Chapter 21

CHAPTER 21

NYRA

The wine burned my throat as I took another drink.

“Maybe you should slow down.” Wren was watching me carefully, and she hadn’t stopped ever since I told her what happened.

She was the only one I had told about my power.

If that was what you could even call it. I could hardly feel it anymore. I knew it was still there, but it felt like it was hiding from me now.

I held my hand. palm up, in front of me, and I attempted to call it forward. But there was nothing.

It had disappeared as easily as Dacre had two days ago.

Two days and not a single word. Not a single trace of power, and I wasn’t sure which angered me more.

I had been desperate for some trace of power my entire life, but still, all I could think about was him.

“I’m good.” I held the bottle close to my chest as I stared at the fireplace, watching the flames lick up the sides of the stones.

Wren sat beside me, refusing to leave my side, but Eiran was pressed in on the other side and I had barely paid him any attention since he placed the bottle in my hand.

“Training was good today.” He nudged my shoulder, and I glanced over at him. “As much as I hate to admit it, Dacre was right about the bow.”

Dacre.

Why did he have to say his name?

My stomach clenched at the memories of the other day. Every thought more confusing than the last. The cove, my power, the way he had touched me, the way he dismissed me.

My mind was a chaotic battlefield of thoughts, all centered around him and the overwhelming emotions he stirred within me.

I took another swig of the wine, trying to drown out thoughts of him that were threatening to overwhelm me.

The alcohol was clouding my head, and even though I was angry with Dacre, I couldn’t ignore the burning desire I felt whenever I thought of him.

“Nyra, are you alright?” Wren’s voice cut through my thoughts, and when I looked over, my chest ached at the concern in her eyes.

“Yes, I’m fine,” I lied, taking another sip of the wine.

Eiran was observing me carefully, as he did all day today during our training, and I just wanted it to stop.

Without thinking, I blurted out the question that had been nagging at me all day. “Actually, have you seen your brother?”

Wren’s eyes widened, and her body stiffened as she slowly turned to face me.

“He’s been busy with my dad,” Wren said slowly, her tone gentle but distant. “But I saw him and Kai come back earlier.”

I shook my head, taking another gulp of wine to ease my nerves. “Is he in his room?”

Wren’s eyes softened. “You’ve had a lot to drink tonight. Maybe we should head up.”

I knew that she was just trying to look out for me, trying to make sure that I didn’t end up hurt, but it still pissed me off.

I didn’t want to be protected from her brother.

“Okay.” I nodded and climbed to my feet, still clenching the wine in my hand. “Night, Eiran.” I saluted him with the bottle as I swayed slightly, and his gaze jumped to Wren.

“I’ve got her.” She wrapped her arm in mine and led me from the room and up the stairs. I stumbled a little, but she kept me steady, her brows scrunched as we walked.

“Why did you say that your brother doesn’t heal?”

“What?” Her eyes widened as she clung to me. We had barely made it halfway up the stairs, but I was desperate for her answer.

“Before, when I was hurt, you said Dacre didn’t heal.” I couldn’t stop thinking about it, obsessing over what she meant.

“You should ask Dacre about that.” She looked away from me and up the staircase.

“I’m asking you, Wren.” I wrapped my hand around her forearm and squeezed. “Please.”

She glanced back at me, and her face softened. “Dacre used to heal.” She swallowed, and I could feel the slight tremble of her fingers against me. “But he hasn’t healed anyone since he couldn’t save my mother.”

I sucked in a sharp breath that made my head swim, and Wren kept going. “He tried to heal her as the other’s continued to fight. He kept trying as they lifted her limp body and brought her back home.” Wren’s voice shook as she spoke. “They had to pull him away from her cold body because he refused to stop trying. But the magic used against her was too much.”

“I didn’t know.” I held onto more tightly, both of us clinging to the other for support. “I’m sorry.”

“I haven’t seen him heal anyone since that night. Healing magic is rare, and most healers are taken to the capital as soon as their magic is discovered. We only have a few healers here, but still Dacre refuses.”

She searched my eyes for a long moment before she spoke again.

“He inherited his healing abilities from my mother, and he feels like he failed her.”

“He didn’t…” I shook my head as I tried to wrap my head around what she had just told me.

“I know that.” She tightened her hand around my arm before leading me up a step. “But it doesn’t matter what I think. Dacre hasn’t been the same since we lost our mother. He will never forgive my father, never forgive himself.”

“He’s healed me twice.” I admitted out loud even though I felt like I was simply reminding myself of that fact. My heart raced in my chest as I tried to work out what that meant in my alcohol-clouded mind. “Why?”

