Page 35 of Broken Lands

“Alright,” I said, gently placing my hand on top of his in a gesture of support. “I’ll hear you out. Go on.”

“So,” he began, taking a deep breath to steady himself. “I’m not sure how much of this you know, but I am going to start from the top. I am a ward of King Ronan and Queen Ciara, the fae Water Elemental King and Queen. They took me in when I was just an infant, during their bid for the throne. My background is unknown. No one has ever identified my mother or father, or where I come from, other than I was left on the doorstep of the orphanage one stormy night. Cliche isn’t it?” He glanced at me quickly, too quickly, a sad sort of smile on his face. I squeezed his hand in reply, worried that if I said anything, muttered even a single word that I’d throw him off and he wouldn’t be able to continue.

“I don’t remember anything from before the crossing. I don’t even remember the crossing itself, though Lincoln and Bee both have memories of it. My first memories are of Earth, of the wall being built around Danann, of the gardens flourishing. Those memories are scattered among periods of darkness. Periods of time that I have no physical memory of, just a feeling of absolute terror, of being trapped and fighting to get out, to get away from whatever had captured me within my mind.” His voice broke a little, the fear he described tangible and affecting him even now. My heart ached for the little boy who had experienced such a thing.

“What was happening to you?” I asked, taking his other hand in mine and gripping them tightly. I wasn’t sure I really wanted to know the answer, but Stefan continued.

“We don’t truly know. I’m not sure we ever will. There are theories, but without access to Faerie, to our historians, healers, and gods, we just don’t know. As I’ve grown older, stronger, I’ve gained control over the monster inside of me. I no longer have blackout periods, though I still have periods where his rage affects me, where I’m not myself.”

Realization hit me then and my chest felt like it was caving in. He looked up from his lap and faced me, desperation shining in those bright silver eyes and tearing my heart apart. A single tear slid down my cheek as I tried to imagine how that must feel, to have an unwanted visitor in your mind, not knowing what it is and always worrying it might take control.

“That’s what happened in the library, Riley. I was furious at the Elders. I let my control slip and that put you at risk. I’m so sorry, little dove. The last thing I want is to hurt you or scare you or risk you. I want to hold you, protect you, care for you. I have from the first moment I saw you in the candidate's tent. I wanted you then. Fuck, if I don’t want you more now. Can you forgive me?” He pleaded, his eyes begging me, burning even brighter.

He wanted me. Me.

Though I knew it wasn’t his intention, that he really was trying to explain himself and apologize, that Stefan wanted me was the key message sticking in my mind.

I let go of his hands, and they dropped to his sides. Sliding across the bed, I closed the small distance between us, grasping his shoulders as I climbed on top of him, into his lap, my knees either side of his waist.

I took his chin, tilting his face so that his eyes meet mine from my new vantage point above him. His hands gripped my thighs, his fingers brushing against my skin and sending a fresh wave of desire through me.

“Thank you,” I whispered, my mouth mere inches from his as I leaned in. “For trusting me enough to confide in me, for explaining yourself. You have nothing to apologize for.” I paused, taking a breath as my heart pounded in my chest and electricity crackled between us. “Of course, I forgive you.” He licked his lips, drawing my gaze to his mouth. I wanted nothing more than to kiss him at that moment.

So, I did.

I leant forward, wrapping my arms around his neck, gently brushing my lips against his. He responded almost instantly, groaning as he tugged me closer, one hand moving up my body and gripping my hair, pressing harder as he fused his mouth to mine. He nipped my lower lip, causing my lips to part, opening for him. He pushes his tongue inside, stroking my own, teasing me.

I gasped, my breasts tightening as I met his strokes with my own rocking against the hard length of him. My nipples pebbled against the soft cotton of my robe as our kiss continued, wetness flooding between my legs. The realization that my robe was the piece of fabric covering my nudity caused butterflies to dance in my stomach and need to throb at the apex of my thighs.

This connection had existed between us from the moment we met. I felt it then, and I felt it even more strongly now. There was some kind of invisible thread tying me to Stefan, and I didn’t want to fight it.

Giving myself to him entirely, I dropped my head back as his mouth trailed light kisses along my jaw and down my neck to the collar of my robe. He stood suddenly, twisting us, and dropping me onto the mattress beneath him. He clambered onto the bed, kneeling between my thighs, his eyes searching mine and watching as my hands reached for the tie around my waist. I untied it, pulling the robe open and baring myself to him as he sucked in a sharp breath.

“You are a stunning creature, Riley Emmett.” He murmured, continuing to kiss down my collarbone. “Are you sure?” He asked, pulling his head back a little, waiting for my confirmation.

I nod. “Yes. I’m sure. Please, Stefan.” I begged, squirming beneath him as the need for him filled every part of me. He pushed off the bed and stood at the edge, something akin to deference shining in his silver eyes. He pulled his shirt over his head to reveal a toned olive chest and abs for days. Sitting up, I tugged the robe off of my arms, throwing it to the floor as I watched him unbutton his jeans, pulling them off, followed by his boxer shorts.

His erection sprang free, the impressive length of him causing my mouth to dry as arousal beaded at the tip. I quickly slid off the bed, to my knees on the floor beside him, craving a taste of him.

He twisted toward me, his mouth falling open in surprise as I wrapped one hand around the base of his shaft, licking the tip gently, the saltiness of his pre-cum causing more heat to flood through me.

Stefan moaned loudly, dropping his head back and tangling his fingers in my hair as I licked along the length of him before taking his head into my mouth. I moved, pumping my hand in time with my mouth alternating between sucking and licking him.

I was so turned on, so feverish with desire, that I couldn’t ignore the throb between my thighs any longer. I reached my free hand between my legs to my core and began circling my clit in slow, lazy circles. Ripples of pleasure rolled through my body and I moaned around his shaft, taking him deep.

“Fuck,” Stefan growled, watching as I pleasured myself and him simultaneously. “Let me look after you, little dove.” He pulled his hands free of my hair as I released my mouth with a pop. He lifted me gently, placing me back down on the bed with a soft thump. I scrambled away from the edge as he grinned wolfishly at me, as though he planned to devour me. No complaints here.

He climbed over me, his mouth falling to my breast and tugging a nipple into his mouth. I gasped as he rolled his tongue over the sensitive numb. He pinched my other nipple between his fingers before swapping to ensure each received enough attention. I arched my back, my body screaming for more, the need for release overpowering me.

He moved downward, trailing kisses down my stomach, which sent shivers down my spine. He reached a hand between my legs, running a finger between my folds, feeling my drenched center. Moaning loudly, I flexed my hips, craving more of his touch.

He groaned at the wetness he found there, before gently pushing one, then two fingers inside my aching core. He lowered his head, his tongue stroking a long line up the center of me before focusing on my clit, his fingers inside me curling in a lazy come hither motion.

My back arched again as he lapped at me, pumping his fingers in and out of me in a slow, heady rhythm, circling them and hitting my g-spot just right. Tension coiled in my core, building to a crescendo.

“Stefan,” I moaned, as my climax neared. “By the gods.” My orgasm washed over me as it reached its peak, and I found my release. Wave upon wave of pleasure rolled through my body, my toes curling and skin tingling at the intensity of it.. Stefan slowed, lifting his head and grinning at me as my entire body relaxed. Even after my bath, I’d been holding onto so much tension tonight. It was a relief to feel it leave my muscles and release with my climax.

“I’m not done with you yet, little dove.” He purred as he crawled back up over my body, kissing me deeply, passionately, the taste of me on his lips only fueling the flames of my lust all over again. His hands roamed my body before gripping my hips and making their way to my breasts, where he began teasing my nipples.

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