Everlasting Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 3)

by Stephany Wallace

  I straightened, forcing myself to concentrate. “I’m here because we received word that the Dark King attacked your court.”

  She whirled around, gasping. “My parents…”

  “They are well. Your mother got hurt during the battle, but she is being treated by the healers and will be fine.”

  The tears spilled from her lashes as she nodded. A sob caught in her throat and she covered her face as the emotion overwhelmed her. “This is all my fault.”

  My feet took me to her, and my arms embraced her tightly. Claim. “How is this your fault?”

  “Because I should have been there, to help protect her with my ability. I could have stopped them from hurting her.”

  Her eyes focused on me as the tears continued to fall. I lifted my hand from her waist and gently wiped her skin. “No. It is our fault. We took you from her. We should have let you go back, but even if you were there, you couldn’t have stopped the Dark King. You know that.”

  Aura nodded and the sobs took over. She gripped my shirt as the pain traveled through her, seeping into me. Her face hid in my neck as I held her close, and every teardrop that fell on my skin tore a piece of me. Strangely enough, once she was in my arms the rhythm of my scales calmed. They pulsed slowly, soothingly, and moved over my body ever so slightly as to not disturb her. She sighed, relaxing in my hold, responding to the caress my scales provided. It was as though my dragon self was adjusting to her, comforting her.

  Claim.

  “I’m sorry. I must go now.” I whispered, pushing her back until she was out of my arms.

  Her hurt gaze caused my breathing to falter. She nodded and her eyes dropped to her hands.

  “Right now the safest place for you is here. Theo will protect you, but I’ll talk to him to see if he can procure an enchanted looking glass for you, so you can communicate with your mother through its reflection. I apologize for not doing that sooner, but at least now she will know you are safe, and out of the Winter Court. Also, you’ll be able to ease your concerns regarding her health.”

  I turned to leave, but stopped before I reached the door. The scales were once again rampant over my skin and my heart was thundering in my chest. “I promise you something, Aura. My brothers and I will stop the Dark King, no matter what it costs us. And you’ll be able to return to your parents, your kingdom… your fated.”

  “I don’t want him anymore… I don’t even know him!” She sobbed. “I want you, Nyx. You are the kindest man I’ve ever met. In the midst of this war that we inherited, you have been sweet and thoughtful with me. You’ve never judged me, even when fear caused me to be defensive, and act like an entitled princess. It was all a farce, yet you never treated me like others would have. I was scared, trying to seem strong. Wanting to appear unbreakable… but I am. No matter how strong I try to make myself, I am vulnerable to you.”

  She paused for a moment and I fisted my hands, attempting to stop myself from turning around and going to her.

  “I love watching you read. I never imagined there was someone out there who loved to read as much as I do. There’s a light that illuminates your eyes as you hold a book, as though every word contains a brand new world for you, it’s mesmerizing to watch. The way your mind works enlightens me. Even the way you fix your glasses is endearing.” The smile in her voice, mixed with her tears. “The way I feel close to you… you see me as the version of myself I would like to be. Please… I don’t want him. I want you, Nyx. Only you.”

  Claim! The dragon voice roared inside me, blinding me.

  Before my mind could process what I was doing, I whirled around, and the distance between us disappeared. Gripping her arms, my lips crashed against hers, pushing her against the wall beside us. Our bodies pressed together. Her breasts strained against her corset, pushing against my chest, while her scent seeped through my pores—driving me mad with need.

  Aura responded without hesitation, kissing me hungrily, while our breathing became ragged. Her hands reached my neck, pulling me to her while my fingers slipped through her silky hair, cupping her head and holding her in place. Aura whimpered, breaking the contact, however briefly, and my lips crashed over hers again.

  Claim.

  My hands began to roam her body, sliding down her spine and cupping her behind. She gasped in my mouth as I squeezed it and I pulled her up, her legs wound around my waist. The scales had synchronized with a new rhythm, hers, and slithered over me, appearing and disappearing, almost in a sensual way. Enticing both of our bodies in the process, as they grazed her skin through the fabric—although she seemed unaware of it. I instantly hardened for her. Our heads tilted as the kiss deepened, and when our tongues caressed each other, something suddenly burst into what felt like a million atoms of power, and limitless energy.

