7. Aiden

7

AIDEN

I could feel the twin heat of jealousy and worry simmering beneath my skin, an alien and unsettling sensation. Another, softer and even more strange emotion was lodged near my breastbone where I had no wish to examine it.

Dream had been lingering around Cassie, his presence an unwanted threat and lure in this place. The emotions brought another into startling clarity that startled, that I desired Cassie—and more than desired, perhaps—and the thought of Dream wooing her twisted my insides into a silent snarl.

"Vent outside," I muttered, barely a whisper as I tore myself away from the doorway of Cassie's bedroom. The air outside was brisk, a sharp contrast to the warmth I'd left behind. My steps were quick, decisive as I strode towards the edge of the island, where land met void. With a whistle that cut through the silence, I called for my horse.

Cu descended gracefully from the sky, an ethereal silhouette against the moonlit night. I mounted in one fluid motion, and together we soared upwards, leaving behind the world of man and its tangled emotions. Knew where the other elves gathered and Cu flew at full speed, so only moments later the volcano loomed ahead.

Red painted its face, a steaming cauldron with its belly full of fire and brimstone. Magma streaked the air as the eruption continued.

Hovering above, I found Matilda and some others, almost a full band, lounging amidst the chaos of the eruption. The magma's glowing yet dim light cast their sharp features in a glow a mortal might find mesmerizing and terrifying.

It meant they were bored and giving them a task was wise if I didn't want Cassie hopping around in real fury.

And I had a task, fueled by anger that had been simmering long enough.

"Find me this Franklin, possessed by Formless Ones, hunted by the Goblins and shifters," I commanded, locking eyes with my sister. "He's a worm of a man, slippery and deceitful. Bring him to me alive but ensure he's no longer... capable of causing nuisances."

She nodded once, the gleam of the hunt on her face, making her features almost sharp enough to cut. The song of the hunt was in all our blood, and this presented both competition and challenge.

The smile that passed from face to face and the gleam of lust that followed- not physical lust, but for the emotions of the hunt- would have unnerved Cassie.

They'd be sated when this Franklin was brought to me and would not alarm any humans present.

They dispersed into the air, a flight of hawks seeking their prey. Franklin would soon be facing a reckoning, and it would hurt him as much as he'd harmed the woman who'd caught my interest. Turning my steed back toward the island, I knew the next measure of this dance awaited me—with Cassie, amidst the dawn and the breakfast table.

I hoped it was not to be the green fruit on toast so beloved.

Circling back to Fellmere Island, my mind remained a whirlwind of conflicting emotions. The cool night air soothed some of the frustration simmering within me, while I examined events.

Cassie had not liked the necklace—the one I'd meticulously created, believing the diamonds enhanced the depth of her hazel eyes.

"Why did she not like the gift?" I muttered to myself, dismounting at the edge of the cliff where the waves smashed against rock.

The memory of her laugh, light and unimpressed, puzzled me. I'd expected... what? Pleasure in its beauty, perhaps.

Or some sign that she saw me not just as a bystander or a problem to deal with but as someone worthy of memory and thought. Someone who wanted to gift her with adornment that matched her own natural brilliance.

"A song instead of a jewel. And I'll ask for a kiss, let her know how much I welcome it." The thought lightened my mind, fitting both my instincts and hers. It was a fair trade, my efforts for the soft press of her lips.

That fleeting moment held the promise of so much more. Her kiss. By the stars, her kiss. It lingered on my lips like the aftertaste of finest mead—intense, heady, intoxicating. A reckless spark springing from the storm inside her, and I wanted to taste her flame. To feel her breath mingling with mine, our boundaries blurred into nothingness...

"I'd forgotten how alluring humans could be." I spoke to the darkness, half-hoping the night would swallow my words, half-wishing they'd reach her ears. "She could make a man forget his own name."

I enjoyed the memory of her leaning into me once more, her vulnerability shielded by a fire that dared me to come closer. But she's been harmed, and so hesitated and drew a boundary—one that she wasn't yet ready to cross. I respected that. I'd wait, as long as it took, for her to invite me over that threshold.

The fruit would be sweeter for waiting for it to ripen. Though one could perhaps hasten the process a bit…

Kisses could become the currency for favors, in addition to the pure entertainment of watching her.

As I watched, the first tendrils of dawn began to streak the sky. The slow unfolding of its beauty reminded me to be patient, to savor each moment shared, to woo this woman who had unwittingly ensnared my interest.

I found Cassie at the breakfast table, her focus on the array of food before her—including the nasty green fruit on toast. She didn't notice my approach, so I cleared my throat to announce myself.

"Good morning," I said, filling a plate with eggs and ham. "Do you still desire help with the wedding plans?"

She glanced up, a spark in her hazel eyes, then laughed—a clear, unguarded sound. "Sure," she replied, pushing a stray lock of her wavy black hair behind her ear. "Are you offering to help with all the planning?"

"Could be fun," I offered.

"For some definitions of the word fun." Cassie stood up, gesturing for me to follow. "Let's see what we're working with for the venue."

