Page 14 of Essence of the Throne

“Caspian.” I peer over my shoulder and catch her hardened gaze. She’s nervous. “Whatever you two are planning…please be careful. I don’t know what’s happening, but the flora whisper things sometimes and the coming change is unmistakable.” She shifts on her feet, seeming torn before skipping forward and pulling me into a tight hug. My arms instinctively wrap around her small body—a comfort I’ve needed after this last week. She buries her face in my shoulder and mumbles, “Just be careful. You are an impulsive idiot, and I’ll not have word of your death because of it.” She pulls back, gripping the sides of my arms. Her eyes flick over my shoulder so quickly I almost miss the awe that glimmers in their depths. “Stay with Ariella, Cas. She’s going to need you—but as stubborn as she is, do not leave her side until this is over. The realms’ survival depends on it.”

Elowen has always had impeccable intuition, though I've found those that possess the flora strand usually do. I somehow believe her claims that the flora whisper, which is strange as I've not felt such a connection to the land myself. Perhaps it is different for the strands in the elemental affinity.

I open my mouth to ask what she means, but someone clears their throat behind me and I jolt, spinning to find a composed assassin waiting against the wall. She’s too calm…it’s eerie. I give Elowen what I hope is a friendly smile before walking from the room and passing a still-waiting Ariella. Her steps are silent as she follows, but I do not need to look to know that she’s there. Her essence is like a beacon to mine—the longer I’m around her, the more aware I am of her presence.

Sometimes I’m certain I could locate her with a mere thought, but that’s a foolish hope. Such essence doesn’t exist.

I flex my fingers, the familiar tingle of my elemental affinity waits so patiently under my skin. The dual affinities—kinetic and aqua—have always come naturally to me, though the water and force often partake in a dance of power as they attempt to be my primary source of essence. It has been just those two my entire life, yet lately, I’ve felt…something else. A hint of darkness at the edges of my consciousness, elusive and intangible.

I shake off the thought. Now isn’t the time to dwell on strange sensations—especially considering how terrible I’ve felt recently. We have more pressing matters to attend to.

“Have you fucked her?” I’m so taken aback by the question that I pause in the center of the hallway. Ariella must have been close to my back as she immediately spins around my left side and walks backward, continuing our journey.

A soft vulnerability settles in her eyes, both of them studying me while awaiting an answer. If this woman has any insecurities, they certainly are not about me, so I break our stare and continue walking.

“Come again?” I ask, though I’m confident my ears heard her correctly.

“Have. You. Fucked. Her.” Ah, she’s wondering if there’s more than platonic history between Elowen and me.

“Who, exactly, are you referring to?” The tapping against her thigh stops as her palm clenches around the hilt of her blade. It is too easy to provoke her. As entertaining as it is, part of me wonders if her reactions indicate her lack of experience.

Not with men, much to my absolute dismay, but with feeling anything other than anger.

From what I know of Ariella’s past, I suspect she’s never truly had the chance to experience these softer emotions. Lust, sure—her preternatural beauty would ensure no shortage of admirers, even if the color of her hair gives them an immediate lock on her identity. But love? Genuine affection? Those are foreign to her, as if she’s never allowed herself to be vulnerable enough to feel them. She made that very clear the two times we’ve been intimate.

And I want to be the one to show her what she’s missed

I want to break down those walls she’s built, to see the woman beneath the mask. To be the safe harbor where she can let her guard down, even if just for a moment.

But I know pushing too hard will only make her retreat further—I need to continue unraveling her slowly. So I play along with her game. For now.

“Ah, you mean Elowen,” I say, feigning realization. “No, I have notfucked her, angel.” It’s difficult to hold in my laugh, but I manage.

“Don’tangelme. You looked quite cozy together.” I watch as she blatantly avoids my gaze, and I cannot help but chuckle this time.

That pisses her off, if the grinding of her teeth indicates anything. Stubborn fucking woman.

“Even if I wanted to,angel,” I tease, turning right down the hallway that houses our rooms, “she wouldn’t ever agree. But lucky for you, you seem to be the only thing I can ever think about.”

She scoffs hard and runs that fucking tongue across her lip. Angel, what I wouldn’t give if she’d just allow me another bite. “And why wouldn’t she agree? Does she know of some secret of yours I’m not yet privy to?”

“You truly are the most obstinate woman I’ve ever met,” I mutter under my breath before doubling my stride and pivoting to a halt just in front of her. She rolls her eyes dramatically, moving as though she’s about to step around me. I catch her shoulders as I close the distance between us and shove her face into my chest. She stiffens at the forced hug, but doesn’t move to push me away.

Actually, she remains completely still.

I rest my cheek on her head and savor the feel of her silky hair as I run my fingers through it idly. “I haven’t fucked Elowen because she prefers the company of women.” Did her muscles relax a bit, or is that just wishful thinking? “I have indeed fucked other women—” I grunt as she half-heartedly attempts to leave my arms. I hold tighter. I need her to hear this—because as much as it frustrates me that all my other declarations have gone un-believed, I will continue to reassure her of my truth even after she begins to trust it. I’ll tell her every day, if that’s what she needs. “But they are in the past. You are my future, Ariella, and I don’t fucking care how much you fight or deny it. You’re mine. Every other woman in both realms is but a drop in the ocean compared to you.”

She pokes at me again, and this time I release her. It’s so difficult not to smile when I look into her eyes. The feeling is beyond euphoric and sorightthat my body lights up at the simple action.

“Why are youtelling me all this?”

“Because you continue to push me away and fight every single feeling you have telling you to do otherwise. Crazy or not, you’re it for me and I will not allow you to forget it.” I lean forward and press a light kiss to her nose before turning toward my room. “Now, care to share what brilliant deduction you made back there?”

She remains silent for a moment, her eyes fixed ahead as I close the door to my room. Just as I’m about to prompt her again, she speaks. “The Palmluvela.”

I blink, caught off guard. “The what now?”

“The Palmluvela,” she repeats, her tone impatient. “They reside in the Verdantia Forest, not far from Ebonwood, I believe.”

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