by Karen Lynch
“What do you want?” I asked, realizing we’d never talked about that.
Lukas’s head dipped. “This,” he whispered against my lips, and then his mouth took mine in a slow, drugging kiss. I floated on a cloud as his lips blazed a trail to the hollow of my throat. “This,” he said before his tongue darted out to taste my skin. I let out a tiny moan as every nerve ending in my body lit up.
“Lukas,” I breathed. I wanted his mouth back on mine as much as I wanted him to not stop what he was doing to me.
He pulled away, and then he was on top of me. He raised up on his forearms, but the rest of his hard body pressed me down into the bed. The possessive gleam in his eyes sent a shiver through me as he recaptured my mouth, telling me without words that I was his.
I was breathless when he moved to lie beside me, propped up on one arm. His lips continued their assault as his free hand tugged the covers down to my waist.
My breath caught when his fingers touched the shirt button between my breasts, and he lifted his head to look at me. I nodded my permission, and he smiled as he flicked the button open with ease. His warm hand slipped beneath the soft material, and I arched into his touch when he cupped my breast.
“I’ve wanted to touch you like this for so long,” he said thickly.
I reached up to pull his head down to me again. “Then don’t stop.”
Our lips had barely made contact when the bell sounded. Lukas groaned and fell onto his back beside me. “If that is my father, I am going to disavow him.”
A pained laugh slipped from me because I shared his frustration. He went to answer the door while I lay there reliving the most sensual experience of my life. I imagined what would have happened if the bell hadn’t rung, and I silently cursed our visitor, who had the worst timing ever.
Lukas came back to the bedroom, carrying a small bundle of clothes. “Roswen sent Gelsey with a change of clothes for you.” He tossed the clothes on a chair. “You won’t need those for a few hours.”
My heart thudded when he rejoined me on the bed. He rose up on his elbow and leaned down to brush a featherlight kiss against my lips. “Now where were we, mi’calaech?”
Mi’calaech…my fire flower. The translation of the endearment formed in my mind, and I wrapped my arms around his neck to kiss him back wantonly.
The sound of the bell again had Lukas pulling away from me, swearing. I pitied whoever was at the door this time because he looked a little scary when he strode from the bedroom. He returned with a resigned expression and carrying a food tray, which he set down on the foot of the bed.
“My mother sent breakfast and hopes you are feeling better this morning.” He arranged the pillows behind me, and I reclined against them. Picking up the tray, he settled it over my lap and sat facing me. “We’d better eat before it gets cold, or she will want to know why you didn’t touch the food.”
I grinned and picked up a pastry. “That sounds like something my mom would say.”
Lukas moved up to sit beside me. “What would you like to do today?”
“With you?” I asked around a bite of pastry. Last night was the most I’d seen of him in days, and I assumed the king would keep him even busier after what had happened.
He laughed. “Yes, with me. I have more free time for the next week, and I intend to spend it with you. We can do whatever you want…as long as we stay in Unseelie.”
My chest expanded so much I thought it would burst. If not for the tray on my lap, I would have straddled him and kissed the hell out of him.
“I’d love to see more of the valley. It’s so beautiful from up here.” I would have been happy walking to the lake as long as I did it with him, but it would be nice to get away from court for a few hours.
“A day outside sounds perfect,” he said.
After breakfast, Lukas went to let his men know of our plans while I showered and changed into the clothes Gelsey had brought. In the living room, I found my favorite combat-style boots I used for outdoor training and made a mental note to thank Gelsey. I was lacing them up when Lukas returned looking a little put out. My shoulders slumped as I waited for him to tell me he couldn’t go out after all.
“I hope you don’t mind some extra company,” he said, walking to his bedroom. “Roswen stopped me to ask after you, and I foolishly told her our plans for today. She’s meeting us outside.”
“Oh, good! I haven’t talked to her since I got back from visiting my family.”
Lukas said something I couldn’t make out.
