Page 50 of The Curse Between Us

There was a slight pause as they both stared at each other, chests rising and falling with their rapid breathing. Then Edric stepped closer and wrapped Zephyr in his arms once more, running his hands down the smooth expanse of his back. Zephyr stiffened in his arms, shuddering, and Edric repeated the motion with increased pressure just to watch him react again. He traced the long line of Zephyr’s spine with the tips of his fingers as he trailed kisses along his neck, remembering how he had been informed it was sensitive. Judging by the way Zephyr moaned, he had not exaggerated.

But he must also have been paying attention, that night they first touched themselves in each other’s presence, because he smirked as he dropped his hands to rove over Edric’s chest, barely brushing against his nipples. Edric let out a cry of his own, leaning into the touch, as Zephyr followed the path of his hands with his lips and tongue. Throwing his head back, Edric groaned as Zephyr’s teeth scraped ever so lightly over his nipple, jolts of pleasure coursing through his entire body.

Edric’s knees weakened. Restlessly, he tugged at Zephyr’s hands, bearing him down onto the soft grass. Bothkneeling, they met in another kiss, fiercer with the deepening of their desire. Edric buried his hands in Zephyr’s dark hair, marveling at its softness, as Zephyr pushed gently at his shoulders until he was sprawled on his back, Zephyr straddling him.

He stopped, a wicked gleam in his eyes, before shifting his weight forward so that their lower bodies came into contact as well. Edric hissed through his teeth as he felt the insistent press of Zephyr’s erection against his leg. Raising his hands, he placed them at Zephyr’s hips again, those sharp lines of bone and muscle that cried out to be held. Zephyr looked down at him, his lower lip caught between his teeth as he rocked forward again. Edric guided him, urged him on, pulled him closer until they were straining against one another. A bead of sweat rolled down Zephyr’s neck and onto his collarbone, and Edric surged upwards to chase it with his tongue, rolling them over in the same movement.

Zephyr laughed breathlessly, gazing up at him with adoration in his lust-darkened eyes. Edric pressed a kiss directly over his heart, reaching between them to toy with the edge of his breeches. “May I?” he asked.

“Yes,” Zephyr sighed, arching upwards in clear invitation. Edric wasted no further time, scrambling to remove Zephyr’s breeches and the fine linen drawers beneath them. The sunlight turned his skin to gold, and Edric’s breath caught in his throat as he drank in the sight of him in all his naked glory. They had seen each other nude before, but it was different now. Now, Edric could touch him.

And touch him he did. He started at the very top, tracing the sharp line of Zephyr’s cheekbone with his thumb, then over the dip of his upper lip and the swell of his lower, along his jaw and down the side of his neck. He splayed his hand against the firm muscles of his chest, down the trail of dark hair that led pasthis navel. He smiled as he bypassed his groin, Zephyr pouting up at him as he explored the strength of his thick thighs and shapely calves, the delicate knobs of his ankles.

“Edric.” There was an edge of pleading to Zephyr’s voice that caused him to look up. “This hardly seems fair.”

“If you insist.” Edric pressed a kiss to the inside of Zephyr’s ankle, then sat back slightly so he could remove his own trousers and drawers. He crawled back up the length of Zephyr’s body, deliberately allowing their cocks to brush together, and kissed him again.

Zephyr’s hands slid down his back, nails digging in slightly, then ghosted over his backside, teasing. Edric laughed, and Zephyr tightened his grip, pulling Edric to him so there was no space left between them.

“Those things you wanted to do--” Edric gasped out as Zephyr nipped at the side of his neck. “You may wish to provide an example sooner rather than later.”

Laughing, Zephyr shook his head, pressing an affectionate kiss to the tip of Edric’s nose. “Later,” he promised. “For now, just--” He thrust his hips upwards, cock sliding against Edric’s stomach, and Edric instinctively pressed down to meet him. Clumsily, they repeated the movement until they established a rhythm. Edric braced himself on his forearms, his lips close to Zephyr’s but not actually touching, breathing in and out together as they climbed closer to climax.

“Zephyr,” he murmured. “Oh, powers, Zephyr, it feels so--”

“I know.” Zephyr’s nails dug into the tender flesh of Edric’s backside as he strained upwards, his cheeks flushed rose-red. “Edric, I--”

His mouth dropped open on a long exhale, and Edric felt the warm splash of liquid against his stomach. He thrust forward, the evidence of Zephyr’s release helping to slick theway, and all the muscles in his body locked up as he followed him into bliss.

