31. Rhyland

Rhyland

31

A lready a day into our trek, nature's untamed majesty blossoms around us like a masterpiece. Thick woods that would put the finest manicured gardens to shame flank us on either side, and the hills roll out before us like a lavish spread of emerald and gold, basking in the glow of sunrise and showing off every vivid color in its arsenal. This place, it's a chorus of old magic, a landscape that's wild and eternal, that doesn't give a single flying fuck about the march of time or the petty concerns of mere mortals.

The rhythmic thud of hooves against the earth is as steady as a drumbeat, a slow march that syncs up perfectly with the wild symphony around us. It's like the very land itself is alive, pulsing with an energy that I can feel thrumming through my veins, setting every nerve ending on fire.

Dani's heat is pressed up against me, a solid anchor that reminds me why I'm in this fight, why I'm willing to go to the ends of the earth and beyond to keep her safe, to claim what's ours. I pull her in closer, my arms like steel bands wrapped around her, while I handle the reins with an ease born of centuries of practice, not even breaking a sweat.

She's nestled right between my thighs, fitting there like she was made for it, like every curve of her body was designed to mold perfectly against mine. It's a feeling that sets my blood on fire, that makes me want to forget about the mission, about the fate of the realms, and lose myself in her, in the way she makes me feel alive in ways I never thought possible.

That blowjob this morning completely blew my goddamn mind. And I can't stop thinking about all the filthy ways I'm going to make it up to my dirty little angel.

I'm holding Dani tight against me, her scent—like sunshine and honey mixed with a hint of spice—hitting me hard, making my head spin with desire. I can't help but bury my face in the sweet spot at her neck, inhaling deeply, letting her essence fill my lungs and set my blood on fire.

Dani's decked out in her battle gear, and fuck me sideways if she doesn't look like a goddess of war. The leathers are snug, really fucking snug, in all the right places—skimpy enough to make a man's mind wander to all sorts of sinful thoughts, but not so much that they don't mean serious business. They're like a second skin, outlining every delicious curve of her body, screaming both 'Touch me' and 'I'll kick your ass six ways to Sunday.'

Each strap, each buckle, is placed just so, showcasing her strength and power, and the way that dark material sets off her golden, sun-kissed skin has me on edge. She's walking art, a lethal package wrapped up in one hell of a tempting package, and I'm the lucky bastard who gets to stand at her side to call her mine.

Her hair, twisted into intricate war braids by the local fae girls this morning, has my cock throbbing non-stop, straining against my leathers like it's got a mind of its own.

She's a goddess, a warrior, my mate, and I'll be damned if she isn't going to conquer this battle just like she conquered my heart, claiming it as her own.

This morning, before we hit the road, she fed Lucian and Erik with her blood, using that ancient-as-fuck blood-drawing gear that Faderyn handed over. A sacred ritual, a bond forged in crimson.

Lucian and I, we've put our shit to bed... for the moment. Dani, in all her infinite wisdom, pushed us to 'kiss and make up,' and I went along with it, though not without a metric fuck-ton of grumbling. She laid it out clear as day—we've got to pull in the same direction, to have each other's backs. We can't let the petty stuff trip us up, not now, not with so much at stake. And as much as it grinds my gears to admit it, she's got a point.

Watching her fight, seeing how she moves, the grace and power in every strike, every blow? It's a fiery mix of arousal and pride that stirs deep within me, a primal urge to claim her, to make her mine in every way possible. She's picking up the skills quickly, my little warrior.

Off to our flank, Lucian and Erik ride easy, their mounts tearing gently through the soft grass, leaving a trail of flattened blades in their wake. Hanging back, Axilya and Faderyn are lost in their conversation, their murmured words getting caught up and carried away by the wind, secrets whispered on the breeze.

"Remember," Axilya calls ahead to us, "the Sun Court is not one to be trifled with. They value beauty, peace, and elegance above all else."

Lucian's scoff reverberates, his golden hair shimmering in the sunlight as he flings his head back with dramatic flair. "Pfft... beauty and elegance?" He echoes the words with obvious disdain, upper lip curling. "In other words, a total snoozefest." He punctuates this dismissive assessment with an exaggerated yawn and eye roll. "You know how I operate—any hint of pretentious stuffiness or mind-numbing propriety, and I simply must counteract it with a deliciously sordid spectacle."

Lucian's usual bullshit has me smiling. "Figures. You thrive off chaos," I throw back, tossing him a look.

