Page 47 of Wrath of the Dragons
I roll my eyes. “You’re not my husband.”
He shrugs, and I know he’s doing this to move on from the topic of his past, but I’ll go along with it if this is what he needs. “Semantics, Lady Veles.”
I wonder what it would be like to be a lady, not a queen. “Until I have a ring on my finger so large and heavy it makes me lopsided, we arenotmarried.”
“Royals,” he mutters, and I smack him on the back of the head.
The entryway seating area is bathed in the shades of our house colors, with a golden replica of our sigil hanging above the wide fireplace made of stones that match the exterior of the home. He snickers in response and carries me down the hall. An ornate blue rug runs the length of it, and the walls are lined in a mixture of the same stones and dark wood, illuminated by gold sconces.
Every room we pass is tasteful and elegant but still feels like home. When I first came here it was filled with only dark shades: brown leather; emerald, blue, and red ornate rugs with hints of black…but as he slows his steps, I notice lighter shades that have never been here before shining through new paintings of spring meadows, walls showcasing murals of twisting vines and starry skies, new rugs that now include hues of lavender and sage, and several vases of flowers at the center of a sitting room, on the dining table, and nestled by the floor-to-ceiling windows. Even the wood is carved to reflect the smallest hints of delicate decadence.
My heart swells as Cayden carries me up the curved double staircase, and I reach my hand out to caress the divots in the railing. We bypass several closed doors with the same amount of detail as the restof the house, and he sets me on my feet to unlock an especially stunning one.
My hand smothers a gasp as the door swings open, and I step into another sitting room filled with more dark wood furniture upholstered in our house colors arranged around a double-sided fireplace. A scene of five dragons flying above a mountain range hangs above it, with Ryder’s signature in the corner. Rich curtains with a lace overlay and golden tassels are pulled back on either side of a bay window to reveal a tea set with several books stacked on the tray.
I kick off my boots and walk through the archway that leads to the bedchamber, and moisture gathers in my eyes when I look up and see a replica of the night sky painted on the dome ceiling. My chest rises and falls unevenly at the sight of…home.I’ve been homesick for a place I didn’t know existed.
I don’t realize any tears have escaped until Cayden steps up beside me and gently rubs his knuckle against my cheek. “When did you have time to do all of this?”
“When I couldn’t sleep at night.” My breath wooshes from me, not anticipating the relief I’d feel at the evidence of where he was. “Where did you think I was?” I don’t want to answer, but he must notice something on my face because his shoulders drop. “Elowen.”
I shake my head and step farther into the room. “You don’t have to say anything.”
“Yes, I do.” His hand clasps around my wrist and he takes a seat on the bench at the foot of the bed, wrapping his arm around my waist to keep me between his legs. “Ever since we met have you so much as seen me look at another woman?”
“I’ve seen them look at you,” I answer, hating how my insecurity sharpens my tone. “I think some may have swooned while you were fighting.”
“Every man with a pair of eyes looks at you,” he answers flatly.
“Only the ones with good taste.” I’ve never cared enough about anyone to feel this way, but the thought of Cayden being with anyoneother than me makes my stomach twist painfully and violence pump through my veins.
“I’ve never needed a ring to be loyal to you. You occupy every corner of my mind to the point that I can’t even think about the possibility of another woman. You are all I want, and I’d be a goddamn fool to forsake the greatest thing in my life.”
I look down at his lap, but he’s so close there’s no way for me to truly hide my growing smile. He grasps my chin to bring my eyes back to his.
“Allow me to make myself very clear. There will never be another for either of us, understand? I conquered a kingdom to have you, and my feelings will never change.”
“Understood.”
He rises from the bench and leads me to the bathing chamber where a giant tub sits in the center of the room and snow gently pelts the three arched windows that overlook the lake where my dragons rest.
“I’ll get you something to change into,” he says, kissing my forehead before departing. I press a hand over my chest once he’s gone as I spin in place, taking it all in. If I told myself a year ago that this was where I’d be, I never would’ve believed it.
I turn the knobs on the tub before stripping out of my clothes and jumping into the bath, lathering myself with soap and dipping under the water. Bubbles float atop the surface and I drag my fingers through them while watching my dragons through the foggy glass. I hear Cayden return to hang the clothes on a hook, but he leaves me be. My fingertips resemble raisins by the time I finish, and I let out a pleased sigh while scrunching the water from my curls. The light blue night slip is so soft that it feels like a caress.
“Is there anything you haven’t thought of?” I ask, taking a seat on the mattress that must be stuffed with clouds.
“No.” Cayden turns away from the window, his eyes darkening as they scan me from head to toe. I wonder if he’s dreamed of having mein his bed. My breathing deepens as he slowly walks toward me, not hiding the desire and lust pouring off him, filling every crevice and corner of the room. “Because I know what you need.” He takes my hips in his hands, and my head presses into the pillows as I lean back, but he keeps coming closer until he’s hovering a breath away from my lips, his biceps bulging against his shirtsleeves. “And I love being the one to give it to you.”
He’s gone in the next breath, leaving me flustered and needy as he disappears into the bathing chamber. I press my hands into my warm cheeks and thrust myself out of bed to find a spare piece of parchment to quickly pen a letter to Finnian so he doesn’t worry. I went to check on him this morning, but he was already out on a ride with Ryder.
“Cayden?” I call out.
“Yes, angel.”
“Can we stay here? Not just tonight.” The castle is lovely…but it’s not mine. Ailliard’s ghost haunts me around every corner as do my memories of the Imirath castle.
“This is your home. You don’t have to ask me that.”
