Page 22 of Of Storm and Emerald
“Would you like to take a walk through the gardens, Princess? I hear that they’re lovely at night.” Daemon’s voice was laced with mischief.
She looked up with a passion in her eyes that mirrored his and smiled. “I would love to.”
They inclined their heads to Piper, who desperately tried to hide a smirk.
But before he could drag her away, Piper pulled her in for a hug and whispered, “In that case, I guess I’ll find something…or someone…to entertain myself with.” When they pulled apart, Piper gestured toward Aiden with her eyes, then winked.
They parted ways, and Auraelia tucked her hand into the crook of Daemon’s arm as he led her out into the garden.
The night was cool, and the air was still and quiet.
They walked down the familiar gravel path, and a sense ofdeja vucame over her. “Are you not tired of these gardens yet?” she teased.
“On the contrary, my star, these gardens are quickly becoming my favorite place to be.” Daemon pulled her into his arms, and she tilted her face toward his.
The memories from the night before crashed into her mind. Echoes of fingers dancing along her skin, and heated kisses down her neck sent her magic into a tizzy. The soft breeze that coasted through the garden ruffled his hair, and when he smiled, her knees went weak.
I swear, this man is going to turn me into a puddle if he keeps looking at me like that.
Daemon rested his brow on hers and inhaled deeply, “Auraelia…” His voice was husky and low, like it took everything he had to hold himself back from whatever it was that he wanted to say.
“Daemon.” She mirrored his tone, her voice a whisper in the wind.
“There’s something that I’ve been dying to do all day today. And I–”
A growl rumbled deep in his throat, and she felt it in her core. His grip on her hips tightened as he stepped closer. Pulling her face away from his, she waited until he looked her in the eye.
“Then do it.”
Those three words seemed to ignite something within him. His lips collided with hers, his tongue running along the seam of her mouth, begging for entrance.
She opened for him, and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her flush to his front as he snaked his other hand up to the back of her neck.
She melted into the kiss, every one of her nerve endings standing on end as desire pooled between her legs.
Pulling away, he searched her eyes, “As much as I love this garden, I want you splayed on my bed with firelight dancing on your skin. Tonight, I want to worship you without the threat of rain interrupting me.”
“How do you plan on accomplishing that? I can’t exactly get to your rooms without being seen. Or you to mine.”
The corners of his lips pulled upward into a Cheshire smile, and the golden pools of his eyes expanded, encroaching on the beautiful moss green of his irises. “Let me worry about that. Do you trust me?”
Auraelia narrowed her eyes, curious but also cautious, “I probably shouldn’t since we barely know each other, but yes.”
Was it reckless? Absolutely.
Did she care? Not a single bit.
Being with him stoked a fire in her soul like no one had ever done, and she wanted to let the flames consume her.
“Then close your eyes, and hold tight, Princess.” Daemon pulled her as close to him as physically possible, then delicately pressed his lips to hers. It was soft and sweet but claimed her all the same.
She felt the air stir around her, not in the same way that it did when she manipulated it, this was more like a disturbance. Like the air around her thickened.
Though her eyes were closed, she could sense that the space around her had brightened. One minute, it was a dark and cool spring evening, the next it was warm, and she could see light peeking through her closed lids. Daemon broke the kiss, and she opened her eyes. They were no longer in the garden; they were inside a room in the castle.
Hisroom.
As she looked around to get her bearings, a wave of dizziness overwhelmed her, and she swayed on her feet. Daemon’s hold on her waist never faltered, supporting her weight as she waited for the dizzy spell to pass. Finally feeling that she wouldn’t topple over, she hesitantly pushed herself away from him before meeting his gaze.
