Everlasting Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 3)

by Stephany Wallace

  I looked at him, puzzled by his choice of words, and faltered when his hands flew to his chest, his face contorting in pain.

  He covered it quickly with a small smile. “I must go back to your mother now. She needs me.” Without another word, he kissed my forehead and stood, but had to hold himself on the chair before he could regain his composure and walk away.

  I remained seated, rooted in place by what I had just witnessed. It occurred to me then, that maybe there was another reason why he had mostly presented himself to us as the dragon and not the man. My mind instantly searched through the possibilities… perhaps, even as powerful as he was, it took more from him than we understood to be away from his mate for this long. Perhaps Avra wasn’t just healing Mother, she was also healing him.

  The light of the magical torches and chandeliers above me illuminated the halls as I made my way through the temple. For the first time in my life, I left the library without reading a single book. The words my father had shared with me resounded in my ears. The constant for him had been the love he shared with my mother, the constant for me were my brothers and the bond between us.

  The Bond of Three.

  I avoided the dining room, not yet ready to see the others after what had transpired, and headed for Kah’s room instead. I needed to see her. After knocking on the door, I grasped my hands behind my back as I waited. Suddenly, the door flew open and Kah’s hands gripped my shirt, bringing me into the room. She chuckled at my startled expression and pulled me down, placing a quick kiss on my lips.

  My fingers guided the glasses over the bridge of my nose as she closed the door, and I turned to face her. Kah stood before me in a silk robe, and my breathing faltered. Was she naked under there? I gazed around the space. Steaming water filled the tub and soap bubbles were still visible on its surface, making it evident she had just bathed. When my eyes returned to her, the wet hair that rested over her shoulders called my attention.

  I nervously cleared my throat. “I have suddenly realized how inappropriate it is for me to be in your room at this time of night. I apologize, I shall return in the morning.” I turned, walking to the door, but stopped when she appeared in front of me. My hand flew to my chest. “Dear Goddess, woman, you are going to give me a heart attack.”

  Kah grinned, wiggling her eyebrows while fully enjoying my reaction. “Don’t be silly, you came to talk to me, so talk.” She reached for my hand and dragged me to the bed.

  I reluctantly sat down, while she walked to the vanity. Kah took the robe off and I briefly held my breath as it fell on the small chair next to her. Oxygen returned to my lungs when the silk of her nightgown still covered her otherwise naked body. Unaware of my little freak out session on the bed, she grabbed the brush and began to fix her hair while I watched her. I swallowed, suddenly very in tune with her body under the thin layer of silk that covered her. What had seemed like a good idea a few moments ago, had morphed into the poorest decision I had ever made.

  “Are you okay?” She questioned, noting my accelerated breaths. I was surely hyperventilating.

  “I’m fine.”

  She watched me through the mirror, doubtful, and walked towards me, sitting on my lap. Her mint green eyes spoke to me then, telling me to trust her. I knew I could share what I wanted with her and she wouldn’t judge me, she never had. I tentatively held her waist, hoping I could spend the night by her side, I was still shaken by the anxiety that had hit me earlier, and truth be told, I didn’t want to be alone tonight.

  Understanding filled her eyes and she stood, pulling me up with her. Her fingers unbuttoned my shirt, taking it off as my eyes followed her every move. Her scent filtered through my nose, sending my body into a frenzy. I forced myself to breathe as she undressed me, pulling my moccasins off, and reaching for the buttons of my trousers. I reminded myself this wasn’t that type of stay, or the kind of comfort I required from her at the moment. My body listened and calmed as my pants hit the floor, leaving only the boxer briefs I wore from revealing my body to her—a gift from my brother, Ash.

  Kah’s gaze roamed my form, taking me all in, and I let her. I wondered what it would feel like for her to look at me this way. Need awakened in her eyes and she lifted her chin, calling me down to her. My lips closed over hers and I held her to me, enjoying the feelings she incited. When the kiss ended, Kah’s hand wrapped around mine and guided me to the bed, laying on the mattress to wait for me. I settled next to her, leaving enough space between us so that she would feel comfortable, but I knew I was kidding myself. Kah had always been comfortable with her sexuality; I was the modest one in this instance.

