Chapter 14

Fourteen

By the time we reached Windolek Castle, it was dark and late. Or very early.

I'd actually nodded off. The steady rhythm of his beating wings, his thumping heart beneath my cheek, and his warm embrace had lulled me to sleep. I didn't know how long we'd been flying when I felt the jolt of Vallon landing, but there were no candles or torches burning in any windows that I could see from where we were outside the wrought iron gate.

"You awake?" he asked.

"Yes," I murmured sleepily.

He set me gently on my feet and took my hand. Stepping up to the gate, he pushed me a little behind him.

"Are you Lord Vallon?" came a gruff voice on the other side of the gate.

"I am. The king is expecting us."

"Is he?" I whispered.

Vallon smiled over his shoulder, the torchlight sharpening his fine features. "Gwenda met up with us while you were sleeping."

I looked around but didn't see her. The wood sprite had a mind of her own, coming and going as she pleased. When her best friend didn't need her.

A door set in the gate swung open. "Follow me," came the guard's rough voice.

Vallon tugged me behind him. "It's all right," he assured me.

When we reached the interior of the castle, I gasped. Our entire village could've fit in the cobble-stoned bailey yard. I could see the full length of it by the line of torches leading to the castle steps beyond a set of stables for livestock.

The wraith fae in front of us had four horns and a giant build. He was no bigger than Vallon, yet he made me nervous. Most males did. Except for Vallon. How strange that was.

The wraith fae led us up the steps and inside where another guard patrolled the interior hall. He merely nodded at us and continued his vigil as we were led not into a throne room or great hall but a smaller parlor near the foot of the winding staircase.

The room was cozy with a fire burning—natural wood rather than the blue coal—several overstuffed chairs surrounding the hearth and an ornate desk set to the far side of the room, piles of parchment in neat stacks on the desk.

"Have a seat, and the king will be with you shortly," said the guard.

He left and pulled the door shut behind him, clicking a lock from the other side.

"Oh, no." I squeezed Vallon's hand, realizing I was still holding it. "They've locked us in."

"I expected it," he said casually. "The king wouldn't allow the possibility of any strangers wandering his castle with his wife and newborn child in residence."

I let go of Vallon's hand to step toward the fire and warm them.

"What makes you smile?" he asked, now beside me and watching me with that earnest intensity.

"I was just thinking of Princess Una. When I met her, we were at the beginning of war with the wraith fae. She was doing her best to assure the people that all would be well. No one knew, least of all her, how close to death she would come." I shrugged, staring into the dancing flames. "And here she is, new mother and cherished mate."

A lump suddenly formed in my throat, a stone of sadness settling in my chest.

I jumped when I felt Vallon's hand beneath my chin, tugging it up so that I would look at him.

"That makes you sad."

"Not for her." I swallowed hard. "I'm so very happy for her."

"But you fear you will never know such happiness?"

How could he see right through me, straight into my mind and divine my thoughts?

"I'm the seer, Vallon," was all I could say.

His hand on my chin coasted gently up my jaw until he was cupping my cheek. "I see you." He swept a thumb across my cheekbone, stroking gently. "And you have nothing to fear."

The door clicked and opened. Vallon dropped his hand as we both turned, but I noticed he moved his body slightly in front of me. It seemed he wasn't entirely trustful of the king. He was preparing to defend me.

I'd only ever heard stories about King Gollaya, stories of the Butcher who had conquered Lumeria and taken the Princess of Issos into captivity, forcing her to become his concubine. Some said she was disgraced for allowing it, and she should've killed herself instead.

I never believed that. And how wrong they all were. For now, she ruled beside the greatest king in all the realms.

King Gollaya was formidable in size; all of the dark fae were. His four horns curled back in a regal swoop along his skull, his long black hair hanging loose past his shoulders. He wore a simple black shirt, unlaced at the top and dark deerskin trousers, no armor of any kind.

His casual appearance would've made me rest easier if it weren't for his penetrating gaze assessing us as we walked closer. I'd heard he had the eyes of the dragon, and so he did. Silvery-blue with a core of gold around a serpentine pupil. When he stopped in front of us, facing the firelight, they glowed with magickal luster. It was unnerving.

