Page 50 of Of Storm and Emerald
“The scent of lavender will forever be embedded onto my soul.”
The sound of Daemon’s voice startled her out of the calm she’d achieved. She spun around, a hand clutched to her chest as she took deep breaths to try and slow her accelerated heart rate.
“What the fuck, Daemon! How long have you been standing there?”
He chuckled, “Not long, but long enough to see you pull a breeze from clear across the castle grounds and past the wall.” When he quirked a brow, it wasn’t accompanied by his usual cocky smile. He actually seemed impressed.
“Are you going to just stand there staring at me, or are you going to come eat? Because personally, I’m ready for dessert.” One corner of his mouth kicked up into a smirk that promised more than just a plate of chocolate and berries.
Auraelia didn’t miss his thinly veiled innuendo. Passion still burned in his gaze as it slowly raked over her body. Even if she had somehow managed to miss it, the evidence was clear behind the laces of his trousers. The sight of his ample cock straining against the front of his pants made her mouth water, and she squeezed her legs together in an attempt to alleviate the pressure that was building there.
Daemon, of course, didn’t miss the movement.
His eyes dilated further, the muscles in his jaw straining as he clenched his teeth, and the veins on his hand stood out as he balled it into a fist. “Auraelia.” Her name was a promise and a warning.
She stared for a moment, lost in his burning gaze as she debated how much she reallyneededfood. When the smell of whatever he had brought back with him hit her nose, her stomach growled.
The loud, and utterly embarrassing, noise broke the tension that had been building between them. Daemon’s eyes reverted back to something close tonormalas he let out a laugh full of mirth. “Come eat, my star. I have plans for you later.”
Auraelia made her way toward the table just inside of the balcony doors, her eyes never once straying from his. On the table sat a few covered dishes. He’d even found candles and set those out as well. She’d never been with anyone who had taken the time for the little things. Who had taken the initiative to make the simple act of sharing a meal more intimate. But here was a man who she’d barely known for longer than two days, who seemed to think of nothing other than making her smile. The thought made her heart swell.
Choosing the chair furthest from the window, she slid between Daemon and the table. The space was wide enough that she could fit between the two without issue, but she made sure to lightly brush against his growing erection. When she made it to her chair, she glanced over her shoulder with a look of feigned innocence. “Excuse me.”
A groan sounded deep within his throat, “Auraelia.”
Daemon was riding on the edge of control, and she thoroughly enjoyed nudging him to see how much it would take to tip him over.
Taking the seat across from her, he lifted the silver cloches that covered the food. Steam rolled off the dishes, and the smell of roasted chicken with rosemary potatoes and green beans filled the air. It smelled divine, and Auraelia’s mouth watered for an entirely different reason now.
Her eyes fluttered closed as she took a bite, moaning as the flavor exploded on her tongue. She may have grown up on these dishes, but the chefs in the kitchens really knew how to prepare food. It also helped that the ingredients were always fresh.
When she opened her eyes, Daemon was leaning back in his chair with his fingers laced together in his lap as he watched her, his eyes full of joy and a small smile on his lips.
Suddenly self-conscious, she swallowed. “What? Are you not eating?”
Daemon sat up and picked up his fork and knife, “I am, but I love how much you like food.”
“I don’t like food, Ilovefood. If you couldn’t tell,” Auraelia gestured to herself, “I’m not the tiniest person.”
Daemon’s eyes glowed in the candlelight, “Trust me, my star, I’ve noticed.” His heated gaze raked down her frame before coming back up, and she felt a flush creep across her cheeks.
Growing up, Auraelia had always been thin. As she got older, her girlish figure shifted into one of a woman. Her hips widened and rounded. Her stomach was no longer taught and flat, despite the amount of rigorous training she did. She had stretch marks on her thighs and her breasts. She had to learn to accept andlovethe body she was in, and she did. If she hadn’t, the hungry look on Daemon’s face as his eyes roamed over her body would have nipped those thoughts in the bud. He looked like he wanted to devour her and sink his teeth into the ample curve of her ass.
The longer she held his gaze, the more intense it became.
Clearing her throat, Auraelia finally looked down, spearing a few beans on her fork as she shifted in her chair, trying to abate the throbbing between her legs.
Daemon chuckled as he brought a piece of chicken to his mouth, “Is there something I can help you with, Princess?” he asked before pulling the meat off his fork.
When she looked up, his gaze burned hotter than the sun.
“N–” a piece of food lodged in her throat as she tried to speak, “No, I’m fine. Thank you.”
Daemon didn’t say a thing.
He didn’t need to. The knowing smile on his face said more than enough.
The rest of the meal passed in tense silence, while heated gazes were exchanged across the table. And Auraelia made a point tocasuallyrun the toe of her boot along Daemon’s leg whenever she would shift in her seat.
