Doyle chuckles. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“I just did.” I grab his half-full glass of ale and take a large swig of it. “It’s eleven in the morning and I either need to start breaking people’s faces or get falling-down drunk just so I can get some time to not think.” I look into Doyle’s dual-colored eyes and my smile slips from my lips. “I have no idea what I’m doing, Doyle. I’m terrified to make a decision because, if it’s the wrong one, it’s not just me who will get their ass chewed or suspended now. It’s everyone around me who’s affected too.”
“What does Dare say?”
“He says making a decision even if it’s the wrong one is better than doing nothing at all. Part of me agrees with him. And I want to decide how to handle our invite to the Light Elven Kingdom, and decide on how we let MECA know that we know the truth and to prove our innocence. But to do that, I need some time to clear my head and I can’t do that with guards trailing me or not getting five minutes to myself. Point in case.” I hike my thumb over my shoulder to the two guards standing ten feet behind me, watching my every move and every move of everyone else in the room. “I’m grateful for all the advice and help everyone is giving me, but I need to sort through it myself so I can make a decision that I’m okay with. Something that I can live with if it all goes to shit.”
Doyle sits up straight and smiles. “I know how to get you some time to clear your head.”
“How? There’s no way without all the guards and everyone watching me like I’m about to do a neat trick at any given moment. Doesn’t leave much room for me time.”
“Spar.”
I slap my hand on the table. “Sparring! Yes! Gods, I’m an idiot. How have I not thought of that before now? Keeps us in fighting shape, I can hit people, and I can clear my head to think.” I stand up and rush Doyle with a hug. “What the fuck would I do without you, D?”
“Lose your shit, that’s what.”
I push at his arm and head toward the doors. “Let’s go. I’m headed out there now. I think Dagan is still out there with Dax. They’re usually out there before Arela’s training. I can whale on them for a little bit.” I open the doors to the bailey and Doyle calls out.
“Wait! I want to watch. I need popcorn first!”
I laugh and keep walking.
“Don’t start without me. I’m grabbing Kirin and Axel too!”
I shake my head and walk out toward the practice areas. Dax and Dagan are training some younger goblins and I walk up to the fence to observe for a few minutes before they spy me standing there. Dagan looks behind me and frowns.
“Where are your guards? Or Dare?”
“I have no idea on either. But I’m with you guys so what does it matter?” I’ve learned to stop myself from dropping my jaw every time Dagan is nice to me now. His grumpy attitude is slowly growing on me. He’s got a kind heart but he buries it deep.
“You should still have guards.” He points to a trainee and barks an order at him. “You, go retrieve Calum and Calder and let Dare know where Ever is.”
I address the trainee as he walks past me and I make sure I’m loud enough for Dagan to hear. “Let them all know that I’m with Dagan and Dax and I’m about to hand them their assess. That should get them out here quickly.”
The trainee’s eyes go wide before he scurries away with our messages and I turn to Dagan and smile.
“You up for some sparring? No-holds-barred slugfest? Or are you afraid you’ll lose?”
Dagan laughs. “You can’t win against me, little gaiscíoch.”
“I’ll take my chances.” After all, the guards don’t call me little warrior for nothing.
CHAPTER
THREE
I step into the ring and start stretching while everyone clears the weapons and mats. Slowly I start to slip into that calm headspace where everything is quiet and nothing can disrupt the steady beat of my heart. It’s been weeks since I sparred with anyone and I can’t wait to let instinct take the reins while I lose myself in each movement.
Dax walks over to me and meets my gaze head on. “You look calm, Ever.”
“I am calm. For the first time in weeks, I’m going to get some me time. It’s a bonus that I’ll be able to work out some physical stress as well.”
“Dare isn’t going to like this, you know.”
I cock my head. “Why? I’m safe and I’m working off some stress so I can make some decisions everyone is pressuring me to make. It’s a win-win.”
