Page 56 of The Kingdom of Flames and Ash

He scanned the room one last time, and pain struck through the bond once more.

I hadn’t been sure what we were going to walk into, but the room was clean, and I would’ve never known there had been a struggle.

Intertwining our hands, he led me out of the chambers and into a long, lantern-lit hallway. We took the next set of wooden double doors that led into another bedchamber. As soon as we entered, I knew that this was his room. To the right, there was a thick wooden bed with frost-blue sheets similar to Tavish’s room in the island castle. Navy-blue curtains draped the sides of thebed, and directly across from it sat a square wooden table with a chessboard. The pieces were positioned strategically, indicating he’d been in the middle of a game when the attack happened.

“You played chess even back then?” I didn’t know why, but I’d assumed it was something he’d begun when they relocated to the ruined land.

“With Eldrin, a few months before the Seelie attacked.” He shook his head as he unfastened his sheath and placed the sword on the navy chair at the side of the bed. “I was so flattered that he finally wanted to get to know me, so I eagerly accepted his invitation. He told me the chessboard had belonged to my grandfather, who’d given it to him, and that he felt the time had come to pass it along to me. He said our grandfather said it was a gift for becoming the spare.”

My breath caught because something about that story didn’t feel right. Why would Eldrin give the chess set to Tavish when Tavish was the rightful heir? Was it Eldrin’s way of hinting what was to come? Questions clamored in my head, and the world seemed to tilt under my feet.

“Sprite, I’m okay.” He placed his hands on my shoulders and smiled sadly. “I promise. I can feel all your worry, and I’m fine. We’re back on Unseelie land, and you’re in my room like I always imagined you’d be when I was a young man. In some ways, this moment is a dream come true, and I have you to thank for that.”

A little bit of happiness radiated through our bond, making the decision for me. For now, I wouldn’t tell him my worry because it was completely unfounded.

“Now I want to take a bath with my mate so I can get this ashbreath blood off me and forget about the dreadful things that lie before us for a little while.” He removed the tunic from his body, revealing his six-pack abs and sculpted chest. I loved the way his muscles bunched with each movement he made and everything but him left my mind.

His wings expanded, emphasizing his substantial size.

I couldn’t tear my gaze away from Tavish’s captivating form as he stood before me, his eyes filled with a mixture of desire and affection. Tension thickened, the undeniable pull between us growing stronger with each passing moment.

That sounds like an excellent idea.I let out a shaky breath as heat bloomed deep in my stomach.

He smirked while his hands trailed down my arms in a featherlight touch that sent shivers down my spine.

He placed a hand around my waist and led me across the room to the bathroom. When we entered, I gasped at the sight of light-bluish-green walls. They could easily be the color of frozen water, making me feel immediately at home.

Two steps led to the large, ornate bathtub across from us, and the glowing lanterns hanging everywhere gave the room a more welcoming feel than the dim bathroom in Tavish’s chamber back at the ruined land. I hadn’t realized how differently they’d been forced to live, assuming that with Tavish’s affinity for darkness, he’d preferred it.

Removing his arm, he turned the golden lever of the tub and it began filling with water.

He turned to me and removed his pants, allowing me to see his entire naked form. He arched a brow. “I thought we were taking a bath together.”

“Yes, but I’m enjoying the view.” My legs moved toward him of their own accord, and when I stood before him, he gripped the neckline of my gown.

With a playful smirk, Tavish ripped the fabric and let it fall to the floor. He linked,Now it’s fair. I’m getting to enjoy the same sort of view.

He reached out, his touch sending a spark of electricity through my body as his fingers traced the curve of my spine. I shivered; need building inside me.

He kissed me, slowly climbing the steps and guiding us into the warm water. My body tingled as we submerged, and both of us relaxed as the realm outside ceased to exist.

Once settled, he held his breath, going underwater. I followed his lead, allowing the water to surround me and clean me of all the filth after traveling and being in the prison.

I stayed under, enjoying my connection to the water until my lungs threatened to burst. When I surfaced, I found Tavish resting against the back of the tub, watching me with eyes dark with desire.

“You’re so gorgeous,” he murmured and stood, his dick already hard and on full display. “If you’re finished, I’d like to make love with you now.”

As if that’s even a question.I smirked, desperate for him. With the threats pressing in on us, the two of us needed time to reconnect… for our souls to merge.

He lifted me in his arms and carried me back into the bedchamber, then tossed me on the bed, causing me to giggle as he hurried and locked the door. I enjoyed the rare times like this that we had together.

Within seconds, he lay next to me, our bodies already dry, his lips on mine. The buzzing from his touch overwhelmed me, and I opened my mouth eagerly. Our tongues collided as he slipped his hand between my legs.

The urgency picked up between us, and he circled my sensitive spot and slid two fingers inside me.

Wanting to make him feel the same crazed desire, I reached down and stroked his cock.

He groaned, his body shuddering, and ripped his mouth from mine.

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