Chapter 89 Chapter 89

Chapter 89 Chapter 89
LENORE
The first thing I saw when I woke up was Killian staring at me.
He was lying next to me, his head propped up on his fist, and just beaming at me with his eyes glowing brightly, his cheeks flushed, and his lips a darker shade than normal. For a couple of seconds, I just stared at him, my mind blank, while cinnamon and citrus flooded my nostrils. It was heavier than normal, but rather than overwhelming me, it felt like a warm blanket.
“Hi?” I muttered and his smile turned goofy before he placed his other hand on my bare back, caressing it for a moment. I blinked.
Gods, you feel incredible suddenly echoed in my mind in his hoarse voice, and heat exploded across my face.
Ah! I buried my face in the pillow so fast, I nearly gave myself a headache.
“Good morning, my love,” he said, his voice rumbling with barely contained laughter, and my face grew even hotter. I could probably melt butter on it.
“No.”
He was silent for a moment. I couldn’t see his face, but I could imagine him tilting his head. “Not a good morning?” he asked and I pressed my lips together.
I did all of that. With him.
Vivid images of him on top of me flashed through my mind, and I tried to take a steadying breath, only to end up inhaling the pillow, as heat pooled low in my stomach. Then I buried my face even deeper into the pillow, my lips curving into a smile as he stroked my back again. “It is,” I muttered before finally lifting my head from the pillow and the dazzling smile waiting for me made me tingle all over. “Good morning.”
His gaze dropped to my lips, and his hand slid from my back to my waist, wrapping around it before he pulled me closer until there was no space between us. “A very good one,” he murmured before kissing me. His lips moved against mine with a sweetness that made everything else disappear while his hand tightened slightly around my waist, and I couldn’t help but smile against his lips, the thought that he was mine and I was his replaying in my mind.
Killian deepened the kiss before dropping onto his back and I moved with him. As my breasts pressed against his chest, I remembered that I was completely naked under the sheets, but instead of pulling away, I settled more comfortably against him, my arms sliding around his shoulders as he wrapped his arms around me. It was almost bizarre how comfortable I felt right now.
When we finally broke the kiss, his hands began moving over my back as though he were trying to memorize the feel of me, his eyes crinkling at the corners.
“Did something happen while I was asleep?” I asked as one of his hands slid beneath the sheets bunched around my waist, and a soft noise escaped me when he grabbed my ass.
“No. Why?”
“Your eyes are glowing. And you’re very, very… smiley.” Also, he was wearing drawstring trousers—which made me wonder if he’d stepped out of the bedroom—and looked like he’d been awake for a while. Did he even sleep?
His smile widened even more and I tilted my head. “How could I not be? You’re here.”
The heat that had left my face returned, and I pressed my lips together before giving him a quick kiss. “My prince is good with words.”
“I could spend an eternity trying to find words for you, and I’d still come up short.”
Oh… The smile on my face faltered for half a second, my heart going crazy in my chest, and I swallowed. Whatever I’d been about to say had fled my mind. “You can’t just say things like that, Killian,” I muttered, warmth unfurling in my chest, and he pressed his lips to mine for a quick kiss.
“But it’s the truth, my love.”
I didn’t hate it—it was actually the opposite. It was just… with the reverence in his gaze and the overwhelming sincerity in his words… he made me feel like I was more than just Lenore.
“You’re impossible.”
“So I’ve been told.”
A smile swept across my face, and I leaned in for another kiss. Our lips had barely met when a knock sounded on the door, and Killian let out a long-suffering groan.
“Good morning, lovebirds.” It was Aurel. “I’m sorry, but I need to borrow Killian for a couple of minutes,” he added and I raised my brows at Killian who looked peeved. “Now don’t look at me like that, Killian. It’s your fault I’m here, after all… Lenore, tell him to stop.”
A laugh escaped me before I could stop it, and I shifted off Killian and into a sitting position while he worked his jaw. Then his gaze dropped to my breasts just before I held the sheets up to cover myself, and his jaw tightened again—not in irritation this time.
He pushed himself upright and kissed the edge of my mouth. “Don’t go anywhere,” he said, kissing the same spot again before getting off the bed.
I watched as he headed for the door, and halfway there, Killian stumbled over his own feet. He managed to catch himself before he fell, but my brows still snapped together. I hadn’t even thought that was possible.
“Are you okay?” I blurted out as he whipped around to face me, and he flashed me another goofy grin.
“Just perfect. Don’t go anywhere.” He shot me a wink and I tilted my head, smiling despite my slight confusion. “...You’re so beautiful, Lenore,” he added, making my smile widen, before he left the room.
Something was definitely up with him, but it clearly wasn’t anything to worry about, so I’d ask when he came back.
The windows shutters were still down, so I grabbed my phone from the nightstand to check the time—it was five twenty-five AM—and found several messages from Virginia and two from Wayne. Virginia had also created a group chat with me, Wayne, Cameron, and her, and there were over fifty messages there already from last night.
Virginia: @Cameron @Lenore What the hell?
Virginia: Why am I finding out what’s happening next wekk from someone else?
Virginia: Wekk
Virginia: Week wtf
Cameron: Oh yeah
Wayne: ?
Wayne: oh yeah?
Virginia: THAT’S ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?
Cameron: Sorry. Was a bit preoccupied
Wayne: with what?
Virginia: With what?
Virginia: Jinx
Wayne: ?
Wayne: are you serious?
Virginia: @Lenore Helloooooooo
I snorted, wondering what was happening next week, before the banquet came back to mind, and I paused. The fact that the tournament had been moved to next week Friday and the pairings had been shared was alarming, but Cederic’s death was at the forefront of my mind.
Clearly, the King hadn’t retaliated and I was grateful for that, but the King had nothing but time. It made me uneasy.
I didn’t want anything to happen to Killian.
The fact that Killian’s uncle had come to the suite last night also came to mind, and then I remembered that Killian had said we were going to the man’s house today so his friend could put a protection spell on me.
Oh. He hadn’t mentioned the time, but I assumed it would be this morning, so I decided to take a shower. It would help with my uneasiness, and failing that, it would get rid of the stickiness down there.
Heat rushed to my face again at the reminder of last night, and I pressed my lips together. Then I dropped an I’m up now message on the group chat before getting out of bed.