Chapter 40

My wonderful dream slowly drifts away. Reality gently comes along in bits and pieces to replace it. I'm sprawled in bed. Half on Rhydian. I'm using his chest as a pillow. His arm is wrapped around my back.

Hmm. This is lovely. Comfy and snuggly. I'm slightly achy in all the right places. My body is languid and my mind calm. The wonders a good fucking can do. It's blissful. This is a million times better than whatever lovely dream I was just having.

I do need a pee, though. And now I'm thinking about it, I'm starving. What time is it anyway?

Reluctantly, I open my eyes. Sunlight is streaming around the curtains. Birds are singing, but everything else is quiet.

I look up at Rhydian. He is awake. Just lying here quietly, acting as my pillow and my mattress.

"Sorry," I yawn. "You probably need to go."

"Not today," he says calmly.

I feel my eyebrows rising. "Did you clear your diary so you could spend the day with me?"

"Yes."

What the hell? I was teasing him, but it's actually true? Oh, my god! Now a thousand butterflies have taken flight in my stomach and my heart is fluttering. He wants to spend the day with me. This is incredible.

"You are such a softy!" I exclaim.

His amber eyes narrow and I chuckle.

"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."

A ghost of a smile teases at the corners of his lips. He thinks I'm an idiot, and that's precisely why he likes me. It is the best thing ever, to be liked for who I am and not despite of it.

"What do you wish to do today?" he asks.

Oh, good question. What does one do the day after vanquishing one's foes? When you get to spend the whole day with your fey prince lover? Who romantically declared his love for you, and then showed you very thoroughly in a way that has left you delightfully sore?

My gaze drifts over to the window. Judging by the sunlight peeking through, it is a glorious day. The great British weather has finally shrugged off winter.

"Let's have a picnic," I say.

"As you wish," agrees Rhydian.

Okay. I suppose this is technically a picnic, but it is not exactly what I had in mind. This setting is great, in front of a lake, on what once was a lawn, but now is pretty much a meadow of wildflowers.

There is a blanket on the grass, just like I was picturing. But I did not imagine a cream coloured one the size of my entire flat.

Enormous red velvet cushions to sit on are a good idea, I have to admit. And the spread of food is incredible. But having it arranged on a long low table to the side of the blanket and having a small army of servants bringing our choices to us on silver plates, is not at all like a traditional picnic. But I think I can get used to it.

Just like I can get used to being fanned by a servant waving a large fan made of peacock feathers over me. The gentle breeze it is causing is exquisitely cooling, and I love the way it softly ruffles my hair and makes me aware of my braids.

Everything is wonderful. The sun is shining, the sky is blue. The lake looks inviting. Butterflies of every different colour are dancing around the wildflowers. It is all quite lovely. But my favourite thing to look at is Rhydian.

He looks relaxed. At ease. Dare I say happy? I have no idea how he manages to look so darn elegant sprawled back on an oversized cushion, but he does, and I'm only a little jealous.

His pale hair is gleaming in the sunlight, and his proud antlers look incredible. His princely clothes fit his body perfectly and I'm extremely happy that I know the body underneath them. Know it very well indeed.

I stuff a purple grape into my mouth to hide my naughty smirk. Rhydian looks at me as if he can read my mind. I swallow my grape and flash him an innocent smile.

His eyes narrow in suspicion. But he says nothing.

"So are your parents going to turn me into a frog for vanquishing their lover?" I ask. Partly to keep him too distracted to discern my naughty thoughts, and partly because it is something I should probably know.

Rhydian frowns. "I will handle them."

Well, that's not very reassuring. At all.

Rhydian takes a bite out of a strange fruit I don't know the name of yet. His gaze never leaves mine, though, and soon he sighs in surrender.

"He amused them. Kept them entertained. They indulged him, but there were no true feelings. Nobody has ever liked Iestyn."

A vague wave of sympathy starts to coil through me, but I snuff it out. That man is an evil bastard, of course no one has ever liked him. It is fitting. And well deserved.

"Good!" I huff.

Oops. That came out all kinds of bitchy and vindictive. Is Rhydian going to be shocked? I watch his face closely, but he simply offers me a plate of cheese.

"No thanks," I groan. "I'm stuffed."

"In that case, shall we retire to the gazebo?"

Ah yes. The gazebo. A few feet away. Beautiful and decadent. Deep royal blue and complete with a full sized double bed draped in white linen and fluffy pillows.

Rhydian really doesn't know how to do picnics. One day I'm going to teach him. Right now, I'm going to enjoy this.

"Sounds lovely," I grin.

Rhydian flows to his feet and offers me his hand. I take it, and the zing I feel from his touch is surprising. This man is my lover. We have had all kinds of sex. The simple feel of his skin against my own should not be so exhilarating. Should it?

He takes my arm and we stroll the short distance through the knee high flowers to the gazebo. He releases my arm and the absence of his touch feels cold.

I climb on to the bed and lay back amongst the pillows. Oh wow! This has to be the comfiest thing I have ever lain on. It is like lying on clouds! Rhydian settles next to me and I snuggle up to him. His arm drapes over me and I sigh in bliss. This is perfection. Sheer and utter perfection.

"So, this is for napping?" I ask.

"Yes."

What a wonderful idea. Stuff yourself silly with a ton of delicious food and then have a nap. All out in the fresh air and sunshine.

I would have been happy with a regular picnic on a normal sized picnic blanket, and then resting my head on Rhydian's lap and having a snooze. But I'm not going to complain about all this wondrous luxury.

Suddenly, Rhydian's fingers brush lightly under my chin. He tilts my face up and leans in for a kiss. A soft brush of lips. Barely there. It tingles. The sensation sinks through me, all the way to my soul where it ignites a smouldering heat.

I grab a hold of Rhydian and don't let him pull away. I demand another kiss. He obliges.

My toes curl. My heart flutters. My muscles turn to goo.

He kisses me deeper and I whimper and tighten my grip on him. His hand slides down to my ass and gives it a squeeze. I moan and press myself against him. This bed doesn't have to be only for napping, does it?

I've just eaten a ton of food. It is the middle of the day. We are out in the open and surrounded by dozens of servants. My arousal does not care. My desire is not bothered. My lust thinks it is exciting.

I break away from the kiss. Rhydian's eyes are dark and heated. The sight of his hunger for me has me squirming in delight. He is as hot for me as I am for him, and that is wonderful.

"The servants!" I manage to gasp.

While apparently I don't seem to mind a bit of exhibitionism, it is not fair on the staff. They probably don't want to have to see, or hear anything when they are simply trying to do their work.

Rhydian clicks his fingers and the servants all bow and drift away over the meadow and back towards the palace. Soon we are all alone.

"Better?" asks Rhydian.

"Perfect," I agree.

He smiles and leans down to kiss me again.

And it is a very long time before I think of any further coherent thoughts.