“What was that?” I called.
He appeared in the bedroom doorway. “I’m glad you two like each other, but this was supposed to be our time together.” With that, he yanked off his shirt, giving me a tantalizing view of his hard chest and defined abs before he disappeared into the room. I stared dreamily after him until Kaia jumped onto the couch and jolted me to my senses.
When he emerged ten minutes later, his hair was still damp from the shower, and he was dressed in riding clothes like the ones he’d worn the night he had gone out searching for me. We left his suite, and I was surprised none of his men were waiting for us. I couldn’t believe they would let him leave the court with only Kaia for protection.
It wasn’t until we exited the mountain that I saw Conlan and Faris waiting for us with Roswen and a group of others. I recognized Roswen’s personal guards, but who were all of these other people?
“Jesse!” Roswen grabbed someone’s arm and pulled him over to us. I didn’t recognize him until they were standing in front of us.
“Jesse, this is our brother, Kellen. Kellen, meet Jesse,” she said.
I smiled at the sixteen-year-old prince. “It’s nice to meet you, Prince Kellen.”
“Hello,” he said stiffly as if we were at a formal event. I couldn’t tell if he was a snob or socially awkward.
Roswen waved a hand dismissively. “Call him Kellen.”
Kellen shot her an annoyed look, which she ignored. He huffed softly and walked away to pick up the reins of a beautiful white tarran. The animal lowered its head to him, and he rubbed its forehead affectionately. I forgave his rudeness when he took a treat from his pocket and fed it to the tarran.
Two elf servants approached carrying large baskets, which they secured to the back of one of the tarrans with straps. I gave Roswen a questioning look, and she smiled.
“It’s such a lovely day. I thought we could ride to the river and have our lunch there.”
“That sounds great,” I said before the rest of her sentence sank in. “There’s one tiny problem.”
Roswen took the reins of the tarran Parisa led to her. “What’s that?”
“I’ve never ridden a tarran.”
“Then you will have to ride with me,” Lukas said from behind me.
I turned to find him astride a glossy black tarran. He smiled devilishly and leaned down to extend a hand to me. My heart gave a little flutter as I walked over and took his hand. He lifted me with ease, settling me in front of him.
“Comfortable?” he asked as his arms encircled me to take the reins.
“Uh-huh.” I glanced around at the other riders, most of whom were watching us curiously. Even Roswen was openly staring, but she looked pleased, too.
I licked my dry lips. “Are you sure it’s a good idea for me to ride with you like this? Won’t people talk?”
“Yes.” He flicked the reins, and his tarran started walking. Conlan and Faris flanked us, with the rest of our party falling in behind. Kaia ran ahead, already on the hunt for something.
We set off across the grounds, skirting the main gardens and lake. When we reached a narrow hard-packed trail, Conlan took the lead with Faris behind us. They put enough distance between us so Lukas and I could talk privately, and it felt like we were in our own little world.
The valley was a riot of colors that were even more vibrant up close. Wildflowers of every hue grew among the tall grasses on the gently rolling hills, and they attracted bright yellow
and blue birds no bigger than butterflies. There were trees that looked like pines with silver needles and others with giant red leaves that resembled clusters of open umbrellas.
Lukas pointed out things we passed such as a livestock farm, an orchard, and a small village inhabited mostly by artisans. When I asked why they didn’t live in town, he said they preferred the quieter village.
Further on, a low group of buildings came into view. They were too far away to make out much detail, except for a few people walking around and what looked like tarrans in a fenced area.
“That is a training camp for new recruits,” Lukas explained. “We have another camp on the mountain for advanced trainees.”
“The same mountain your trainer made you run up and down?”
He laughed. “That’s the one.”
For the next hour, he entertained me with tales from his childhood and training years. Most of his stories had some or all of his friends in them, and it was easy to see why they were such a tight-knit circle.
