19. Lira

19

LIRA

I flew close behind Tavish, needing time away from everyone else to clear my head. Between Eldrin's arrogant demeanor, the delicate relationship between my parents and Tavish, and everything the dragons' visit had brought, I wanted to burn the entire realm. Every time we turned around, something else stacked up against us.

Even coming back to the true Cuil Dorcha wasn't a full win. The Seelie guards were still surrounding us under the ruse of offering protection, but I had no doubt that they had orders to watch us in addition to watching for dragons.

As Tavish flew through the window, I tried to focus on releasing some of my anger. The two of us were feeding off each other, and one of us needed to calm down so we could achieve some sort of rest.

But then agony shot through our connection, and he sank onto a cream-colored rug lying on the smooth brown floor.

My heart hammered, and my stomach turned as I landed beside him. I placed a hand between his wings on his back, sensing heartbreak through our connection. Thorn, what's wrong?

I scanned the room, but I didn't find any answers. The only thing that stood out to me was that the room wasn't anything like the castle we'd just left. In fact, it could easily have been a night chamber in Caisteal Solais, the Seelie castle, with the gigantic space and flower-shaped chairs in the corner.

Even though it had been abandoned, there wasn't dust or dirt in sight with the candles lit. How long had we been out there, or had the castle servants focused on the royal rooms first?

The floor reminded me of tree bark, and the sheets on the king-size bed were a shade of evergreen, reminding me of the woods between the Seelie and Unseelie border.

I… I haven't been back here since I was a boy. He straightened but remained on his knees, breathing slowly. I didn't mean to worry you, but the emotions took me by surprise. Knowing my father was responsible for their deaths has made returning here harder than I imagined.

I wanted to kick myself. In all the drama and turmoil, Tavish hadn't been graced with the time to come to terms with everything he'd learned. I should've foreseen this issue, but I'd been wrapped up in freeing Eiric and myself. What can I do to help you? I knew words wouldn't provide comfort, and I didn't want to give him false pleasantries. At the end of the day, his father had murdered both his wife and himself, and nothing was ever going to make that better.

Wrapping my arms around my mate's shoulders, I pulled him tight to my chest. I'd do anything to take away his pain.

You being here is all I need, he replied and turned toward me, placing his forehead against mine.

Our connection sprang to life. He ran his fingers through my hair and then pulled back. I love you, sprite.

My heart swelled, and some of my worry dissipated because he was right. We could get through this together. I just hoped we could figure out the dragon issue so we never had to be apart.

"Do you want to tell me about your mother?" I figured that talking about his mother would be easier. "I don't remember much about her other than seeing her watching you and smiling when we spent time together."

His eyes glistened. She was a good mother, and I do want to tell you all about her. But not yet. I'm not ready. I hope that doesn't upset you.

Of course not. I cupped his face with my hands. You just learned the truth, and if you need to process it on your own, I understand.

He kissed my lips softly. I don't deserve you, but I'm never letting you go. His irises darkened to the color of stormy clouds. Never. Do you understand?

I do. He had no intention of letting me go, even if we weren't able to find a solution. However, I couldn't live with myself if I just let my sister die. This wasn't her burden, and she shouldn't have to pay for being close to me.

I kept my mouth shut because I didn't want to confirm what he already knew. He was declaring this to me because he knew my intentions.

"Good. I just want to be clear where I stand on the matter." He climbed to his feet then helped me to mine.

He scanned the room one last time, and pain struck through the bond once more.

I hadn't been sure what we were going to walk into, but the room was clean, and I would've never known there had been a struggle.

Intertwining our hands, he led me out of the chambers and into a long, lantern-lit hallway. We took the next set of wooden double doors that led into another bedchamber. As soon as we entered, I knew that this was his room. To the right, there was a thick wooden bed with frost-blue sheets similar to Tavish's room in the island castle. Navy-blue curtains draped the sides of the bed, and directly across from it sat a square wooden table with a chessboard. The pieces were positioned strategically, indicating he'd been in the middle of a game when the attack happened.

"You played chess even back then?" I didn't know why, but I'd assumed it was something he'd begun when they relocated to the ruined land.

"With Eldrin, a few months before the Seelie attacked." He shook his head as he unfastened his sheath and placed the sword on the navy chair at the side of the bed. "I was so flattered that he finally wanted to get to know me, so I eagerly accepted his invitation. He told me the chessboard had belonged to my grandfather, who'd given it to him, and that he felt the time had come to pass it along to me. He said our grandfather said it was a gift for becoming the spare."

