Page 8 of Of War and Realms

“Where are Casmir and Nell?” Ansa’s worried voice snaps me out of my haze. I open my eyes to see the entire group—except the captain—looking back for us.

“Oh no, princess,” Cas teases. “Looks like I need to make you come faster than I intended.” He thrusts his fingers roughly, causing me to gasp. “That’s okay. I’ll get more from you later.” He fucks me hard, and I whimper, hoping I don’t lose the hold on my magic.

“Oh gods, fuck, right there, Cas.” My eyes slip closed, lost to the sensations he’s wringing from my body.

“Should we go back? They were there a few minutes ago.” I want to feel guilty for worrying the others, but I can’t think.

“No, it’s fine. They’re still behind us,” Emrys grumbles, and Casmir’s chest shakes my shoulders as he laughs at his best friend.

“So close, Nell,” he groans, resting his forehead on my shoulder. “You are so fucking addicting. I want you riding my cock the second we’re back in the castle.” I think I nod, mumbling something about how I can’t imagine anything better than feeling him push into me.

“And how would you know that, because I do not see them anywhere?” Karis giggles at Talyn’s question, her retort lost to me.

“I just know. They’re fine.”

“Yeah,” Karis drags the word out. “I’d be fine, too, if I was getting the life fucked out of me.”

“What—oh! Oh, come on, you two! You couldn’t wait until we were back?” Ansa’s loud voice tells me she’s directing her words in the prince’s and my direction.

Gods, I need them to shut up.

“Give them a break, Ans, they’re soul mates or some shit. If you had a piece of my soul, you’d have to kill me to keep me from being inside you constantly,” he laughs loudly. “Honestly, I’m impressed they have any restraint at all. Especially the captain. Hey—Emrys! How could you possibly be up here riding with us when those two are getting their rocks off right behind you?” There are a few noises, followed by Karis yelling about the safety of the horses and how they’re not fireproof.

Casmir presses his lips to my ear and my spine shivers from the new sensation. The heat from his breath accentuates every chilled part of my body he’s not touching. “Come, my love.” He curls his fingers deeply, forcing the extensive heat at my core to plummet over the edge.

I grip his thighs so tightly I’m sure he will bruise, but he doesn’t pull away. No, he leans into my touch, groaning as raw pleasure seizes my entire being. I beg my magic to hold, knowing this would be the most embarrassing time for it to fail me.

Which is certainly the reason it does. Because nothing in my life ever seems to go right.

The receding essence glides over my skin, settling back into the depths of my soul. I slap a hand over my mouth, willing the convulsions to stop before the others turn around. I manage to control the trembling by the time Emrys looks over his shoulder, rolling his eyes. Karis is the first to whip his head around, a big grin plastered over his face. He winks just as Talyn and Jorin look back.

The dark-haired male tries to suppress a smile, though he’s unsuccessful. A deep red impales Talyn’s cheeks, and she clears her throat before spinning forward.

Karis peeks over at Em before directing his gaze at me, opening his mouth to speak. I mentally prepare myself for what I’m sure is a very enlightening comment. “Hey, Nell!” I raise a brow at him, crossing my arms. “I have room on my horse—and strong fingers—if you need some extra de-stressing! It’d be my pleasure to help!” I bite my cheek hard, eyes shooting over to the captain as the prince bellows a laugh behind me.

My eyes widen when a deep growl permeates the space. Emrys glares at Karis, looking as if he’s trying to convince himself not to pummel the guard. Eventually, he releases a large breath, shaking his head and focusing on the looming city once more.

The male must have a death wish, because he raises his brows at me, nodding at Emrys as if to say "watch this," before speaking. “Hey, captain! Your soul mates were just fucking behind your back, without including you at all! Do you consider that cheating?” I scoff just as Emrys decides killing his guard is worth it, fire springing to life in his hand. He and Karis volley their magic the rest of the way, while the latter continues to taunt my overprotective bond.

As we approach the city gates, I realize I’ve been smiling for the last hour watching them. I did not once think about Andras, or the tangible memories he left me. I did not think about how disgusting I am, or how I’m not worthy of anything my bonds have given me.

I just lived in the moment and allowed myself to feel comfort in the company of family.

Family. I’m not sure when I started to think of this group as my family, but it feels right. Familiar. Almost as if they were here all those horrible years, just waiting for me to return home.

“I think I’ll walk the rest of the way,” I chirp, slipping off our horse before Casmir can protest. We’re nearly at Ivana’s shop, and I need Xamira to help distract so that we do not draw attention to us visiting her.

When Cas first told me of her, he mentioned that her kind were illegal, but not what would happen if she were exposed. It has confused me for a while that he couldn’t just change the law, but I have not spent enough time with the fae to know their biases. Would they hurt her if they knew the truth?

Especially if they knew what she could do? Because if she’s anything like Imogen, she could open bridges to new realms. Not that she would…but the other fae wouldn’t know that.

The streets are lively, and my self-preservation insists we can come back later, but this is too important to push off. It’s worth risking the wrath of the Anlorian fae.

It’s time. Without looking back, Xamira jumps from Emrys’s horse, shifting mid-air. The horse startles, rearing back a bit before Em calms her down.

My sorid, ever the attention lover, makes a show of her shift. She stretches her wings to their full length, allowing the silky, black feathers to glisten in the light. Gasps ring through the streets as Xamira stalks forward, pulling fae eyes away from us and demanding their attention on her.

I take the opportunity to pace ahead, ignoring the calls of my bonds as I quickly duck into the witch’s shop. The few second wait for them to reach me feels like years as the anticipation of their shock and disappointment weighs heavily on my soul. I almost feel giddy; like I am crawling out from under my skin while my stomach threatens to convulse against my will.

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