23

TWENTY-FOUR

Willow

“This area of Virgo is beautiful,” Ember says as we ride through district after district on our way to the newly renovated orphanage. We’ve taken my personal carriage and Artie is driving it. Artie will be accompanying us nearly always since he’s blood sworn to protect and look over me. If I die, he dies. His life purpose is to ensure I stay alive, which is shitty of my father  but thankfully I enjoy his company.

As we approach the new orphanage, I’m truly looking forward to showing Ember this place.

We round the corner and I instantly feel something is off. There’s a sensation of fear trickling down my spine, tingling my limbs, and making me itchy. I let go of Ember’s hand and pound my first on the roof of the carriage. Artie abruptly stops us and Ember and I exit the car immediately.

There’s a cloud of smoke in the air that wasn’t there when we left the palace before. Is there a fire close by?

My skin prickles with gooseflesh as I take in our surroundings. I didn’t notice from inside the carriage, but there are barely any citizens walking the streets and it’s the middle of the day. Usually, I see the city moving with life from the palace windows.

“Do you hear that?” Ember says while covering her mouth and nose to help her breathe through the thick smoke and fog.

I don’t know what she’s referring to, but then I hear the sounds of magic blasting and crackling up ahead near the orphanage. My heart sinks. I flash into my faerie form and take off flying in that direction.

“Willow, wait!” I hear Ember shout after me but I’m already gone. Artie will stay with her because he knows I’ll kill him with my bare hands if anything were to happen to my mate. She’s more important than me now, especially if she’s truly the lost princess of the Moonblood bloodline. If that’s true, that means she’s closer to being a prime fae than she is common fae. I don’t have time to think about that further since I rounded the corner and the orphanage came into view.

Or what’s left of it.

I see him, standing among the ashes and rubble of what was once a beautiful safe haven for the children of Estrallume.

My father. He destroyed the orphanage and there’s nothing left to save.

Don’t do it, Will. I hear Ember shout down the bond.

He deserves to die for this. He’s a monster. I can’t believe he cares more about weapons and a stupid storage bunker than these children. I hover in my faerie form far enough away that my father hasn’t noticed me yet.

Come back to me, Will. We will stop him together, but right now neither of us has the strength to match his unknown powers.

Ember reminds me that my father has changed. There’s been a switch in his elemental powers and he has access to new things I never experienced before. The invisible hands he’s capable of accessing which choke, throw, and kill faeries without him actually getting blood on his hands is just daunting.

Gritting my teeth and with clenched muscles, I turn around and fly back to my mate.

Flashing back into my human form before them, I apologize. I clear my throat and walk straight up to Ember, kissing her deeply before walking us both back to the carriage doors. We slip back inside and allow Artie to change course for Comet Cottages, the home of my mate.

“I’m so sorry, Will. He’s despicable but we just can’t face him in this state right now. We need to find a way to enhance our powers or figure out what magic he has access to before we do anything.” Ember softly speaks to me. She knows I’m furious and seething still. Her calmness grounds me and helps me see sense.

Ember reaches for my hand and tangles her fingers with mine. I’m still cooling off from the rush of seeing my father destroy something so dear to me. I was looking forward to Ember meeting the children, leaving gifts for them, and teaching them tricks with my magic. I know my little dragon would have adored all of it.

We travel together mile after mile and I get the opportunity to see how terrible the Decay has ravaged our lands. Ember wasn’t lying, it’s killing everything. The outer villages are still safe but Ember tells me Comet Cottages has just had its first touch of the Decay, and there’s only a few years left of good crops. Scholar-talented faeries still haven’t found the origin or solution.

Ember fell asleep about halfway through our journey, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I have so much gratitude for her agreeing to complete the bond, but I don’t understand why my father wanted her to do it so badly. Is it because of our combined strength? He was willing to make a spectacle of my torture just to bribe Ember into finishing our pairing. I want to know what’s going on inside his head. Before I can venture down the rabbit hole of thinking, Ember rests her head against my shoulder and softly snores.

I smile to myself at how adorable she is.

We finally pulled up in front of her shop and apartment. I’m already so proud of my girl for accomplishing something as large as owning her own business. Fuck, she’s so incredible. The more time we spend together, the more in love I am with her.