My stomach tightened as I asked the question. I didn’t know if I was ready to admit the answer to myself or why I desperately hoped there was only one reason for him to do so.

I wanted Dacre to care for me as I had begun to care for him.

“Come on.” Wren led me up the last few steps. “You’ve had too much to drink, and we both need our sleep.”

“Thank you for taking care of me.”

She chuckled and pulled me against her side. “It’s what friend’s do.”

When we made it to our room, Wren reached for the handle, but I slipped my arm from her hold. I moved before she could stop me, and I pounded my fist against Dacre’s door.

“Nyra, it’s late,” Wren hissed even though there was humor in her voice, and she tried to pull me back to her. But not before I pounded one more time. “Dear gods.”

She laughed, and I couldn’t stop the giggles that bubbled up my own throat.

Neither one of us could stop, the hall echoing with the sound of our hysterics, and Dacre ripped open his door and stood before us, his face contorted in anger.

I couldn’t control my laughter as he glared at us with a mixture of annoyance and frustration.

I couldn’t stop the thought from plaguing my mind. Does he care for me?

“What time is it?” His voice was rough with sleep, and his hair was mussed from his bed.

I desperately wanted to run my hands through it.

“Midnight,” Wren said, still giggling.

Dacre’s eyes narrowed on us, but I was too busy staring at his bare chest. “What are you two doing?”

“Where have you been?” I crossed my arms, still clinging to the bottle of wine, and studied every inch of him. “I haven’t seen you in days.”

“I didn’t realize you were keeping tabs on me.” His gruff retort slammed into me, and my gaze shot up to meet his.

Heat rose in my cheeks, but I refused to let him win. “No tabs.” I held up my hands in surrender. “I just found it odd that I trained with Eiran today after you said… What was it?” I tapped my finger against my chin. “Oh, yes. I was yours.”

“Oh shit.” Wren laughed under her breath, and Dacre’s eyes narrowed on me. “We should head back to our room.”

“Are you drunk?” His voice was laced with a hint of warning.

“Why?” I cocked my head to the side and studied him. “Are you keeping tabs on me?”

“Wren, you can head back to your room. I’ve got Nyra.” There was irritation lacing his words as his sister looked back and forth between us. A threat in his eyes that made me press my thighs together.

“I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“It’s okay, Wren.” I nodded. “I’ll be fine.”

She took a step back, the wood floors creaking softly beneath her feet, but neither Dacre nor I looked away from the other.

“I’ll kill you, Dacre.” She spoke just as I heard her open the door to our room, and I smiled. “Don’t you dare hurt her.”

The door closed behind her, and Dacre crossed his arms as he leaned against his doorframe. “What are you doing here, Nyra?”

I wanted to see you.

I couldn’t tell him the truth, so I resorted to another lie. “I just wanted to make sure you were okay. People were talking about a lot of commotion up there.”

That wasn’t a complete lie. I had overheard some warriors in the training room talking about Davian and the supposed intel he had been getting.

“And who said that? Eiran?”

“No.” I shook my head and pushed off the wall behind me. “Eiran’s focus was elsewhere.”

That made the muscles in his jaw tic. “I’m sure it was. Didn’t I tell you that I didn’t want you training with him again?”

“You’ve told me so many things.” I waved my hand dramatically. “It’s hard to keep track of all your commands.”

I closed the distance between us, and he tensed. “You should go to your room.”

“You…” I pressed a finger against his chest. “Should stop ordering me around.”

I let my hand drop an inch and splayed my fingers out over his bare skin.

Dacre’s breath hitched, and I could see the desire in his eyes mirroring my own. His gaze flicked to my lips, and I couldn’t help but lean in.

“What are you doing, Nyra?” he finally demanded, his tone low and dangerous.

“I told you I wanted to touch you,” I whispered, leaning in closer as I lowered my hand. His hand moved quickly, snatching my wrist before I could get to where I wanted. “To taste you.”

“That’s not happening tonight.” His eyes narrowed dangerously, and his grip on my wrist tightened, pulling me even closer.

I felt a surge of determination and frustration, my heart pounding in my chest. Our eyes met, and I could see the conflict in his gaze. His hand, still holding my wrist, shook slightly. I knew he was torn between desire and duty, just as he was torn over who he believed me to be.

“But I’m wet.” I ran my tongue over my lips, and he looked mesmerized by the movement. “I trained with Eiran today, but all I could think about was you.”

He scowled down at me, his eyes burning with black flames. “You’re drunk.”

“And I’m going to make myself come whether you’re with me or not.” My words were much bolder than I felt, but I didn’t regret them.