“No, it’s his…” He waves a hand around at me and struggles for a word. “Never mind, he won’t like you not wearing padding or something. You just got better after that member of the Order hit you in the head.”
“That was weeks ago, Dax. And everyone has got to stop wearing kid gloves around me. I am who I am and I’m not taking unnecessary risks. I didn’t go out to the human realm and try to capture a rogue on my own. I’m sparring to stay in fighting shape.” I sigh. “Why are we arguing about this again?”
Dax grimaces. “So Dare would have time to get here before you and Dagan start sparring.”
I roll my eyes. “Well, he’s not here and I’m going to go clock Dagan but nice try.”
“Ever!” Dare’s deep voice booms through the bailey and my head snaps in his direction.
Before I can think about the consequences and run the risk of Dare ordering Dagan to stand down, I throw a punch at Dax’s square jaw and send him flying back. Before he can recover, I let out a yell and rush Dagan, who was watching me the entire time. He meets me head on and we start our dance of flying fists.
Block. Spin. Punch. Miss. Hit. And again.
“Motherfucker!” Dagan lands a blow to my cheekbone and I bite my lip. I taste blood but it only fuels my advance.
I settle into watching him as he moves and I wait for his next move. He steps right but his eyes flick left and I block his move before landing a kick to his abdomen. He doubles over and coughs out a breath. I don’t fall for it; I keep my distance. I blink and he’s got me. He flies toward me and we both go tumbling backward with the momentum. I fall on my back with an oomph and we struggle for dominance as we continue to exchange blows. Each and every jab landed on Dagan clears more and more of the crippling doubt from my head and plans begin to formulate. I buck Dagan off of me and kick at his shoulder.
“Shit!” He stumbles back and I spring up to deliver the final blow to knock him out. Before I can make contact, I’m pulled back and restrained.
“What the hell!” I look over my shoulder at Dare, who’s breathing hard and scowling. “Let me go. I wasn’t done.”
“Yes. You are.” He doesn’t release me. Instead he adjusts his grip and flips me over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.
I blink at his ass as I come face-to-face with it and then I react. I push myself up and try to swing out of his hold, but I don’t accomplish my goal. Instead he only bands his forearm tighter around my thighs and walks off. Catcalls and whistles ring out behind us, getting carried away on the wind.
“Dare. Put me down. I’m not kidding. This is in no way okay.” I slap at his back and he grunts but doesn’t respond further. “Dare. I wasn’t in unnecessary danger. I was surrounded by my crew, your brothers, and I let you know where I was! Put me the fuck down. Now!” I scream the last part but he continues to stay silent and ignore me.
After another thirty seconds, the ground changes from dirt to cobblestones and his grip loosens before he plops me down in front of him hard enough to rattle my teeth. He pushes me back against the rough stones of the building behind me and palms my jaw. He crushes his lips to mine and the cut on my lip opens again. I hiss a breath and he soothes the cut with his tongue before pulling back to nibble on my upper lip.
I try to talk around his lips. “Dare… we need to… talk about this.”
He shakes his head and continues his assault on my mouth with his own. He silences me with his kisses and I forget why I’m mad at him. Every tense muscle slowly relaxes a
s his hands rove over my body. He grips my ass and lifts me until my center is aligned perfectly with the hard bulge straining his pants.
He nips down my jaw until his hot breath fans against my ear. “I need my cock inside of your hot heat, Ever. Right here, right now. I need to feel you pulsing around me.”
My heart skips a beat at his words. I don’t care who will see. I reach between us to unbutton my jeans but he brushes my hands away before ripping a hole in the seam of them. His knuckles brush against my damp panties and he licks his lips. He rips through the soft fabric just as quickly as my jeans and groans.
“So wet and ready for me, little tine.”
“Hurry up.” I nip at his ear and he chokes out a breath.
He adjusts me in his grip, and before I can brace myself for his intrusion, he slides into me to the hilt.
“So tight around my cock. It’s like you were made to sheathe me, little tine.”
