Page 96 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

“Della, are you all right?” Everett asks, placing his hand on my upper arm. “I’m going to come check on you later tonight, all right?” I nod and he gives me a sad smile.

Once Kaylena is taken upstairs with Nyvenah and Everett escorts Lillian back to the market, I go in search of Leon. Light crystals keep me company during the journey to the royal gardens. Once my heart has stopped racing, it is a pleasant walk. The sun has set, and now the stars shine above me, a slightly sweet evening breeze in the air.

Through the foliage, Leon’s lone form is visible as he works. He checks a plant’s leaves and writes something down in his book before moving to the next one and taking more notes on its progression. A bird with blue wings sits on a branch near him, but it takes flight when I get closer.

I want to tell him what has happened, but I also know how he will react.

Leon’s shoulders are tight and exhaustion is evident in his body, yet he continues to document, unwaveringly, assisting with the creation of the elixir. When he finishes, he walks towards the small flowing water basin, rolling up his sleeves, revealing the tight muscles in his forearms while he washes his hands of the day’s soil.

I stand there, staring at his arms, my mouth dry, desire snaking through my body. A memory flashes of those arms flexing as he moves his fingers inside me beneath the flowing spring.

There’s been tension between us since he soothed my pain away last week. We have not brought up what happened on the beach or the kiss I gave him on my bed. Every night this week he has worked late with Tavien, slipping into his own bed, away from me. I have spent the midnight hours torn between calling out for him and leaving him be, knowing this is all for the best. Even if it feels like I’m ripping my own heart out in doing so. It’s been days of longing glances, polite conversations, and this aching physical distance that gnaws at me.

I hate it.

He notices me watching him, half-hidden in the dark of the archway.

“Come here. I want to show you something,” he says, walking over to where he had been taking notes.

Since I’ve known him, he’s spoken of finding a cure, spending countless hours seeking an end to the suffering of the Adreanians. How many bedsides was he called to only for them to pass away before him? How many white sheets did he pull over faces while families wept around him? Leon is a selfless man, pouring all his energy into helping the mortals, desiring nothing in return. Itwarms my heart, and as we stand before each other in the garden, I am overwhelmed at the sight of him.

New vines twist around his ankles, and Leon looks down at the plant attack taking place at his feet. He laughs. “I think the strawberries are happy to see me.”

Deep red strawberries bloom out along the vines and Leon reaches down to remove one before biting into it. He closes his eyes and lets out a contented sigh.

“Are you not sick of that traitorous fruit yet?” I mean the words, but they hold no bite.

He turns to face me and steps even closer to me. “Never.” His voice is low, unwavering. “How could I ever be sick of them? They are the sweetest reminder, tangible proof, that you feel for me what I feel for you.”

Emboldened by the darkness and the selflessness of his heart, I can no longer bear to keep my hands to myself. I wrap my arms around his neck, knowing I may regret it but unable to deny myself of this touch. He makes a startled noise and drops the half-eaten fruit on the ground, hauling me to him, his hands sliding on my hips, wrapping around me.

“I need you. Kiss me. Touch me,” I beg.

I will not hold back from him a moment longer. I need all of him, desperate for him to fully consume me. For the fire between us to burn away the fear of losing him.

“Always.” His voice is just as husky as my broken plea, and he kisses me with all the lust and longing that has been building within us for so long.

CHAPTER 40

All those longing glances and sweet touches.

All those nights I slept in a cold bed and dreamt he was near.

All those times I told myself it was better to stay away.

Under the stars, our shadows are lined with moonlight, our mouths moving together, and, unlike our first kiss at the spring, this one is unhurried, our lips exploring each other with slow, delicate brushes. He takes his time moving down my neck until he finds a spot that makes me moan, sucking gently and focusing there until I squirm. My fingers are in his hair, desperate to keep him near. He is content with the soft kisses, but I am not. I move my hand to the front of the impressive bulge that has grown between us, rubbing him over the fabric of his breeches.

He stops his exploration of my throat to kiss my forehead. “Izadella, we do not have to.” His voice is kind, yet slightly strangled.

“Stop speaking.”

He does stop talking, but he also stops my hands from their inspection of his body, holding my wrists tightly to my sides as he leans down so we are at eye level. “That is not how this works, Strawberries. You can tell me what you want, or we stop this and Iwill return to showing you the detailed flower analysis I completed. I will not have you leave here with regrets.”

“I could never regret you!” A tidal wave of longing crests between us. “Please, I’m desperate for you. This is agony, Leon.”

His eyes soften, and he releases my wrists. “I know.”

I start to tremble. “Touch me?” I ask with a whimper.

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