We reached a low rise, and hoofbeats interrupted our conversation. Roswen raced past us laughing with Kellen hot on her heels and half a dozen of their guards chasing after them. Roswen looked back over her shoulder and taunted her brother before she leaned over her tarran’s neck, and they shot forward. She crested the rise and raised her arms in the air with a victorious whoop.
“Roswen and Kellen have always been competitive riders,” Lukas said. “He’s never been able to catch her, but he keeps falling for her challenges.”
I smiled at the comradery between his siblings. “Is she better than you?”
“She’s better than everyone,” he answered proudly.
We followed them up the incline. As we neared the top, Lukas said, “Close your eyes.”
I did. A minute later, we stopped moving, and I was bursting with anticipation when he said, “You can look now.”
I opened my eyes and stared at the view laid out before me. Less than half a mile away, a wide, sparkling river moved slowly as if it had all the time in the world. The far bank of the river was lined with tall trees, and beyond them, the black cliffs rose in the distance.
Between us and the river was a field of undulating flames. No, not flames. They were flowers with reddish-orange blossoms that resembled fire under the sun. The illusion was so realistic, it looked like flames were licking at the legs of the tarrans ahead of us.
“Wow.”
Lukas urged our tarran forward. “Calaech flowers. They grow all over the valley, but they are most plentiful along the river.”
“Beautiful,” I murmured, mesmerized.
We caught up to the others as they were dismounting at a grassy spot beside the river. Two grooms led the tarrans to the water to drink, while we began to set out our picnic.
Roswen was helping me spread a blanket when she scowled at something over my shoulder. “They never give up.”
“Who?” I turned and found another riding party coming around a bend in the river. Rashari was at the front beside the same male who had been with her at the lake. Behind them rode Delphine, Sereia, and two males I didn’t recognize.
Cyrene made a face. “Someone should tell Rashari that desperation is not a good look for her.”
I looked to where Lukas stood by the water talking to Kellen, Conlan, and Faris. Conlan saw the newcomers first, and he said something to Lukas, whose smile disappeared.
“Hello, there,” Rashari called, feigning surprise at seeing us. “I see we are not the only ones drawn to the river today.”
“I’d like to throw her in the river,” Parisa muttered.
Roswen snickered, and I smothered a grin. I would not let anyone spoil this day for me. It didn’t matter how many people crashed our outing as long as I was with Lukas.
Movement behind Rashari’s group caught my eye, and I looked at the blond straggler riding into view. He saw us and waved a hand, and I thought my grin would split my face.
“Tennin!”
“You know Tennin?” Roswen asked.
“He’s a good friend of mine,” I said as he approached. “I’m surprised to see him with Rashari and her friends, though.”
Parisa stepped up beside us. “He’s most likely here because of Delphine. They are cousins.”
I made a face. “I won’t hold that against him.”
The group reached us and dismounted. Tennin handed his reins to one of our grooms and came over to us. He gave Roswen a small bow. “Princess Roswen, you grow more beautiful every day.”
She laughed affectionately. “I see the human world hasn’t changed you at all.”
“And I see you have the same impeccable taste in friends.” Tennin looked at me. “How are you, Jesse? I hope you’re not finding Faerie dull after living in New York.”
Roswen burst out laughing. “Only if you consider being carried away by a drakkan dull.”
“Or surviving a rock slide at the royal dinner,” Parisa added. She lowered her voice. “Although, I believe you were less in danger of the rocks than some of the death glares you received when Prince Vaerik carried you out of there.”
Tennin’s eyes widened. “Do tell.”
Roswen, Parisa, and Cyrene took great delight in recounting the events of last night. In their version, Lukas had vaulted over the head table and run for me as soon as the first rock fell. I thought they were embellishing the story until I met Roswen’s eyes, and she nodded.
“Jesse,” said a quiet female voice.
I turned to see Delphine approaching me. Her hands were clasped, and she wore a demure expression, which put me on my guard. She stopped beside Tennin, and for the first time, there was no scorn in her eyes when she looked at me.
