If she even wants to be found.
Dayton taps out of the musical festivities and wanders over to us. “How are the three most beautiful people in the Enchanted Vale?”
“Can you not flirt with my mother?” Farron glares up at him. But Niamh pushes Farron to the side and gestures for Dayton to sit beside her, kissing his cheek with motherly affection.
“Are you enjoying the party, my dear?”
“Of course.” He grins. “Taught Paddy some new songs.”
“Oh yes, I heard. He’ll be singing them all night.” Niamh smiles. “I received a letter from Eleanor the other day,”
I’ve heard that Farron’s youngest sibling, Eleanor—Nori—is currently a ward in the Summer Realm. Something shifts in Dayton’s expression. “Did she mention Delphia?”
Delphia, Dayton’s little sister, and current steward of the Summer Realm.
“By mention, you mean complain about every single aspect of her,” Niamh says. “You know them, getting on like oil and water.”
Dayton gives a charming laugh. “Sounds about right.”
“Delphia’s well. The very spirit of the sun inside that one. Though,” Princess Niamh’s voice drops to a low tone, “the Summer Realm is a great expanse. There will be a time soon when she’ll need you, Daytonales. She will need the Blessing of Summer and her older brother.”
Dayton heaves in a breath. “Yes, alright.” He stands, pulling Farron with him. “But tonight, we dance.”
Farron shrugs before he’s towed away into the throng with Dayton. I can’t resist grinning as I watch them, the way Farron’s whole body melts into Day’s chest as they hold each other.
I chance a glance over at Niamh, who watches them with a matching expression of fondness.
“Your family,” I say softly, more to myself, “is so close. I can tell how much you love each other.”
“Of course,” she says. “Love stokes a mighty fire within us, one able to summon armies, create magic, and break spells. It is the greatest strength we possess.”
“And you’re wise as well,” I say, “with words like that.”
“Well, I can’t take all the credit for it.” She taps the side of her nose. “Long ago, when I was only a small child, I met Queen Aurelia herself. I asked her how to help my people and that is what she replied.”
“Wow, like the Queen? The one who built Castletree? What was she like?”
“Mighty,” Niamh says, then her eyes narrow as she looks at me. “And beautiful. And… kind.”
“Well, for the record, I think you’re an amazing ruler. I’m sure the Queen would be proud.”
Niamh smiles, gaze returning to Farron. He and Dayton have been pulled into a jig with Dom and Billy now.
“Can I ask you something?” I whisper.
“Of course.”
I inhale deeply, hoping she doesn’t get offended. “You’re such an amazing ruler and the people love you. How come you passed the Blessing onto Farron instead of continuing to reign?”
Niamh doesn’t hesitate as she says, “Because when I looked at him, I knew he could be a better ruler than I. Though, there are times I wonder if the burden of Autumn’s Blessing is too great for his gentle heart.”
Our eyes meet. “No, you weren’t wrong. I know he’ll make the Autumn Realm proud. I know he’ll make you proud.” Emotion wells within me at the trueness of my words. “Farron’s gentle heart makes him mighty.”
42
Rosalina
I should be exhausted after the party tonight, yet sleep eludes me. I’ve been tossing and turning for an hour at least.
Maybe it’s because this is the first night in the last month I’ve actually spent alone. Every other night, I’ve been curled up in a nest of pillows and blankets outside of Farron’s door surrounded by my wolves. It’s lonely without their comforting scent, the warm fur, or in Keldarion’s case, skin…
I’d been startled the first time I’d woken up embraced by the man. But fast asleep is the only time Keldarion gives in to our mate bond, holding me with utmost ferocity.
And some nights, when I’m sure he’s deeply in dreams, I roll over and study the lines of his face, or touch the hard panes of his chest, and nuzzle into his embrace.
But since there are no wolves tonight, we’re in our own rooms, and it’s not just loneliness that’s keeping me from sleep.
A pressing ache throbs within my lower body. Heat radiates from my core, and I rub my legs together in an effort to relieve the tension.
The thing about being surrounded by four incredibly sexy men but also dealing with ice zombies and a beastly curse is that there’s not a ton of time to enjoy them.
I take in a slow breath and trace my hands up my body. I’m wearing a cream nightdress that hugs tight to my soft curves, falling just above my knees. It’s got a cute little bow right at the bust, and lacey cap sleeves that show off the arms I’ve kept hidden away for years.
It’s a shame there’s no one to appreciate how pretty it is.
My palms clasp the soft fabric. My heart picks up pace, and a throbbing urgency circles deeper inside of me. This is strange. There’s something pressing about this lust, like it’s growing hotter and hotter without me even doing anything.
I close my eyes, turning my sight inward at this building desire. I can feel it… Rough hands, uneven breath. Not mine.
His.
Keldarion.
This lust is his.
Whatever he’s doing is affecting me. Traveling through that invisible mate bond that tethers us together.
I should try to ignore it. Instead, my bare feet pad across the floor, and I slowly creep out into our joint living space. Keldarion’s bedroom is on the farthest side. I peer through the dark. Everyone’s doors are closed, but there’s a thin line of light from underneath his.
Lust shoots up my body, and I stifle a moan by biting into my hand. I ache for something I’m not sure of yet. But as soon as I see him, I’ll figure it out.
I walk over and quietly turn the knob. “Kel—”
All the air leaves me. Keldarion’s lying on his massive bed on top of the blankets, his shape illuminated by the dim candle on the bedside table.
His huge body is laid bare, every inch of him covered in corded muscle. He looks like a work of art, reclining there with eyes closed, long white hair like a halo around his face.
One hand is under the back of his head, revealing every bulging muscle in his bicep. And the other… It’s wrapped tight around the enormous expanse of his cock. It curves upward, impossibly thick and achingly hard. A rush of pleasure flits through me. His pleasure.
The bed creaks with the movement of his hand rhythmically pumping up and down, a satisfied slap each time he reaches the base. I stumble forward as if drawn to him by an invisible string.
His eyes spring open, and his hand stills. He stares at me, a silent moment passing between us.
“You knew I’d feel you,” I whisper.
He draws his hand up his cock, so slowly. “I wondered.”
Breath comes ragged out of my throat as I quickly click the door shut and stumble to the edge of the bed. He does nothing to welcome me closer, nor does he chase me away. He just stares, face stern, and continues to coax his cock in a gentle rhythm.
“I can help you,” I whisper. I can’t decide where to look: at those beautiful eyes that seem to see through to my very bones, to his chest rising and falling with each precious breath, or to the monstrous girth in his hand.
The expression on Kel’s face… It’s not anger. It’s predatory. Like the rabbit has just wandered into the wolf’s den.
“Listen very carefully, Rosalina,” he growls. I notice his eyes have left my face and dip down to my low-cut bodice, to the thin fabric that shows the points of my breasts, the curves of my hips. “Do you remember when you first came to Castletree?”
“Of course.” I crawl closer, my hands on the edge of the bed now, right between his feet. His toes curl and stretch. He makes a feral sound, warning me not to get closer.