Chapter 59: Cenric

Chapter

Fifty-Nine

CENRIC

I enter Everly's tent, my mind still spinning from having caught Ava in the act of leaving a coded message for the rebels. I can't believe I trusted her, let her into my camp, near my warriors, and close to Everly.

After I allowed Ava to leave the message, I placed her in a tent with guards, then questioned her, but she revealed little.

"Are you going to kill Ava?" Everly asks, her voice so soft that I barely hear her.

"I don't know yet."

Everly's mouth tightens as she stares down at her feet for several beats. "I like her."

"She's a spy," I say, my voice colder than I intended.

Everly flinches. "Sometimes people do things because they're desperate."

"I know that, b—"

"—please don't kill her, Cenric. Send her to one of those islands where you send prisoners of war, but please don't kill her."

Every inch of me wants to do the exact opposite of what Everly asks. Spies deserve to die.

"Cenric." Everly steps closer and places her hand against my arm. "There is goodness in you. Mercy. I believe Ava deserves that mercy."

I draw in a quick breath and nod, conceding to Everly.

She smiles, and it does something to me. It tears down the walls I've constructed over the summers—walls fortified with bricks of resolve and mortar of pain.

Maybe I don't need that damn wall anymore. Maybe all I need is her.

Everly moves to the washing stand and unties the laces of her surcoat. The blue fabric falls away, revealing the thin chemise beneath.

I clench my jaw, but I can't pull my gaze from this vision of perfection standing before me.

She reaches for her nightdress, yanking it over her head. The linen settles around her form, and I follow the movement with my eyes.

Her words from earlier echo in my mind. "I love you."

Three words, yet they burrowed under my skin. I've known, on some level, how she felt. But hearing her say it aloud...

Something shifted inside me, like ice cracking under the sun. Fortifications I've built over summers crumbled, and I allowed myself to feel. To want. To imagine a future beyond duty and war.

Everly turns, her blue eyes meeting mine. My fingers itch to touch her, to bring her close. But I hold back, knowing there's no need to rush this moment.

Instead, I stand and remove my leather weapon belt, draping it over the back of the chair beside me. Next comes my surcoat.

As I turn back around, clad only in a pair of pants, I catch Everly's stare. Boldly, she allows her eyes to trace over my body.

Her cheeks flush that charming shade of pink I've come to admire as I cross the space between us. Her gaze smolders, searing me with the heat of her desire. I reach out, my fingers grazing her cheek, and her lips part on a shaky exhale.

Unable to resist any longer, I bring her into my arms. Her body molds to mine—soft curves fitting perfectly against hard planes. I breathe her in, loving that mixture of lavender and lemon balm.

Boldly, her hands slide up my bare chest as I tilt her face up to mine, our noses brushing. Her eyes flutter closed as I lower my head and press my mouth against hers.

My heart pounds, blood rushing in my ears as Everly moves even closer. I feel it all. The fullness of her breasts. The softness of her stomach.

I break our kiss and scoop her into my arms. She gasps, hands flying to my shoulders as I carry her to the bed and lay her in the center.

I don't waste a moment joining her. Her breath hitches as I lean over and slide my hands up her thighs, pushing the fabric of her nightdress up with them. Goosebumps form on her skin as her breaths come in quick, shallow gasps .

I pause, looking down at her. Her eyes are closed, her lips slightly parted. She's completely at my mercy. And I love it!

Gently, I pull her thighs apart, opening her up to me. She doesn't resist. Doesn't stop me.

She rests her hands against my arms, holding onto me, as if she fears I might try to leave.

There's no way I'll leave.

She's mine, and I plan to show her how much I cherish her.

Her eyes widen as I reach the apex of her legs, my fingers grazing the damp fabric of her undergarments.

"Cenric," she whispers.

"Yes." I look up, locking my eyes with her as I stroke her through the fabric. A gasp escapes her as I continue to tease her.

"Please," she says between quick breaths.

"Please what?"

She shakes her head, as if she doesn't know what to ask for.

"What do you want me to do to you?" I pull her undergarment off, revealing her completely to me.

She tries to push her thighs back together, but I hold them apart.

"Don't be shy."

"But…"

"You're perfect." To prove how perfect I find her, I reach out, stroking her with no barrier between us. She's wet, ready for me, and it takes every ounce of self-control not to bury myself inside her.

But I won't. Not yet. First, I will give her all the pleasure she deserves .

I stroke her as her hips arch, pressing against my hand, seeking more. I oblige, increasing the pressure, circling her clit with my thumb.

Everly moans, a sound that goes straight to my cock. "Good girl. Surrender for me."

Her knuckles turn white as she digs her fingers into the blanket beneath her. She's holding on, trying to maintain control, but I want her to let go and give in to the pleasure, to me.

I lean down, lowering my lips to her. Her scent is intoxicating, sweet and musky, and I can't wait to taste her. I flick my tongue out, licking her. A gasp escapes her as her hips buck against my mouth. I grip her, holding her still as I lick and suck, teasing her, driving her closer and closer to the edge.

She's close, so close. I feel it in the way her body tenses, the way her hips move against my mouth. So, I increase the pressure, and she moans again, louder this time. Her muscles tense. Her thighs tremble.

She cries out as her body lets go. I continue to lick her, riding out her release with her, until she collapses back onto the mattress.

Everly looks up at me, her eyes glazed over, her cheeks flushed.

She's never looked more beautiful. More perfect. More mine.

All mine.