Artie stops the carriage and drops us off before taking the horses to a local stable to be boarded. Ember is such a deep sleeper, she won’t wake even when I try to rouse her. I end up just carrying her out of the carriage and through her front gardens. “Little dragon,” I whisper and lean down to kiss her forehead while cradling her in my arms. “We’ve arrived. I need you to wake up and unlock the door now.”

She groans and squirms in my arms, trying to get comfortable, and falls back asleep.

“Shit.” I laugh to myself.

I hear a door close somewhere and footsteps fast approaching, then Amara appears from around the building and rushes towards us. “Oh my stars! Is she okay? What happened?” She pants and brushes the hair away from Ember’s face, neglecting to greet me.

“Hello, to you too.” I chuckle. “She’s completely fine. Your friend here really loves to sleep.”

“Oh.” Amara laughs and backs away, letting out a large breath. “Yeah, she’s always been a deep sleeper. It’s like a troll hit her over the head and she’ll never wake up, but to my surprise she always does. I’m sorry for jumping to conclusions. It’s good to see you again, Prince Willow.”

“Please, just Will.” I nod at the front door and say, “May we come in?”

“Oh! Of course, it’s her house anyways.” She turns on her heels and leads me to an entrance on the side of the two-story cottage. “Ember’s lived here since she turned 18. She bought this place immediately after university and then turned it into one of the most reputable elixir and gem businesses in Faerelle.”

“My mate is quite a wonder, isn’t she?” I say while glancing down at her soft features. She sleeps so peacefully here in my arms. I’ve noticed she’s had fewer nightmares since allowing me to sleep in bed with her too.

Amara takes us through the front entrance, past the vine-covered foyer, and into my mate’s pink apartment. It’s everything I imagined for her and more. This apartment speaks so many truths about my mate. There are elements of earth, water features, natural stone, pink decor, and furniture. It’s truly comforting for me to be here in a place that represents so much of my moon-bound mate.

“You can take her upstairs if you’d like. I can start some tea for us while she rests. Your travel must have been hard given the lump of slumber she’s in.” v Amara observes as I take the stairs leading up to my mate’s pink covered bedroom.

“We had a long night, unfortunately. She didn’t get the best sleep so I don’t blame her for taking advantage of a traveling nap.” I state before I step into her precious bedroom. It’s Ember in every way that matters.

Amara starts making tea while I set my little dragon down in her luscious hot pink nest of blankets. She immediately snuggles into what I assume is her favorite pillow and lightly snores. Kissing her softly on the forehead, I tuck her in and head back downstairs. It feels relieving to be far away from the threats of my father so she can get the rest she deserves.

Once I meet Amara in the kitchen, she hands me a mug and leans against the kitchen counter while sipping from her cup. I take a seat on one of the bar stools and let out a sigh as I also take a drink of tea.

“So, how was the ball? Tell me what happened the past few nights, and is there any news of reinforcements in the search for finding Brooks? Ember normally checks in but I didn’t hear from her the entire time. I’ve been here worried sick.” Amara whines.

I place my mug down and begin filling her in on the events of the past few days.

“My father has access to new powers. We aren’t sure what that means yet, but he’s able to use invisible forces to act to his will. Without going into much detail, I was made a spectacle at the ball for disobeying my father. Other than that, I think Ember should be the one to tell you the more important news. It’s her information to share.” Even though I could tell Amara everything, I respect my mate enough to know she’d want to be present for this conversation.

Artie arrives and stomps through the front door, tracking mud everywhere. “Hey! Take those rancid boots off. Does this look like a pig pen? Who even are you?” Amara yells while stomping over to Artie.

“A little help with this viper, Will?” Artie looks up at me with a smirk and laughter while avoiding Amara’s fists. She is equally as feisty as Ember. Which makes sense considering they’re practically sisters from how Ember talks about her.

I chuckle. “Amara, meet my personal guard and best friend, Artemus Steel.”

“But you, my lady–” Artie takes a low bow while standing in a pile of mud from his boots. “are blessed to be in my presence.”

