23. Amber

Chapter twenty-three

Amber

W e were alone in the woods, on dark paths that Vanir could not hope to follow.

At least, that’s what I told myself when I narrated this to myself like an epic quest. I had to think of something, otherwise I would have been either paralyzed with fear, or panicked into running for the border. Neither option was smart.

Despite my fear, which made me jump at every sound that I didn’t make, the scenery was gorgeous and pristine—nothing like my murky thoughts. The water at the lake where we rested sent its gentle waves to the shore, echoing the rhythm of my breath. Though there was no moon, I was able to see a little of my surroundings, thanks to how the trees and flowers seemed to carry a dim glow. This place was enchanted. Yes, the elven city was ethereal, but where we were now was nature, pure and untarnished in a way that our world never experienced. We were now in a place where nature itself seemed to cry out in joy.

Unfortunately, my feet were crying out in pain.

I stood at the edge of the water, soaking my feet in the gentle waves, while unbuttoning the top of my dress’s outer bodice. The stays had rubbed my skin raw as we fled—the garment was not meant for fleeing through the woods. Since we were stopped for the night, then I may as well rest and let my skin get some air. We would be doing the same thing all over again tomorrow. The blisters would be—

“What are you doing?” Eldrin asked from behind me. “Stop,” he said, his voice oddly deep.

My head whipped around, holding my garments in place. What was wrong? I hadn’t intended to strip naked, but I could see how he’d think that. “I…of course.” My cheeks flushed. “Sorry, I didn’t think…”

The fire in his eyes, consuming me, told me that his objection wasn’t out of modesty. A deep heat gathered inside me as his measured gaze roamed over my body. His expression was feral, animalistic, a single mindedness that told me that he wouldn’t stop until he got what he wanted.

And he wanted me.

All the tension from the last few weeks rose, furious at being restrained for so long. The kiss. The glen. There were weeks of painful yearning. Now we were alone. And there was no elven fiancé in the way.

The morning’s danger, the urgency that had pushed us to escape the city, evaporated like the night’s mist, and it sunk in that I was finally alone with Eldrin, and there was nothing to stop us.

I drank in the sight of Eldrin, admiring him in a way that I hadn’t had a chance yet today, since we had fled so quickly. Truly, he was dressed like elven royalty. His chest, revealed under that open robe, was perfectly sculpted, begging for my hands to run over the panes, which would then be followed by my lips. The robe’s angles highlighted the rest of his form, all muscles and sharp edges. His dark breeches were mostly hidden by the robe’s thick fabric, but they did a horrible job of concealing that his thighs were as muscular as the rest of him. His hands rested at his sides—both the skeletal and human—and I wanted nothing more than for both of them to explore me. His posture was rigid, yet he moved fluidly, a weapon that was able to maneuver like rain running down a mountain.

He was desire and danger, and I wanted all of him.

And now he wanted me to stop ?

“No. None of that,” he said, brushing aside my apology. “It’s not you. Never you,” he finished in a whisper, stepping closer to me. “It’s that if you continue what you’re doing, I won’t be able to stop myself. And I can’t resist you for a second time. And once we do this, there is no going back.”

The dull heat in my core flamed into a ravenous inferno. No going back? Why would I want to go back? He was right—this would change everything. Us. We would be transformed from two people who were standing at the barest edges of love into something more. Much more, and it was unlikely either of us knew what that truly meant. Eldrin didn’t strike me as one who did casual flings—not anymore, at least. If he was going to give himself to me, this was going to mean something. Be something. And today, he had sacrificed everything he had, every position at court that he still had left, for me.

Yes, there was no going back. But I only saw a path forward. With him.

I dropped the dress, letting it reveal the last layer over my breasts, which were still hidden under the thin tan shift. They immediately stiffened in the cool air, making my remaining clothes chafe against my skin.

“Good,” I said.

“Amber…” My name was reverent on his lips, and he knelt down before me, taking my hands in his own. His skeleton hand was no longer strange to me, it was just another part of him. The bone was both sharp and yet smooth on my skin, ever so gentle despite the edges. Both of his hands encased mine as he placed two solemn kisses on them, this adoring touch making me close my eyes while I relished the feeling of his lips on my skin.

I hesitated. What should I do next? The last thing I wanted was to break the moment, to shatter this perfect dream. Still kneeling before me, Eldrin stilled, his lips hovering over my hands, warming them with his gentle hot breath. My own breaths rushed harder, and even the air around us felt charged.

And once either of us moved, it would unleash a thunderstorm that would consume us both.

Before I had to decide, he stood and leaned forward so that his mouth was now just above my shoulders. Something so small and intimate—his presence, closer than we had been in weeks—instantly awakened every nerve, anticipating what could come next.

I couldn’t help it. I let out a long exhale, and an incessant throbbing echoed inside me, impossible to ignore. When he touched me— if he touched me there—he was going to find me desperate for him.

“You’re not mine to touch,” Eldrin said, lightly teasing. “This is treason.”

“Treason?” I grinned. “You kidnapped me. Twice.”

Eldrin smiled back. “You went willingly. This time.”

“I’d follow you anywhere.” I moved my hands so that my fingers entwined with his. His eyes roamed to my breasts, settling his attention on them, and a thrill rolled through me that I was able to create this much of a reaction out of him already—with nothing more than a slight touch.

“Give me this, Eldrin,” I said, meeting his silver eyes. “Please. Give me you. Because everything is going to change, and I want to remember what it feels like to have you inside of me.” Fuck that was bold, but I needed him. Who cared what it took?

Ages passed during the next few seconds, my heartbeat counting each painful moment that went unanswered.

What would he say? Would he change his mind? Did he still want me like that? I had caused so many problems for him, and there was no end to them. He had every reason to want nothing to do with me.

His jaw clenched and he closed his eyes, obviously dancing on the limits of his self-control. His chest rippled with his breath, revealing each muscle. I swallowed. Waiting.

One breath.

Another.

And another.

“Please,” I repeated softly.

That was all it took.