29. Lira

29

LIRA

I yelped. I hadn't expected Tavish to carry me, especially since he was exhausted from being out all night.

"You are most definitely carrying Nightbane because Lira and I aren't heading back to Dunscaith with the rest of you." He lifted his chin toward Finnian. "And I fear I might kill you if I am forced to be around you a moment longer."

Even though I enjoyed the thought of alone time with my mate, I knew Tavish needed rest. The three leading emotions soaring through our bond were fear, anger, and exhaustion. We should go with them . You need sleep.

If we go back there, our time will be stolen by battle plans and constant interruptions. His eyes turned dark silver. I need quality time alone with you.

He clasped me to his chest, causing the buzz between us to turn electric.

"You wouldn't kill me." Finnian wrinkled his nose. "You haven't yet, which speaks volumes."

I pressed my lips together, trying not to laugh, though Tavish's eyes lightened. He could sense that I was trying to hide my laughter, so I might as well say what I thought. "We don't need a second chessboard ruined." I wrapped my arms around my mate's neck and smiled. "So it's clearly in Tavish's interests for us to go somewhere you aren't."

Somewhere nobody can disturb us. Even him. He fidgeted as his desire slammed into me.

Need knotted in my stomach. I really like the sound of that.

"Your Majesty, you need your rest, and we need to discuss our strategy." Finola lowered her head, making it clear that she wasn't attempting to be disrespectful.

"No one cares more about me getting enough rest than I do. I understand that my magic needs to replenish so I can ensure that my mate returns to me." His heartbeat quickened. "I trust you, Struan, Caelan, Lorne, and Finnian to handle strategy. We will return two hours before we are to meet the Seelie at the border."

"What our king is trying to say is that he and Lira have some needs to handle." Finnian smirked, rubbing his hands together. "A pressing situation that only she can relieve. A meeting of the mind and body, if you will."

I inhaled deeply and shook my head at Finnian. He needed to stop. He was taking his own uncertainty out on Tavish.

Tavish snarled. "Say another thing that disrespects what Lira and I share, and I will kill you. You are alive because you are one of the best swordsfae in the lands, but I can train someone to become just as good."

Finnian rolled his eyes. "I'm not being disrespectful." He picked up Nightbane as the animal groaned. "But I do need to get going if I'm taking him. I'm fairly certain he weighs twice as much as Lira. I'd know." He winked and then dashed out the window.

The way Tavish's teeth ground together told me that I needed to intervene before the two fought one another. I planted a soft kiss on his cheek then linked, Are you taking me somewhere or wasting more of our time allowing Finnian to pester you?

He exhaled and relaxed marginally. Nope. Not any longer.

Then he soared from the balcony, heading toward Cuil Dorcha. The land blurred beneath us, and all I could do was keep my gaze on his strong face.

Even though we didn't speak, I could feel the tumult of his emotions. They blended with mine, and I wanted to ease his concern, but that would result in the two of us having the same conversation over and over again. I had to save Eiric; there was no other choice. Besides, the dragons weren't going to just let me go. We had to fight them.

When we reached the trees that covered the land at the border, he angled downward, and I felt the coolness of his darkness magic cover me. He was cloaking us, and I got a strong suspicion about where he was taking us.

We landed in a thick section of trees where the evergreens of Cuil Dorcha and the colorful trees of Gleann Solas merged and framed a thick patch of brush… the very place where the Unseelie underground quarters were.

You weren't joking when you said you wanted no disruptions. I grinned, rocking back on my heels.

I never joke when it comes to spending time with you, sprite. He squatted and stuck his hand under the brush. I had no doubt he touched some sort of mechanism that would recognize his blood, and after a second, the brush lifted, revealing the secret passage into our former hiding spot.

When he stood once again, I slid my arms around his waist and looked up at him. Now this is perfect.

It'll be even better once I get you inside. He kissed my forehead and then detangled himself, snagging the torch inside the door. He raked it against the stone wall, lighting the end, and led me down the stairs.

When we reached the bottom, he flew to the center of the gigantic room and lit the candles of the huge silver chandelier, his wings moving gracefully.

I moved to the center of the four oversized, dark-gray, oval couches and enjoyed the view from below. He scurried to the large rectangular wooden table and placed the torch against the side before coming back toward me.

