Page 24 of A Trial of the Heart

Daxton growled with disdain this time as he held my hips firmly in his hands, halting my movements. “We’re coming.”

“Oh really?” Castor laughed half-heartedly. “Coming already?”

I chuckled and to my surprise, Daxton grinned as well.

“He’s jealous. But, you do need to get dressed.” Daxton looked me over, his lingering eyes burning with hunger to continue what we started. “And please, be quick about it. Or else—” he coughed to clear his throat. “I’m a patient male, but you’re testing every ounce of my willpower.” He paused and leaned in closer.

“Or else what?” I grinned.

“Or else I’ll have to devour that sweet pussy of yours and have you screaming my name over and over again.”

“Are you trying to convince me to get dressed?” I asked. “Because you aren’t doing a very good job of it.”

“Never,” Daxton said with a twinkle in his eye. “But for now… Unfortunately, yes, I’m asking you to get dressed.”

“Fine,” I huffed as I lightly kissed his lips. I could tell from his reluctance to pull away that he wanted this to continue just as much as I did.

“Also, conceal your scent,” Daxton added, and like the good student I always was, I obliged. “It’ll help.”

I could tell he didn’t truly believe it would, and it made me purr with delight, knowing I had the same effect on him as he did on me.

Wrapping the sheet around me and gathering my clothes, I moved toward the washroom. Pausing at the screen, I turned around and winked at him with a sly smirk, and Daxton returned my playful smile with one of his own, making my heart flutter.

“How are we traveling to Aelius?” I asked stepping to the other side of the divide. I heard something drop to the floor, and I noticed the flower hairpin that the merchant had given me yesterday in my pile of clothes.

“Idris didn’t tell you?” Daxton hollered, still resting comfortably on the bed by the sound of it.

“No,” I said as I reached out and placed the flower hairpin on the counter. I splashed water on my face to cool down and dabbed it dry with a towel.

“Then I’m not going to ruin the surprise.”

I peeked around the corner of the screen as he flashed me a beaming grin. “Please?”

He shook his head. “Hurry along, Spitfire. The longer you take to get ready, the longer you have to wait to find out.”

I narrowed my eyes, to try and intimidate him into answering me, but it didn’t work.

“Fine,” I cursed under my breath as I returned to the washroom to finish getting ready.

I found new undergarments and fresh travel clothes neatly folded in the corner near the screen. Like magic, they appeared out of nowhere, and I knew Dax had summoned them for me. I playfully wondered if he could magically remove clothing just as easily as he could summon it.

“Remember… don’t drop your barrier,” Daxton called out, and I immediately refocused on concealing my scent with my magic.

I pulled on my leather pants paired with a fitted long-sleeve tunic and corset, which was surprisingly comfortable. I tucked my hairpin into a pocket next to my chest, making sure it was secure for the journey to Aelius. There was a thick cloak lying next to the stool, and I hesitated before picking it up.

“Isn’t it a little hot to be wearing this?” I asked as I held up the cloak and walked out of the washroom. Then, as I turned the corner, I was met with a sight that took my breath away.

Daxton was leaning against the doorframe, patiently waiting for me to return with his shirt casually flung over his shoulder. It only took him a second tonotice me gawking at him, but when he did, a serene smile curled at the side of his luscious lips. Desire flooded through me like water bursting through a river dam.

I couldn’t help it, and to be honest, I wasn’t sure I wanted too anymore. Daxton tilted his head, holding out a hand to encourage me to cross the distance separating us.

Gods, was this real? Did last night actually happen? I wasn’t just imagining this all in my head, right?

I strolled across the room toward Daxton, linking my hand with his and leaning into his open arms. With his free hand grasping my waist, I looped my other arm behind his head as he tucked our linked fingers toward his chest. He might have a dozen fancy titles and nicknames, but my personal favorite wasDax.

“Your riding leathers fit you perfectly,” Daxton said as he caressed the smooth leather along my outer thighs, admiring my curves in a way that made me feel treasured.

“So, we’re riding! Ah-ha!” I grinned wildly, discovering a clue as to how we were traveling to Aelius.

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