39. Chapter 39

Chapter thirty-nine

R ea led Haven to the library, a place she'd been about a thousand times. They kept a brisk pace all the way through the stacks, behind the librarian's desk before finally stopping deep in the depths of the library. Where they stopped was dark and dusty, if it weren't for Havens advanced sight she likely wouldn't be able to see two feet in front of her.

Haven glanced around her, finding that they had stopped in front of a large painting. As Rea lit a fae light, Haven immediately recognized the painting. It was the same painting Rea showed her the other night when she recognized her parents. Now that she was looking at a bigger version, Haven knew what Rea was talking about. Around her mothers neck was the very same necklace Haven was wearing .

Touching the necklace, Haven had even more questions than she did fifteen minutes ago. At least she finally had a guess as to why Binah wanted her to keep the necklace hidden. If she'd been wearing it around the castle then someone might have recognized it. Why that was a bad thing, Haven could only guess. Finding out the necklace belonged to her mother also didn't explain why Nik took it the night of the council dinner.

Rea let Haven stare at the painting for all of five minutes before tugging on her arm and saying,

"We've been here long enough, you don't want to be late to a ball thrown in your honor" Haven nodded and let Rea lead her away. She turned and caught one last glimpse at the painting. Haven ingrained the looks on her parents' faces into her mind, they looked intensely happy even with all that had been going on when the painting was created.

They wore wide smiles and glowing eyes, Haven vowed to herself that no matter what happened in the coming days, she'd try her best to wear the same smile. No matter if it came to war like Roman predicted, she'd do her best to never lose sight of her parents' bright smiles and the hope clearly written across their faces.

By the time Haven and Rea made it to the great hall, the ball was already in full swing. Haven let go of Rea, walking over to Roman who was talking to a group of fae, his hands waving in the air animatedly.

"Hey!" Roman called cheerily as she neared him.

"Hey Roman," Haven smiled. Her friend tossed his arm around her and continued his story. Haven caught onto the gist of his tale almost immediately, apparently he'd thrown an ax at a very undeserving fae during his training. The fae he'd almost hit had chased him through the gardens, shoving him into a rose bush that left minor cuts all over him.

Haven took in the way Roman spoke. He slurred a few words, simply plowing through his story. She could tell the wine glass in his hand was not his first. Haven smiled and shook her head.

Looking away from her friend, Haven scanned the room. Her gaze caught on someone leaned against the far wall, shrouded in shadows. Her breath hitched when she recognized who it was. Nik was staring right at her. If she didn't know any better, Haven might've thought there was jealousy written across his scowling face.

Didn't he know that Roman was gay and likely one of her best friends? He had nothing to be jealous about. More importantly, Nik did not have any right to be jealous, not after the way he'd left her in the mud. It wasn't even his words that hurt, although they did twinge a little, it was the way he'd gotten up and left like the moment hadn't even affected him.

Shrugging out from under Romans arm, Haven left him to entertain the group that had gathered. Ridding her thoughts of Nik, she reminded herself of the goal she'd made for tonight, talking to as many members of the council as she could find. Haven desperately needed them on her side. Romans words of war had upset her more than she'd let on. Not a day went by that she didn't think about her kingdoms future.

After a few minutes of searching the busy room, looking at the faces of the couples dancing, listening for any familiar voices and scanning each person by the refreshments table, Haven finally spotted someone she recognized. It was Celia, the woman from the council that had been so nice to her.

Haven smiled as she walked over to where Celia was talking to someone. Attempting to wait until Celia was done with her conversation, Haven stood awkwardly clutching a glass of some sort of wine she hadn't tasted yet.

"Haven, dear, come on over. I have someone I'd like you to meet" Celia called to her, waving her closer. Celia looked stunning in a long flowy red dress that swished around her ankles, it complemented her dark skin perfectly. The sleeves were made of red lace and ended right above her elbows.

"This is Odessa, she's on the crown guard."

Odessa bowed quickly, something Haven hadn't been expecting. It left her a bit flustered.

"Your highness," Odessa smiled, she was tall and lanky with a short blonde bob styled into waves. Her high cheekbones and intense dark eyes stood out. Haven found herself instantly attracted to this girl. Her mind went a bit fuzzy, slowing her response.

Snapping out of her lust induced brain fog, Haven told Odessa, "You don't have to do that."

People bowed all the time. It was something she was getting used to but there wasn't usually the highness part. Normally, people just bowed and kept walking.

