Chapter 44
ELARA’S POV
I didn’t even wait for him to react before I attacked him. I stood on my tiptoes, and flung my arms around his neck, capturing his mouth with mine.
A groan left his lips and I caught it with my breath. His lips then split into a grin before he tilted his head and took over. His tongue swept into my mouth, strolling against my own as his lips moved over mine.
Okay, maybe this wasn’t the right thing to do at a dire moment like this. But it was definitely what I needed to relieve myself from stress.
I clung tighter to his shoulders, pulling myself closer than I already was. He pressed his body harder against mine, earning a moan from me as my heat grew higher and more intense. I could feel myself getting lost in how his hands were running up and down my body, he was back at me exactly with the same type of hunger and intensity I threw at him.
He lifted me up, my legs instinctively wrapped themselves around his waist as he walked us towards the bed.
He finally reached the edge of the bed, letting me slide down his body until my feet barely touched the floor. He didn’t break our connection, his eyes locked on mine, pupils dilated with desire. I reached up, cupping his face in my hands.
“What is it?”
“Nothing,” he shook his head, “It’s just…”
“It’s just what?”
“Ah fuck it—Nevermind.” With a low growl, he closed the remaining distance between us, his mouth crashing against mine more roughly this time. This kiss felt like a storm, as if there was a desperate claim that mirrored between us both. The familiar feeling of wanting to release all our pent-up stress.
He pressed me back onto the mattress, his weight a welcome pressure. I trailed my hands underneath his shirt, wanting to feel his skin.
His hands found the hem of my shirt, pulling it over my head. I arched my back eager for the touch of his bare skin. He lowered his head, his lips finding the sensitive skin of my neck. A shiver ran down my spine as he explored every inch, his breath hot and ragged against my skin. He nipped and suckled, leaving a trail of kisses, especially where I’d be marked. I tangled my fingers in his hair, urging him closer.
I wanted nothing else, no thoughts, no worries, only the burning need to be closer to him, to be completely consumed by the heat we had ignited.
~
Sunlight, sharp and insistent, pierced the gap in the curtains. My eyes fluttered open to the lingering warmth of Ronan’s embrace still imprinted on my skin.
A soft sigh escaped my lips, a sigh of contentment.
“Ronan?” I murmured as my eyes trailed to the other side of the bed. The space beside me was empty. He was gone.
My smile turned to a frown. What? How could he have left me alone? I knew he had morning duties to attend to, but leaving all alone in his—
“Hey,”
The frown vanished as quickly as it appeared. My eyes trailed from the bed to where the voice came from. He leaned against the bathroom door frame, a towel wrapped around his waist, another draped over his wet hair. Water beaded on his skin, catching the light.
I breathed out a sigh of relief. Thank the stars he was still here.
“Thought I was gone?” He asked, a playful smile curved on his lips.
I faked a pout, “Yes. Come here,” I stretched my arms out towards him. The movement was instinctive, a need for his comforting closeness. He chuckled softly, and walked over. His arms encircled me in a hug that banished the lingering shadows of my anxiety. I breathed in his scent and let myself melt against him. For the first time in a while, I had slept soundly, undisturbed by the relentless tide of worry.
He pulled back slightly, his hands cupping my face, thumbs gently stroking my cheeks. “You look good,” he said in a soft tone as his eyes softened, almost as if he was happy, “That’s a relief,”
I playfully winked at him, “That is thanks to you,” I leaned into him, resting my forehead on his, “If it wasn’t for you, I would have been miserable last night,”
“Ugh ugh, yeah right.” He teased, playfully throwing his towel at me as I pulled back from him. It landed on my shoulders, causing me to burst into laughter as I realized he was blushing but tried so hard to pretend as if he weren’t.
“I’ll be back.”
“Okay.”
I watched as he went back to the bathroom, leaving me alone with the lingering warmth of his presence.
Ah shit—I suddenly remembered that we hadn’t used anything and I didn’t take any herbs either. Might as well go to the infirmary to make one.
I got up from the bed, stretching both of my hands high, my limbs still felt heavy and weak, but at least not from a restless night. I walked over to the window, flinging it open to let the crisp morning air wash over me. The palace fields stretched out below. Ronan’s palace was surely magnificent and breathtaking. I could just stay here forever watching the lands, the birds chirping on the trees.
“Ugh? What’s that?” My gaze was drawn to something beyond the lawns, it looked like a person. Suddenly, my chest tightened with a jolt of something unreadable. In the distance, near the edge of the wood, stood a figure I knew instantly.
Kael.
Our eyes locked, causing my breath to hitch. A wave of nausea washed over me. The horror of the previous day’s revelations returned in full force.
“Just what I needed.” I cursed, under my breath as I slammed the window shut, slamming it with a sharp clap that echoed through the room.
I turned around, my heart pounding against my ribs like a caged animal. Just then Ronan walked back into the room, his expression now curious as he stared at me.
“Are you okay?”
“Terrific,” I muttered, “I just need a shower. I’ll be back.” I said as I brushed past him, I felt bad for acting the way I did. But I needed space… right now.