“Yesss.” I hiss out the word through my teeth. “So hard inside me. Fuck me hard, Dare. I need to feel you inside my bones.”
He pulls back and slams inside of me with force. My head goes back and hits the wall behind me. It barely registers as he shuttles in and out of me.
My senses riot as he surrounds me. Crisp air and earthy male musk fills my lungs with each breath and I struggle to take in as much of him as I can. Candy-apple-red and autumn-leaf-orange eyes stare into mine as we bring each other pleasure. My cries echo around us, bouncing off of the stone walls behind me, but I can’t bring myself to care.
“Dare, I need you. So much. Don’t stop.”
“Never. I’ll never stop, Ever.”
I fist the hair at the back of his neck and pull his lips down to mine. We meet in a clash of teeth, lips, and tongues. His mouth catches each and every moan as my orgasm shimmers just underneath my skin.
I break away from his mouth to catch a breath and he hits a spot inside of me that blacks out my vision. “Right there. Gods, right there.”
He adjusts his hold on my ass and moves his hips in a careful rhythm. Every inward thrust hits that spot, and with every withdraw, the ridges of his cock drag over the sensitive bundle of nerves at the apex of my thighs. He increases his pace and I fly apart in his arms.
“Dare!”
I kiss him deeply, with my eyes wide open, and I give him every part of me that I can. My heart hammers in my chest as I forget to breathe while I get lost in a dizzying rush of pleasure.
Dare pulls back from our kiss and pounds into my cunt like a man possessed before he releases inside of me.
“Ever!” My name rings out across gods only know where, but I smile as I watch his features twist into a mask of euphoria.
I wrap my arms around his shoulders and wait for him to come down from his high. The only thought that pierces through my blissful state is that I love this man. This stubborn, rude, overbearing goblin is the man I want to wake up next to. And the man I want to fight with. He’s the man I want to laugh with and steal little rendezvous with. The thought no longer terrifies me to the point that I can’t breathe. It liberates me to accept the fact that my happiness is no longer only dependent on me. It’s dependent on his happiness too. And that’s okay with me. I’m okay with ensuring he’s happy even when I’m not. I’m scared to death for the months to come and the events foretold to pass, but with Dare standing next to me, I’m confident I can handle it. Whatever it is the Goddess thinks I need to do, whatever I’m destined or fated to do, I’ll do it so long as I’ve got Dare with me.
He peppers kisses across the bridge of my nose and smiles down at me softly.
I can’t stop the words that spill from my lips as he kisses my cheek. “I love you, Dare.”
Once they’re out there, ice rushes through my veins and I tense. What if he doesn’t feel the same way? What if all the problems I bring with me are too much for him to handle? I shouldn’t have worried.
“Mo grá, it feels so good to hear those words on your lips.”
“Mo grá?”
“My love.” A smile breaks across his face and I stare in wonderment.
“My love. I like the sound of that.” I kiss his pulse point at his neck and look up into his eyes.
“I do too.” He drops me to the ground and my legs wobble as I put my weight on them.
“So what now?” I ask.
“Now, I get you back into the castle so you can change before anyone else can get their eyes on what’s mine.” His eyes darken in possession and it sends a thrill through me. He hands me his vest before removing his long-sleeve shirt. He rips the neck of it and kneels down. “Step into it.”
“What are you doing?”
“There’s a hole in your pants.” He looks pointedly at my center.
“Oh… that.” I step into his shirt and he pulls it up to my hips. “I look ridiculous, Dare.”
“I don’t care what you look like so long as no one else gets to see you.” The words are grumbled as he puts his vest back on sans shirt.
I rub at his chest and kiss the middle of it. “This is a good look for you.”
“Ever… let’s get inside the castle before I let you molest me again.”
“Let me molest you?” I shriek the words in mock affront.
He pushes me in front of him and swats at my ass.
“Hey, no touching. I might attack you.” I skip a few steps ahead and he scowls at me.
“Just get inside, Ever.”