"But it's true isn't it? You are to be queen." Odessa looked Haven up and down, heat in her eyes. A blush crept across Havens face. Usually, an interaction like this led to some kind of hookup. Granted, it was usually in a random bedroom at a party, not a castle and Haven was a nameless girl and not a princess.

Haven thought to herself that this could be what she needed to get Nik out of her mind. She barely knew the woman standing in front of her but as Haven met Odessa's eyes, she flushed at the obvious heat in them.

"And that's my cue to leave" Celia spoke, startling Haven from her inappropriate thoughts. Haven cursed herself as Celia walked away, remembering what she'd come over for. Odessa and her temporary lust forgotten, Haven turned to call Celia back.

Just as she turned, Haven felt a breeze brush over the bareness of her chest. Looking back to Odessa, she assumed it was her doing. Her assumption was quickly proven wrong when a snake of air began its ascent up her leg. She recognized the feeling of that magic, it was Niks! Dots quickly connected in her brain, she'd be willing to bet that he had tripped her that day in the library when they'd first met and again that night when they were running. Haven guessed he held some sort of influence over air or winds that allowed him to play sneaky games like that.

Haven quickly apologized and turned to look for Nik to tell him to knock it off. Haven barely registered the surprised look on Odessa's face as she walked away. The vine of air was slowly inching its way up her leg.

She couldn't spot Nik wherever he was hiding so instead she made her way to the exit hoping that her temporary departure would force him to leave her alone. The closer she got to the door, the further up Niks magic got.

As she reached the large door, Niks magic brushed the spot between her legs, eliciting a gasp from Haven and forcing her to stop walking. She tried to be quiet but she was almost certain the guard standing by the door heard her. The idea that the guard heard her left Haven incredibly embarrassed and feeling the need to make a quick getaway .

Haven shook off the feeling of Niks magic as best she could and stumbled through the door. Fortunately, as soon as she was out of the room, the air dissipated. Unfortunately, it left a scorching heat in its wake Haven tried her best not to acknowledge.

Haven was very glad she got out before anyone was able to scent what was going on. As much as the guard overhearing her was embarrassing, that would've been worse. As Haven took a deep breath, she promised herself that the next time she had the opportunity, she'd learn how to mask her scent.

Darting down the hall and up to the second level, Haven heard footsteps behind her. She was both afraid it was Nik and afraid it wasn't. As she turned a corner, she ducked into a storage closet. Turning in the small room, Haven backed against a short dresser facing the door. The footsteps quickly passed, Haven had only a second of relief before the steps returned and the door whipped open.

Standing in the doorway was Nik. The expression on his face nothing short of murderous. Haven knew she should be afraid. Instead, all she felt was heat burning brighter and brighter between her legs.

"I could smell you all the way down the hall" He growled, coming straight for her.

Nik's body crashed into hers as he crushed his lips against hers. Shockwaves rolled through Haven, it felt like the world was spinning as he delivered intense, sinful kisses.

Nik pulled back, causing Haven to grumble. She wanted his lips back on hers, now. A fleeting memory of Tasha warning her about all over the place emotions popped into her head before she quickly dismissed it. Haven was fairly sure this was not that but the thought popped into her head nonetheless.

Haven tried to tug Nik back to her. He tutted, bringing a hand up to collar her throat. He only applied the lightest pressure but Haven found herself melting into him anyway.

Nik leaned in close, just as she thought he was going to kiss her again he whispered,

"Were you going to fuck her?"

Confusion pebbled Havens mind for a second before she understood, he meant that guard. Haven needed a second to even remember her name. Once it came to mind, she hesitated to answer Niks question. Haven didn't know the right answer here so she decided on the truth, nodding only once. Haven heard Nik curse under his breath. It sounded like something along the lines of, "Fucking sirens"

Before Haven could get too into what she thought she'd heard Nik say, he tightened his hold on her throat and pulled a needy moan from her.

"Would you have enjoyed it?"

Haven nodded again, hoping he'd get his questions over with and put his mouth back on hers. A fog of lust had descended over her, she didn't want to talk or answer his questions, she wanted Niks body as close as he could get it and his lips back on hers.

A growl rumbled from Nik, the low light coming from under the doorway allowed Haven to see that his pupils were blown wide.

"Would it have been as good as this?" He asked, sliding a hand to the aching spot between her legs. Even through her clothes, that touch had Haven shaking her head repeatedly .

