Page 45 of A Kiss From a Faerie King

“Always,” I say. Emotion clogs my throat as he helps me from the bed.

He growls at my exposed body, the remnants of his seed still clinging to my chest and between my legs. With a wave of a hand, they are washed away, and I feel like I’ve just bathed in the warmest bath.

“You haveThe Great Oak’smagic now, my blossom. Use it,” Emrys encourages.

I stare down at my body and concentrate. Light flows from my chest as I reach inside myself, where Emrys and I are tied together. Power tingles at my fingertips as the scent of fresh flowers coats the air. Closing my eyes, I concentrate on what I want to appear.

Gasping, I feel something soft cover my body. I open my eyes to watch flowing white fabric decorated with light blue and purple flowers cover my body. The skirt is long, as are the sheer sleeves, but the neckline is low enough to enhance the swells of my breasts.

My feet remain blissfully bare.

“Perfect. You’re too beautiful for any realm,” Emrys states, grabbing my hand.

Leaning into his side, I press up on my toes and peck him on the lips.

“You make me feel beautiful. Powerful, too.”

“As any good king should.”

“How much power did you give me—or ratherThe Great Oak?”

His smile turns salacious as we pass through the trunk’s opening. The cool morning air tickles my cheeks. The sharp metallic scent is still there. The wind guides us back towards the clearing where, no doubt, the intruders are being kept.

As an intruder myself, perhaps I’ll show them mercy. Maybe their happiness resides down here as well.

“The Great Oakgave you a taste of the depth of your power. If you want more, all you have to do is ask. Or better yet?—”

Emrys pulls me against his side and dives his tongue into my mouth. He kisses me thoroughly, tasting me until I forget where I am or where we are going.

“I can just fuck more of my power into you. How does that sound?”

“Delicious,” I moan. He kisses me firmly once more before taking my hand again as we walk towards the meadow. “You make everything so easy for me.”

“Nothing is more precious to me than you. If you wanted my crown, I’d cleave it from my head just to see you smile.”

“Ugh,” I wrinkle my nose at that gory image. I give his hand a squeeze. “That’s sweet, but I prefer your head fully intact.”

“As you wish, my blossom.”

The closer we get to the meadow, the more Emrys’s posture stiffens. Magic swirls around him on an invisible breeze. He glows with menace. The picture of destructive power, I almost expect the trees to tremble in his wake. Indeed, some of the sprites do as we pass. Their bodies dim as they hide under passing branches.

Emrys is every bit the terrifying king, but to me, he could only be my sweet lover.

Lover. The word doesn’t sound right for what he is to me. It seems too fleeting. Yet, we’ve given no vows—there’s been no discussion of what we are only that we belong to each other. Is that enough? Do I require such a pathetic human title from a creature with unlimited power?

My steps slow, and Emrys turns towards me. Concern is written on his face. Before he can ask me what’s wrong, my worries slip from my lips. Damn my parents for poisoning me with such fickle insecurities.

“Are we married?” I blurt out. Emrys merely blinks at me. “I mean—will we be married? Is that something your kind does?”

The silent stretches for a moment I curse my errant tongue. Why did I have to make this awkward? He’s made me his queen—what does it matter if I’m his wife or not? I should be grateful enough for this.

Emrys pinches my chin and holds my stare.

“I own you in every way. Just as you own me.” I lick over my dry lips. “Is marriage important to you, my blossom?”

“It’s so trivial, I know. It’s just?—”

“Nothing you want is trivial. Now, start again.”

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