His magick was potent, filling up the room, making me uncomfortable. He was a zephilim, a fire wielder. And I'd heard the stories of the enemies he'd slaughtered using his god-given gift. Of what he'd done to those who'd dared to harm his queen.

"Thank you for allowing us here," Vallon said confidently.

"I must admit I was surprised when your sprite arrived with a message that you'd taken a light fae captive." His dragon-eyed gaze slid to me. "She doesn't seem too upset about her captivity."

"I'm not a captive," I blurted, growing angry at the idea of it. Then I glanced up at Vallon. "Not anymore."

Vallon's unwavering gaze melted me from the inside out. I suddenly wished the wraith king hadn't come down to meet us so quickly.

"I see," said the king.

"King Gollaya, this is Murgha. She is…with me."

The king's mouth quirked on one side. "I can see that." Then his expression turned serious. "Have a seat."

Vallon urged me into a chair closest to the fire. He sat in the one beside it, and the king took one across from us. King Gollaya eased back, lacing his clawed fingers over his abdomen, seeming casual, though I was well aware he was a deadly dark fae.

That was why Vallon wanted to come here, I realized. To seek the king's protection, a king who could kill with a word and a flicker of his magick. And for some reason, he trusted the king.

"Why have you come to Windolek?" he asked coolly.

"I had thought to take Murgha to my home in Gadlizel, but—" Vallon shifted forward in his chair, which wasn't built to accommodate wings—"circumstances have changed. I want only shelter for a few days, if you'll allow it. Then, we'll be on our way."

King Goll stared at Vallon with that piercing gaze. "Why won't she be welcome in Gadlizel? It's not because she's a light fae, or you'd not have thought to bring her there in the first place."

Vallon stiffened in his chair, staring evenly at the king. "I can't tell you."

King Goll arched a brow. "But you expect me to house you under my roof."

"I am asking it, yes. A favor."

"And how would King Halvar feel about this? His high priest hiding away with a moon fae?"

It puzzled me that he considered me a moon fae rather than a wood fae. All my life, I'd been a wood fae, the odd duckling, of course, but no one had even voiced aloud the shame of my birth and that I was not one of them. Not even Tessa.

"This doesn't concern my king."

I stared at Vallon. That wasn't entirely true. What I'd seen in my vision would affect his people. It would affect everyone if what the gods had spoken to me was true.

Vallon's gaze shifted from the king to me, unblinking and confident. I smiled at him, to tell him I was with him. If he wanted to lie to the wraith king, I wouldn't deny it. The tight brackets at his mouth softened.

"I see," said the wraith king, standing from his chair.

Vallon stood immediately as well.

"You don't have to tell me your secrets, priest. But I won't be the cause of a new war with the shadow fae."

"It would never come to that," Vallon assured him. "What I can tell you is that she would not be welcome in Gadlizel. That is the only reason. I will not put her in any danger. I only need time for a plan. And rest and refreshment for Murgha."

King Goll's gaze roamed over my torn and soiled coat before flicking back to Vallon. "I'd say you both need rest. My man will show you to your chambers. We'll talk more tomorrow, priest."

Vallon nodded. "Thank you."

King Goll strode to the door. Vallon took my hand again and guided me behind him. "Pullo," King Goll called to the wraith fae in the corridor.

The guard appeared young, his hair shaved along the sides of his head up to his four horns, his long hair braided into a tail down his back. "Sire."

"Show them to the guest chamber in the north wing. The chamber maids are there now."

So the king had already decided to give us shelter. He stopped and turned to us. "Sleep well, Vallon. And Murgha." Then he stalked up the staircase and took a right at the landing.

The one named Pullo led us to the left at the landing. We followed in silence down a darkened corridor, lit only by wall sconces. There was activity at the end of the hallway where three wraith fae females bustled out of the room with buckets, one carrying linens.

The three paused beside us, dipping into a curtsy. They all had two horns, small and delicate compared to the males.

One of them said, "A bath is ready for the lady. And the linens are fresh for you." She bobbed another curtsy, and then they continued on down the hall.

That's when it hit me that only one chamber had been prepared for us. A wash of heat flushed over my skin. Vallon smiled down at me and then pulled me by the hand toward Pullo who stood at the door.