My breath caught because something about that story didn't feel right. Why would Eldrin give the chess set to Tavish when Tavish was the rightful heir? Was it Eldrin's way of hinting what was to come? Questions clamored in my head, and the world seemed to tilt under my feet.

"Sprite, I'm okay." He placed his hands on my shoulders and smiled sadly. "I promise. I can feel all your worry, and I'm fine. We're back on Unseelie land, and you're in my room like I always imagined you'd be when I was a young man. In some ways, this moment is a dream come true, and I have you to thank for that."

A little bit of happiness radiated through our bond, making the decision for me. For now, I wouldn't tell him my worry because it was completely unfounded.

"Now I want to take a bath with my mate so I can get this ashbreath blood off me and forget about the dreadful things that lie before us for a little while." He removed the tunic from his body, revealing his six-pack abs and sculpted chest. I loved the way his muscles bunched with each movement he made and everything but him left my mind.

His wings expanded, emphasizing his substantial size.

I couldn't tear my gaze away from Tavish's captivating form as he stood before me, his eyes filled with a mixture of desire and affection. Tension thickened, the undeniable pull between us growing stronger with each passing moment.

That sounds like an excellent idea. I let out a shaky breath as heat bloomed deep in my stomach.

He smirked while his hands trailed down my arms in a featherlight touch that sent shivers down my spine.

He placed a hand around my waist and led me across the room to the bathroom. When we entered, I gasped at the sight of light-bluish-green walls. They could easily be the color of frozen water, making me feel immediately at home.

Two steps led to the large, ornate bathtub across from us, and the glowing lanterns hanging everywhere gave the room a more welcoming feel than the dim bathroom in Tavish's chamber back at the ruined land. I hadn't realized how differently they'd been forced to live, assuming that with Tavish's affinity for darkness, he'd preferred it.

Removing his arm, he turned the golden lever of the tub and it began filling with water.

He turned to me and removed his pants, allowing me to see his entire naked form. He arched a brow. "I thought we were taking a bath together."

"Yes, but I'm enjoying the view." My legs moved toward him of their own accord, and when I stood before him, he gripped the neckline of my gown.

With a playful smirk, Tavish ripped the fabric and let it fall to the floor. He linked, Now it's fair. I'm getting to enjoy the same sort of view.

He reached out, his touch sending a spark of electricity through my body as his fingers traced the curve of my spine. I shivered; need building inside me.

He kissed me, slowly climbing the steps and guiding us into the warm water. My body tingled as we submerged, and both of us relaxed as the realm outside ceased to exist.

Once settled, he held his breath, going underwater. I followed his lead, allowing the water to surround me and clean me of all the filth after traveling and being in the prison.

I stayed under, enjoying my connection to the water until my lungs threatened to burst. When I surfaced, I found Tavish resting against the back of the tub, watching me with eyes dark with desire.

"You're so gorgeous," he murmured and stood, his dick already hard and on full display. "If you're finished, I'd like to make love with you now."

As if that's even a question. I smirked, desperate for him. With the threats pressing in on us, the two of us needed time to reconnect… for our souls to merge.

He lifted me in his arms and carried me back into the bedchamber, then tossed me on the bed, causing me to giggle as he hurried and locked the door. I enjoyed the rare times like this that we had together.

Within seconds, he lay next to me, our bodies already dry, his lips on mine. The buzzing from his touch overwhelmed me, and I opened my mouth eagerly. Our tongues collided as he slipped his hand between my legs.

The urgency picked up between us, and he circled my sensitive spot and slid two fingers inside me.

Wanting to make him feel the same crazed desire, I reached down and stroked his cock.

He groaned, his body shuddering, and ripped his mouth from mine.

"No," I whimpered, but then he lowered his head, using his tongue to caress my nipple.

Between his hands and mouth, my breath hitched, and I quickened the pace of my hand as a wave of pleasure consumed me. I arched my back, moaning when he moved, so I couldn't reach him any longer.

As the ecstasy ebbed, I panted. Why did you move away?

Because I'm not ready to finish. He smirked, removing his hand from between my legs. I want to be inside you.

I spread my legs, welcoming him in, but instead of positioning himself between them, he trailed kisses from my neck to my ear, his lips gently caressing the lobe. "Do you trust me, sprite?"

"Always," I breathed.

He gripped my hips and tossed me onto my stomach, then lifted my backside into the air. He then positioned himself behind me.

I gasped as the tip of him pressed against my entrance, and he leaned forward, wrapping his arm around my hips and placing his fingers between my folds once again.