"How many people can access this shelter?" I ran my fingers through my hair, trying to get some of the knots out of it. "Will Finnian figure it out and come here to torment us?"

"If he could, he would." He laughed deeply. "But only I can open the door. It's meant to be a safe haven for the royals, and it can sense Unseelie royal magic. Now that Eldrin is gone, it will work only for me."

We were truly alone. No one could interrupt us. Desire swam through me. "Oh, really now? For once, we don't have to be quiet or be careful where we cuddle ?" I didn't want to assume we'd make love… at least, not until he got some rest. He'd had a long night.

"Cuddle?" he choked, stalking toward me. "That is on the agenda, but I was hoping for something else before we got to that."

When he stood in front of me, I placed my hands on his chest and stood on my tiptoes. "Hmmm. And what might that be?"

Heat flooded our bond, and he hoisted me up against him, so I wrapped my legs around his waist. Wind hit my back for a second before I was pressed gently into a solid wall.

He grabbed my wrists and pinned them above my head, causing my breath to catch. When he leaned forward and captured my bottom lip between his teeth, I felt like I could explode.

I whimpered, needing more, and he slipped his tongue inside my mouth, his wintery taste teasing my senses.

Leaning to the side, he kept my wrists restrained with one hand as his other slipped under the top of my gown and cupped one of my breasts. When he gently rolled my nipple between his fingers, I leaned my head back. He didn't miss a beat, moving in tandem with me.

Thorn, I linked and arched my back.

Blighted abyss, sprite. I blasting love the way you respond to my touches. He released my wrists and placed my feet on the floor before bending down and raising the hem of my gown. He slowly peeled it away, leaving me completely naked in front of him.

His eyes traced every inch of my body, and he reached down and adjusted his visible bulge. "You're so beautiful," he murmured, his hand gently trailing down my side and cupping my ass. "And perfect in every way for me."

Knowing we were both desperate and didn't have much time, I reached for his clothes, eager to see him the same way. His irises lightened to my favorite color as I removed his shirt and pants. Once he was naked in front of me, I took in every delicious inch that I needed to feel inside me.

Not waiting for him to take the lead, I wrapped my hand around his dick and stroked him. He shuddered, crowding me against the wall and slipping his hand between my legs. With his mouth on my breast, his tongue teased the tip as his fingers entered me.

I love you. He brushed his teeth gently against my nipple, and I shuddered. And I can't wait to make you my wife.

I quickened the pace, his words pushing me even closer than his touches. Is that your way of asking me to marry you? My other hand threaded through his dark hair and pulled gently.

As long as you say yes, he replied, his thumb rubbing between my lips as his fingers surged deeper.

The friction inside me built, causing my head to spin. " Tavish," I breathed, his name the only thing that made sense to me. Just as I was about to fall over the edge, he stilled.

My body hummed, waiting for him to continue, but nothing happened.

I opened my eyes to find him staring right at me.

"Why'd you stop?" I asked through ragged breaths.

"You didn't answer me," he said simply.

I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. "What are you talking about? You never asked me a question."

"Fine." His hand cupped my face as his other one brushed against my lips again. "Will you marry me, sprite?"

If he wanted to play, two could do that. "I don't know. I might need convincing." I tilted my head.

He grinned. Oh, really? Gripping my ass, he hoisted me against him again, his dick hitting right at my entrance. I tried to push down so he could enter me, but he moved, so all I got was the tip.

"I need an answer," he breathed against my lips as he slid a tad bit more inside me.

I spread my legs out more. "Maybe." I licked his mouth, wanting to do to him what he was doing to me.

Sliding in a little bit more, he connected, I need an answer, or this is all you get. I want you to be my wife more than anything in this realm.

His warmth and vulnerability flashed through our bond, and I realized our game was over. I leaned back so I could stare into his eyes. "Yes, Tavish. I want to be your wife."

He beamed. "Right answer." He then thrust deep inside me.

I moaned as his mouth devoured mine and our bodies moved together. Each time he entered me, he somehow went deeper, and the friction took hold once more.

Fate, I love you, I linked and pushed my love toward him. My chest felt so full that I wasn't sure that I could stay this happy for long.

He opened to me, our emotions melding together. We felt the same for each other, and one day soon, we'd be husband and wife.

