Page 74 of Brighter Than Gold

I felt it coming, like a storm on the horizon. A low rumbling in the distance, and the thick clouds suddenly opened up and I was consumed with bliss. It radiated up and out of me, and the relief I felt went beyond just my skin and bones. As I continued my assaulting rhythm to draw out the feeling, I held my gaze on Callan. By the look on his face, he was cresting with the same high I was, his eyes had darkened and he wore a snarl over his lips as though holding himself back. I was vaguely aware he had put his hand back over my mouth to keep my moans at bay.

I could feel him pulsing inside of me, holding me close. When I felt his contractions finally calm, I sunk slowly back down onto him, keeping him safe inside of me.

We breathed each other in and just stared at one another. It had been raw and needy and perfect.

“Are you all right?” I whispered.

He blinked several times, like I’d brought him back from some distant place in his mind.

“Very much so.”

“No regrets?”

“No, Reyah. I’ll never waste another moment of my life regretting being with you.”

My throat caught and I kissed him again.

“I’m right here, Princess. I’m not going anywhere.”

My body felt loose and sated and fulfilled.

“When do we leave?” I asked him.

He sighed as though defeated, and rested his forehead against my chest. “Tonight.”

Chapter17

Callan

Ihadn’t lied. I didn’t regret being with her. Reyah was too good, too right to regret. Everything we felt would come crashing down soon enough, and I wanted to hang on to this brief moment in time.

I came in from inspecting the horses Idona had provided, and packed whatever we might need onto them. Some of the women were with Reyah, offering her different boots or coats to keep her warm. I stifled a chuckle as she thanked them politely. I had insisted that we leave at supper time, that way we could travel under the cover of darkness to the inn Idona informed me was nearby. I wasn’t entirely convinced that we would be safe there. Whatever was left of Lazio and his men would be out searching, not to mention half the palace military had been dispatched to look for Yates and Reyah. And if anyone were to recognize us, I’d hoped it would be the latter.

If the weather held out, we should be able to make it to Arronbach in three days, two if the horses were steady.

“Ready?” I asked approaching the gaggle of women fluttering around Reyah. A few of them retreated immediately when they noticed me.

“Sweating already,” she said through a gritted smile.

Gods, she was cute.

“We’ll go up to say our farewells to Yates then.” She nodded and followed me up the stairs.

“Packed?” Yates asked when we were allowed in.

“We have everything we should need. When will you be traveling back to the palace?”

“In a few days. It’s been recommended that I stop pissing blood before I make the trek.”

“Fuck, Yates…”

She laughed outright at my concern.

“I’ll live,” she said shutting me up. “I’m hoping to heal with a nice scar or two. The women can’t help themselves over a nice scar,” she joked.

I caught Idona’s brief look of annoyance. Whatever may or may not be going on between the women, she was clearly still made jealous by the comment.

“Reyah,” she said looking behind me. “My little brother can be a pompous asshole sometimes, so please, for the love of the Gods, keep him in his place.”

---