Chapter Twenty-Two

"ANGUS IS ALREADY ASSIGNING DIFFERENT guards to look into and watch those who didn't seem thrilled about your plan for peace," Dallas informed me.

The two of us stood outside the doors leading to my and Rune's private floor. Rune had already gone in as he was eager to get out of the stuffy clothes. Plus, I suspected he secretly wanted to set some shit on fire after the stressful day.

The gathering had simmered down some after my speech and our interactions were far less aggressive, but my declaration made everyone want to have a second of my time to tell me their thoughts, whether supportive or not. I'd become some people's proverbial punching bag, but I stood there and took it because I knew I was asking a lot of them. I was asking for change and forgiveness, neither of which were ever easy.

Leaning against the door, I sighed. "They probably just need time. Today was the first day that the idea had been brought to their attention. They need the opportunity to see more of me, of Land Fae, and what that future together looks like."

"Still," Dallas said as she ran a hand through her ponytail. "Those individuals will be monitored for your safety. We wouldn't want them trying to hurt you."

Hearing that people could wish me harm for trying to bring peace was yet another boulder added to the mound on my back. My entire body felt tightly wound with the troubles of the day—hell, the troubles of the whole month —and more than anything, I wanted to retreat to days past. To days of homework, classes, and art. To days of movie nights, pizza, and laughter. To days before I felt the weight of thousands of lives with every inhale.

Taking a deep breath, I mumbled, "I'm tired. I'm going to head in."

Dallas flashed me a sympathetic smile and reached forward to wrap me in a tight hug. "Get some rest. I'll see you in the morning. I love you."

I squeezed her tighter. "I love you, too, Dallas."

I slipped into mine and Rune's private space, and as soon as the door shut behind me, I leaned against it and closed my eyes. My knees wanted to give out, but I forced them not to buckle. I couldn't crumble. This was just the beginning, and if this proved too much, how could I lead and do all I'd promised?

The crackling and popping of fire drew my attention. Opening my eyes, I started down the hall for our room. When I walked in, I found Rune kneeling by the fireplace, adding a log to the roaring, flickering fire. I smiled to myself, realizing he did set some stuff on fire. He'd changed out of the royal attire and into a pair of black sweatpants, and he'd let his shoulder-length hair down from its half-up-half-down look. His fluffy fox tail curled behind him on the rug, and his black-and-white fox ears twitched at the sound of me drawing close.

Rune looked over his shoulder at me, and my heart warmed when those eyes locked on mine. They settled me, and I found myself drifting over to him as his soul seemed to call out to mine. He was my landing point, my solid ground on which I could stand strong and firm, even when everything around me was trying to knock me down.

He rose as I made it to him, and a smile warmed his features as he immediately drew me against him. The blazing fire heated my skin, but not nearly as much as his hands did when they cupped my cheeks. His thumb brushed a loving trail, and I leaned into it.

"You did amazing today," he praised.

I placed a hand over his and squeezed. "I don't feel like I did amazing. Not when so many Water Fae seemed against the idea of our being together and making peace with Land Fae."

"Hey, a good seventy-five percent seemed on our side or at least open to it. I'd say that's pretty good odds."

"It is. I just can't unsee or unhear the twenty-five percent like Tommaso, Emilia, and Bella. They're my people, yet they hate me. They think I'm not on their side, and—"

"Shh," Rune said, leaning down and pressing his forehead to mine.

I inhaled deeply, trying to shove down the rising panic. I closed my eyes and focused on Rune's touch, the beat of his heart, and the even breaths he took. There was no need to get worked up over the few who were against us. I was still hopeful that I could help them see the good in resolving things. With more time and opportunity to see Land Fae, they'd come around.

"You've had a long day," Rune said.

I let out a humorless laugh. "We both have."

Rune pulled back to look me over. He slipped the circlet off my head and set it on the fireplace mantle. His large hands gently pulled at the pins holding my blonde and blue hair up, and he ran his fingers through the long waves as they fell around my shoulders and down my back. He placed a hand on my hip and dragged it over my abdomen as he walked around me, pressing firmly into my back. My insides tightened with heat as he brushed my hair away from my neck to fall over one shoulder.

He leaned in to place an electrifying kiss onto my throat before whispering, "Why don't I help you undress? You can take a nice, relaxing bath, and maybe there will be something even better waiting for you when you're done."

I sucked in a breath and swallowed hard. He was already unlacing my dress in the back, and images of roaming hands, bare flesh, and honey eyes had my toes curling in my heels. Clearing my throat, I said, "That sounds nice."

