Page 44 of Fire & Ice

At last, my father swept into the room, his regal form dressed in black armor that glinted menacingly beneath the flickering torchlight. My mother entered close behind him, her gaze sweeping over us all before settling on me. Her expression filled with concern as she read my thoughts without speaking a single word.

My guard Marcus stepped forward then and bowed deeply before addressing both the King and Queen directly. "Your Majesties," he began formally. "I have done some digging into all of our newcomers here in the Southern Kingdom over the last two hundred years." He paused then, his gaze flicking to me before continuing. "My suspicions about Charlie Snowden have turned out to be correct. He is from the Northern kingdom, a spy sent by King Danforth himself."

The news hit like a ton of bricks, leaving silence hanging heavy around us like an oppressive fog. Even my mother, the queen, normally so unmoved, seemed shaken by this revelation, her grip tightening around the arm of her chair as she spoke firmly yet calmly, "We must act quickly if we are to protect our people, and son, we must get Tempest back. She is your mated, I can’t imagine what you must be going through."

My father nodded solemnly in agreement before turning towards me with an intense look on his face.

"Son, we will send our best warriors to retrieve Tempest from Charlie's grasp," he said, placing a hand on my shoulder. "But you must also be prepared for the possibility that things may not go as planned."

I felt a chill run down my spine at the mere thought of Tempest being permanently lost to me, but I knew my father was right. We had to be prepared for the worst. "I understand," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil raging within me.

My parents exchanged a look before turning to leave, their guards trailing behind them like obedient shadows. Marcus and Gabriel remained with me, their expressions grim as they watched me closely. I knew they were both concerned for me, but I couldn't bring myself to care. All that mattered was getting Tempest back, no matter the cost.

"We need to move fast," I announced, breaking the heavy silence that hung within the throne room. "I want a team assembled and ready to go once she is located."

Gabriel stepped forward, his eyes meeting mine with a fierce determination. "I'm going with you," he said firmly, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for his unwavering support.

"We'll get her back, Beau. I promise you that."

I close my eyes and sink into the velvet darkness. My body relaxes into the feather mattress as exhaustion claims me.

An ethereal mist swirls, shrouding everything in mystery. The air itself seems seductive, a haunting melody that stirs my blood.

Where am I? The landscape is strange yet familiar. Shadows dance at the edge of my vision, flickering forms with glowing eyes. An unseen moon casts silver light over twisted trees and towering obsidian cliffs.

The dream pulls me deeper, whispers of forbidden desire echoing through my mind. I feel the stirrings of passion and a bone deep craving for my mated.

When will she appear? I can feel her presence, a ghostly figure haunting the edges of my vision. She is here. She is with me. The seductive melody of her soul calls to my own.

I am lost, willingly ensnared body and mind. In this place between waking and sleep, I have found my heart's desire.

I round a sharp bend in the winding path and there she stands, a vision bathed in starlight.

Tempest.

Her back is to me, black hair streaked with living fire cascading over brown shoulders left bare by her black gown. She gazes up at the unfamiliar constellations as if seeking answers there.

My breath catches in my throat at the sight of her. A fierce longing surges through my veins, impossible to deny. I want her with a madness beyond reason. She is beauty and mystery, darkness and light. Sshe belongs to me.

I step forward soundlessly, the stones muffling my footfalls. She does not turn though I stand but inches away, close enough to feel the warmth radiating from her body.

"Who are you?" Her voice is soft as the rustle of leaves. Still, she does not face me.

"Beau. I’m yours. Your mated," I answer, reaching to brush her hair aside. The silken strands slip through my fingers like water.

A tremor runs through her, and Tempest looks over one shoulder, eyes meeting mine. They shine like twin blood moons in the pale light, filled with secrets I ache to uncover.

"I think that I have dreamed of you before," she whispers. Her gaze drops to my mouth and lingers there, an unspoken invitation.

"As I have dreamed of you," I tell her, my hands finding her waist to pull her against me. She comes willingly into my embrace with a sigh, tilting her head to expose the delicate arch of her throat.

An invitation and a promise. She bares her soul, her body, her blood to me. She is my dream, my desire, my everything, and I will claim what is mine here in the dream world until I can claim her again physically.

I crush my mouth to hers, kissing her with a hunger that leaves us both breathless. Her lips part beneath mine, tongue dancing with my own in a rhythm as old as time.

My hands roam her body, tracing the curves that have tormented my waking hours. She arches into my touch, a soft moan escaping her throat to be captured by my kiss.

The remnants of her dress fall away as I lift her, carrying her to the bed of silken sheets and velvet darkness. She goes willingly, clinging to me as I lower her onto the mattress and cover her body with my own.

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