Is this okay? he asked, kissing my wings, causing a painful need like I'd never experienced before thrumming inside me.

More than okay. I pushed back, needing more of him inside me.

He chuckled softly, the sound vibrating against my skin, and began to enter me. He moved slowly, methodically, and when I thought he was completely in, he continued to fill me.

When he was seated to the hilt, his fingers circled quicker, and with a groan, he began thrusting in and out of me.

My eyes fluttered shut as the intensity of the moment overwhelmed me. His hips rocked into me in a perfect rhythm, driving us both closer to the edge.

I moved with him, sensations like never before crashing over me. His mouth continued to caress my wings, and his fingers pressed a little harder, causing friction to build even stronger than before. When his wings extended behind me, gently brushing against my skin, I was damn near imploding.

"You're mine. No one else's. Forever," he grated, and with one last thrust, he released within me, his wings surrounding us both as we tumbled over the edge together.

An orgasm engulfed me, and our bond connected, so we were feeling each other's pleasure. Something so powerful and indescribable that my legs gave out and I fell flat on the bed once again.

Tavish dropped to his side and scooped me into his arms, cradling me against his chest.

You're so blasting perfect, and I love you so much, he linked, kissing my bare shoulder. And I refuse to let anything ever happen to you.

I wanted to tell him that it wasn't his choice, but I didn't have the energy. Between exhaustion, being completely satiated, and knowing I was safe in his arms, my eyelids grew heavy. And before I even realized what had happened, I fell fast asleep.

A loud huff followed by bad breath hitting my nose caused my eyes to open to find Nightbane standing at the edge of the bed. His eyes glowed a light lime color, suggesting he wasn't completely happy.

I shook my head, trying to get my bearings, and then I remembered why things looked so different.

We were in the real Cuil Dorcha, in Tavish's childhood bedroom. I patted the spot on the bed where Nightbane normally lay, not wanting to move out of Tavish's embrace, but the beast huffed even louder.

I glanced down and realized I was completely naked. "Is it because I'm naked that you don't want to come up?"

He gave a sharp nod, confirming what I'd always thought. He understood me.

"Well, okay." I chuckled, moving slowly and trying not to wake Tavish.

When my feet touched the cold floor, I sucked in a breath. Shit. Tavish had ruined my gown, which meant I didn't have anything to wear.

I'd just have to wear one of Tavish's tunics until I could find something else. It would be sort of like a dress on me.

I went across the room to the walk-in closet and found an emerald-green tunic I'd never seen him wear before.

I'd just slipped it over my head and entered the room again when there was a frantic knock on the door.

"Tavish," Finnian yelled. "I've got a key, and I'm coming in."

"What?" Tavish blinked and shifted when there was a click of the lock.

My pulse raced. "Don't open—" But before I could finish, the door opened, and Finnian rushed inside.

Tavish sat up, completely naked, and his eyes widened as he took in that I was across the room and Nightbane was standing at the edge of the bed.

"Get out," he shouted.

Finnian froze. His head tilted back, and then he belted out laughter. "Now this is a surprise. Nightbane watching and without Lira. What would she—" He followed Tavish's gaze and saw me standing in front of the closet.

Even though I had my bits covered, the tunic hit midway down my thighs.

Finnian scratched his head. "Okay, with Nightbane and Lira watching. I don't understand."

Face flushed, Tavish rolled from the bed and landed on his feet. His nostrils flared. "Get the blast out of here before I kill you."

"I mean, that's not going to end the entire list of questions I have." Finnian smirked, rocking back on his heels. "In fact, it might give me even more. Like, what else are you trying to hide here?"

When Tavish's rage slammed through the bond, I had to do something. I hurried toward Finnian, which caused Tavish to snatch his sword from the floor and aim it at Finnian's neck. "Get out of here, or I will kill you. Lira isn't fully dressed. Be glad she's covered, or you would already be dead."

"Whoa." Finnian lifted both hands. "No need to be harsh here." He smirked like he truly had a death wish.

Wings flapped, and before I could reach the door, Caelan dashed in. "Finnian, what's taking—" His words died, taking in the situation, now even worse, with a naked Tavish holding a sword at Finnian's throat.

"Get out of here and shut the blighted door," Tavish yelled.

Caelan clutched Finnian's arm, dragging him back into the hallway. Tavish slammed the door. I hurried over to him, needing to calm him. I wouldn't be surprised if he got dressed and tried to finish killing Finnian.

"Tavish, Finnian was supposed to come get you. We have a problem," Caelan called from the other side of the door. "One that requires both of you immediately."

My heart sank. No. Not something else. Not again.