24
Farron
There’s a chill in Rosalina’s room, but then again, there’s a chill in every room of Hammergarden. That’s what building your castle into the literal side of a mountain will do. At night, it’s not so unlike the weather of Autumn.
I drop my satchel on the stone desk and unbutton my vest. It was late when I arrived, having come through Castletree’s mirror. Thankfully, Ezryn had alerted the guards to watch for me, and they escorted me to my mate’s room. As much as I’m eager to check in with Dayton and Ezryn, I know they’ll have secured themselves in their chambers so no one will see them as their wolves.
Kel hasn’t returned. Through the shared mate bond with Rosalina, I can sense he’s still very far away. He must have received the same letter I did. Is he on his way here?
Rosalina makes a soft sound in her sleep. I stride over to the bed, dropping my vest and pulling my tunic over my head.
Despite the cold, my mate has kicked off half the blankets, and her perfect form is on display. She’s wearing a short lacy nightdress, the sharp points of her nipples poking the fabric. Quickly, I drop my trousers and begin to palm my cock. Stars, I could come just looking at her.
But that’s not nearly as fun as what I have in mind. I know she loves these little wake-ups as much as I do. It was something we established when we first arrived back at Castletree, when we were absolutely feral with need. Our schedules didn’t always line up, especially with me being in Autumn so often. But we agreed our bodies belong to the other, no matter when, no matter where. Of course, that came with the trust and love that we can rescind the agreement at any time.
Climbing on to the bed, I spread her legs apart, running a hand along her soft thighs. How sweet it will be for her to wake up, filled by my cock. Will it be as I’m riding her? Or as my pleasure erupts and I’m spilling deep?
I raise the edges of her nightdress so I can gaze at her supple curves, breasts full and prickling with goose flesh.
I lightly palm her breast, and she barely stirs. Must be deep asleep. Damn, I can’t remember anything hotter than the time I awoke in the library to her mouth around my cock. I sputtered awake to see her licking my cum from her lips.
So fucking hot. How did I get so lucky to have a mate like her? Even after all these weeks, I don’t take being a man at night for granted. Especially if it means being able to have her every night.
I pull off her panties and run a finger along her center, feeling her slickness. “So ready for me, Sweetheart.”
I can’t wait another moment. I plunge my cock deep inside her and let out a wild groan as I sink deep into her warmth. She feels so good. Her body twitches slightly, an instinctual movement, but her breath remains heavy.
Bracing my hands on her hips, I try to keep my movements soft and even, but it’s hard not to lose control. My entire body pulses with pleasure at being so near my mate. She moans, eyes moving rapidly beneath her lids.
I bend to kiss her neck and whisper, “You don’t need to wake up, Sweetheart, but I couldn’t wait. I need your body. I need you.”
She takes a deep breath, and a soft, sleepy smile forms on her lips. “Farron.”
I lick along her jawline until I reach her plush lips, all the while continuing my rhythmic movements on her pussy. Her inner walls clench tightly around me.
“I missed you,” she says, running a hand through my hair.
“You have no idea how much I crave you,” I groan, my movements growing faster now that she’s waking up. The sound of our bodies slapping together fills the silence of the night.
She moans deeply, her legs coming up to wrap around my waist, drawing me deeper. “Not the way I’ve been thinking about you, Fare.”
“Hmm?”
“Thinking of the way you feel inside me, the way you touch me.”
I cup her face, increasing my pace, getting more and more turned on as she writhes beneath me. Suddenly, a scent hints at me, one of earth and metal. I clutch her jaw and make her look up at me. “Tell me, Rosalina, have you been a good girl for the Prince of Spring?”
Her whole body trembles and something devious flashes in her eyes. “Maybe.”
“Don’t stop now,” I growl, slowing my pace, holding her at the edge of release.
Her eyes squeeze shut, and she bites her lip. “A shower, his cock in my mouth and—”
I bury myself all the way.
“Then he spilled down my throat.”
“Stars,” I moan, and almost explode inside her at the thought. On her knees before Ezryn … I only wish I had been here, figuring how hard I came when he watched us in the library. I can only imagine what it would be like to have our girl at his mercy.
“Farron, I—” Her nails rake down my back.
“Almost there, sweetie.” I suck on the sensitive skin beneath her ear. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“You better not be.” She presses her palms flat on my chest and uses that new fae strength of hers to flip us. Her brown eyes lock with mine as she strips off her nightdress and begins to ride me hard, breasts bouncing.
“Stars, you feel so good,” I moan, rising to sink my teeth into her neck. Her muscles contract, sending me into a frenzy. I thrust up, pressing into her slick heat, and drive us both closer and closer to the edge. Rosalina slams her hips down, circles them, and I’m completely at her mercy.
“I can’t take it anymore,” she cries, her voice a tempest. “I want to feel you come inside me.”
“Not yet, Rosie.” I pin her on her back, knees over my shoulders. “Scream my name first.”
Her gaze darkens, and her inner muscles clench around my cock. “Farron!” she cries. Her pants turn into screams, and her fingernails rip at the sheets.
Her shudder of pleasure is all I need. I throw my head back, sweaty hair sticking to my brow, and groan out my hot release.
The breath is heavy in our throats. I collapse on top of her, and we slowly untangle from each other. Still needing to touch her, I stroke the point of her ear. “I was worried about you with the goblin attack on Castletree. But Day kept you safe, didn’t he?”
A wash of sadness flows through our bond at his name, but then her face turns determined.
“I saved him.”
How could I ever doubt her? “Of course, you did.”
“I used my thorns. When I saw Day in danger ….” She trails off, blinking. “Something in me fractured, and I created gold thorns that sprouted roses. Like on the Autumn battlefield.”
My heart constricts, both with fear for her safety and relief that she was able to protect Dayton, to protect herself. “It’s a most unusual magic. Even Ezryn can’t create plants, just control them. No other fae has been able to summon plant matter from nothing—”
“Caspian can.”
Fire bursts in my heart. I can’t stand his presence at the best of times, but to hear his name on her lips right after we made love—