  Aura gasped, leaning away. The spectacle of power and light that reached us when our eyes opened left us speechless. Pink and yellow tendrils of static energy shot out of our chests, connecting with the other—tethered to the other somehow. It expanded from us, covering every inch of the now darkened room. The colors bounced in the shadows, reflecting in her dazzling ocean blue eyes.

  Our lips crashed once more, as the live vibrating energy around us—in us—added to every sensation I was already feeling.

  Mine.

  There was no logic within this, no need for rationalizations. No pros or cons. Every cell in me desired her, begged for her, and that was all that was needed.

  “We are a plasma sphere.” She breathed into my mouth, referencing human science once again. Her eyes glazed by the beautiful colors surrounding us.

  My lips stretched into a full smile. “We are.”

  Claim.

  “I always wanted to see one, but I’ve never traveled to the human world. Have you?”

  I shook my head, while my eyes roamed her features. “I have no desire to see one. I know with absolute certainty that nothing could ever be as brilliant as you are in this moment, Aura.” I kissed her again.

  “How is this happening?” She whispered, with the most breathtaking smile I had ever seen.

  I didn’t have an answer. I couldn’t even think.

  Mine.

  I pressed my forehead to hers, taking deep breaths to calm myself. I wanted to make her mine, and my body was ready for her. I desired to be inside her. In this moment, I felt the same thing my dragon self was demanding. To claim her. But as our hearts calmed, the lights dissipated and with it, returned reality.

  “I am terribly sorry, Aura. I shouldn’t have done that.”

  “What?” She blinked, trying to regain her composure as I placed her down, putting some distance between us. Her hand went to her chest, surely feeling her thundering heart.

  “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.” I dragged my hands down my face, rubbing it, and trying to figure out what to do next. “This just got much more complicated than I would have wanted for you, Aura,” I confessed. “I have to go.”

  Kahina came to my mind, and the memory of her cut through me. It was too late. I had already hurt her, even if she didn’t know it. I hated myself in that moment. I hated these fucking emotions. I hated my dragon self for forcing me to do this.

  “You were right before. There is no world that exists in which you and I could ever be.” I turned and headed for the door.

  “Then let’s make one… together.”

  My heart stopped with her words and I looked at her over my shoulder, knowing what it would cost me. A tear fell from her lashes, slowly sliding down her skin onto her trembling lips, while the moonlight illuminated her features, making it sparkle. My insides split into two as I forced myself to leave the room.

  One side craved and desired to be with Aura… needed her… wanted to love her. The other concluded Kah was the one I belonged with… my friend… the one I had promised would be mine.

  *

  I stepped into the great hall and found everyone dancing to a slow music I had never heard before. The pulsing of my
scales was still unsettled as my dragon self begged me to go back to her…

  My eyes swept the room to find Kah dancing with Theo. I walked towards them and softly held her elbow, calling her attention to me. Her cheek lifted from his chest and she blinked, focusing on me.

  “You are back? How did it go?”

  “Can we please leave? I need to see my father,” I answered instead.

  “Yeah, of course. You don’t mind, do you?” She inquired, looking at Theo, who I soon realized was wearing a “Birthday Boy” paper crown.

  “No, of course not.” He smiled, lifting Kah’s hand to his lips. “Thank you so much for the dance, m’lady.”

  She chuckled, blushing, and I smiled as he offered me a half hug. I patted his back. “I hope to be back soon. Could you please procure an enchanted looking glass, so the Summer Princess can communicate with her mother? The Dark King attacked her court and the queen was injured.”

  “Of course, I’ll have one for her right away.” His gaze went to John, who had heard the conversation and was already walking towards one of the guards. When Theo’s eyes returned to me, he smiled. “She’ll have it shortly. I gave Kah the answer your brother requested, but I’ll tell you now. My army is yours. My sword is yours. It will be my honor to defeat that tyrant, shoulder to shoulder with you, my friend.”

