Page 15 of Eclipse of Fate
I was asleep beforeDax came to bed last night. This is the second night he has gotten into bed well after I’ve fallen asleep. I felt the bed sink under his weight, waking only enough to wiggle into his arms as though there were no arguments earlier in the evening. I refuse to waste moments like these to anger. The morning came too quickly, and Dax was already up when I rolled over. I found his side of the bed cold for the third time since Melani’s passing. The stress of everything is causing sleep to evade him.
A sigh escapes as I prop myself on my elbow, finding a piece of parchment on the bedside table.
Good morning, Love. Maki and I aregiving the soldiers their orders, and I’ll be back as soon as possible, but I am counting on my favorite breakfast before we leave. -Dax
A flush rises to my cheeks as I read his brazen note. He is infuriatingly enticing, and I find myself clenching my thighs, wholly forgetting that I’m upset with him.
The sun has yet to rise, but the orange glow coming from the horizon is telling me that morning is near. I’m not sure when Dax left. I throw my legs over the side of the bed, deciding I better get a jump on things. The plan we devised was to leave early. Flying to a lookout point in the Soule Mountains just beyond the wastelands in hopes we can see what kind of reinforcements Cano may still have. Flying will be the quickest, even with the added weight of myself and Ambriel, who cannot fly. Miles left to find Kait so they could get an early start in their wolf forms and would be meeting us there. As much as I don’t like the idea of splitting up, I’m glad that they at least have each other.
We know it’ssupposedto be a fair battle between just Dax and Cano, but we are also not foolish enough to believe that he will be honorable andactuallyfight fair. At the very least, we know that he has the aid of someone wielding dark magic, thanks to the vision. Dax doesn’t seem worried about that, but it’s something that has been eating at me. Ambriel said she knows of the dark magic, but it responds differently for each Fae who uses it. So there is no way for her to gauge how it will manifest with Cano’s usage.
The glass fogs on the mirrors as steam fills the bathing chamber, and I strip down to nothing. I can’t see my reflection, but I stand in front of the mirror, looking into the blurred image. My silhouette is still the same, but I am queen. I feel no more queenly than I did before. Yet I am a queen. I swipe my hand over the fogged glass to see myself clearer, but even with it gone, I see no change, but I feel it. The responsibility of making things right in the kingdom. Doing all I can to make things right for the Fae of Aldramani.
Finally allowing my gaze to break away from my own green eyes staring back at me, I sink into the steaming bath, only my head bobbing above the hot water. The heat immediately wicks away the tension that’s been building in my muscles, and I close my eyes, allowing myself to sink into the depths of the tub. For only a moment, I will allow myself this—before all of what is to come really settles in.
As much as I want to lose myself in the heat and relaxing scents of the bath, I don’t let myself soak too long and step out well before my skin prunes. Wrapping my body in one of the fluffy towels Naza supplied us with, I move across the bedroom to the armoire. My training gear hangs neatly on the cross bar, as do some other items that Maki has been gracious enough to supply me with.
“Well, well… If this doesn’t seem familiar…”
“Gods! Dax, you scared the shit out of me. I didn’t hear you come in at all—what are you, a wraith?” I say this as I spin to face him. I wrap my arms fully around myself to shield my body from his view. It doesn't stop his eyes from wandering as he slowly approaches. He walks right into my space. Leaving only an inch between us. He leans in, and his hot breath brushes along the curve of my shoulder as he laughs silently before kissing along the column of my neck and wrapping me in his arms. He buries his faceinto the curve of my neck, breathing me in. I tilt my head, giving him more skin to ravish with his lips, and he doesn't disappoint, causing me to close my eyes.
The ache between my thighs instantly returns, and my power stirs under my skin at his proximity. He curls his fingers under my chin, lifting my gaze up to meet his hazel eyes, and before I can even take a breath, his lips are on mine. I’m barely breathing but swimming in the familiar scent of whiskey and cedar as his mouth takes ownership of mine.
Dax rips the towel away from my body, earning a gasp from me as the cool morning air nips at the skin he's now exposed. My breasts press against his cold leather armor as he pulls me back to his body, making me hiss. A deep growl emanates from his chest as he lifts my body and walks to the bed. He is not gentle when he tosses me on the soft bed, and I bounce at impact, an excited screech breaking from my throat. Within the second, I’m sucking in a sharp breath as he splays my legs wide with his hands. His tongue runs up my center, flicking over the already throbbing bud.
I bite my lip to stifle the sounds coming from me unabated and find my hands quickly tangled in his tousled dark hair, holding him steady as my hips buck, needing more.
