Page 35 of A Clash of Embers

Riley smiled and chuckled, “Yes. I ammuchbetter. Thanks to you.”

I sighed, “Anytime.”

We stopped late in the evening just within the boundary of Ingria. There was an abandoned shack in the clearing of treesthat we claimed as our campsite. The militia for Leo ranged from forty to fifty men and Luke sent some of his troops as well. In total there were nearly one hundred of us camping in that clearing. Tents covered every inch and because we were royals, we got to stay in the very charming shack. Callan was the loudest soldier out there and it made me smile knowing that they all had two leaders that were focused on protecting them.

As I was walking into the shack, I noticed that there were spider webs and broken pieces of the wall hanging down. It looked like a house of horrors but I knew it had a bed. I had a spare blanket in my bag so I threw it down over the decrepit mattress, exhausted. The whole way there, we discussed a plan we would use if we came into contact with Vampryes and Werewolves, and I giggled thinking that I thought they were only made-up stories only to come to terms with the fact they were indeed very real.

Callan explained to me how to kill a werewolf—by piercing its brain or breaking its neck. The Vamprye was similar but with onlyoneway to kill them—a Lilith Silver blade to the heart. One was gifted to me from Callan before we left Lacassine, and now it is safely stored in a scabbard on my belt.

He told me that I needed to keep the sword safe. With its golden blade disguising the Lilith Silver underneath, it was a weapon of nightmares. He called it theObscurian Onyx Sword. Callan also snuck in some undergarments because he said I needed to learn how to wear them because he didn't want to deal with Leo's arousal any more than necessary.

As I lay in the bed, I thought of what Evander might look like as the monster he declared to be. Would he remember everything about me? Would he try to kill me and would I try to kill him?

The rattle of the door turned my thoughts to the present with Leo. He was shuffling in the kitchen so I got up to see what hewas doing. My eyes spotted him and I walked towards the small window on the opposite side of where Leo was standing to look out at the Fae soldiers.

We were going to find Evander or Eros. Whatever his name was. We would find him and I would be responsible for bringing him in.

I felt Leo’s hands on my shoulders and his chest on my back as I took a deep breath. “You need to ease your mind, Clara. Stop thinking so much. You and I will be fine. If anything gets too tough out there, I’ll get you out. I will bring you somewhere safe.”

I sighed leaning back into his chest. Deep down I knew it’d be okay but I wasn’t nearly prepared for what would happen next. I felt his heartbeat quicken and I thought I’d try something again. Cracking into his mind to see what he was thinking. I was almost to the point of breaking through when he turned my body around to face him. Our chests pressed together and our faces were only a few inches apart. I felt his warm breath on my neck as he pressed his lips into it. Flashing my memories back to Evander and how he would do the same thing to me under the curse.

“I told you, all you have to do is ask me, Clara. I’ll tell you what I’m thinking.” I felt the chill run down my spine as he pressed another kiss into my shoulder and I tilted my head to let him as he continued to speak.

“I want you. More than anything. I’ll do whatever you want,wheneveryou want.” His hands wrapped around my waist pulling me into him as close as he could. I reached my hands up latching my hands in his curly hair at the back of his neck and gently tugged it to get him to look at me.

“I want you too, Leo.” Before his name left my lips, he was on me. Pressing his tender lips into mine, sweeping his tongueacross my mouth. I felt his hands dip down to my hips and he lifted me up.

Leo carried me to the bed, softly laying me down on the mattress with his hands pushing into my shirt, lifting it higher, exposing my stomach and bralette. He gently lifted my shirt over my head and tugged my pants off leaving only my lace underwear that was gifted to me by Callan.

He took off his shirt exposing his large muscular chest with scars that ingrained his skin, becoming a part of him. I sat up slowly tracing each one as he pulled down his hands exposing everything to me. My eyes widened and I fluttered my eyes towards him. He smiled and leaned over me on the bed.

“I want every part of you, Clara.” He pressed soft kisses all over my skin causing my nipples to pebble. He took notice and took one in his mouth causing me to arch into him. I was completely enthralled with this man and I felt my body shudder with every touch. As he was kissing every part of me, I heard the soft patter of rain on the roof. My moans blended with the sound, distracting anyone who might think we were up to something.

Finally, his lips took mine as he shoved my lace panties down my legs and pressed his fingers into me. I immediately lifted my legs around him, pressing my thighs against his hard length. His mouth covered my moans as his fingers curved hitting the most sensitive part of me. I felt the heat rising within me as he continued his movement in and out of me.

I started to shake when I hit the peak of bliss. My entire body tingled with chills as I rode out the wave within me. Leo pulled back and smiled at me.

“You want to keep going?” he asked me in a low grumble.

I nodded. I wanted nothing more than for him to be inside of me and if he wasn’t in the next minute I would freak out. He lined up at my entrance as he slowly pushed inside of me.

My head tilted back as his right hand held my neck straight to ensure I was looking at him. While his left hand lifted my hips up at an angle that hit the perfect spot. I wanted to open up to him completely and feel every ounce of goodness that he had for me.

He started to pick up his thrusts in and out of me as he tilted my head to meet his lips. He slowly kissed me as I was reaching a second orgasm when a sharp pain shot down my neck. I closed my eyes to block out the pain in my neck, but Leo stopped his movement and gripped my face.

“Are you okay? Did I hurt you?” he asked me so sweetly, but I couldn’t tell him the whole truth.

“No. No. You didn’t hurt me. I’m okay.” He kissed me gently and started his motion again, but internally I was fuming. How dare Evander try to ruin this moment for me.

Fuck. You. Leave me alone.

Leo was hitting the spot once again, and this time, nothing would stop me. I would let Leo overtake me because I wanted that. I was on the brink of an internal explosion and I could sense Leo was too. Leo started to pull back from my face as I gripped the back of his neck pulling him back into me. Kissing him hard.

I didn’t want to be separated from him. I was shaking and moaning out his name with his mouth covering my passionate sounds.

I felt the sharp pain in my neck once again, but this time I ignored it and allowed Leo and I to reach euphoria together. He slowly pulled out of me and fell next to me.

“Happy Battle Day to me.” I turned to my side facing him, leaning over to place a kiss on his mouth and lay my head on his shoulder.

---