  His words were heavy on his lips, a vow I knew was forged in honor, but there was more to it than that. My eyes lingered on his briefly; on the pain and traces of sacrifice the word “friend” had ignited in him.

  “Be safe.” He told us and turned around, leaving the room.

  “I’m glad you are back, Brother.” Kyr’s words reached me the second we got back to the temple. “You are just in time for the ceremony, but before it begins, I want to talk to you about the battle.”

  Ceremony? What was he talking about? My frown connected with Kah’s and our eyes exchanged the question. She was as clueless as I was.

  “What was Theo’s answer?” My brother continued, and his posture instantly changed, the commander stared at us, expecting an answer.

  “His Gilded Army will support us. He’ll be honored to fight by our side,” I replied as Kah nodded.

  “The Dark Army will also fight for you, my king,” Kah offered, becoming the warrior I knew.

  “They vowed to defend the throne, Kah.” My brother reminded, with a strained breath.

  “And that is exactly what they will be doing,” she defended adamantly.

  “No, they won’t. I cannot expect them to break their vow, and go against their king just because they followed me into battle before. I have no right to ask that of them.”

  “We are not breaking our vow.” A proud voice announced from behind us, and we all turned to see Gallai in her dark warrior uniform, walking with Ora to our side. “The Dark Army has unanimously decided. We will protect the crown, and we are prepared to give our lives for you, if necessary. We shall follow you anywhere, Your Majesty. For you are, our king.”

  She knelt before Kyr, with tears of admiration in her eyes, and kissed his hand. It was the first time she saw him since he disappeared, and found not the prince she had once followed faithfully, but a king. My brother’s body tensed, while he attempted to contain the feelings that the loyalty of these women had stirred within him. In a gesture unlike the proud commander we all had known, he pulled her up, and hugged her appreciatively. Kah and I exchanged a smile. Perhaps I wasn’t the only one who had changed.

  Stepping back, Kyr squared his shoulders before her—resuming his authoritative stance—and I silently chuckled, he hadn’t changed that much. The sound of boots hitting the stone floor reverberated through the entrance of the temple, as Kyr’s fist flew to his chest, hitting hard muscle, in a soldiery show of respect to his third in command. She did the same.

  “I spoke to Gallai two days ago, asked her to prepare the army, and make them aware of our need for their support,” Kah explained.

  “We didn’t hesitate.” Gallai confirmed with a shrug. “The army is ready and waiting for your command.”

  Kyr gazed at Kah, pleased. “What else did you tell them?”

  “Only what was my right to share, my king. I told them you would fight Laeroth to the death, in order to reclaim the kingdom from him. Nothing more, nothing less,” Kah answered cryptically, confirming the Drayvok secret was still ours to keep.

  “Perfect. Then we’ll attack at once.” Kyr turned around, heading back towards the study he occupied earlier. Kah and Gallai followed without question. “I will give Theo enough time to prepare his army and bring them here.”

  He stopped, his gaze connecting with Kah’s.

  “Return to the Eternal Outlands and alert The Golden Prince of our plans. We’ll need him here by first twilight, in two day’s time. Stay there to assist him if you must. Tell him to employ every weapon he has, magical or otherwise. The Dark King will not go down easily, and I have a feeling he will seek the help of the Duergar once again. Dark magic is not to be taken lightly. We must be prepared for anything, especially after tonight.”

  Kah squared herself, pressing her fist to her chest and slammed her boot to the floor, then disappeared to carryout her king’s orders, without even a look my way. There was no time to waste. I understood that. Nevertheless, I couldn’t help but wonder if it was normal that we were so detached from each other. Shouldn’t there be more between us? I had once attributed our lack of amorousness to the people we were, but what if it was something else entirely. Avrielle or Gabriella wouldn’t have left without at least a kiss to my brothers. Nor would Ash or Kyr have allowed them to leave without a kiss goodbye, yet I hadn’t even reached for Kah.