Rune finished undoing the dress, and the blue gown slipped over my curves until it pooled at my feet. Rune gave me his hand to help me step out of the mess of fabric and my heels. Suddenly, I stood there completely bare with only my blue-tipped curls shielding my body. Rune's gaze didn't miss an inch of my skin as he looked his fill, and I squirmed beneath his alluring gaze. It felt like a whisper of a caress, and my wet core begged for more.

He had other plans.

Smiling at me, he said, "Go ahead and go soak. I'm trying to be a thoughtful gentleman, but if you keep standing here looking like that, I'm not going to be able to resist fucking you until you see stars."

The obscene sentence only made me hotter for him, and I trailed my hands up his firm chest. My voice dropped low as I whispered, "That's fine with me."

He groaned, and his hard cock twitched where it pressed into my stomach. He leaned down, and as soon as his lips closed over mine, hunger stormed my senses. I shoved my hands into his hair and tugged him against me as I deepened the kiss, exploring his tongue with my own. His grip lifted me into his arms until my legs wrapped around his waist, with my hands still firmly in his hair and on the back of his neck. I was vaguely aware that we were moving, but I was far too focused on the sexy Fox pressed into me to notice where we were going.

That is, until I was abruptly set down into the steaming waters of the clawfoot tub. I gasped, looking at the porcelain tub then up at a snickering Rune.

"Soak," he ordered. "Relax. I'll be back in a minute."

"But—"

He was already gone, jogging out the way we'd come.

I puffed my lips in a pout, but my disappointment quickly melted away with the call of the water pulling at me. I sank further into the warmth of the water until it touched my chin, and my eyes slipped closed with the sense of calm seeping into my bones. The water was like my very own Xanax.

Smiling at the clear pool, I twirled a finger beneath the water and watched as a line of water no bigger than a 12-inch strand of yarn rose out of the bath and began to spin in the air above me. It floated higher and higher, and as it twirled, I clenched my fist. The spiral suddenly crystalized until it became a solid piece of ice suspended in the air.

I'd gotten better at controlling the element, and it didn't require near as much mental strain as it used to. With little effort in envisioning what exactly I wanted, the water just seemed to know . I took that as a sign that our relationship was strengthening.

I sat up straighter in the tub and beckoned the ice to crack and melt back into the pool. As soon as it disappeared, the bathroom door cracked back open, and Rune came in. He shut the door behind him, and my heart stuttered when I saw the renewed desire in his eyes. His gaze traced what flesh he could see from his vantage point, and his cock twitched in his pants.

"Is the water warm enough?" he asked as he stalked over to the tub, his voice rougher than normal.

"It's fine."

Rune knelt behind me at the head of the tub. I glanced over my shoulder at him, and he flashed me his canines in a seductive smirk. "Want some help washing up?"

"If you're offering," I answered.

He nodded. "Can you wet your hair for me?"

Instead of dipping under the water, I looked back at the full tub and called the water to me. It rose from the pool and cascaded over my head like a gentle waterfall.

Rune chuckled. "That's one way to do it." He grabbed the bottle of coconut and sea salt scented shampoo and gently lathered my hair. My eyes slipped closed as he massaged the liquid into my scalp and through my strands.

"Feel good?" he asked.

"Mmm," was all I managed to say. I was too lost in the soothing sensation of his hands, which was quickly making a mess of my thoughts and ability to speak.

When he was done, he had me rinse the shampoo in the same way I'd wet my hair, and he moved on to washing my body. He lathered the soap in his palms and coasted them along my shoulders, down my arms, and over my back. He leaned in close as his arms pinned me against the back of the tub so he could reach around me to slide his fingers down my cleavage, under my breasts, and over my puckered nipples. I bit my lip as he cupped each breast for only a moment before moving lower to run his hands along my stomach. The water suddenly thrashed against the sides of the tub as Rune's fingers came dangerously close to the place where I was growing desperate to be touched.

"Rune," I hissed breathlessly.

"Patience," he whispered against my ear.

I shivered at the breath against my skin, and I squirmed as Rune moved around the tub to finish washing my legs. His eyes suddenly met mine, and I saw the caged animal pacing back and forth in those golden depths. My thighs spread as his hand dipped into the water and sought my throbbing center. As soon as his digit slicked into my folds and rubbed against my clit, I threw my head back with a breathy moan. The water tossed and spilled over the lip of the tub as my brain short-circuited under the fog of pleasure.

As quick as the electrifying caress to my sex came, it stopped. Rune pulled away, and I whimpered at the loss. Rune flashed me a knowing smirk. "I think you're all clean."

Narrowing my eyes, I hissed, "No, I think you missed a spot."

