Page 57 of Of Storm and Emerald
Hours had passed, and when they were officially spent, their bodies weak and exhausted from pleasure, Daemon had shadow walked them into her bathing chambers and drew them a bath.
Auraelia’s golden tub was beautifully crafted, and large enough for four people to fit in comfortably, but what pulled his attention was the skylight directly above it. Perfectly framing the moon and constellations that hung in the night sky. As their light trickled into the space, it cast Auraelia in an ethereal glow. She looked like a star that had fallen to shine just for him.
The water had chilled by the time they emerged. Auraelia’s eyes were heavy as he dried her body and wrapped her in a thick towel, and she was completely at ease in his arms as he took them back to the bed–where she’d fallen asleep as soon as he pulled her into his embrace.
She’s a fucking goddess, and I have to leave her here.
Daemon released a deep sigh, disturbing the hair on top of her head. As the morning light grew brighter, the birds began to sing their songs, and it was only a matter of time before Piper or one of Auraelia’s lady’s maids came into her room to rouse her for the day. He needed to leave. Goddess knows, he needed to leave. But he had a hard time walking away from the slumbering beauty next to him. He didn’t want to just vanish without saying goodbye, but he also wanted her to get the sleep she needed.
Detangling himself from Auraelia’s limbs, he resigned himself to the fact that if he didn’t go, it would cause more trouble than either of them needed to deal with. Carefully lifting her arm, he slid out from the bed, holding his breath and praying to every goddess that she didn’t wake.
When she curled in on herself, he let out a breath of relief. Gently sweeping hair out of her face, he bent down to press a light kiss to her temple; then took one last moment to drink in the beauty that was Auraelia, Crown Princess of the Court of Emerald.
In the three days that he had the pleasure of knowing her, he realized three things with utmost certainty.
She was beautiful.
She was fierce.
And she wasextremelyout of his reach.
She was the heir to her throne, just as he was the heir to the Sapphire Isles. The political ramifications that could come with them having a relationship would either be amazing or catastrophic. But that didn’t stop him from wanting her or doing whatever he could do to try and keep her. Where they went from here was up to her, he just hoped that they were on the same page.
Every fiber of his being rebelled against this. Against leaving her. But he needed to get back to his people, to his ill father.
Daemon pulled on his shadows, using them to gather his belongings from around the space. Then, with one last look at Auraelia, ribbons of obsidian coalesced around him until they swallowed his form and walked him out of her room.
Possibly out of her life.
Chapter Eighteen
Auraelia
Auraeliawoketosunstreaming in around the edges of her curtains, a contented smile on her face. Rolling over, she stretched her hand out, feeling for the warm body that had been pressed against her all night–only to be met with an empty space and cold sheets.
He was gone.
Left and didn’t even have the decency to wake her and say goodbye.
Auraelia scoffed and shook her head.Of course, he’s gone.
Stupid. Stupid girl.
She took a deep breath and pushed all of her anger through a ragged exhale.
He’s just a man. So what if the sex was spectacular? It’s not important.He’snot important. He’s just another cock. You knew he was leaving. Get it together.
Even as she repeated the words in her head, her heart knew they were false.
Eyes still closed, she sat up, and steeled herself for the day and the inevitable bombardment of questions from Piper.
Pushing her anger and hurt away into the darkest recesses of her heart and mind, she inhaled and held it until her lungs screamed for air.
Then slowly released her breath and opened her eyes.
“Well, that was fun to watch.” Piper sat on the edge of Auraelia’s bed, leaning against the bedpost with her legs crossed at the ankle, twirling a rose between her fingers.
“What the fuck, Piper! Are you trying to kill me?” Auraelia’s hand flew to her chest, her heart racing beneath her palm.