"If you should need anything in the middle of the night, don't go wandering," he warned. "One of the king's Kel Klyss will be on guard."

I frowned up at Vallon, having never heard the term. But he simply nodded. "Understood."

Then he guided me through the door and closed it, bolting it locked behind him. That sound had my heart picking up speed, but I didn't turn to him. Instead, I wandered into the room, taking in the opulence, deciding to avoid the obvious for a moment.

"What is Kel Klyss?" I asked, still observing the room.

The castle was old, but the furnishings were not. The four-poster bed was a monstrosity, carved with intricate ivy décor, the polish shining from the fire in the hearth. The bedding was thick and plush, a deep crimson reminding me of Vallon's eyes.

"It is the king's chosen warriors. Kel Klyss is demon tongue for the Culled."

I stepped toward the fireplace. It was made of the obsidian known to come from the quarries near Silvantis, the royal city of Northgall. The only reason I knew that was because a peddler had come through our village with smaller stones of this kind, bartering to those who might want to make a fancy bowl or cup. The peddler had not had much luck as we were a poor village, but I'd spent time admiring the stones.

Standing in front of the mantel, I grazed my fingers over the carved filigree, wondering how big the stone must've been to carve such a piece. But then my mind went back to our conversation. "So the Culled are guards?"

"More than that. I'd say they are more like the priests of the shadow fae. A brotherhood to the king."

"But you are disobeying your king." I turned, finding Vallon directly behind me. "That's not very priestly or brotherly, is it?"

"You are correct." He stood close but didn't touch me. "My loyalty is to you now."

"Above your king?" I asked, incredulous.

"Above everyone and everything."

My heart tripped faster, that now familiar buzzing beneath my skin. Still, I asked, "Why?"

His mouth tipped slightly, those red eyes coasting over my face. "I think you should get a bath and eat, then we must talk." He nodded toward a dressing screen in the back corner.

I hadn't really noticed, but there was candlelight coming from behind it.

"It will warm you and make you feel better after the long flight." He urged me with a hand at my back.

I jumped, somewhat edgy now, then hurried toward the screen. I glanced over my shoulder, making sure he wasn't following me, but he had turned to put a new log on the fire.

Interesting that since I'd met Vallon, I'd not felt this bubbly sensation of nerves in my belly. I'd been terrified by him, then wary, then enamored, and yes, even engulfed by desire. But now…I was nervous.

I was fairly positive I knew what he hadn't admitted yet, what I felt stirring hotly in my breast. It simply couldn't be. Could it?

Once behind the screen, my entire body sighed at the sight. The large steel tub was filled with hot water and scented oils that wafted up with the steam. I also noticed laying over a chair was a beautifully made white chemise with lace along the bodice and silk ribbon ties at the shoulders. The material was thin and lovely but completely transparent.

Thankfully, there was also a jewel-green, silk dressing gown with fine embroidery in a pattern of gold-stitched flowers. It was beautiful, but more importantly, it would cover me.

I stripped quickly and eagerly lowered into the bath, unable to keep from moaning at the pleasure of the heat on my skin.

"Here you are," said Vallon, stepping around the screen with a plate of food. He'd undressed down to his shirt and trousers, his armor all gone.

"What are you doing!" I crossed my arms to cover my breasts and tucked my knees up higher.

He merely grinned and set the plate of berries, bread, and slices of cheese and cold ham on the little table next to the tub where the bath oils had also been set.

"Vallon! Get out of here," I hissed.

He completely ignored me and squatted behind me at the head of the tub. "Let's wash your hair, shall we?"

"I can do it myself."

"But I'd like to do it." He leaned over the edge and to the side at my shoulder to catch my gaze. I tucked my arms higher over my breasts, knowing full well he could see the lower half of my body. But his eyes were solely on mine. "Unless you don't want me to. I'll go away. If that's what you truly want."

Gooseflesh rose on my skin at his nearness, and when I opened my mouth to tell him that, yes, I wanted him to go away, I couldn't say the words. Because I didn't want him to go away.

"Fine," I muttered, turning to look at my pale knees sticking out of the water.

He grunted then settled behind me again. "Scoot up a little so you can dip your head back."

