Page 63 of All the Pain of Promises
“It’s a bold claim, Rissa, to refuse yourself pleasure in the bedroom when you’re so clearly starved for my attention.” Solarius reached between them and slid two fingers into her, pumping in idle strokes, until her knees turned soft and she could no longer stand upright without holding onto him. “I suppose I’ll have to find ways to pleasure you outside of the bedroom instead. I do enjoy being creative.”
Without warning, he pulled his fingers out of her, leaving her crestfallen on the edge of release. But when he popped those same fingers into his mouth and winked, Narissa almost sobbed.
He yanked on a pair of pants and grabbed his boots.
Narissa gaped at him, her temper flaring to life. “So, you’re just going to leave me here, then? Like this?”
“Like what?” he mused. “Naked? Flushed and beautiful? Quivering with need?”
Her frustration stewed, boiled into anger.
“Yes.” Solarius laced up his boots. “That’s exactly how I’m going to leave you.”
He stood then, grabbing her chin, and she scowled up at him.
“Right now, I’m going to find you a dress. And then we’re going to get you some food, because you’re a little snarky when you’re hungry. And while you eat, I’m going to plan all the wicked things I want to do to you outside the bedroom.” He lowered his head, letting his teeth trail and scrape up the column of her neck all the way to her ear. Her nipples pebbled. Her thighs clenched. And goosebumps raked across her exposed flesh. “Perhaps then you will realize that my caution with you stems from a place of reverence and years of pining, instead of just wanting to fuck you senseless.”
Without another word, Solarius walked out of the bedroom, his last words hanging in the air between them, and Narissa was left shivering with anticipation.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Breakfast in House Celestine was anything but boring.
The dining hall was ripe with uncomfortable tension, forced conversation, and awkward exchanges. Narissa knew the Starstorm siblings were a lively bunch, a loyal brood who stood by one another no matter the cost. They loved fiercely, teased one another mercilessly, and bickered amongst themselves as though it was a sport in which they all excelled beyond measure. Which was why it surprised Narissa to find the breakfast table stifled with strained silence and wavering unease.
Ariesian sat at the head of the table, stewing over a steaming cup of tea. The permanent scowl marring his brow was a testament to his current mood, but every so often, the steel of his gaze flicked toward his younger sister, Caelian. And for good reason.
Caelian looked…well…dreadful if Narissa was being honest. Smudges of exhaustion discolored the skin beneath her eyes, and she gnawed her bottom lip until it was red and raw. Sarelle was beside her, quietly encouraging her to eat, to hopefully gain back some of her color, but Caelian was forlorn. Positively lovesick over the hulking male seated at the opposite end of thetable. Kjeld Holtstrom had been the object of Caelian’s adoration since his arrival in Aeramere, and Narissa couldn’t say she blamed her. Kjeld was all hard, chiseled muscle with summer blue eyes and mussy golden hair he often kept braided or twisted away from his handsome face. He was an esteemed warrior. Breaking tides, he rode adragon. And until recently, he’d been a human. But in a twist of events, Caelian’s magic turned him fae, and in doing so, only enhanced his rugged beauty tenfold. Something he’d never forgiven her for doing.
And Caelian had paid the price. Dearly.
Solarius pulled out a chair for Narissa, seating her next to Tovian, while he took the chair on her opposite side. Nyxian was across from them and he flashed her a roguish smile.
“Morning, Lady Narissa.” Nyxian grabbed a honeyed roll and slathered an absurd amount of butter on top. “I trust you slept well?”
His grin widened and Narissa flushed.
She dipped her head, unable to meet his knowing gaze. “Quite.”
Oh, but Nyxian was relentless. “I imagine. It certainly sounded as though?—”
“Nyx!” Sarelle scolded, her eyes widening like sapphire orbs at the same time Solarius kicked him from beneath the table.
“Mind yourself,” Solarius warned. His hand found Narissa’s thigh and he squeezed, possessive, as ripples of caution rolled off him in dense waves.
Nyxian bit off a hunk of bread and raised both his hands in surrender. “What? I was only going to say it sounded like?—”
“Narissa, I must say,” Sarelle interrupted her brother’s antics smoothly and without hesitation, “that dress is positively lovely. Wherever did you find it?”
Narissa glanced down at the navy velvet gown that was a smidge too small and shoved her bosom up to her chin. Itswept low with flowing ripples and was embellished with sparkly moons and stars made of diamonds. She met her friend’s brilliant smile with one of her own and said, “Your closet.”
“Nice save, Sarelle,” Tovian murmured from beside her. He propped his elbows on the table, his swath of deep blue hair falling across half of his face, and turned in Narissa’s direction. Whereas Solarius’s eyes were a molten silver, Tovian’s held a glimmer of iridescence. “Tell me, Lady Narissa, do you have any inappropriate brothers or infuriating sisters?”
“Unfortunately, I only have one cousin who is annoyingly right most of the time.” She thought of Reif and his panache for always knowing exactly what she needed to hear. With a small smile, she poked at the pile of fluffy cakes drizzled with honey on her plate. “Though I’ve always wanted a sibling or two.”
Solarius scoffed and took a hasty swig of orange juice. “Be careful what you wish for.”
As soon as he said it, Kjeld slammed his fist onto the table, rattling all the glassware and dishes. He muttered something about baby dragons and cursing stars as he stormed from the dining hall without a backward glance. Caelian, however, looked as though she might burst into tears at a moment’s notice. She sniffed and blinked furiously, her bottom lip trembling as she slowly scooted her chair back. Her gaze never strayed from her shoes, never lifted to meet the heavy stares of those around her. She looked frail. Weak. And it broke Narissa’s heart. She watched in silence as Caelian padded from the room—in the opposite direction of Kjeld—without making a sound.
