Page 87 of Crown of Ellova: Vol 1

I grind myself on his touch, desperate for my own release and for his too. The sensation of his cock in my hands, his hips thrusting against my palm, drives me wild until I’m feverish with desire for him. I squeeze gently as he moves against me, his handinside me matching the rhythm of my pumps. He breaks the kiss for a moment, his mouth returning to my breasts, sucking and teasing each one. He groans his own pleasure into my skin when it becomes too much for him.

His fingers plunge back into me and thrust over and over again as his thumb glides on my clit. His touch is intoxicating and I’m melting in my simmering pleasure, almost ready to burst with his searing fingers.

Leon’s frantic touch overpowers me, the pleasure peaking, and I scream. My thighs splay open further as he keeps up a breathtaking tempo with his trembling fingers. He groans before his lips find mine again, and we kiss through our joined pulsing euphoria. He pulls away briefly to bury his face into my throat, lavishing the sensitive spot there with attention as his fingers glide back into me, and he lazily pumps into me again, prolonging my waves of bliss, that teasing thumb of his circling my overstimulated center.

I am weightless, truly weightless, and the lochkiss floats us up to the sparkling surface. We are still holding each other as we gasp in the fresh air, lying at the top of the spring as if we weigh nothing, sunshine warming our skin.

His fingers slide out again and he brings his glistening fingers to his lips, licking and sucking my release off. When he is done, he turns to me for a deep kiss.

We float there, spent and sated.

“We should head back,” I whisper into his chest.

He swallows hard. “Gonna need a minute.” His breaths are rapid, his voice cracking just a little.

“Sorry,” I whisper, and I mean it. I should have had more self-control, kept my hands and mouth to myself. The water drips off him and I follow the rivulets down his body, wishing I could follow its path with my tongue.

He whispers back, “Don’t be. You are a treasure, Izadella. My treasure.”

We lie there together, bobbing atop the pool’s surface, his hands tracing lazy circles on my back and thighs, for a long time before hekisses my cheek and we swim back to shore. He grabs the fabric I used to cover my breast and gently ties it around me before pulling me in for one last long kiss. Together, we mount our steed and head back.

CHAPTER 36

We barely make it back in time to prepare for the ceremony. I’m putting the finishing touches on my hair in the bathing chamber alone when I hear Nueena and Tavien come in, and then Leon’s soft laugh from behind the door at something Tav said. When I step out of the bathroom in my ceremony gown, the room goes silent except for Nueena’s delighted gasp.

Hiliyah has outdone herself.

My strapless gown is made with a golden fabric that flutters around me. It is tight on my waist and hips before flaring out, but that’s not what the three of them are staring at. The top of the gold corset is shaped like a giant crown that cages in my chest, the arch from each point sticking out. It is heavy, covered in yellow diamonds, lemon quartz, and golden garnet. The highest peak of the center presses into the space between my breasts. It would make any close dancing nearly impossible, but the visual is stunning.

Nueena comes forward, touching one of the yellow gemstones that top each arch.

“The perfect gown for the royal crown maker,” she says, smiling at me.

I laugh. “Mydress? Look atyours!”

Her gown’s base is the same fabric as mine, but that’s where the similarities end. The bodice is covered with a sheer fabric that rises up off her shoulders; strands of yellow pearls form small dangling sleeves. Across the top, gems have been sewn on so it gives the illusion her skin is sparkling. A diamond-shaped cutout under her chest leads to her waist, where gossamer layers flow down. The skirt is sewn together with yellow gemstones and gold thread so it glimmers when she walks. It is a gown strung from sunlight and highlights her dark skin beautifully.

Nueena does a happy spin, her gown shimmering in the light. “Now all I need is my crown,” she teases.

“Ladies, you both are breathtaking, but we must be leaving now,” Tavien says, coming behind Nueena with a hand on her back, leading her out of the doors. He doesn’t take his eyes off her.

I turn to face Leon, who is still staring at me, slack-jawed. His gaze flickers over the gold lining my eyes and gold dust on my cheeks and shoulders.

“You look stunning, like a queen.” His eyes have a faint shine to them.

“Thank you.” I stretch out my hand to him. He takes it, and together we head downstairs into the waiting crowd.

The ballroom where the crowning ceremony will be held has been decorated to reflect all the artistic talents that call the Gem Court home. Chandeliers hang dripping with diamonds beneath the intricate oil paintings on the ceiling with scenes from our court’s history. Yellow roses wrap around the golden columns. Those who attend tonight wear their finest clothing in every shade of yellow.

Dancers twirl with ribbons while musicians play music they wrote just for tonight to celebrate Nueena. The walls are covered in portraits of her. Watercolors and oil paintings, lifelike and abstract. Glowing glasses of sparkling wine glint in everyone’s hands as they toast to her.

Excitement is so strong I feel feverish. Many months ago I wasasked to create the crown for tonight. I had hoped, of course, to be asked, to share this moment with Nu. Historically, it is done by a master artisan, one whose years using their skills exceed my own, but Lazalai showed up at the palace one night and blessed me with the task.

To create a crown worthy to be given to our future Realm Keeper on behalf of the Gem Court was one of the highest honors my Guardian could have bestowed upon me.

Lazalai said that it would mean the most to Nueena if it came from me, and judging from the scream Nueena made when I told her I would be her royal crown maker, Lazalai had been right.

“I have to go to the dais. Stay nearby,” I say to Leon over the music and head where I need to be for the ceremony, next to my crown, which sits beneath a satin cloth, waiting to be presented to Nueena.

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