I quickly wrapped my arms around his neck and crushed his lips to mine. He gasped into my mouth as his tongue reached for mine, and I strained to get closer to him from where he still knelt by the side of the tub. Sensing my desire, the water I sat in suddenly lifted around me, raising me up out of the tub. I gasped and let go of Rune, who stood back and watched in wonder as the suspended water deposited me on my feet in front of him before crashing back down in the porcelain.

Rune and I stood frozen, staring at each other for only a second before we both moved. My soaked body pressed into him, and his hands and mouth sought me like a diver reaching out to sunken treasure. His desperate touch traveled over my breasts, pinching and pulling on my sensitive nipples. Liquid heat coated my pussy, and it pulsed with desire while Rune continued to knead my curves and kiss me with a hungry fervor.

Rune pressed into me, making my butt hit the lip of the bath. His lips kissed a trail over my jaw and down my throat, and I bit my lip as his canines scraped teasingly at my neck.

"Turn around," Rune growled into my skin, and my knees buckled when he shoved his pants down to free his straining cock.

Breathless and eager to be claimed, I turned in his arms and braced my hands on the edge of the tub. His clawed hands grabbed my hips and pulled me back just as the tip of his cock pressed against my entrance. I cried out a delighted tune when he shoved into me, and he grunted as I tightened around him.

"Fuck yes," he groaned. He shoved a hand into my damp hair, grabbing a fist full to hold onto, and the other snaked its way around me to seek out the hot bundle of nerves between my thighs.

"Rune," I moaned, pushing my hips back to meet each thrust. "Ahh … Rune!"

My scalp burned slightly as he pulled on my hair, forcing my head back as he drove deeper into me and continued to flick his finger quickly over my clit. I bit my lip as the heat circling around my middle burned hotter, and my hips bucked as I fought to rub harder against his finger and push him further into me.

"God, you feel so good," Rune gasped.

"Keep going," I cried as the building pleasure in my core grew and grew until it felt seconds away from bursting. He pulled my hair more tightly, and I gripped the tub with white-knuckled fists. "Don't stop!"

His hips slapped against my skin as his movements became harder and faster, including his searching finger over my clit. A strangled moan burst from my lips as starbursts exploded behind my tightly shut eyes, and my orgasm shook my limbs in a euphoric buzz. Rune quickly followed, groaning as he spilled himself inside me with slowing thrusts.

My breathing came out fast and hard as I came back down from the high of my climax, and Rune pressed a kiss onto the back of my shoulder as he pulled out. I whimpered from the sudden emptiness, and my entire body trembled with the remaining aftershocks coating my body.

"Looks like you may need to rewash," Rune chuckled into my hair, which he smoothed back down my back.

The water quickly climbed out of the pool and up my hands and arms, which were still braced on the tub's edge. The sudsy water engulfed my body, pushing and pulling against me as it cleaned me once again from head to toe. Finally, sensing its job was done, it rolled away from my body and back into the tub. Drops clung to my skin, and my hair hung in damp waves. With a quick wave of my hands, I dried myself instantly by pulling the water left on me into an orb above my hands, which I dropped back into the tub.

I glanced over my shoulder at Rune with a smile. "Done."

"Impressive," Rune marveled while dipping a rag in the water to wash his shaft, which was still mostly erect.

He dried his soaked sweats—though I had to assist by pulling the water out—and tucked himself back into them, seemingly much to his dick's dismay. He reached for a silver silk robe that hung on a hook on the bathroom wall, and he held it open for me to step into. He hugged me from behind and held me there as he secured the robe with the sash.

Even after he was done, he kept his hold on me, placing a kiss atop my head. "I have something for you."

Quirking a curious brow, I turned in his arms to look up at him. "Oh? What is it?"

Taking my hands, he led me out of the bathroom, but we didn't stop once we got into the bedroom. He kept pulling me after him down the hall to my personal sitting room.

Looking at him suspiciously, I asked, "What are we doing here?"

Smiling, he gestured at the closed door. "See for yourself."

I opened the door, and instantly, I wanted to fall to the ground and cry. Jesiah, Akira, Imani, and Avana stood by the fireplace where warm flames danced. Marlow sat on the floor with the twins, and the three of them seemed zeroed in on a jigsaw puzzle with Alvaro pointing out pieces for his boys. Dallas and Rance slow danced in the corner to non-existent music, lost to whatever they saw in the other's eyes. Bassel and Carlos were snuggled up on the couch, listening to Ardley's animated tale, and even Mingxia, Marcus, Khalani, and Jayanna were there, focused on the Fox and his story.

Snacks, including a pile of steaming cinnamon rolls, littered a table in the back of the room with an array of drinks next to them. The most surprising detail, though, was the blank canvas set up on an easel near the fire with a table full of paints and brushes next to it.