  “Gallai, please come with me,” Kyr urged her. “I’d like to explain the strategy I have laid out for the battle. I need the warriors to be prepared, now that they’ll be fighting by my side once again.” She smiled and nodded once, disappearing into the study with him. Ora quietly left, returning to her duties.

  I remained silent, staring into nothing as I was left alone in the hall. Every exchange Kah and I had until now whirled in my mind. Then, there was her… and the feelings she enticed in me. Interrupting the memory before it begun, I whirled around and purposely walked towards Father’s chambers. I needed answers.

  *

  “You may enter,” Avra announced from inside the room, before my fist connected with the intricately carved wooden door.

  My gaze fell on him as I stepped inside. He wore the same pristine white suit that he wore the night we arrived here, when we met him as our father for the first time, and he was reunited with our mother. It was unquestionably ceremonial attire, with enchanted silver embroidery along the lapels and cuffs of his jacket—which swirled with magic—diamond studded buttons, and a soft cobalt blue velvet cape, sporting the same embroidery detail. The cloak lay on the chair next to him, as he buttoned up the jacket.

  “What is on your mind, son?”

  I scowled at him in response. Considering he had sent the question into my mind and he could easily read my thoughts, it didn’t seem his question was all that brilliant to begin with. I huffed and his rumbling laughter seeped into my mind. I chuckled. Briefly looking over his shoulder, he ushered me out of the room. I frowned, the room was empty, it made no sense to step out of it, but I followed him without question.

  “I was giving you privacy, son.” He finally spoke, once the door closed behind us. He faced me. “Just because I have the ability to read your mind, does not give me the right to do it every time I please.” His gaze softened as it connected with mine. “I can feel the ache inside you. I know something is troubling you, and you wanted to talk to me about it. I was giving you the chance to do so.”

  I let out a controlled breath, nodding. “I much rather you read my thoughts, Father. I’m not sure I have the words to explain,” I confessed, and instantly sensed his presence in my mind again. The same as I had felt growing up, but hadn’t known how to recognize as his company.
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  This time however, he drifted into my thoughts, and I closed my eyes, allowing the memories to fill my mind. The moments I had spent with Kah replayed before my eyes, the promises we had made, the way I felt about her, what she meant to me.

  My thoughts drifted and new images replaced hers. Memories of Aura inundated my being. Her form glowed in my mind as though an aura engulfed her, although I could find no rationalization for it. My tortured eyes opened to find Avra closely watching me. My skin began to tingle as my dragon self stirred in response to her, the pulsing on my scales became stronger, intense with every breath, every heart beat, as the kiss Aura and I shared seeped into my consciousness. The feel of her lips on mine, of her body in my arms returned.

  Mine!

  My dragon voice roared, and Father’s eyes briefly widened. Shame filled me whole, and I pulled my gaze from him, breaking the connection. I rubbed my face with both hands, wishing I still had my glasses so I could push them over the bridge of my nose. The action itself was so familiar, it soothed me. I missed it. Father’s hand landed on my shoulder and he squeezed it reassuringly, bringing my attention back to him.

  “There is nothing for you to be ashamed of, son. I agree, the situation is less than ideal, but you forget this is our nature. We must share an experience with each woman suited for us in order to choose. Now that you have accomplished that, a decision must be made. But you mustn’t use your brain to do it.”

  I frowned. “That literally doesn’t make any sense.”

  His lips twitched and he sighed. “As Drayvok, we are both man and dragon. The man equals logic. He controls our rational actions and decisions, what must be done to fulfill our vow. To guide men, and our kin, to teach them.”

  His gaze went to the window across the corridor, and his gaze briefly became lost, as though he was reliving a memory. When it settled on me again, he smiled tenderly.

  “The dragon equals passion. He rules our heart and emotions. Everything we feel, including our love, comes from that side of us. Our dragon self lays claim, possesses and protects. He doesn’t question things; he acts on instinct, and desire. He ensures the survival of our loved ones, of our line, of our race. They coexist in perfect harmony, but each side must allow the other to take control when needed, because there is a reason both exist within us.”