Page 72 of Of Storm and Emerald
The scent of lavender enveloped his senses as soon as he stepped into his chambers. There, sitting on his pillow, was a new letter.
Closing the door softly behind him, Daemon shadow-walked across his room and snatched it up. Carefully pulling the lavender from the wax, he inhaled its soft scent before breaking the seal.
The laugh that had been bubbling up from the rest of her letter died at the last line.
Fuck.
Daemon skimmed through the letter once more, before sticking it in the drawer of his side table with the others.
Adjusting his now semi-hard cock to a more comfortable position, he threw on the first shirt he found in his wardrobe and headed back out into his study.
Yvaine was lounging across one of the couches, coffee cup in her hand. “What took you so long?” she asked without looking in his direction.
Daemon scoffed. “Is it really any of your business? This ismyroom after all.”
She sat up as he approached the couch and gave him a questioning glance over its back. “Well now. What’s got your knickers in a twist?”
He sighed as he sat on the couch opposite his sister and poured himself a cup of coffee. Inhaling its rich scent before taking a cautious sip. “I just have a lot on my mind, okay?”
Yvaine nodded knowingly, a slight purse to her lips as her head bobbed. “Auraelia?”
At the mention of her name, he choked on his coffee. “Excuse me?”
She laughed. “Oh, come on, baby brother. You didn’t seriously think that motherandAiden would be able to keep that secret, did you? My baby brother has a crush that has gotten his head and heart all tied up in knots. Mother is worried. Aiden thinks it’s hilarious. Of course, they’re going to be blabber mouths.”
He scoffed, “Aiden thinks it’s hilarious, does he? I think that’s called deflecting.”
Her eyes grew wide with curiosity and mischief. “You’re not holding out on me are you, D? You know Ilovea good bit of gossip. Especially if it will give me something to tease my otherlittle brotherabout.”
Daemon smirked.Fair is fair.
“Next time you see him, ask him how Piper is doing.”
“Oh my goddess!” Yvaine screeched. Bouncing in her seat before readjusting to sit on her feet. “Youbothfound someone to pine over in Lyndaria? Shit, maybe I should have gone too.”
Picking up her coffee from where she had set it on the table, she took a sip.
“What happened to Sariah? I thought she was ‘the one’?”
“Sariah is great, but she’s ready to settle down. And that’s just not me. I’m not there yet.”
Daemon nodded in understanding; he knew that feeling all too well. For the last few years both his parents and the council had been strongly hinting at him finding a wife and future queen. They had pushed countless ladies into his lap to get to know and potentially court. None of them held his attention. Most of them just wanted the prestige that came with being seen with the future king of the Sapphire Isles, not the man himself.
He didn’t just want someone to hold the title of wife and queen, he wanted someone to share his life with. Someone who would share the burden of ruling. He needed someone to help carry the responsibility when it grew too heavy upon his own shoulders, needed someone who understood it.
He wanted a friend and a partner.
Unfortunately, the person hewantedwas someone he wouldn’t be able to have in that capacity, and it made his stomach turn.
Setting down his coffee, Daemon stood from the couch causing a look of confusion to cross his sister’s face.
“Everything okay?”
“Yeah, I just–” he sighed. Casting his gaze downwards and running a hand through his hair. “I need to think.”
Yvaine seemed to understand and stood from where she was perched. “Have you given any more thought to inviting her to solstice?”
Daemon kept his eyes trained on his feet. “Some, and as much as I want to see her, I just don’t know if it would be a good idea. I haven’t made up my mind yet.”
