelming. It’s a struggle to swallow, and I have the urge to breathe quickly.

I press the heel of my palm to my sternum, pushing down until pain breaks through the panic. I use that to ground myself, taking deep breath after deep breath, willing my other senses to join the fight.

It doesn’t go unnoticed that Casmir says nothing. He stands to the side, ready to jump in and help me—but only if I ask. How did I get so fucking lucky?

A few minutes pass where I slowly take back control of my body. Starting with my fingers, tapping them on my chest as a distraction. Then my toes, squeezing them while focusing on what they feel as water sloshes around beneath me. I bring awareness to my torso and enjoy the chilly touch of the waterfall. After making it to my head, where I bend it side to side…I feel more like myself.

That’s it, Nell.

When I open my eyes, I smile apologetically at my prince. “I didn’t realize such a simple touch would trigger a reaction.”

He doesn’t look disappointed that I’ve ruined our moment. He seems proud. The warmth radiating from him is enough to combat the icy water.

“May I try something?” He whispers, hesitantly reaching a hand to indicate he wants to touch me. I nod.

Stopping in front of me, he leans in to kiss my right eye. I close it instinctively, realizing that he wants me to keep it closed when he mimics the gesture on my left. His lips rest against my forehead; not quite a kiss, but intimate all the same.

“I will stop the second you say to.” A tension I wasn’t aware of lifts from my shoulders. Whatever he’s about to do will probably trigger another panic. But he’s here…I’m safe with him.

I do not respond, but instead stand very still as his hand slides up my collarbone to my neck. He slowly grasps the back just as he did a few minutes ago, squeezing cautiously. I immediately tense, my body begging me to run, but my mind telling me this will help. I don’t move.

He tightens his hold, as if he weren’t my bond but instead someone who wanted to control and use my body. Just when my resolve to push through starts to slip, his other hand reaches for my center, pushing through my slit. I shudder. Gathering the little wetness, he circles my clit. Just as the pressure on my neck increases.

Oh.

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