Chapter 90 See you tonight?
SOMA
Brynne is gone when I wake up, but his absence and the exam I have later today are not enough to wipe the smile off my face. Whatever last night was, I liked it a lot. His side of the bed is still warm, letting me know he didn’t leave until later this morning.
I sit up with a wince. My thighs throb as my back meets the hardboard. The cover falls to my waist, exposing my breasts and nipples, which are already hard from thinking about him.
Tiny scars litter my belly, mostly from the times my cousins got bored and decided my body was better as amusement. I’m so used to the sight because they have become a part of me, but this morning, as I stare at the scars, something like awe spreads through me. My fingers drag across the one below my breast. I picture Brynne’s face as he kisses them, his tongue stroking each one like an artist with his brush.
Each time he touched me, I was always covered. But last night, the sight hadn’t scared him away. I cup my breast, hissing as my finger circles my nipple.
The door bursts open, and I yank the cover over my chest. Jade enters with her back to me, revealing the meal tray when she turns.
“My lady,” Jade greets. She sets the tray on the study table with a smile. “The door was locked when I came in earlier. Since you woke up late, I think you should eat first before freshening up.”
Brynne must have locked it to give us privacy. But why didn’t I notice him move or leave? I push off the bed, using the cover to protect my dignity. The ache between my thighs grows unbearable with each action. As soon as I’m on my feet, I inhale shakily at the sight on the bed.
Beads of blood and what is undoubtedly the prince’s release dot the white sheet. He deflowered me, but I can’t even term what we did as sex.
“You look pale, my lady. Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Yeah.” Huddling toward her, I wrap her in a tight hug. “Thank you so much for the gifts. I love them.”
She laughs. “It was Prince Tristan’s idea.”
On pulling away, I whisper, “Can you step out for a minute? Maybe go hang out with Tristan?” She opens her mouth, but I continue. “I want to have some alone time.”
“Did I—”
“No, you did nothing wrong, okay?” I give her shoulders a squeeze and smile. “I’ll get myself ready today, but I need a moment to myself to clear my head.”
“But… are you okay, my lady?”
“Yes,” I tell her. “I’ll be. I just need a moment.”
She pouts, opening up her arms for a brief hug, and I indulge her. Once the door shuts behind her, I skip to the bed and yank the sheets, rolling them into a bundle. I can’t let her see that stain because I’m not ready to explain what happened last night, especially when I don’t understand it myself. But there’s one issue. I’ve never done laundry since I joined the academy.
The door creaks open, and I jump, holding the pile to my chest. Brynne chuckles, erasing the space between us with a few strides. I tuck the sheet behind me, thankful for the cover that provides a shield from his gaze.
He cocks his head. “What are you hiding?”
“Nothing,” I say too fast, putting one foot back.
He glances at the bare mattress, then back at me. The answer must have come to him because he stretches his hand toward me. “Give it to me. I’ll handle it.”
“Can you even do your own laundry?” I ask.
Brynne’s arm curls around my waist, and he pulls me into him, using the chance to pry the soiled sheet from my grip. Before I can protest, he kisses me. I’ve not brushed, but morning breath seems to be the least of his worries as he deepens the kiss. My stupid arms hike up, bringing his head closer until we’re locked in a small bubble of bliss.
With a reluctant groan, he tears his lips away from mine, both of us panting softly. Our foreheads touch, and he rubs the pad of his thumb against my lip. Dumping the sheet on the mattress, he slides his hand into his pocket and retrieves a velvet box. I edge away from him, hoping the distance, however small, will put sense back into me. We act like lovers when a month ago, we couldn’t stand the sight of each other. I don’t even know what we are now.
Brynne pops the square box open, and I immediately know what that is. This is the same pill he offered me the first time he filled me with his release. To prevent babies.
“Take it,” he whispers.
Anger courses through my veins, rushing into places I didn’t think possible. I smack his chest once, then again.
“Why am I surprised? Of course, you sleep around so much that you have these pills on standby.”
He blinks. “What?”
I snatch it from the bed of blue cloth and say, “Just go.”
“Look at me,” he begs.
“No.”
His fingers caress my jaw, nudging my face toward him. Tears prick my eyes. Maybe because some part of me expects him to be mine alone, even if what we have is undefined. That we won’t have to be strangers when we’re finally crowned king and queen.
“Somi,” he whispers. His lips brush mine, and his palm slides to the back of my head, keeping me in place. He sucks gently on my bottom lip until I give in and release a heavy sigh. “I got it from Kade.”
“So you’re not sleeping around?”
He chuckles. “I don’t sleep around.” His smile fades into something more amusing and dark. “You’re possessive.”
“You wish.” But now I’m certain I don’t want him with anyone else. He’s mine alone. I huff, nodding at the pill in my hand. “Does Kade know?”
He blushes, and I giggle.
“You stole it?” I tease.
“What does it matter?” he asks. “If you don’t want our children running around campus next year, you’d better take it.”
My gaze falls to the pill, and I confess, “It’s bitter.”
He plucks it from my palm and pops it into his mouth. My jaw slackens, and he kisses me, passing the pill back to me. I swallow before I realize it, and he grins against my lips.
“Ew,” I mutter when we separate. I fall back on the bed, a little too late to hide my wince. He notices.
“Are you okay?” I cross my legs, and he adds, “Soma?”
What happened to Somi?
“A little sore,” I admit.
The tension in his shoulders disappears, and he falls to his knees, his gaze soft like he wants to worship me. I swat his hand when he tugs on the cover. After a third attempt, I give up and let him have his way.
He doesn’t waste time stripping me and pushing my legs apart. “I can make it better,” he whispers. The tip of his pinky finger drags between my breasts, brushing over a scar without missing a beat. “I can lick you up. Make it better.”
“Go away,” I whisper, but my cheeks burn hot at his suggestion.
Taking my hand, he leads me to the table where Jade had set my food. There’s a single red rose beside the tray, alongside the gifts from yesterday. The rose was missing last night. Picking up the spoon, he scoops some eggs and directs the utensil to my mouth. I try to collect the spoon, but he shakes his head. Knowing it’s a lost cause, my mouth opens, and I oblige him.
The same hand that pleasured me last night now feeds me. His actions are so gentle, I’m tempted to curl into him and sleep. But I have an exam. Jade’s reminder about my lateness rings in my head, but I’d rather be late than miss a moment like this.
At intervals, my gaze darts to the rose. When the food is half gone, Brynne picks up the necklace box and opens it. The pearls shine better during the day.
“Do you like it?” he asks.
“Yeah. It’s pretty.”
“Will you put it on for me?”
My mouth opens and closes. Tristan bought it for me, and he hasn’t seen me wear it yet. But Brynne asked nicely. I nod, pushing my hair over one shoulder before holding the pearls up to my neck. He hooks it at my nape, and I clip the earrings into place.
“It’s beautiful,” he mutters. “You’re beautiful.”
My toes curl. Here I am, naked on his lap with only a string of pearls on my neck and matching earrings. Yet I feel so powerful, like a genuine princess.
I place a hand on his chest. “Thank you.”
Picking up the rose, he holds it up to his nose for a sniff. “Will you go to the ball with me?”
The answer comes too easily and too fast. “No.”
“You’re so stubborn,” he protests.
“But yet, here you are,” I say. “Unable to apologize.”
He shakes his head. “See you tonight?”
“I’m locking my doors until you apologize.” When his eyes slide down my belly, I add, “No more underwear for you. I mean it.”
Picking up the spoon, he says, “We’ll see about that.”
As the food disappears into my mouth, I have this feeling that I’ll be emptying my underwear drawers for him.