6. Kellian

CHAPTER 6

Kellian

" M ay I see?" Kyeria's voice barely a whisper. Kellian looked down his nose at her, tried to keep his heart rate even, his heated gaze calm. It was a futile effort. He was so deeply overtaken with her. He couldn't get the fiery haired fae out of his mind, felt like a string connected her to him, tugging him along. Day and night, no matter the time.

The walk to the tower was slow, whispers of touches along their whole walk, until they reached a landing on the spiraled stairs up to the tower, with a window and a stone edge where the moonlight pooled in. Kyeria's hair lit up under the moon and Kellian figured his did as well.

He wanted to mesmerize this moment, this shade of red on her cheeks, how her hair glowed and her eyes were soft.

As she missed a step looking out the window, one hand already resting on her back tightened and slid to her waist, grasping there. Kellian's other hand steadying her laid on her stomach. She tried not to react, but a small gasp broke free despite herself. He could see her eyes betraying her. Heat laid there. She leaned back into him. Then he was pushing her against the stonewall of the stairs.

"Careful." His voice was low and gravely.

"Did I make you nervous Kyeria?" he asked leaning in, his breath tickling her cheek. She straightened.

"Nothing makes me nervous," she shot back.

"Nothing at all?" he said, his lips inches from hers again. His gaze hitched on her lips before it flickered up to meet her eyes. Her own eyes dashed down, a blush speckling her cheeks. His hand was at her chin, tipping her head up.

"Eyes on me, love," he breathed. Her eyes snapped up, colliding again with his.

"Kellian," she whispered his name, and that's all he heard, his mind was loud, begging him to lean in, only an inch, and brush his lips against hers.

"I wanted to see the tower," Her soft words pulled him from the daydream.

"If that's what you want, love." He replied, voice low. A small shuddering breath released as he spoke. A sly smile formed on her lips, she reached out and took his hand, electricity buzzing through him and they walked ahead up the last few steps. Kellian pulled out a key from around his neck that was hanging on a chain and unlocked the door. She walked in and stared at the grand room. Much of the tower was glass, with panels towards the top with handles, able to be opened. Vast windows sprang up from the floor, meeting with the wooden beams and glass of the roof. The exposed stone had paintings covering them, blues and golden constellations.

"This is beautiful," she muttered, taking it all in. She heard the door close and felt his heat return behind her.

"It is." Kellian loved his tower, and wished to spend all his days here. The views were incomparable, the glass domed ceiling let in wafts of daylight during the day and held a perfect view of the stars at night. Small vines twisted around the stone pillars, a pink flower just starting to bloom. Kyeria's eyes twinkled, taking it all in. He watched her, entranced .

He was desperate to know what her lips felt like, if her skin was as smooth as it looked. He felt like he could spin out of control at any moment. If there was one thing Kellian did not like, and rarely experienced, it was being out of control. His whole life had been dedicated to staying calm, collected. A steading breath, and he let the feeling of ice spread through his veins, cooling the fire.

"Would you like to see the map of the isles? It is one of my favorite places outside of the Hollow, I have spent a lifetime charting it."

With a tilt of her chin, she smiled sweetly, "I would love to see."

They spent hours there, talking, Kellian pointing out constellations. They moved to a large cushioned seat, leaning back and looking up through the glass domed ceiling. Kyeria spoke of home, a single tear leaking out and quickly brushed away by his thumb. Hours later, she had drifted off to sleep on his shoulder. Kellian felt his heart in his throat, looking at her. Her face so serene in sleep. He let himself drift off next to her on the oversized seat. Much like many nights when Kellian slept in his tower after charting the stars, they fell asleep together in the same spot.