Amara snorts and turns her back on Artie. She trudges back to the kitchen and continues sipping on her tea. She stares daggers into Artie from afar.

We make small talk over our tea and before we know it, I hear the rustling of sheets up above.

“Excuse me,” I say and place my mug in the sink. I take the stairs two at a time and find my mate rising from her slumber. She stretches her arms above herself and tries to flatten her tousled hair.

“Hi.” She greets me.

I stand at the top of the stairs of her loft, staring at her beauty and my cock goes instantly hard. Seeing her hair a mess, tussled in the sheets, her strappy top dangling off her shoulder and exposing the top of her breast snaps something in me. I cast neon blue flames along the railing of her loft and cage us in from any wandering eyes. I also cast a silencing bubble around her room.

Slowly, I prowl toward my mate like a cub catching its prey for the first time. “Hello, mate.” I say with a raspy voice.

She smiles at me as I tower over her. “Welcome to my home, Prince Willow.” She pushes the sheets back and crawls to the edge of the bed, wrapping her arms around my waist and kissing my chin. “I have a gift for you.”

“A gift? What for?” I tilt my head and give her a crooked grin and she inhales a short breath. I watch as her toes curl and her skin breaks out in gooseflesh.

I love how I affect her.

Before she gives me an answer, I stare at her with hunger as she unbuckles my trousers and shoves them down my thighs. “Thank you for bringing me home safely,” she says as she grabs my already hard cock in her hands. Slowly, she strokes me with those soft hands. I let my head fall back and moan. Fuck, she’s going to be the death of me.

Ember begins trailing kisses from the bottom of my shaft to the tip of my cock. She licks an ooze of precum up and I nearly fucking burst at the sight of it. I grab a handful of her hair and help guide myself into her beautiful mouth. She places one hand on my hip and another cups my balls.

“Fuck.” I groan and start to thrust through her plump lips. “You take my cock so well. Just like that.”

She moans as she sucks my swollen cock, licking and nipping the tip.

“Ember.” I hiss through my teeth as she undoes me.

She reaches a hand between her thighs and moves her shorts out of the way. She’s stroking herself as she takes me in her mouth. It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever seen. She rides her own hand while I pump and thrust deep into the back of her throat. I don’t last long with this arousing scene and I can barely hold on as she unravels herself. I follow her over the edge at the same time and fill her slick, warm throat.

“Swallow, little dragon.”

She does exactly as I say, swallowing and sucking me completely dry. Pulling away, I watch as she licks her lips and looks at me through heavy lashes.

“Good girl.” I lean down to kiss her and taste myself on her lips. She deepens the kiss and I reach down to pull her into my arms. Wrapping her legs around my waist, my still swollen cock slides through her folds and I can’t fucking control myself. I walk to the bathroom door and prop her up against the wall next to it. Sliding my still-hard flesh through her wet sex, I feel another climax fast approaching as I rub her perfect clit with my cock.

She’s moaning and whispering my name while nibbling on my ear. I hear her fangs pop out and she latches onto my throat, causing a moan to escape my mouth and making me move faster. I can feel the puncture wounds and it’s causing severe arousal to course to my body like electricity, and before I know it I’m cascading over the edge of ecstasy and she follows me down the cliff.

“Holy,” she pants. “Shit.”

I chuckle and lift her higher into my arms, opening the door behind her and entering the bathroom. She uses her water magic to begin pouring the bathtub and I swirl in neon blue flames to heat the water she conjured. I get another wave of pleasure running through my body as our magic collides.

“I think I could spend eternity with you in bed,” she says into the crook of my neck as she nuzzles herself against me.

“That’s exactly what I plan on doing. An eternity fucking you into the void.”

“Mmm.” she moans and rocks her hips against me.

I laugh and slowly lower her into the full bathtub. “Is my little dragon actually a sex demon?”

“Maybe.” she looks at me curiously and then submerges herself entirely under the water. I undress fully and step into the bath behind her, pulling her against my chest and resting her wet head on my shoulder.

Together, we wash ourselves in peaceful silence and prepare for the battles that lay ahead.

I think to myself how lucky I am to have my mate finally accepting our bond and indulging in all the pleasantries that come with it.