Page 93 of Fallen Stars

Enzo seemed to pale for a moment. “El, there’s a lot we need to talk about—”

Elara batted his comment away with a hand. “We can talk later. For now, I just want to revel in my soulmate’s arms a little longer.”

Enzo’s brow softened.

“Come,” she said, threading her fingers through his. He inhaled sharply. “What?”

“Your touch. It’s just…” He took a shaky breath. “I haven’t been touched in a month. I haven’t slept or eaten or drunk. It feels…surreal.”

Elara squeezed the hand gently as she began to lead him through the throne room. She beamed at Leo, who winked, before bounding over and wrapping her in a hug. He kissed the top of her head. “Gods, I’ve missed you all,” he said as Merissa and Isra came to join the embrace. Elara squeezed Leo back. “We all missed you too.”

She pulled away, the joy on her friend’s faces something she wished she could bottle and drink.

“Now,” she said, “I don’t want anybody to disturb us for at least three hours.” She pulled Enzo to her, his arms wrapping around her waist as he kissed the top of her head.

“Three?” Leo laughed. “You do realise Enzo hasn’t touched you for a month? Two minutes will be generous.”

Elara snorted, but Enzo remained quiet, only a small smile on his face as they each embraced tightly once more before they traversed the grand hall.

The minute they closed the throne doors behind them, Elara whirled to Enzo.

“Enzo,” she whispered, tears filling her eyes yet again as she beheld him, truly beheld him, allowing herself to let her guard down away from others. “I can’t believe you’re here.”

Enzo yanked her to him, as though he couldn’t bear to have an inch of space between them. “I’ve missed your voice,” he said against her hair. “I mean I know you were speaking to me in your dreams, but it was different. I never got to appreciate the vibration in your throat as you roll my name on your tongue or the smokiness and depth to your accent.”

She nuzzled into his chest, feeling the drumbeat of his heart. It was the most beautiful music she had ever heard.

“Are you well?” she asked quietly. “Do you need me to call a healer to check over you first, or—?”

“Later, love. Later. I have been deprived of you for too long, and now I need my hopeless addict’s fix.”

Elara let out a gasp as Enzo grabbed her by the waist and lifted her up. Her legs wrapped around him as he cradled her backside. He squeezed it, and a low moan escaped him.

“I don’t think we’re going to make it up the stairs, princess.” His voice was rough, eyes near black.

“I think we’re going to have to unless we want an audience.”

Enzo began to walk as her arms wrapped around his neck, the rhythm making Elara’s hips slide against his. He ran his nose up the column of her throat and halted.

Elara pulled away, seeing his gaze burning into her throat.

“What’s this?” he asked, referring to the moon carved into her clavicle. They were standing in the middle of the stairway, and Elara swallowed.

“It’s nothing.”

“Elara,” he growled in warning.

“I got it when dealing with Ariete,” she said. “But it’s nothing. A shallow cut. It doesn’t even hurt. I promise you, Enzo.”

“What did he do to you?” Enzo asked, his eyes still burning into her wound.

“Nothing,” Elara lied. “Look, can you please let it go? I’m not harmed. I’m right here. And you are too. That’s what we should be celebrating right now.”

She leaned down to kiss him, praying it would distract him.

“Fine,” he hissed as they broke away. “As long as you promise you aren’t hurt. I’ve burned men at the stake for doing less to you.”

“I’m not hurt,” she said, peppering small kisses down his neck. He hummed, a conceding sound low in the back of his throat as he pushed her hips down onto him. She could feel his erection, and gods, she had forgotten the feel of it as it pushed into her. She ground against it, moaning as he ascended the great stairs with her.

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