Page 70 of Of Storm and Emerald
She grinned at the sleeping form of her friend–sprawled out against the pillows, hair stuck to her face, and small snores escaping from her throat.
As Auraelia carefully reached over to grab the small plate of fruits and cheeses from the tray, she noticed a familiar piece of parchment resting near Piper’s hand.
That little sneak!
Auraelia rolled her eyes and snatched up Daemon’s letter before she slipped from her bed and padded out into the sitting area, leaving Piper to sleep.
The curtains in her sitting area were still pulled back, allowing the bright light of the moon to shine through the tall panes of windows. Crossing the space with delicate steps, she set her plate down on the table and opened the glass door that led out to her balcony, inhaling the night air, and letting the breeze drift through the space.
Grabbing her plate, Auraelia headed over to the settee that faced the windows so that she could sit and look out at the night sky.
When she finished her food, she fetched her stationary from the table and settled in to write Daemon back.
Auraelia folded the parchment, once again sealing it with a sprig of dried lavender and her sigil pressed into the wax before sending it off to Daemon.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Daemon
Daemonlaidinbed,arm draped over his face, as images of slate-blue eyes and golden waves filtered through his memories.
Weeks had passed since his time in Lyndaria.
Weeks since he’d felt her velvety-soft skin under his fingertips.
Since he’d kissed her supple lips and felt her writhing beneath him.
Too long since he’d seen her eyes ignite with that internal fire, as her melodic voice challenged him at every turn.
Their letters back and forth had been a comfort. A bandage to the ever-growing ache in his chest at being away from the one person that his soul clung to.
Once the initial awkwardness of long-distance communication ebbed, their letters had become an almost daily occurrence. Sometimes writing more than once a day, depending on their schedules.
They talked about everything under the sun. From their families to their likes and dislikes.
Where he preferred darker shades of blue and grays, she preferred bright colors. Her favorite was a vibrant shade of teal that matched the waters of the Cerulean Sea, and Daemon remembered thinking how much she would love his court with its multitudinous shades of blue.
Favorite food? Bread dipped in a concoction of egg, milk, sugar, vanilla and cinnamon. Which was then cooked and dusted in finely milled sugar. He’d never had it, but it sounded delicious, and was determined to get the castle chefs to attempt it.
She’d told him more about her brother. How even though they were close, their duties often pulled them in opposite directions, so they rarely got to spend time together outside of royal duties and occasional dinners.
He’d told her about his sister–Yvaine–and all the trouble she managed to get into.
She kept him up to date on her and Piper’s shenanigans. Told him about their trips to Nefeli Lake, and about her horse–Jasira. About her magic lessons with her mother, and her training with Ser Aeron.
He did his best to match her colorful imagery with some of his own when he described Kalmeera. Knowing she had never been there; he wanted to try and give her a mental image.
He told her about his conversation with his mother, where he had relayed his time in Lyndaria. And how she could tell that there was more than just chocolate croissants between them.
Letter after letter, they opened up more and more. Learning about each other.
It was beautiful, and wonderful.
But it wasn’t enough.
He wantedher.
Wanted her wrapped in his arms and pinned beneath his body. Wanted to be with her to share meals with. To spar with her, physically and verbally. He wanted to witness her magic flourishing, not just read about it. He wanted to witness her coming into her own.