“Fuck,” he swore under his breath before he grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me into his room.

The door slammed shut behind us, and my skin buzzed with more than just the alcohol. It was anticipation. It was my power.

It purred in his presence, waking in a way I hadn’t been able to get it to do on my own.

“You know others can hear you out there in that hall, right?” He ran his hand through his hair, and he looked so frustrated with me.

“You don’t want them to know that I make myself come while thinking about you?”

I could see the tension in his face as he processed my words, his eyes narrowing dangerously. But to my surprise, he didn’t let go of my wrist. Instead, he pulled me closer, our bodies pressed together. I felt the hardness of his erection against my thigh, and my breath hitched.

“You’re playing with fire, Nyra,” he warned, his voice low and gruff.

“Let me touch you,” I whispered, my voice shaky with lust and a desperation I wished I could control.

He hesitated for a moment, his grip tightening on my wrist before he backed me up until the backs of my knees hit the bed.

“You’re drunk.” He reiterated his words from earlier.

I opened my mouth to argue, but he pressed a finger against my lips to stop me. He kept pushing until I fell backward, my ass hitting his mattress, and he leaned into my space.

“I’m not going to fuck your mouth for the first time when I’m not even sure you’ll remember it.”

I pressed my thighs together, trying to ease the ache there, but it was no use.

He jerked the bottle of wine from my hand, bringing the alcohol to his lips, and he drank as he pulled a chair from the corner of his room and set it directly in front of me.

He dropped into the chair, letting the bottle of wine rest on his thigh, as he stared at me.

“Go ahead.” He nodded toward me, and my stomach sank.

“What?”

He smirked, watching me carefully as I tried to figure out what he wanted. “Touch yourself.” He settled back in the chair. “You said you were going make yourself come. Show me.”

“I…” My voice shook as I gasped for words.

“You heard me.” He arched a brow before taking another drink of the wine. “Go on. I want to watch you.”

I couldn’t catch my breath as I stared at him, the alcohol mixed with my power pounding in my veins.

I reached for the top of my trousers, undoing the ties there, and he tsked.

“Take off the shirt. I want to see you.”

I should have told him no. I should have gone back to my room, but I didn’t do either of those things. Instead, I grabbed the hem of my shirt, and with trembling hands, I pulled it over my head.

Dacre’s gaze darkened, narrowing on my midsection, and I tossed my shirt on his mattress.

“Nyra.”

“Yes?” I pushed down the top of my trousers, lifting my hips slightly as I shoved them past my hips, but Dacre wasn’t moving.

“Who the fuck did that to you?”

I followed the direction of his gaze, and I winced at the scar that wrapped around my back and over the edge of my stomach. I quickly put my hand there, covering the mark.

“It’s nothing.”

His gaze darkened, but he still hadn’t pulled his eyes away from my midsection.

I sat there, feeling exposed and vulnerable, but I knew he wasn’t going to let this go.

“You didn’t answer my question.” Dacre growled, unmoving. “Who hurt you?”

“It was a long time ago.”

His gaze slammed into mine, and I was shocked by the amount of venom I saw there.

“Who?”

“My father.” It was the only truth I could give him.

Dacre ran his hand over the back of his neck, and I could feel him pulling away from me, retreating into his anger where he was comfortable.

“It was a long time ago, Dacre. It doesn’t matter.”

“Doesn’t matter.” He laughed, and the sound startled me. “You think that anyone could get away with hurting you and that it wouldn’t matter?” He shook his head.

“I don’t want to talk about this.” I leaned back on my elbow and trailed my hand along my chest as he watched. “I didn’t come in here to talk at all.”

“Nyra.” He growled my name, and I let it fuel me as I cupped my breast in my hand and squeezed my nipple.

“Yes, Dacre?” I whimpered his name and blocked everything out of my mind except for me and him.

Nothing else mattered in that moment. Not my past, not his.

Not our loyalties.

It was just me and him, wrapped up in a web of lust and unspoken emotions.

He watched me, his eyes burning with a mix of desire and fury, his jaw tense as he tried to control himself.

But I didn’t care. I wanted him, needed him.

I let my fingers trail down my stomach, feeling the scar that served as a reminder of my past, and then continued down to my waistband. I hooked my finger in the edge of my trousers and slowly pulled them down, revealing the juncture between my thighs.

My hands trembled, but I didn’t stop.

“Spread your legs. Use your fingers to spread your pussy open for me so I can see,” he commanded, his voice low and demanding.