  She reached for my glasses and took them off, placing them on the night table, then slid closer to me, and settled between my arms, her cheek resting on my chest. My breath faltered again. I needed to get a grip. Fixing the covers over us, I gave into the feeling of her and held her close to me, her soft body pressed against the hard planes of my form. I wanted to get used to the feel of her next to me, against me. She was my fated, after all. I needed to become accustomed to her this way.

  My lips brushed over hers, attempting to shut off my mind, and let her take over. It was useless. Still, when Kah kissed me, the shadows around me didn’t seem so dark anymore.

  Chapter 4. Answers

  NYX

  *

  “Where are you going?” I inquired, only half conscious, feeling Kah slip out of my embrace. It was the third day we spent together in the same bed, in an effort to get used to each other.

  She chuckled. “They haven’t called on you yet?” she questioned, walking towards the bathtub. “Give it a few minutes.”

  I was well aware of who she meant by “they”. Both Father and Kyr had taken a habit of speaking into my mind, following the episode I had experienced last time we were together. Avra’s requests, I answered. He mostly wanted to check on me and learn how I was fairing after our conversation, a gesture I sincerely valued and even found comforting. As much as his presence in my mind should have felt like an intrusion, it was pleasant and familiar. Prompting me to distinguish and appreciate the times he had been with me during my life.

  Kyr’s attempts however, I dismissed. I wasn’t exactly sure what he wanted from me—with the whole energy connection ordeal—and to be honest, I wasn’t up to the task of facing him. We had our incidents in the past—we were brothers, after all. I had always dismissed them, regardless of how minimal or strong the argument had been, and returned to our usual dynamic. This time, I simply felt like I needed more time to myself, which was exactly why I had distanced myself from everyone but Kah, and spent the last few days at Theo’s Castle.

  I raised my back from the bed, resting on my elbows as I watched my fated prepare her bath. Kah was my fated. It was a bit strange for me still, I had to admit. But it was our Goddess’ decision. A small smile grazed my lips. I had been looking forward to this moment since I realized this would be my Blooming year, although so far, it hadn’t been at all like I had anticipated.

  Reaching for my glasses, I sat on the bed and slid them over the bridge of my nose. A sharp intake of breath rushed into my body, lodging itself in my throat. The silk nightgown Kah had worn to bed swiftly slipped over her curves, falling to the floor. The back of her naked and flawless body was clear to my eyes, and my heart began to race as I forced my eyes to stay above her waist. Her mint green eyes gazed at me from over her shoulder as her lips stretched into an enticing smile.

  “Want to join me?”

  My eyes widened as my throat closed down. I was shocked. Kah’s laughter reverberated through the room while I urgently reached for the water carafe she kept by the bed and took a hasty drink. She wiggled her eyebrows at me, already resting inside the water, while the air filtered through my lungs and sweet life return to me.

  “Are you trying to kill me, woman?” I wheezed, pounding my chest at the cough, the drink lodged in my throat.

  Her legs slipped out of the water and she playfully wiggled her
feet in the air with merriment. I chuckled, finally getting a hold of my breathing and sat on the corner of the bed. The smile still curved her lips as soap bubbles floated around her while she lathered her skin. I sighed, appreciating her like this.

  “You are aware that sooner or later, we will have to see each other naked?”

  My brows gathered at her question. “I’d rather it be later.” I huffed.

  She chuckled. “What are you so afraid of?”

  “I beg your pardon?! I am not scared of anything.” I contested, appalled. “I may prefer books over battle, but I have fought by my brother’s side and defeated many opponents. I am not a coward.” The nerve.

  “Of course, you are not.” She winked while she washed her hair. “But you can still feel afraid of such a radical turn of events, and what that will mean for us. We have known each other our whole lives, and now we are supposed to be together. It’s normal to have reservations.”