We walked through the castle, the great hall standing proud in its preserved medieval glory, the open space echoing with memories. When we ascended the stairs, the upper rooms revealed a different story—modern luxuries woven seamlessly into the old stone.

"Butler mentioned tents would be needed for more than ten guests," Cassie said, peering out of a window fitted with new glass.

"Tents would work." I'd spent time in any number of them.

"Yeah, I'm not thrilled about it," she admitted. "Given the people coming, there will be squawking about it, especially depending on who gets the inside rooms. Do you think we could just ferry people from other islands or the mainland?"

"Turning this place into a campground will be difficult," I agreed. At the very least, they'd need to dig a trench for bathroom use. "Given the weather, I don't think ferries would be viable, but I'll look into it."

"Thanks," Cassie said with a warm smile at me. "I need the help."

"Glad to be of service," I replied, reaching for her hand. She blinked as I raised it to my lips.

Then she blushed and stepped closer to the window.

I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to imagine what humans found appropriate to these festivities. "So, what else do you need aid with? Invitations, flowers...?"

Cassie glanced back at me, her hazel eyes full of a mix of amusement and patience. "Invitations, yes. Also, food for the reception, a special cake, music, planning seating arrangements..."

"Seating arrangements?" I echoed. Why wouldn't they simply sit according to rank?

"Trust me, it's like a strategic battle plan," she said with a wry grin.

"As you wish." I shifted my weight, trying to imagine where I could fit into all this. "What about... isn't it a custom to the bride after the ceremony? I've heard of that tradition. My friends would love to help kidnap her, and the goblins could try to defend her."

Cassie looked horrified for an instant, then laughed, the sound bouncing off the stone walls. "No, Aiden, that's not a part of modern weddings."

"Ah," I said, a tinge of disappointment cooling my enthusiasm. "Just thought it might add some excitement."

Cassie's laughter faded into a thoughtful pause, and she turned her attention toward the window. The sunlight painted her profile in warm hues as she regarded the glass and the view.

"There's another tradition that's much safer but just as important—the wedding dance."

"Wedding dance?" I repeated, intrigued. I liked the idea of a chance to dance with Cassie.

"I had a friend, she had this beautiful waltz at her wedding..." Cassie drifted off, smiling dreamily at the memory.

"Show me," I said, stepping closer to her. The idea of learning a new human dance, especially from Cassie, appealed to me.

"You'll have to follow my lead." She chuckled, clasping her hands together as if she could barely contain her excitement.

"Lead the way," I encouraged, confident in my ability to pick up whatever steps she threw at me. "What is the music it's danced to?"

Cassie hummed a few bars, her voice sweet but soft, setting the tempo. I closed my eyes for a moment, letting the rhythm sink in before I mimicked it.

"Like this?" I hummed back after her, matching her beat for beat.

"Exactly like that!" Cassie clapped her hands together and stepped into position, taking my hand in hers and placing my other hand on her waist.

"Ready?" she asked.

"Always," I replied. Then I continued humming, feeling the pull of the music.

We moved as one entity, Cassie guiding me through the steps with a gentle nudge of her hand, her body close to mine. Each turn and step we took felt charged with an energy, filling the empty spaces of the hall with echoes of desire.

"See? No need for kidnapping when you can have this," Cassie said breathlessly, her laughter mingling with the notes we hummed. "Exciting, right?"

"Oh yes," I murmured. The simple act of dancing with her was most pleasurable.

Cassie blushed. "Stick with me and I'll show you just how exciting a dance can be."

We slowed, and Cassie's body eased against mine, her breath warm on my neck. Her green flecked eyes lifted to mine, wide and shimmering with something that looked a lot like desire. A dreamy smile played on her lips, and I leaned down and captured that smile with my own.

"Is this part of most wedding traditions too?" I murmured between soft presses of lips.

"Could be for the wedding night," she whispered back, her fingers tracing patterns on the back of my hand, setting off a thrill of pleasure wherever they touched.

I pulled her closer, our bodies fitting together as if we were two halves of the same whole. One of her hands slid up to tangle in my hair, while the other remained anchored at my waist, holding me close. The kiss deepened, and there was a moment where everything else fell away – just Cassie and me and the heat building between us.

Deepening the kiss, I slid my hands down to her rounded hips, pressing her into me. She shivered and arched her back, and I broke the kiss to nibble along the line of her jaw. She moaned, and emboldened, I slid a hand up to her ribs, just below her breast.

She stiffened in my arms, her hand pressing against my chest. "Stop," she gasped, her voice barely audible. "It's too soon."

I let her go reluctantly, scanning her face, searching for any sign of what had triggered her fear. Her cheeks were flushed, lips swollen, eyes still dark with desire. But she held herself stiff, wrapping her arms around herself.

She needed space. No good huntsman would press her now.

"Of course," I said, stepping back further. "I'll tend to other matters for an hour, then return."

She nodded.

"I owe you for that kiss. Remember, we elves pay our debts" The playfulness in my tone belied the sincerity behind my words.

I winked at her, and she rolled her eyes, relaxing her stance.

After taking one last look at her, I turned and strode away, already plotting how to repay the debt in a way that would leave us both wanting more.