A growl rises in my throat, but I find the eyes of their leader atop the towering moose. He leaps down and removes his silver helmet, revealing a tangle of wet long, blond hair and a thick beard.
“Eirik Vargsaxa,” I say. “Do you not recall the High Prince who named you captain of this cavalry?”
Eirik’s blue eyes flash. “Your Majesty.” He waves his hand, and his soldiers lower their weapons. Then he drops to one knee. “I was not certain it was you. It has been so long since I have beheld the High Prince of Winter.”
I hold out a hand to help him stand. “I see the Kryodian Riders have lost none of their abilities.”
Eirik sighs deeply. “We have become quite skilled at killing the corpses. Unfortunately, it has turned into a necessity.”
“Explain yourself, soldier. Why are you on Autumn’s land?”
Eirik looks around at his soldiers, and a pained expression crosses his features. “You… do not know, Your Highness?”
Cold apprehension laces through me. “Know what?”
“We are banished, High Prince,” Eirik breathes, “by Vizier Quellos himself.”
Ezryn stirs beside me, body tensing. He’s always hated my vizier, but Quellos would never make such a decision without me. There has to be some sort of confusion.
“That can’t be possible,” I say. “The Kryodian has always loyally served the throne. Quellos would not send you away unbidden.”
“It happened only a fortnight ago. Several of us heard word from friends and family in Autumn of this deadly frost. I wanted to take the Riders to investigate, but Quellos said he’d sent his own soldiers out. But every time they returned, they said there was no danger.” Fury etches across Eirik’s features. “We went over the border without permission and found dozens of these monsters. When I returned to the capital to confront the vizier, he banished our entire unit for warmongering.”
A polar bear stomps its huge paws and huffs. I take in a shaky breath, my mind roaring with anger and confusion. “Quellos cannot make such decisions. Please, I urge you to come back to Coppershire. I have aligned with the High Prince of Autumn to find an end to this devastation.”
“With all due respect, Your Highness,” Eirik says as he leaps back upon the moose, “we have been banished from Winter. Now, we no longer serve a High Prince. We are on our own quest to purge the lands of these monstrosities.” He puts on his helmet and shakes his head solemnly. “Quellos betrayed our loyalty. And the Protector of the Realms has not shown himself to be faithful to the people of Winter. So we will remain on our own.” He turns his steed and gives me one final look. “I wish you well, Keldarion.” Then he raises his hand in the air. “Riders, with me!”
In a roaring crescendo, the cavalry thunders away, disappearing over the hill.
I stand still, unable to move. Thoughts hover at the back of my mind, but it’s like a frosted glaze separates them from my awareness. “My own people would rather be renegades than serve me.”
Ezryn grabs my shoulders. “Kel, listen to me. Quellos is keeping something from you. His stewardship of Winter must be called into question.”
“You’re right. I have given him too much power. I will go to him at once.”
“Tomorrow,” Ezryn says and looks to the sky. The sun is hidden by the dark clouds, casting shadows over the rolling hills. “Tonight, we have a bargain to uphold.”
The full moon. Caspian’s Revelry Day party. As much as this business with Quellos troubles me, I will take no chances with Farron’s bargain. I will not give the Prince of Thorns a reason to break his deal with the Autumn Prince.
Ezryn sheathes his sword and starts walking south in the direction of Coppershire. I trail him in silence, when suddenly he tilts his helm toward me. “Kel?”
“Hmm?”
“For what it’s worth,” he mumbles, “I may not be your people. But I will follow you.”
“Even to the Below?”
“Even to the Below.”
50
Rosalina
Farron’s kiss crests over me like an inferno. I sigh into him, wrapping my arms around his shoulder, feeling the hard press of his chest. I don’t want to break away, afraid he’ll change his mind.
When we finally separate, there is an almost delirious smile on his face.
“You kissed me,” I giggle.
He blinks, water dripping from his wet lashes. “I kissed you.”
“Well, are you going to again?”
“What?”
“Kiss me?”
He lets out a breathy laugh. My hands find their way to his face, tracing his sharp jawline, savoring the feel of his stubble against my fingertips. His lips are warm and soft, moving in sync with mine as if we’ve been doing this for years.
“What changed?” I murmur.
“I’m tired of being afraid,” he says. “I want that bravery you offered. I want you.”
“I want you too.”
He pulls me against him, and his hard cock presses against my stomach. I can’t help but reach down and touch it, feeling the silken steel beneath my palm as I slide up, up, up. “Oh, Baby,” I say, noticing my own bit of Dayton confidence. “You feel so good.”
He doesn’t reply in anything more than gasps and moans. His head tilts back, his eyes close, and he offers a contented smile as I stroke him.
Then he surges toward me, capturing me in a hard kiss. Every inch of my body is on fire, the water almost scalding. Our kiss grows more intense, more passionate, as if we’re trying to convey all the emotions we’ve kept hidden for so long.
When we finally break apart, gasping for breath, our foreheads still pressed together, I feel tears streaming down my face. This is what I’ve wanted, what I’ve dreamed about, but now that it’s happening, I’m afraid it’ll disappear like a mirage.
Farron brushes the tears away with his thumb, his eyes searching mine for any sign of doubt. Without saying a word, he picks me up in his arms and carries me out of the bath. My legs wrap around his waist. Sometimes I forget how strong the Autumn Prince is because he’s always so gentle, always so ready to follow the other princes’ lead.
But it’s just him and I. And Farron’s in complete control.
He lifts me with ease, as if I were no heavier than a rag doll. Then he tosses me on the bed. My breath surges with the movement and the power of his stance. He stands before me, naked and glistening with water.
Well, naked except for the thorn choker around his neck. There are some things you can’t strip away completely.
“Listen, Rosalina.” His voice carries an air of dominance. “In this room, there is just you and me. There’s no one else. So right now, you are mine.”
“I’m yours,” I echo, feeling the sensation light through me.
“Remember what I said about the rain?” A smile curves up his face. “I think licking bathwater off your skin will be just as pleasant.”
I run my hands over my curves, empowered by the confidence he’s given me. He lowers himself, and our tongues dance together in a wild, passionate rhythm as we explore each other’s mouths.
“Now, there’s something I’ve wanted to do for a very long time,” he says as he takes one of my nipples into his mouth.
The sensation is electric, and I moan in pleasure as he sucks and nibbles on my breasts. His arousal grows against my palm as I stroke his long length again.
Farron pulls back slightly, eyes flashing with wildness. “I need all of you, Rosalina. Is that something you desire?”
The answer is so clear. “Yes, I do.”
His eyes darken. “Show me.”
I spread my knees, revealing my slick entrance.
A growl sounds in his throat, and I feel a shift in his demeanor. It’s his. I’m his.
He drags his hand down my breast and over my stomach to grip my thigh. “Do you know what I think when I see that pussy?”
“What?”
“That you need to be fucked, made love to, worshipped. Call it what you want—I am going to have you in every way.”
He takes his cock and slaps it against my entrance, sending a kaleidoscope of stars into my vision before he gathers me in his arms. Our kisses grow frantic, almost animalistic. I need every inch of his skin.