  I stood, puzzled. “I do not have reservations about us.” My breath caught when I realized I could see through the water and I spun around, embarrassed. “I simply have a great esteem for you, Kahina, and I want to do things the right way. I would like to do right by you.”

  A few minutes passed in silence while I tried to control my breathing. Her answer never came, but I could hear her in the water.

  “Boo!”

  I gasped, staggering back as she suddenly appeared in front of me, naked. My heart went still for a split second, and then slammed against my chest, out of rhythm and out of sorts. I should have complained, but I was otherwise occupied, trying to force oxygen down my lungs, and not look at her glistening bare skin.

  Kah sighed. “I wish you would just relax, you know me and it is not the first time I’ve ever done that to you, Nyx. I expected to catch you off guard, but you look like you are about to faint.”

  She was right, what was happening to me? I mean, her lack of covering should have startled me, but she was just bathing, what did I expect? A ball gown?? I took a deep breath and nodded, closing my eyes. “I thought you wanted to wait, like I did.”

  “To be claimed, yes, but I never said we couldn’t have a little fun in the meantime.”

  My eyes snapped open, and I stared at her, perplexed. She sighed again.

  “Okay, I don’t want to start our relationship by lying to you, so I’ll say this. I want to wait if that is what you want. This need the magic has instilled in us is there for a reason. It is a way of finally connecting us so that we can love each other. For ‘us’ to work, my body needs to open up to you. You know this, you have studied about our nature and history all of your life. But, I also know you have a process. I know how your mind works and what it takes for you to arrive at a certain conclusion, and I definitely know better than to disrupt that process. I mean, no one wants another ‘garden incident’ like the one fifteen hundred years ago.”

  She snickered, while my scowl deepened.

  “All I’m saying is, I respect you too and I can see how upset you’ve been lately. So I want to give you the time you require, but I can’t help but wish you could just let your mind rest for one moment and just feel me. Feel us. This is natural, Nyx. There is no need to analyze it to death. Our bodies should guide the way, not our minds.”

  I swallowed as she stepped closer and reached for my cheek. My pulse raced. I leaned down until our foreheads pressed together and took a deep breath, closing my eyes while her arms wound about my neck. The scent of her filtered through my nose, eliciting a chain of reactions in me, and although I wanted to give her this, feel her, I had never excelled at that, and my mind fought it at every turn—refusing to give up control. When Kah’s small lips closed over mine, my body urged me to hold her, to taste her, to make her mine, my thoughts disagreed.

  I tentatively held her waist as we kissed; her skin was slippery with the water drops that still rested on it. Her hands traveled down my bare chest, caressing my every muscle, sending shudders down my body until want seeped through my bones.

  “Do you want to see me like this?”

  Her whispered words grazed my lips and, against my better judgment, I nodded. A small smile stretched her lips, right before she kissed me again. When she stepped away, I let out a wavering breath and looked into her crystal mint green eyes. They twinkled with excitement, nerves and hope. I swallowed, while my mind listed fifty different reasons why this was a bad idea, and allowed my eyes to fall onto her.

  Kah swept her long midnight hair back and only then, did I become aware she had been covering herself with it, much like Ora did. I internally smiled at her considerate gesture. If I hadn’t been so busy freaking out, I certainly would have noticed. I had to get a hold of myself. She stood still, while my gaze wandered over her glistening form, my gut tightened as her beautiful breasts once again came into view, need filled every inch of my body, making the extent of my need obvious to her. But her eyes didn’t leave mine.

  Her torso cinched at the waist, and I realized just how delicate she was. It was so strange to think of Kah as “delicate”, not because she wasn’t feminine, but because I had always perceived her as the fierce warrior who stood by my brother’s side, protecting him. Her soft curves continued over her round hips and my throat closed as I looked passed her navel, and my gaze settled on the center of her. The sight of her soft skin made my heart slam against my chest, and I jerked for her. My hands flew to my crotch, covering it, and a slow satisfied smirk stretched Kah’s lips while mortification replaced the need.