“Fine, fine. Whatever you say, bossy pants.” I smile as I turn back around and head toward the rooms we’ve been sharing. I’m not sure where the words of love came from, but once I realized them, I knew I had to say them. I can’t say that I’m not still terrified that he’ll find his mate and I’ll be left out in the cold, but I also know that life seems to be pretty short around here, and if I don’t take all the time I can get with Dare, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life.
*
Two close calls and a startled pixie later, I’ve got an unripped pair of pants on, Dare’s put on a new shirt, and he’s called me his love about ten times. Every time he says it, a mix of happiness and panic swirls through me. Happiness that he feels the same way and panic that each time he says it it’ll be the last time I hear it.
Dare pulls the door open so we can finish going about our day and moves just in time to avoid Tore’s fist knocking him in the nose.
“Oh. I’m sorry. Bad timing that. Dare, Ever, hello.” Tore steps back and looks down at his feet.
“Hey, Tore. What’s up?” I smile at my father and wish that the love I feel for Dare would allow me to open up my heart to him too. But for now, we do the awkward dance and pretend that we’re still waiting for my mother to reappear before we can form any type of true father-daughter relationship.
“Ah, yes. King Teag would like to speak with you both. Good that I found you together so we can all go now.”
“What’s this about, Tore?” Dare asks.
“The former queen, Odaine. Teag would like to speak with Arela about what she heard and anything she knows about Odaine’s actions against the Goblin Kingdom.”
“I’m not sure she’s ready for that, Tore. It’s only been a few weeks. She’s still healing.” I frown and look to Dare.
“Has the king spoken to Arela since her return?” Dare asks.
“Not that I know of, no. Why? This is what he is asking, so it will be done.” Tore looks between the two of us with a frown. “Why is this an issue? Did something happen that you didn’t tell us about?”
“No. Nothing happened. But I won’t force Arela to talk about something if she doesn’t want to. Not this soon. I’ll ask her and she can say yes or no, and if it’s no, Teag will have to stay patient as she heals. She’s only a kid.” I cross my arms across my chest. “Understood?”
Tore nods and steps back another step. “Lead the way then. I am unsure of her schedule.”
“She’s sparring with…” I look to Dare and feel heat rise to my cheeks.
/> “With Dagan and Dax.” Dare finishes for me and grabs my hand, squeezing it.
“Well, let’s go then.” Tore claps his hands together twice and heads off toward the practice fields.
I stay a few extra steps behind Tore and look up at Dare out of the corner of my eye. “If either of your brothers says anything, I will kill them in their sleep.”
“Not if I get to them first. They usually wouldn’t be so dumb to say anything. But their brains seem to have been rattled lately.”
I nudge him with my elbow. “You know, that’s like the third joke you’ve told in a week. Maybe you’re the one with rattled brains.” I raise a brow.
“Mean woman.” He smiles and winks at me. “Go see if you can distract Tore for a moment while I go ahead to silence my brothers.”
“On it.” I run a few steps to catch up to Tore. “Hey, Tore. Do you have a second? I just have a question before we talk with Arela.”
Tore stops and watches Dare pass us before giving me his attention. “Yes, Ever, what is it?”
“What does Teag plan on asking Arela? He’s not going to put her in the same room as Odaine, is he? Because I’m not sure how she’ll react to that.” I’m not sure how well any of this situation is going to go, but the tight feeling in my chest tells me it’s not going to be good for Arela.
“What would you have me do, Ever? Go against the king’s wishes?”
I smirk. “I would never suggest that for anyone but me. However, Arela is just a girl. She was kidnapped, tortured, and abused. What if she was your daughter? Wouldn’t you want her to heal as much as possible before she has to relive it all again?”
Tore’s expression softens and his eyes darken. “I wouldn’t wish what happened to her on anyone. But in order for the king and this kingdom to move on, Odaine must be dealt with.”
Throne of Secrets (Wicked Kingdoms Book 3) Page 3