I huffed out a breath of annoyance but instantly did what he said. I could almost feel his arrogant smile, though I refused to look at him. Closing my eyes, I lowered my head, gripping the side of the tub so I wouldn't slip all the way under while still trying to cover my breasts with one arm.

Then Vallon's large hand gripped me by the nape and eased me down. "Relax, Murgha. I'll take care of you."

"Easier said than done," I snipped.

He chuckled, but then he started to comb through my wet hair with his other hand. I whimpered at the intense pleasure. His clawed fingers coasted lightly over my scalp.

"Feel good?" he asked.

"Heavenly," I admitted.

Tessa and I had helped wash each other's hair sometimes. It was so relaxing. Vallon's attentions weren't relaxing, however. They were arousing. No one had put their hands on me like this since…ever, really.

Dellyn's attentions had been needy and clumsy. Sadly, I was glad to have even those until I realized he only considered me worthy to be his lover. Never a partner or a wife.

Vallon poured the scented oil into my hair, smelling of some flower I didn't recognize. I wriggled my nose.

"It's from the Windolek wildflower." His voice was a silken caress as he worked the oil into my hair. "After your bath, I'll show you. The moon is up and the sky clear."

I couldn't even murmur a word as he continued to massage the oil into my hair. Then he dipped my head gently back to wash it clean. After many minutes where I drifted in the ecstasy of his hands in my hair, I felt his mouth on my forehead.

"Get dressed," he whispered, his voice husky, "and I'll show you."

When I opened my eyes, he was already gone from behind the screen, and I realized I'd gone limp and had uncovered my breasts while he'd washed my hair. I should've been embarrassed, but I wasn't. For the first time, I wanted to show another male my body, see if he found it pleasing.

I hurried with the rest of my bath and used the toweling on the chair to dry off. I wrung the water out of my hair then slipped on the chemise, the material a lovely rasp against my sensitized skin. I wrapped quickly in the robe and stepped from behind the screen, carrying the plate of food with me.

Vallon stood facing the fire, his hands clasped at his back. "Did you eat?"

"Not yet."

He turned, devouring me with his heated gaze. "Eat while I wash up."

I couldn't help but smile. "You can fit in that tub? You're awfully big."

His haughty smile returned as he walked toward me. A flush of heat crawled up my neck. I suddenly realized what he might've thought I meant about his large body and smaller, tight spaces.

"Don't you worry, darling." He cupped my face, brushing his thumbs over the slant of my cheekbones, then whispered against my lips. "I'll fit just fine." He swept a teasing, slow kiss against my lips then let me go and strode for the dressing screen.

Darling?I gulped hard, standing there stupidly with the plate in one hand. Finally, I sat by the fire and finger-combed my hair while nibbling on some of the fruit and cheese.

When I heard the splash of water, I tried not to imagine Vallon standing behind that screen completely naked. But I could hear the falling of water into the tub, realizing he was likely standing in the damn thing and washing his magnificent body like that.

I wondered what his broad chest looked like, his thick legs, his…everything. Sharp arousal stirred in my belly, moisture pooling between my legs. I squeezed my thighs together, trying not to listen to his sigh of pleasure as he washed in the warm water.

Gods above! I was practically hypnotized by the sound of water splashing in a tub. It was absurd.

Then I heard him shuffling from behind the screen. My hand froze with a berry halfway to my mouth. He'd wrapped the bit of toweling around his waist—and that was all he wore.

He was far more beautiful than I imagined. His sculpted chest and abdomen as well as his wings glistened from dampness. His long black hair was wet and hanging loose around his shoulders. His thick, muscular legs ended at unbelievably attractive feet, claw-tipped and all. My gaze wandered back up to the bulge between his legs, pushing against the cloth.

I gulped, but my mouth was dry as he sauntered closer, his grin telling me he knew my sad state. When he reached me, he gripped me around my wrist and lifted my hand, wrapping his warm lips around the berry still idly held between my fingers. His tongue pulled the berry free, but he took his time licking my fingertips clean.

Squeezing my thighs yet again, I couldn't prevent the moisture from coating my quim.

"Mmm." His eyes danced as he chewed the berry. "Delicious."

Then he let me go and sauntered through the open double doors onto the balcony. "Come, Murgha. We have much to discuss."