  Every muscle in my body tensed as my gaze admired her curvy legs and finally returned to her eyes. I blinked, trying to regain control of myself as her features transformed, seeming relieved. Relieved? What had she been concerned about? Had my hesitance led her to believe I didn’t want her? I silently chided myself. I had never intended for her to feel unwanted—especially if I was her fated. Reaching for the band of my boxers, I pulled them down, and uncovered myself to her, allowing her to see just how much of an effect she caused in me.

  I stood still as she appraised me, although my breathing had never been this out of sorts. I was certain my heart would beat through my chest at any moment, and end up on the floor somewhere. Yet, this was the most reasonable step to take, now that I had seen her naked body, she deserved to see mine. It was only logical—not that my mind agreed. Her chest rose and fell with her accelerated breathing, while her eyes roamed the hard planes of my form. When her gaze returned to mine, she took a deep breath and awkwardly nodded, trying to rein in her emotions. Except, I knew exactly what she was feeling, because the want I once held for her had grown exponentially in the last few minutes.

  I offered my hand to her and she took it, stepping closer once again, I bent at the waist and kissed her deeply, attempting to do so while refraining from touching her body. I feared if our naked skins touched, there would be no turning back.

  “You are undoubtedly stunning,” I whispered on her lips, and she smiled.

  “You are not so bad yourself.”

  I chuckled, closing my eyes as her lips began to move on mine.

  “When you and Kah are ready, please meet us all in the dining hall.”

  I staggered back with a loud gasp as Avra’s words seeped through my mind. My heart thundered in my chest while I looked at Kah, horrified. She laughed. Had Father seen us? How did he know? My head spun while I looked all around us. Could he see us? I huffed. Of course he couldn’t see us. Had I turned completely stupid by now? My brow deeply furrowed as I narrowed my eyes, and looked around us once again, just in case.

  Kah arched her brow at me, her eyes saying he was the Dragon Lord. I should just assume he knew everything, and I agreed. Settling myself, I let Kah pull me to her and teleport me to my room so I could get ready.

  We sat at the table in silence, while we waited for our father. Kyr and Avrielle were in their usual seats, at the right side of the head of the table, while Ash and Gabriella sat next to them. After getting dressed in the light gray
trousers, white shirt and matching gray vest Kah had chosen for me, she appeared in my room wearing a light blue dress that hugged her body delicately, her long hair was styled in soft curls—fanning over her shoulders and back—and she even wore light make up. I didn’t believe I had ever seen Kah in a gown or make up. She looked enchanting.

  If arriving together hadn’t been unusual enough, she sat by my side, facing Kyr and Avrielle. Kah hadn’t said a word, yet her eyes told me she was finally ready for everyone to discover who she truly was, and who we now were to each other. I smiled my agreement and took a sip of the water before me. Kyr’s eyes steadily regarded me while Ora began to serve breakfast, and I was surprised to see the glint of remorse in them, there was sadness as well, but I avoided his gaze. I wasn’t yet ready to speak to him about what had transpired. Among other things, I felt I had to apologize for what was said, and I hadn’t quite figured out how.

  Once Ora had set the last plate before us, she walked all the way to the other end of the large banquet table, and dragged the tall chair there, back to Avra’s side, placing it next to it—a full plate setting was added to it. The table was wide enough that it could accommodate the two chairs side by side easily; the question was, why? Ora sat with us, as usual, and smiled, looking towards the entrance of the hall.

  Gasps reverberated through the open space, bouncing off the white alabaster cathedral ceilings as my brothers and I stumbled to our feet. Mother walked towards us, with Avra by her side. Her hand rested upon his, while he escorted her to the dining hall. She wore a simple yet elegant white gown, with traces of blue. It seemed as though cobalt blue ink had bled its way onto the fabric at the edges of her skirt. A cape accompanied the dress, covering her shoulders and arms, displaying the same blue stain effect at the bottom. Mother wore no make up on her skin, or jewels, and her cerulean blue hair was loosely brushed, falling over one side of her body, yet she looked more radiant than I had ever seen her.