“I wanted to thank you for what you did last night.” She swallowed nervously. “You saved my life. I am sorry you were injured helping me.”
I was not expecting those words from her. It took me a few seconds to reply. “You don’t have to thank me for that. I’m glad you’re okay.”
She smiled timidly. “I am happy you are well, too. If you ever need anything, please ask.”
“Thanks… that’s very nice of you.”
I was saved from figuring out what else to say when Rashari called for her friend. Delphine smiled at me, curtsied to Roswen, and went back to the group she’d arrived with.
I stared after her, not sure what to make of this transformation. Rashari’s frown told me she was as confused as I was and not happy about her friend’s little defection.
Roswen raised her eyebrows at me. “That was unusual.”
“Not if you know her mother, Maraja,” said Ellette, who had joined us. She looked at Tennin, and he shrugged good-naturedly.
“There is very little about my aunt that will surprise me.” To me he said, “Delphine’s father and mine are brothers. My family prefers to live at our estate in the north. Delphine’s parents prefer court life.”
I had been at court long enough to know the meaning in his words. Delphine’s parents were courtiers, who cared only about status and gaining the favor of the royal family.
“What does Maraja have to do with it?” Roswen asked her friend.
Ellette leaned in. “I saw Delphine’s brother Aslan this morning, and you know how much he hates his mother’s scheming. Aslan told me Maraja was livid when they came home from the dinner last night. She’s been grooming Delphine for years to be the prince’s consort, and she knows that will never happen now. Everyone at the dinner saw how Vaerik looked at Jesse and the way he ran to her when she was hurt. There is no way he will take Delphine as a mate.”
Happiness bubbled up inside me. I thought about kissing Lukas and what we had almost done in his bed this morning. Parisa gave me a knowing smirk, and heat crept up my neck.
“Maraja told Delphine they’ll have to make the most of it,” Ellette continued. “If Delphine can’t be the prince’s consort, she will be the consort’s friend.”
“Are you serious?” I shook my head as my ha
ppy buzz turned to anger. “Lukas is a person, not some object they can use to get what they want.”
Roswen smiled, looking pleased by my outburst, and Parisa asked, “Why do you call him Lukas?”
“That’s the name he gave me when I met him, and no one” – I glared at Tennin – “cared to tell me he was Prince Vaerik. I got to know him as Lukas and I keep forgetting to use his real name.”
Tennin laughed. “You already know why I couldn’t tell you. And look at it this way. No one can accuse you of getting close to him because of who he is.”
His comment made me think of how angry Lukas had been when he’d thought I had done exactly that. Now that I’d seen what he had to deal with here, I could understand why he had reacted so strongly when he’d believed I had betrayed him.
“Speaking of getting close to Vaerik.” Cyrene cocked her head sideways in Lukas’s direction.
We all turned our heads to follow her gaze. I felt a flicker of irritation when I saw Rashari standing beside Lukas. It faded when he shifted, putting some space between them.
“I think Lukas can handle it,” I said lightly. “Let’s get this picnic set up.”
It didn’t take long with all of us helping to unpack the baskets and put out the food and drinks. Roswen called everyone to join us, and I smiled when Lukas detached himself from Rashari to sit by me. Conlan and Faris sat on his other side, and Kaia suddenly appeared to lie beside me.
Lunch was fun and the conversation light. No one talked about last night except when Tennin said he had come back to Faerie before the travel ban. He was staying at court for a few days before he traveled to his family home.
After the meal, Lukas stood and extended his hand to me. “Will you walk by the river with me?”
I put my hand in his and said playfully, “I would love to, Your Highness.”
He pulled me to my feet so we stood mere inches from each other. “I am Lukas to you, or Vaerik if you so choose. But never Your Highness.”
My stomach fluttered at the tenderness in his eyes. “A walk would be great, Lukas.”