He’s coming back to me… isn’t he?
“Tarron, you may leave me now. I’m honestly fine up here. Take some well deserved rest and stop fretting.”
“I appreciate your consideration, my lady. It’s just that… His Highness gave us orders. We have to guard you and ensure your welfare at all costs. He’d be livid if anything happen—”
“Do you really think a gigantic magical tree that destroyed two undead beings in an instant would let anything bad happen to me? Nothing can hurt me now. And if Corvan takes you to task, tell him that I told you to stand down. Sometimes, my orders override his, you know.”
Tarron stares at me in disbelief. “If you insist, my lady, then there’s really nothing else we can do.”
“There’s really nothing else you need to do, Tarron. Just leave me be.”
“Very well.”
And with that, the men of the Imperial Elite Guard bow deeply and quietly depart from the inner garden.
After the chaos; the terror, I have a sudden need to be alone.
The only person I want around me right now is him.
Suspended high above the Imperial Palace, looking out across the mysterious glittering lights of the capital, I feel safe. The tree makes me feel this way.
But I’m not yet fulfilled.
Anticipation and hope swirl in my chest.
Cocooned by night, the tantalizing blush of dawn beckons.
Come home to me, Corvan.
64
FINLEY
The promise of dawn blossoms into golden sunrise, bathing my face in warm light.
Birds chirp and twitter, finding shelter in the branches of my tree.
A small rainshower passes through, a fine mist of raindrops creating an ephemeral rainbow as they fall through a column of sunlight.
The rain hits my face.
I don’t mind.
The coolness is refreshing, although I hope this rain doesn’t get heavier, because I wouldn’t want to be drenched. I wish the damn tree would make me a little umbrella out of leaves or something.
Just as I think of it, the branches move and green leaves sprout, forming a thick canopy over me that blocks out the rain.
Huh.
Is that how this works? I just think of something, and the tree does my bidding?
Let me go, I command.
The branches let go.
I fall.
No, not like that!
I panic. The tree catches me, branches and vines swirling around my body; around my arms and legs.
My power overflows; wild and erratic. My heart pounds like a drum. That was close. I almost fell from a dizzying height.
I would have broken a dozen bones, for certain.
The rainshower abates. The morning sun bursts forth, warm and blinding. So much so that I have to close my eyes to avoid being blinded.
A gust of wind swirls around me, drying my wet face.
And when I open my eyes again, the subject of my dreams is there, casually sitting on a horizontally curving branch, head cocked, pale lips curved in a lopsided smile.
His ruby-hued gaze is as tender as I’ve ever seen it. “I didn’t expect to find you caught up in such a predicament, but then again, stranger things have happened.”
In the dappled sunlight, he’s achingly gorgeous.
My heart nearly bursts out of my chest.
“What took you so long?” I grumble, feigning annoyance.
“There were a few things I had to sort out,” he says lightly. “But it’s all done now.”
Come to think of it, he looks a little haggard. His armor is cut and torn in places, and there are shadows around his eyes.
“Did you get caught in a storm?”
“Something like that.”
He’s been drenched by the rain. His snowy hair is slicked back. Droplets of water glisten on his ragged armor.
The wind ruffles the leaves, sending a flurry of light and shadow across his aristocratic features.
His skin starts to blister and peel.
Oh, he must be exhausted.
But if he’s bothered by it, he doesn’t let it show.
He just looks happy to see me.
“You’re in quite a bind, aren’t you?” His smile becomes indulgent. “Shall I help you out?”
“If you must. You actually look like you need it.”
“Always.” He becomes a blur, disappearing into thin air. “I always need you.”
Suddenly, he’s beside me, casually standing on a sturdy horizontal branch.
Still looking at me like that.
My heart melts all over again. I’m a complete and utter mess.
“What are you doing, standing in the sun like that? Come here.” I can’t move my arms right now. I should probably try that thing again—moving the tree with my thoughts—but I haven’t gotten the hang of it yet.
I don’t dare risk it.
And besides, Corvan’s here now.
He traipses down the branch until he’s pressed against me, one arm curving around my waist. He leans in, his lips so close to my ear. I can feel his warm breath against my cheek. “I’m so happy to see you,” he murmurs. “I’ve been to hell and back, and nothing soothes my fractious soul more than finding you here. Now look what you’ve done. I told you you were powerful, Finley. You got that from your mother.”
“My mother?” My heart pummels. “Did you…?”
“I certainly did. And she’s everything we hoped she would be. And more.” He grins, mischievously flashing his fangs. “I’m going to have to be on my best behavior now, because my future mother-in-law is a force of nature to be reckoned with.”
“You spoke with her?”
“Indeed. I found her in Deignar Castle. She’s free now. Nobody will ever be able to exploit her again.” He leans in and kisses me; sweetly, slowly. “She’s suffered immensely, but she doesn’t hold it against us. Aralya might be fearsome, but she’s also wise—as a dryad should be. She’s going to take care of a few things, and then she’ll need some time to regain her strength. She’s going to come visit us in the spring.”
“Oh.” My relief is tempered with disappointment. Part of me was hoping I’d get to meet her sooner.
“I’d imagine she wants to be at her best before she reunites with her one and only daughter. Patience, my love. There’s no urgency to it. She knows you’re with me, after all. When she pays us a visit, I’m sure your reunion is going to be everything you wished for. ”
He tightens his embrace, pulling me into his arms. He’s warm and strong and wonderfully familiar.
His body presses against mine. The tree yields slightly, offering me into his embrace—but not giving me up completely.
Corvan takes a deep breath. He’s trembling.
I can sense the palpable ache of his thirst.
And yet, he’s being so restrained.
The emptiness in me melts away, replaced with a warm, fuzzy feeling.
Of course, there’s the heat of arousal, too.
I want him more than anything. I want him to satisfy me. And I also feel the urge to satiate him.
“Corvan…” I tilt my head, baring my neck. “I think my power is out of control again. I need you to do something about that.”