Chapter 424 In Six Days
Chapter 424 In Six Days
He kept thrusting through it, deep and deliberate, as if savoring every second.
We collapsed together, sweaty and breathless. Darius stayed inside me for a long moment, holding me close as our heartbeats slowed. He kissed my temple, his hand gently stroking my stomach.
“Even if you were teasing,” he murmured huskily against my skin, a hint of a smile in his voice, “I wouldn’t complain if the goddess took it seriously.”
I smiled, still blushing, and traced lazy patterns on his chest. “You’re impossible.”
He rolled to the side but kept me tucked against him, one large hand possessively cupping my breast. The fire in the hearth burned low, casting warm shadows over our tangled bodies. For these stolen hours, the Blood Moon and its threats felt distant.
~
I stirred slowly, my body deliciously sore in all the right places. Darius’s arm lay heavy across my waist, holding me close even in sleep. His warm breath tickled the back of my neck, and I could feel the steady rise and fall of his chest against my back.
The furs had slipped down during the night, exposing my bare shoulder. I smiled to myself, remembering the heat of his hands and the way he had taken my teasing words and turned them into something fierce and consuming.
I shifted slightly, turning in his arms to face him. His dark hair was tousled, a shadow of stubble lining his strong jaw.
Even relaxed in sleep, he looked every bit the powerful king, broad shoulders, scarred chest, the faint red lines my nails had left on his skin. I traced one lightly with my fingertip, and he hummed, eyes fluttering open.
“Good morning,” I whispered, a shy smile playing on my lips.
Darius pulled me closer, pressing a slow kiss to my forehead, then my lips. His hand slid down my side, resting possessively on my hip.
“Morning, my love. Did you sleep well?”
“Eventually,” I teased, blushing as memories of last night flooded back. “Though someone kept me up rather late.”
He chuckled, the sound low and warm, his thumb stroking my skin. “Can you blame me? Leaving you for even a week feels like torture.” His gaze dropped to my stomach for a brief moment, a hint of that primal hunger from last night still lingering. “Especially after your little tease.”
I laughed softly and waved him off, my cheeks burning. “Stop being so naughty. I told you I was only playing.”
Darius grinned, unrepentant, and kissed me again, deeper this time. “Doesn’t mean I didn’t enjoy the idea.” He finally released me with a reluctant sigh and sat up, the furs pooling around his waist. “But today the preparations begin. A sennight will pass quickly.”
I sat up too, pulling the sheet around my chest as the morning chill touched my skin. We dressed slowly, stealing glances and small touches, his hand brushing my lower back as he helped lace my gown, me straightening his tunic.
The easy intimacy felt precious, especially with the separation looming.
A soft knock came at the door. A young maid entered with a tray of warm bread, cheese, sliced apples, and spiced wine. She kept her eyes respectfully lowered. “Breakfast, Your Majesties. And the Faye says the twins are awake and ready if you wish to see them.”
“Thank you,” I said warmly. “Bring them in after we eat.”
Once the maid left, Darius and I sat at the small table near the window. We ate in comfortable silence for a while, his leg brushing mine under the table. The palace below buzzed with early activity, knights training in the yard, horses being led from the stables.
After breakfast, Faye returned carrying Am, while Ruby brought Tia. My heart swelled as I took Am into my arms. He was growing so fast already, his small fists waving as he made soft cooing sounds.
Tia gazed up at me with wide, curious eyes, her tiny mouth forming a perfect O.
Darius took Tia carefully, his large hands impossibly gentle as he cradled her against his chest. He rocked her slowly, pressing a kiss to her soft dark hair. “They’ve gotten bigger since yesterday,” he murmured, voice thick with emotion. “I hate that I’ll miss even a few days of this.”
I stepped closer, leaning against his side while Am gummed at my finger. “Then make the preparations swift. Come back to us as soon as you can.” My voice caught slightly. “They need their father.”
Darius looked down at me, his free arm wrapping around my shoulders. “I will. Every day I’m gone, I’ll be thinking of you three.” He glanced at Am in my arms. “And hoping the goddess heard your teasing last night.”
I nudged him playfully with my elbow, cheeks warming again. “You’re impossible. Focus on staying safe in those caves instead of filling my belly again so soon.”
He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. The weight of the Blood Moon hung over us even in this quiet morning moment.
Later that morning, we moved to the royal solar where sunlight streamed through stained glass windows depicting the goddess and her wolves. Servants had laid out maps of the Blood Moon Highlands across a large table. Ryker and Allistair were already there, along with two senior knights in chainmail.
Darius handed Tia to me and leaned over the maps, pointing to the sacred caves. “We ride in six days. Allistair, you’ll go ahead with half the guard to begin the protection spells on the outer villages. I want every town shielded before the moon turns red.”
Allistair nodded, tracing a route with his finger. “It will take three days of hard riding. I’ll start weaving the wards immediately upon arrival.”
Ryker stood with his arms crossed, leather gloves creaking as he flexed his hands. “I’ll have two hundred more knights here by tomorrow evening. The palace defenses will be tripled. No one gets in or out without our knowledge, especially not Lord Anthony."