Dacre’s eyes never wavered, never blinked, as I reached between my legs and slipped my fingers inside, feeling the moisture there.

I moaned softly as my fingers sank into my wetness, my hips bucking slightly at the contact. Dacre’s eyes darkened further, his breaths coming in ragged gasps as he watched me.

“Fuck, Nyra,” he growled, his voice a husky rasp that made shivers race through me. “You’re going to make me come just from watching.”

He shifted his hips in the chair, pulling his cock from his shorts, and I gasped as I watched him run his hand up and down the length of it.

Dacre’s eyes blazed with hunger and need as he watched me touch myself, and he matched my movement, stroking himself harder and faster. I could see the tension in his muscles, the way his jaw clenched, and I knew that he was as close to losing control as I was.

I slipped another finger inside my pussy, stretching myself open and moaning at the fullness I felt. My hips bucked again, chasing the pleasure that was building inside me.

“Please, Dacre,” I begged, my voice barely more than a whisper. “Touch me.”

He glanced down at my hand, still buried between my legs, and then back up to my eyes. For a moment, I thought he might refuse, but then he stood, still stroking himself as he stared down at me.

“You look so perfect.” He dropped to his knees before me and jerked my pants farther down my legs before tossing them on the floor.

I moaned, dropping my head backward, and I jumped, my hips surging forward as I felt cool liquid drip down my pussy.

My eyes shot open, and I watched as Dacre held the wine bottle above me, letting the wine drip down my body and between my thighs.

“Dacre,” I whimpered his name, and he looked up at me.

“I don’t think I’ve had enough.” He leaned his head down, and he lapped at the wine from my pussy.

My hips bucked, and I gasped as his tongue moved lower, flicking at my clit before dipping into my wetness. My hands fisted in the sheets, and I moaned loudly, my body arching off the bed as he continued to pleasure me with his mouth.

“So sweet.” He let more wine fall from the bottle, and he licked every drop of it up from my skin, his eyes never leaving mine.

His fingers trailed up my legs, spreading me open, before he pressed them against my clit, rubbing them in time with his tongue.

“Dacre, please,” I begged, my voice high and needy. “I need more.”

He groaned, long and loud, before he moved until he was kneeling on the bed between my thighs. His cock looked so huge as he continued to run his hand up and down the length of it, and for a moment, I thought he was going to fuck me.

And the realization hit me that I desperately wanted him to.

I wanted to be claimed by Dacre in every way possible.

“Where do you want my cum, little traitor?”

My gaze snapped open, and I watched him as he pressed the head of his cock against my clit. My back arched off the bed, and I whimpered as he moved, sliding up and down my wetness before pushing into my clit once again.

“Inside me,” I answered and felt his cock twitch as he ran it back through the length of me. He pushed the head of his cock into my entrance, only slightly, before he pulled back out.

Shivers ran through my body, and I was ready to beg him.

“You want me to fuck you?” he asked and pressed against my clit once more.

I was so close. So damn close.

“Yes,” I whispered, my voice trembling with anticipation.

He looked down at me, his eyes dark and hungry, filled with desire and so much possession. “You are mine, Nyra.”

“Yes,” I breathed and moved my hips, trying to catch the high he was dangling in front of me. “I’m yours.”

“That’s a good fucking girl.” He pumped his cock, his hand hitting me, pressing hard against my clit, and I almost came out of my skin.

“Oh, gods.” I kneaded my breasts in my hands and listened to him groan as he watched.

“I’m going to cum all over you, little traitor. Mark this body in a way that your fake rebellion mark never could.”

My legs clenched around him, trying to close, but he refused to allow it.

“Let me have it, Nyra.” He growled and his movements became more frantic and forceful, and I couldn’t hold on any longer. “Give me what’s mine.”

My body was strung like a bow, taut with tension, and the moment it snapped, there was no holding it back.

I cried out, my hips bucking against his hand, just before I felt his own pleasure release.

“Fuck,” he grunted, his voice hoarse as he pumped his hand harder and his cum hit my clit.

I jerked forward and watched as he came against my pussy, coating me in his cum and letting it drip down my thighs as the wine had done only a few moments before.

“Dacre,” I said his name like a plea, but I didn’t know what I was asking. My body was still reeling from what we had just done, my heart slamming into my chest.

His gaze met mine, and his eyes were almost solid black as he ran a finger through my pussy and lifted it between us.

I sucked in a breath, feeling suddenly self-conscious. I tried once again to close my legs, but he was still between them, forcing me to remain exposed to him.

“Taste.” He lifted his finger to my mouth, and I let him run his finger along my tongue. “You look so pretty covered in my cum.”