As soon as everyone noticed me, smiles lit their faces.

"Bria!" the twins yelled as they ran over to hug me.

"‘Bout time you got here," Ardley said to me with a wink.

"Wh-What are you guys doing here?" I asked incredulously.

"You had a long, rough day," Rance started, slinging an arm around Dallas's shoulder. "Rune figured you could use a pick-me-up."

"It's a night off," Jesiah added. "No work, no talk of any duties or plans. Just a night to be with your friends."

"And paint," Rune quickly added. He grabbed my hand and pulled me over to the easel where he waved his hand at the stool. "I thought you might enjoy a chance to do what you love."

Emotion clogged my throat, and I had to swallow multiple times before my voice worked. Blinking the moisture away, I squeezed Rune's hand and looked up at him to whisper, "Thank you."

Smiling, he leaned down to kiss my temple. "You have nothing to thank me for. Now get to painting, beautiful. I'll go grab you a cinnamon roll."

I watched my Fox walk away, shoving his cousin in the shoulder, who, no doubt, teased him as he walked by. This man … There were certain moments in my life when I truly felt lucky. The time I entered an art contest and won $500 worth of art supplies was one. The moment when Dallas and I had learned we'd been accepted to the same university and got to room together was another. This moment trumped all of them.

I was lucky to have this room full of laughter and family.

I was lucky to have this man who watched me like I was the only person in the room, and I knew nothing would ever be more beautiful or perfect than this very moment.

Which gave me an idea for the painting.

I grabbed my brush, and feeling the wooden tool between my fingers created a sense of contentment inside me. It had been far too long since I'd gotten the chance to paint, and now that I finally had the chance, it was like my whole body came alive.

Dipping my brush into the blue paint, I mixed it with some white until I got the color I wanted. The brush glided the thick paint across the canvas, and as I watched the white slowly disappear beneath my strokes, a smile pulled my lips up.

I reached for more paint, and my hair fell into my eyes as I did. Just as I went to push it back, Akira came up next to me and said, "Here, let me get that for you."

I met his black eyes with a smile. "Thanks."

He got behind me and brushed his fingers through my blonde and blue hair, pulling it gently back behind me. I continued gliding the paint over the canvas as I felt the familiar tug of my hair being braided.

"What are you painting?" Akira asked.

I scooped even more paint and finished laying the base color. "Us. This room. I'm painting this moment so I'll always have it."

"I think that's a great idea. Just make sure you paint my good side."

Laughing, I nodded. "I think I can do that."

"You and Rune seem to be doing good," Akira noted conspiratorially as he nudged my back while continuing his work on my hair.

I glanced across the room. Rune stood by the snack table, laughing at something his brothers said. I nodded again. "We are." I glanced over my shoulder at Akira with a teasing smirk. "You and Jesiah seem to be pretty great, too."

Akira's cheeks pinkened, but he didn't hide away from my poking. He nodded and glanced over to where Jesiah still stood by the fireplace. "I'm so happy, Bria. Genuinely, absolutely happy . Finally, after all these years, I've found him."

"You found your wind," I grinned.

Akira had once said that about Jesiah. He was what gave him flight, life, and freedom. Akira had been lost without him, but now, he seemed whole again.

Akira closed his eyes, and affection bled into his features. When he opened his eyes again, he whispered, "I did. And I have you to thank for that. If it wasn't for you bringing us all here, I'd still be wandering around, secretly lost and hurting. So thank you."

I turned and squeezed Akira around the middle. "I'm just glad you two found each other again. Jesiah's a really good man. You both deserve all the happiness in the world."

Akira hugged me just as tightly before letting me go. I turned back around in my stool to keep painting, and Akira finished off my braid. He let it fall down my back, and he leaned down to prop his chin on my shoulder and watch me paint in silence for a few minutes.

Finally, he said, "I love moments like this where we're all together. I hope it can be like this forever."

Heart full, I whispered, "Me, too."

This room was full of Land and Water Fae, not only coexisting but truly enjoying the other's company. This was the future we hoped to build, one in which these kinds of friendships and relationships were not only possible but worth having. I wanted a world that looked like this room.

Akira leaned in to plant a kiss on my cheek. "I'll let you get back to painting. I just wanted to say thank you."

Akira rejoined Jesiah, who wrapped his arm around Akira's shoulder—careful to avoid his wings—and placed a kiss on top of his head. I refocused on my painting, and a few seconds later, Rune joined my side. He pulled a chair near mine, and he fed me bites of my cinnamon roll as I worked. Everyone stood around the room, regaling us with stories from when we'd all lived in the human world. The air felt light, warm, and safe, and as Rune and I shared a smile, I truly believed this world was possible.