“Mmmm… Still my favorite.” Dax says, his voice is like a mudslide, thick and dangerous. Before he sucks my clit back into his mouth, he sinks two fingers deep. My eyes whip open, and his lifts to meet my gaze. He watches me as I watch him feast.
“Oh gods.” The words come out a whimper as the pressure builds low in my stomach, and he brings me closer to the edge. My eyes flutter closed and my head tips back into the soft pillow.
“Look at your King.” His demand makes my thighs squeeze together, but his strong hands hold them back. “Give me thatsweet come of yours, Love. I want to consume your release.” He says the words between panting twitches of his magical tongue. My fingers tighten in his hair, and his eyes shift to a molten copper as his Raven shifts beneath them, and I break.
“Dax!” I scream his name as I come undone, one hand ripping from his hair to pull at the sheets as I writhe. Dax is inside of me before the orgasm has fully dissipated, fully seated, and a scream rips from my throat at the sudden fullness he's stretched me to. I begin to rock under him, needing the movement to release the pressure. He pulls back, nearly removing himself, before he slams back in hard and fast. He drops above me, one hand resting next to my face, and the other grips my hip as he works himself with my tight grip around his solid length.
His hand moves up to my face as more of his body presses against mine. The leather is still cool from being outside.Gods, he didn't even undress before.Dax takes my bottom lip between his teeth and nips playfully before sucking it into his mouth and flicking his tongue across it, just as he did on my clit. I can taste my release on his lips, mixed with his usual sharp and smoky flavor. The combination brings a deep moan to echo from me and into his mouth, and he devours it. Dax shifts us, pulling one leg up over his shoulder, and the new angle gets him even deeper. A shriek comes out as he fills me so perfectly and pins the oversensitive bundle of nerves with his thumb, rocking into me at a breathtaking pace. After three more thrusts, he shudders and growls deep as he bursts inside of me, and the release that rocks through me at the same time causes my back to bow off the bed. I pulse around him, ringing out every drop of his pleasure with my own.
He drops, his heavy body pressing down on my body. Our breaths are ragged and mix together, and we breathe the samebreath for a moment. My lungs struggle to expand with his large frame lying over me, but he lifts and releases from me quickly enough. He kisses me softly and slowly as he cups my cheek, looking down, he meets my gaze. “You will always be my favorite breakfast.” Instant heat rises into my cheeks at the indecency of his words, but I smile at his lips as he grins.
“I’m still upset with you,” I sigh, the hint of a smile still on my face as I try to remember why.
“Mmmm… You seem—veryupset.” He kisses my nose before standing and pulling his breeches back into place with a smirk. Following his lead, I sit up, reaching for the towel. I wrap it around me once again as I glower at him. I hate that he is right. I can’t stay upset with him. He knows how to disarm me with just a look.
“I’m worried about you,” I say as I walk to the armoire and pull clothing on. Sitting in the chair, I lace my boots. When I finish, I find Dax standing in front of me.
“I know,” he says, pulling me to stand and bracing his hands on both cheeks. “You don’t need to worry about me, Love. I have to do this. I should have taken care of Cano’s power problem a long time ago. He has had his time to do things the right way. He chose poorly. Just as I did,” He runs his thumb across my cheekbone, and I close my eyes. Holding my breath, my emotions rush in. “I don’t want to hurt you, Raelle. I would do almost anything you asked of me, but please don’t ask me not to do this. I’m sure you would not like the answer.” He presses his forehead against mine, and I release my breath.
“I won’t ask again. I understand what youbelieveyou need.” Leaning back, I lift my eyes to meet his. “I don’t agree with it, but I understand it.” A knock sounds at the door, after a pregnant pause—both of us at an understanding and not liking how it’saffecting the other. Taking a step back, Dax lets his hands fall from my face. “Come in!” I call out, but don't take my eyes off my mate.
“Damn, the tension is thick in this room…trouble in paradise?” Trent laughs, and Dax rolls his eyes. “I’m kidding, we’re all ready to go. Ready to fly?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.” I smile, breaking my gaze from Dax and looking at Trent. I poke him in his ribs as I grab my bag and walk past him, causing a laugh to break from him.
“I’m glad one of you has a personality.” I can basically hear Dax’s eyes roll behind me as he follows us from the room.
Chapter fourteen
Holding Raelle in myarms as we fly through the clouds will be something I will always cherish. Flying has always brought me joy, but over the years since my parent’s deaths, I haven’t needed much joy. Felt selfish if I ever sought it out. Raelle makes that different. Like, it’s not as selfish because it’s for her.
