Page 156 of Fate and Flame
“Love you too, G.” I stepped out of the tent, hoping she would take the hint and tell him how she really felt before we left.
I found Fen and dragged him back to our tent. The moment the door was tied shut, I was in his arms kissing him. He gave me no objections and no words as he ripped the shirt off me, kissing down my neck as I jumped into his arms. He grabbed me below my thighs, holding me up as he carried me to the piled blankets on the floor, laid me down, and used his magic to rip off my bottoms. He was frantic. I was too. Lost in a moment where we just needed to find a release in each other. I reached down and pulled the belt from his waist. He unbuttoned and ripped his own pants off, then he pinned my arms down.
Aside from his hands in mine, he didn’t touch me. Didn’t stroke between my legs. Didn’t massage me at all. He leaned down and kissed me again. His tongue teased my lips the same moment he jerked forward and slammed himself to the hilt into me. I cried out in a mix of pain and pleasure. He rocked back and forth, quick and hard. Greedy.
My breaths fell short. The ache for release grew as he moved. I tilted my head back and squeezed my eyes shut, holding back the scream. It was there. Right there. One more thrust and I was done. Exploding alongside my mate as he pulsed.
He collapsed on top of me, and I glided my hands down his muscled back as he caught his breath and then moved to his side so we could face each other, nose to nose. I wasn’t entirely sure why we needed this moment, but we did. All the pressure. All the unknown. All the danger. He was my release. My simple escape. My home.
A wisp of concern wrapped around me. Laying my palm against his racing heart, I whispered, “Draconians don’t fear.”
He watched me for several moments, moving his fingertips down the side of my naked body as he searched for words. “I’m not afraid of him. Or a lost battle. Even the fall of my kingdom, should it come to that.” Setting his hand on my own, upon his heart, he closed his eyes and released a long breath. “Only a fool would not fear the loss of you, my love.”
His vulnerability gutted me. “You are strong, Fenlas. We will get through this together. I’m scared too. But not for us. I’m scared to let the world continue to be what it is. I want it all someday, you know? A family. And I’ll fight for that alone. To have that with you.”
His beautiful emerald eyes spoke the difficult words he could not.
I won’t say goodbye to you, Ara. But if it all goes to hell and you have to go on without me, I’ll wait for you. You’ll find me on the doorstep to the Ether, waiting. No matter how long it takes.
A could hardly drag a breath into my lungs beneath that gaze. I swallowed the lump in my throat.This feels an awful lot like a goodbye.
He brushed his lips over mine as he pulled me closer.Only making a plan, my darling. So you never have to wonder where I am.
I pulled away to look back into that handsome face that had always halted me.A deal, then?
A tendril of magic blew through my hair as he laughed.A bargain? Even about this? Of course you would. I agree. Whatever it is, I agree.
Blindly? We’ve talked about this.I smiled as I remembered the last time we’d had this conversation.
There’s not a piece of me that you don’t already own. Whatever it is you wish, I’ll see it done.
My wish, my king, is that neither of us die. Neither of us reach a place where we falter. We don’t give in, we don’t give up. We live. Beyond today, tomorrow, an eternity. We live.
I accept your bargain,he rumbled into my ear.I love you.
“Tell me that later when we make it home,” I answered.
“I’ll tell you then also.”
He peeled himself off me, and we were dressed and ready to go within moments. We made it as far as the door before he grabbed me.“I need you to say it. I need the words.”
“I love you, Fenlas,” I said and shoved him out the door.
Gaea and Greeve looked about as tousled as we did. And equally unashamed. I watched as the three of them vanished and held my breath until she reappeared.
“I took the sword to the castle.” She held her hand out to me. “Now don’t shatter the world and don’t die. Don’t be a hero, Ara.”
I smiled and grabbed her hand, the weapons hidden within my outfit comforting as we vanished. I would make no promises this day. The ground rushed to me, and within seconds, Gaea released my hand and vanished. A slight breeze caressed my skin. It was either Greeve or Fen. As far as the guards staring at me with their jaws on the ground were concerned, I had just appeared out of thin air, armed and furious.I lifted my chin and pushed my chest forward. “Where the fuck is your pansy ass king?”
A beady eyed male stepped out from the tent. “Well aren’t you a pretty little thing.” He moved touch my hair.
I swatted his hand away and jammed a hidden knife into his throat.“Anyone touches me, you die.”
“Sir,” a guard said, rushing to the bastard on the ground.“Aidas?”
The rest of them still watched me.
I widened my stance and pulled another knife out, the grip as familiar as the Marsh Court surrounding me.