The orgasms ripped through both of us, the high more intense than ever before. Our bodies were slick with sweat as we continued to ravish each other, and after Fate knew how long, the pleasure subsided.

Scooping me into his arms, he carried me to one of the bedrooms we shared the last time, where we cuddled with each other. Soon, sleep took us both.

This was it. The moment we'd been dreading. Even though I felt no hesitation in handing myself over, uncertainty about what would happen next set in.

Tavish and I'd had sex one more time after waking before returning to Dunscaith and meeting with everyone. The little bit of time we'd had was sweet and desperate, both of us wanting tonight to be over but afraid of what could happen once it was. I had no intention of remaining with the dragons, but the plan wasn't without risks.

Now Tìr na Dràgon lay in front of us with the moon high in the sky. We had to make sure that Tavish's darkness magic couldn't be detected.

We planned to split into four groups that had already been assigned. Both sets of my parents would fly with me to the dragon land. Once the dragons gave Eiric back, my parents would notify them that we knew the vow was not valid and that I wasn't obligated to hand myself over. Then, if the dragons insisted, there would be war, and the fifteen hundred guards we'd brought would attack.

It was a simple plan but one that should be extremely effective.

Tavish was adamant that he be with us, but everyone had agreed it would make the dragons suspicious. No fated mate would willingly hand over half their soul to another.

Tavish's emotions were volatile through the bond, and the world seemed to close in around us. I had to believe that Fate wouldn't have put us together only to force us apart.

Even Finnian was quiet, which seemed abnormal.

From the front, next to my parents, Finola raised a hand. Tìr na Dràgon would come into view in moments, which meant it was time for us to split apart.

Tavish took my hand and pulled me against his body. Then his mouth was on mine, his desperation slamming inside our bond.

Sprite, I swear to Fate, if something happens—

I hadn't realized how hard this moment would be for us. If everything went wrong, this would be the last time we got to see, touch, and smell each other. I have to believe we'll be fine. I cupped his face, pressing my forehead to his. After all, I agreed to be your wife. That's a vow that can't be broken.

He smiled, but it didn't meet his eyes. I swear to you, I will kill anyone who stands in the way of us being together. You have to come back to me, or I won't survive.

I won't tolerate being apart from you either. I opened myself to him so he could feel my resolve. We'll both eliminate any threat to our relationship.

"Come on, Lira." Father placed a hand on my shoulder. "We need to go before a dragon flies by and sees us."

Right. Tavish couldn't cloak all of us, or he wouldn't have any magic for the attack.

You are coming back to me. Tavish's eyes flashed with determination.

I nodded, unable to say anything mentally or physically, as my eyes burned.

Turning my back to him was the hardest thing I'd ever had to do, but I swallowed and envisioned Eiric's face, which strengthened me.

Mom and Dad flanked me, flying ahead of Mother and Father. I needed to be in front to make it clear that I was leading the charge—that I was handing myself over.

Tavish's magic thrummed through our connection, indicating that he was cloaking the five hundred guards he was staying with a hundred yards behind us. The other two groups had moved so that they were out of sight but could hear the cry of battle and attack the other two villages if the time came. We didn't want to expend too much fae magic at one time.

"Just know that we aren't happy about you doing this," Mom said from my left side. "Losing you would be just as painful as Eiric. You're both our children."

My chest expanded at knowing how lucky I was to have two sets of parents. I placed a hand on her arm and smiled as we continued to fly toward Tìr na Dràgon. "I know that, and I never thought you wanted me to do this. But we're going to get Eiric home and take the dragons down." I had to believe that.

"We need you to know that we wouldn't be upset with you at all if you decide not to do this," Dad added from my other side. "It'll be okay."

"I'm doing this for me." I placed a hand over my heart and glanced at both my parents. "The dragons took her because she protected me. I can't let anything happen to my sister."

Both of them nodded, though I couldn't help but notice a tear trailing down Mom's cheek before she quickly wiped it away.

Land appeared in front of us, and my stomach hardened. This was it.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw one of the volcanoes nestled in the mountains spilling smoke, almost like a warning.

A chill shot down my neck.

Something wasn't right. I couldn't explain it, but something felt off.

I opened my mouth to tell Mom and Dad, but then a dragon flew from behind one of the mountaintops and roared.