Edric slumped forward heavily, nuzzling into the crook of Zephyr’s shoulder. He inhaled deeply, filling his nostrils with the scent of the sun-warmed grass beneath them and the faint aroma of musk that clung to Zephyr in the aftermath of their exertions. Zephyr’s hands traced lazy patterns on his back, and neither of them spoke for a long while.

Eventually, Edric rolled over, lacing his hands behind his head and turning his body up to the sun. A few seconds later, he felt the warm press of Zephyr’s lips against his forehead. “Happy?”

“Very,” Edric answered. He rolled his head to the side and met Zephyr’s eyes, soft with affection. “I know we said we could be content without it, but Zephyr, that was--”

“Incredible,” Zephyr finished. “Yes. I know.” He curled in closer, then grimaced at the sticky mess on Edric’s lower body. “But even in this enchanted place, it is unfortunately messy.”

Edric rolled his eyes, climbing wearily to his feet. “Entirely worth it, in my opinion.” Reaching down, he tugged Zephyr up, guiding him towards the stream. “I suggest we have a refreshing splash in this convenient body of water and then do it all over again.”

Grinning, Zephyr brushed past him, casting an inviting look back over his shoulder. “Excellent plan, my love. So why are you dawdling?”

Edric laughed and allowed himself to be led into the cool water of the stream. He would not permit himself to wonder how long they would enjoy this precious gift, to lose himself in worries about the future. For now, they had this one shining day, and the time and solitude with which to make use of their new ability to take pleasure and comfort in each other’s touch.

Plenty, Abyss, and the upcoming battle could wait. Prophecy or no prophecy, they had created this place for themselves and found joy in it. If that was all their union resulted in, Edric would count it a victory.

Chapter Thirteen

Zephyr rode through the mountains, the familiar path unwinding before him as he hummed softly under his breath. The cool breeze lifted his hair, a welcome contrast to the warmth of the sun as it sank lower in the sky. It had been weeks since the meadow’s unexpected discovery, but even now, the idea of its existence filled him with a quiet, unexpected joy. The events of that first day felt like a dream, but there was no denying how much the meadow had changed things—for the better. Edric had become more than a shadow of his former self, their shared pain now replaced by something warm and comforting whenever they were close.

He had no explanation for it. Why they could touch, why they could be near one another without the searing agony that had once ruled their lives, Zephyr couldn't say. But he was thankful, and he hoped it wasn't a fleeting change. Time had passed since their marriage, and Edric was due to visit Eskarven soon. They’d have time to unravel the mystery, and perhaps learn if this newfound peace was linked to the passing days or the strange qualities of the meadow itself. Either way, Zephyr felt an inner peace that he hadn't known in years.

But as the sun dipped lower, the temperature began to drop. Zephyr shivered, his thoughts pulled back to the present moment. The journey ahead would take him through colder terrain, and the further he went, the more the chill seemed to creep into his bones. He reached for the thick cloak in hissaddlebags and draped it over his shoulders, sighing in relief at the warmth it provided. The horse beneath him snorted, clearly used to the wind and cold, but Zephyr’s own mount had grown restless, eager to get back to the castle.

They reached the foot of the mountains, where the path veered westward toward Eskarven. Zephyr glanced down at the snow beneath him. Normally, the snow would be thick here, building up as they moved closer to the castle. Yet, the ground remained only lightly dusted with snow, no deeper than an inch. Zephyr’s brow furrowed. It was strange. Very strange. He urged his horse forward, the sound of hooves on frozen earth the only noise to break the silence.

As he approached a curve in the road, he halted, sliding off his horse to press his palm into the ground. The snow, while fresh, had not accumulated in the usual way, nor was there a hint of the cold that should have been building as they neared the castle. Zephyr’s mind raced, trying to piece together what this could mean. The last few weeks had been filled with so many unknowns, so many questions. This could be another one.

Leaping back onto his horse, Zephyr spurred it forward, more urgently now. The castle was still ahead, but this odd anomaly gnawed at him. The scholars at the academy might offer an explanation—one that was grounded in logic and reason. Zephyr needed to ease the unease growing in his gut.

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