Page 7 of Of War and Realms

Actually, no. Fuck the gods. They’re half the reason I’m struggling and have done nothing to earn gratitude from me. No…I should be thanking my three bonds. I need to remember that in the future.

Spinning in his secure hold, I meet the prince’s electrifying gaze. He watches me with the intensity of an impending storm; where the air is charged with energy and anticipation, promising an all-consuming impact. I love him and Em. No, love is too weak to describe how I feel for my soul bonds. I am utterly consumed by them. The feeling is a force beyond love; a fusion of souls that transcends mere affection. It’s an unbreakable connection that anchors my very essence…a deep-seated unity that defines my existence. They are the missing piece to my emptiness; the only ingredient needed to fill the hollow cave inside my chest.

They are everything.

Casmir’s brows furrow, and I’m pulled from my consuming thoughts, noticing the blur to my vision. I blink several times, giving him a smile that says they aren’t panic-induced tears.

I place a kiss on his cheek before we mount our horses and travel to the camp.

Chapter Four

Anellah

Thick, fluffy clouds stroll past our slow-moving group. My head rests on Casmir’s shoulder as I watch the sky glide, completely unbothered by the impending war below. The quiet sting of the sun settles my nerves, though the light breeze feels like the most tender embrace from a lover.

I sigh, my abdomen contracting when the prince’s hand tightens around me. We need to see Ivana, but I still haven’t told my bonds of my visit with her. Or why her help is imperative to our chances against Andras.

I think we’ll just have to go in there and hope for the best? Xamira snorts, the sound coming out as a chuff, causing Cas to look over where she sits in front of Emrys.

Do not look to me when they become upset upon learning your secrets. My jaw drops, head snapping toward my sorid, while she stares back with an unimpressed look. I click my tongue and roll my eyes, facing forward again with a huff.

So much for always having my back.

“And what would my princesses be talking about?” Cas’s hushed tone caresses my ear, and I instinctively roll my head to him, meeting his curious eyes.

“She’s just being sassy today,” I offer, not lying but also not explaining the whole truth. I’m afraid they will stop our travels if I tell them now, and this cannot wait any longer.

“And you aren’t?” He grins when my eyes widen, groaning when a random gust of air slams into his shoulder. “Okay, okay!” He laughs, the movement vibrating heavily against my back as he grips his fingers tightly along my waist. “I was only kidding…you? Sassy? Never!”

“You are absolutely insufferable.” My voice betrays the attempt to hide my grin. So I knock him with more air and he chuckles, leaning forward to press his mouth to my ear. Heat instantly rushes down my body, pooling at the base of my spine. My breaths increase slightly, exposing my insatiable need for him.

The deep, heated hum of his voice causes me to shiver as I thoughtlessly lean further into his hard chest. “You want to play with your magic, princess? Because I can think of much more…pleasurable uses for it, if that’s the case.” Biting my lip, I take a deep breath before responding.

“Maybe I want to play with your magic.” My words taste sweet, as if honeyed silk were lining my eager tongue. “I seem to remember your desire to test a certain theory with it.” The memory of him first showing me his magic lights up in my head, and a different, softer warmth builds in the hollow of my chest.

His smile presses into my skin as he speaks low enough for only us to hear. I could easily erect a sound barrier, but the idea of someone hearing us is thrilling. “Well, I would be a bad prince to leave his queen wanting.” His fingers trail so lightly down my abdomen that I feel it in my throat, needing to part my lips to compensate for the sudden tightness in my lungs. I’m so fucking glad we’re at the back of the group because his fingers do not stop at my waistband. No, they curve under the fitted material, teasing the building anticipation at my core.

“Cas,” I breathe, not trusting myself to speak any louder.

“Yes?” he says so innocently. “I can’t let you play with my air at the moment, but I wouldn’t dare neglect taking care of you.” Just then, his fingers graze my clit; I quickly call to my essence, blocking the others from seeing or hearing us as an embarrassingly loud gasp leaves me. I’m not great at hiding my moans—as my bonds have shown me—and I don’t feel like having an audience for this.

He slides his fingers through my slit, and I release a shuddering breath, my hands snapping out to grasp his thighs for support. “So fucking wet already,” he curses to himself. “Did training with the males get you worked up, Nell?” Honestly? Yes. But not because they were males; no, I don’t think I’ll ever be attracted to another male again now that I have my bonds.

I’m competitive, and knocking those assholes down repeatedly was exhilarating. But…Cas doesn’t need to know that little detail.

“And what if it did?”

An evil laugh vibrates where the prince kisses my neck. “Then it’s a good thing you’re riding with me and not Emrys.” Before I can respond, he curls two fingers, thrusting them as deep as they’ll go at this angle. Which is impressively deep. I bite my lip hard, struggling to hold in my sounds even though the others can’t hear us.

I must have let my control slip because Emrys stiffens, whipping his head back to nothing; his eyes slide over the landscape for a moment before he smirks and shakes his head, turning forward once more.

I sag into Casmir’s embrace, shivering when he somehow manages to wrap himself further around me. “Mm, I love the way you feel.” He presses a hand against my low abdomen, working me like an instrument with the other. I groan, arching into his touch and rolling my hips with his movements.

“Gods,” I breathe as my teeth run across my bottom lip. “More.” My simple demand requires no explanation; my bond already knows what I need. He slowly pushes in another finger, using his other hand to pull my leg back further until he’s satisfied with how wide I’m spread.

His hand shifts like a wave, rolling from the outside of my pussy to the inner walls. My grip on reality falters, shifting in a way that feels almost out of body. My eyes find the back of my head as he massages the right spot, and I moan loudly, turning to bury my face in his neck.

I will never get enough of them.

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