Flashing me a roguish wink, "Oh, yeah. So prepare yourselves, ladies and gents. Things are about to get wildly, outrageously inappropriate." Lucian ends with irreverent charm. "You're utterly welcome in advance for the entertainment."

Dani stirs in my arms, turning her head to join the banter. "So, what's the deal with the Light King and his Radiant Queen?" she asks, her voice laced with curiosity.

"The King is cerebral and detached," Axilya replies. "He views his rule as a sacred duty."

"And the Queen?" Dani presses on.

Axilya's voice softens. "She's warm, nurturing... but carries a secret sorrow."

Dani's interest is lighting up; she's got one hell of an empathetic streak in her.

Erik's silver eyes catch some light, sparking to life as he pipes in, breaking his silence from the start of our ride. "They say she lost something precious to her—a sorrow that lingers like a shadow despite her eternal youth."

"The court holds beauty and nobility in high regard, so we must present ourselves accordingly." Faderyn chimes in, his tone heavy.

Lucian lets out a theatrical groan, "What, no brawls or love bites on the agenda?"

"Only if you're aiming to ignite yet another conflict with the Fae," Erik counters, his tone laced with dry sarcasm.

I catch a look at Dani, who's biting back a grin at their back-and-forth.

"Keep your eyes on the prize," I break in, bringing them back on track. "We're here to score some goodwill and backup from the Sun Court, not kick up a damn storm."

Dani gives me a nod so subtle it's more felt than seen. "Alright then, what's the etiquette? How do we hail the glow-in-the-dark royalty?"

"With respect," Axilya answers promptly. "Address him as 'Your Majesty' and her as 'Your Radiance.'"

Lucian's eyes do a dramatic roll skyward.

Erik keeps his mouth shut, but his eyes are all over the place, soaking up the scene like a sponge—always the watchful warrior, ready for whatever might come our way.

Chatter fades to nothing when we hit the edges of the Sun Court's domain. The Light Lands stretch out before us, a never-ending canvas of greens and golds, like some artist lost his damn mind and just splattered his whole kit across the landscape.

After a spell of quiet that settles over us all, Faderyn clears his throat, breaking the stillness with his announcement. "We're nearing the Ivory Tower; we will rest tonight and should arrive by tomorrow's eve."

I gaze up to see what lies before us—an ancient palace that's stood the test of time but has surrendered some pieces. On the horizon, it clings to the last vestiges of its splendor.

"It was magnificent in its prime," Axilya says wistfully. Her eyes glint with memories of a past age.

Dani leans into me, just a fraction, and I know she's vibing with what Axilya's laying down about this place. It doesn't escape me that she's finding beauty in all this decay—classic her, always catching a glimmer of light in the darkest shit.

Erik's voice cuts through with a warning note. "Do not forget that despite their current peaceable facade, the Sun Court has been at odds with the Shadow Court for centuries."

"We won't forget," I tell him with a firm edge to my voice. "Maybe we can even turn that to our advantage."

Lucian lets out a soft, mocking snort, "Yeah, right. Like that will happen when they're cozied up next door to—"

"Enough," I snap, cutting off his smart-ass comment. Then I swing back to Faderyn and Axilya, my face all business. "Is there anything else we need to have on our radar?"

Faderyn exhales deeply before speaking. "They may ask you to demonstrate your worth through knowledge, combat skill, or magical ability."

I can feel Dani exhale a weary sigh beside me—as if she's had it up to here with having to show everyone what she's made of since she gained her abilities.

Dani tips her head back with a playful glint in her honey-golden eyes. "Sparkle duty? Pssh, consider me the queen of glitterati," she retorts with a sass-laden grin.

Faderyn laughs, and Lucian chimes in with cheeky commentary, "Oh, sure. They'll flip their lid completely when they get a load of Miss Firecracker Fingers here."

Dani's all business with a dash of sass. "I'm gonna lay it all out—give them the full Blockbuster trailer of the doom that's about to RSVP uninvited to their magic cottage. But top of the to-do list? That stone. They've gotta have some information on where that gem's hiding."

I pull her in closer, savoring her warmth and sweet scent. "We'll get it, Angel," I whisper against her ear so only she can hear. "Do you feel it? The pull?" I need to know about her connection to that stone.

She gives a little head shake, firm and sure. "Tough to pin down, but there's this subtle pull—a sixth sense or GPS for the mystical, I guess. One thing I do know? We're headed in the right direction," she asserts with confidence.