It was the truth. No matter who it was, Haven knew they'd never compete with the way she felt when she was with Nik.

A low laugh sounded from him, Havens only warning before he unleashed himself on her, slamming his lips back to hers. The hand that had been between her legs moved to grip her thigh and hoisted her onto the dresser. Her legs twined together behind his back, he pushed the slit of her dress as high as it would go, exposing her to him.

Nik stepped between her mostly bare legs, molding his body as close to Havens as he could get it. The hand that had been around her throat moved up to clutch her hair. In one pull he ruined the almost thirty minutes worth of work that had gone into pinning her hair exactly as she'd wanted it. Haven literally could not care less, not as Nik began moving his rough kisses down her throat. Pulling himself back to look her over, Nik swore,

"This fucking dress"

Nik moved his hands from her thigh and hair, gripping the opening in the V where it met the under bust corset and ripped. Nik ripped her dress right down the middle, straight to the slit leaving her front fully exposed to him. She would've been mad if it hadn't been so incredibly hot.

Nik spread her legs, Haven leaned back on her palms as she watched him watch her. She knew he could tell how wet she was. Haven hadn't put on any underwear, a fact Nik could obviously see. The insides of her thighs were slick, wetness slowly running down her legs. Even if Nik didn't have a fae sense of smell, the sight alone would have been enough to tell him how turned on she was.

"Holy fucking gods" He said, dropping down to his knees. If Haven was in her right mind, she'd make a comment about him on his knees before a queen.

Nik took one deep inhale before he began devouring her. He had her screaming, moaning and writhing in under a minute. If anyone was nearby they'd certainly hear her. Hell, maybe even the people a floor below could hear her. Although she doubted it with the loud music. Either way, at that moment in time, Haven again, could not bring herself to care.

Nik wrapped one arm around her hip, splaying his hand flat against her tummy, effectively holding her still from where she'd begun rocking against his face. He used his other hand for much more wicked things, easing his mouth at her clit just enough to slip two fingers inside her.

Haven moaned so loudly she had to remove one hand from holding her up to cover her mouth.

Nik smirked into the next glide of his tongue. He used the flat expanse of his tongue back and forth over her clit, in time with the thrust of his fingers.

Havens orgasm snuck up on her, shocking her as she rode peak after delicious peak.

Nik groaned between her legs as she pulsed around his fingers. It was such an indecent sound it made Haven grab his hair and pull him up for a kiss. She tasted herself on his lips, the indecency of that alone had Haven reaching for his belt, wanting him to feel the same pleasure he'd brought her. He immediately snatched her wrist and pulled away.

"Haven wait, I," He pulled away from her, stumbling over his words. The sudden vulnerability she in his eyes tugged on Havens heartstrings.

"What?" She asked gently

"I've never, uh" He paused, "I haven't exactly," He couldn't seem to finish the sentence so Haven did it for him,

"Had sex?"

He nodded. For some reason he seemed unable to meet her eyes.

"Oh" She said, it wasn't a big deal to her, although with the way he kissed you'd guess the man had been around the block many many times. Haven started to talk, to tell him that it was alright and that if he wanted to wait then that was fine. A knock on the door stopped Haven from speaking.

"What?" Nik growled. She couldn't tell what was bothering him so much, was it that someone was interrupting them or had she accidentally made him feel bad about being a virgin? Haven hoped he was just mad that someone paused their little tryst. Either way, if they continued now or if she had to seek him out during the night she'd make sure he knew that his lack of a sex life made no difference to her.

"You father summons you" A voice stated. She recognized the voice as Delroy, the asshole guard that had warned her away from Nik.

Nik pinched the bridge of his nose before looking at her, an apology in his eyes.

"It's fine. Go," She assured him.

He took in the ruined expanse of her dress, smirked and unclipped the cloak he was wearing before wrapping it around her shoulders .

"Thanks" She spoke softly, she had no idea how she would have gotten back to her room without something to cover up.

Before Nik left, he placed one last quick kiss on her lips, as if he couldn't resist having one last taste.

Haven watched Nik exit, sans cloak. She wondered whether or not this was simply a random jealousy born hookup or if it was going to happen again. She sure hoped it would. Nik was still the asshole who left her in the mud and but she was beginning to see more of him too. Like the boy whose eyes flashed with fear after being told his father had summoned him.