Page 56 of Bonded By Moons

The palace calls to me. Every time I’m there, it feels more and more like home. I thought it was just being near my mate, but even after we agreed to complete our bond, the palace still provides me with a sense of comfort, warmth, and joy. It would have been my home if things were different.

I wonder if my parents have a resting place. Common fae are normally burned and their ashes released back into the universe, but the primes and ancients were given more formal resting places where others could visit and pay their respects.

We decided we should return to the palace and search the libraries and grounds for any and everything regarding the Moonlace bloodline. King Bryton had almost everything replaced after my parents' destructive deaths, so we may find nothing. But I have to try.

I have a few ideas on how to get the palace to open its hidden rooms for me. If I’m correct, there could be several passages and rooms that have been locked away from the current pathetic ruler.

Together, we quickly gather our things. Amara and I rushed to change into our riding leathers. We can’t take the carriage with all four of us now so we’ll need to ride horses back to the capital.

I say a prayer to Naistrelle, goddess of love and sacrifice before stepping out of my cozy apartment and locking the door behind me.

TWENTY-SIX

Ember

“We’ll be sure to scout the town libraries, as well as our personal collection at the base. I’ll call you if we find anything on forbidden magics and ancient relics. Does Prince Willow recall the king searching for any objects of great power?” Paisley says as my communication orb glows in the center of Will, Artie, Amara, and me. We’re getting ready to mount our horses and begin the journey back to the Capital City.

I peer over at my prince who is guiding the horses out of their stalls and he shakes his head no.

“Unfortunately, he says no. But thank you, Pais. I appreciate it. We will update you if we find any valuable information about the king’s magic or what the prophecy truly means.” I reassure her and close out the communication orb.

Willow and Artie are checking the straps of each horse while Amara and I catch up more.

“So, I see you and the Prince have grown rather close?” Amara hums and elbows me in the side with a knowing look.

“I guess you can say that.” I roll my eyes and try to hide my blushing. “He’s kinda grown on me if I’m being honest.” My attention draws back to Willow as he prepares the horses for their journey. His delicious back muscles flex as he’s adjusting the buckles on our satchels and my mind immediately ventures somewhere less modest. I think of the blow job I gave him earlier and the sheer size of his cock as it slid in and out of my mouth, the taste of him, and the sounds he made for me. It was euphoric.

Do we need to go somewhere private, little dragon?Willow interrupts my sultry thoughts.

I snort out loud and Amara looks at me like I’m crazy. My eyes darted back to her attention and a blush did form along my cheeks this time. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to zone out like that. These moons make me crazy sometimes.”

“Are you guys bond whispering already?” she says breathlessly.

I awkwardly adjust my leathers and try not to make eye contact with Amara. “Yeah, I’m not sure what it means though.”

She bursts with excitement and yells, “It means this is a moon-blessed bond! I don’t know what lies ahead of us but this bond will be the key to whatever it is. I just know it. The moons don’t make mistakes, ember.”

I hiss through my teeth because I still haven’t gotten comfortable with the idea of me being permanently mated to someone. Even if I have grown rather fond of my prince. “Okay, okay. Keep your voice down Amara. We don’t want anyone mobbing us down in the streets. People don’t know much about the prince and he has an entirely new reputation to build outside of his father’s tyranny. For all we know, the fae could hate him.”

“Oh, babe. Everyone knows how the prince stood up to the king at the winter ball. He’s a hero to many for trying to save that precious orphanage.”

“Whoa. So, word travels fast then?”

“I guess so.”

Artie clears his throat and motions for us to join them by the horses. “Let’s go ladies.”

Amara looks over at him and back at me. “Gosh, he’s obnoxious. Did you see how he just trudged muddy boots through the loft? Just ridiculous.”

I giggle under my breath and shake my head at her. Reaching over to wrap my hand around hers, we walk together to meet the boys by the stalls.

I’ll be riding a beautiful appaloosa mare with white, brown, and black spots. She’s beautiful. I slowly approach her and can feel her sizing me up, determining whether I'm trustworthy. Or, just flat-out worthy of riding her in general.

Willow stands to my left while he holds the reins and keeps her grounded for our introduction. “Her name is Kyla.” He softly says with one of my favorite crooked smiles.

I nod and reach my hand to let her huff my skin and smell my scent. She holds my eye contact for a few short seconds before nudging my hand with her head for affection and petting. I giggle and instantly feel relief as her emotions of trust, respect, and excitement roll over my skin. “I have a feeling you’re one fierce girl like me, aren’t you?”

She huffs a breath again and stomps her hoof in agreement, causing me to giggle again. “She’s perfect,” I say to Will. He’s looking at me with so much adoration and I wonder if he loves animals as much as I do.

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