Page 53 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
My frustration bubbled over. "Looking for answers where? And what kind of answers? Why won't you tell me what's going on?"
Cade sighed heavily, pushing his plate away. "It's complicated, Ash. I can't just... explain it to you."
"But I deserve to know!" I cried, my voice cracking with emotion. "I'm not just some pawn in your game, Cade. I'm a person, with feelings and thoughts and a right to know what's going on in my own life!"
Cade's jaw tightened, and he looked away. "I can't tell you everything, Ash. Not yet. Just... trust me, okay? I'm doing this for your own good."
I scoffed, crossing my arms over my chest. "Trust you? How can I trust you when you keep lying to me, keeping secrets from me?"
Cade's eyes flashed, and he stood up abruptly, his chair scraping against the floor. "I'm not lying to you, Ash. I'm protecting you. There's a difference."
With that, he turned on his heel and strode out of the room, leaving me standing there in stunned silence. I felt a mix of anger, frustration, and hurt all churning inside of me. How could heexpect me to trust him when he kept me in the dark about everything?
I spent the rest of the evening stewing in my thoughts, trying to make sense of the whirlwind that was my life. Bella and Rosa did their best to distract me, but my mind was consumed with thoughts of Cade and the secrets he was keeping from me.
As night fell, I retreated to my room, my body heavy with exhaustion. I crawled into bed, pulling the covers up to my chin as I stared up at the ceiling. My mind was a jumbled mess of thoughts and emotions, and I couldn't shake the feeling of unease that had been plaguing me all day. Cornelius didn't appear that night, so I took the opportunity to rest, after using my magic the night before, and the spectacular sight of the blue dragon in the waterfall.
Just as I was about to drift off to sleep, the sound of the door creaking open startled me. I bolted upright, my heart pounding in my chest as I scanned the dark room.
And there he was, standing in the doorway, his silhouette outlined by the soft glow of the moonlight streaming in through the window.
Cade.
I blinked, rubbing my eyes to make sure I wasn't seeing things. He stepped into the room, closing the door behind him with a soft click.
"What are you doing here?" I whispered, my voice barely above a breath.
He didn't answer, just stood there, his eyes locked onto mine. I could see the war raging inside of him, the struggle between what he wanted and what he knew was right. The air between us was thick with tension, filled with unspoken words and unfulfilled desires. His gaze was intense, piercing through me, as if he could see the very essence of my being.
And then, without a word, he moved toward me. I watched, transfixed, as he crawled onto the bed, his body moving with apredatory grace that sent shivers down my spine. He slid under the covers, his hands gripping my hips gently yet firmly, the warmth of his touch sending jolts of electricity through my body.
My breath hitched as I felt his warm breath against my thighs, his fingers hooking into the waistband of my underwear. Slowly, almost painstakingly, he tugged them down, his eyes never leaving mine. I lifted my hips to help him, my heart pounding wildly in my chest, a mix of anticipation and anxiety surging through me.
He pressed a soft kiss to the inside of my thigh, and I let out a soft gasp, my body tensing with anticipation. He trailed kisses up my leg, each one more intense than the last, his hands gripping my hips tightly as he moved closer to my center. Every touch, every caress, felt like a flame igniting my skin, burning away all doubts and fears.
And then, with a soft moan, he buried his face between my legs, his tongue sliding against me in a way that made me see stars. He licked my clit expertly, sliding it in wet circles around it, causing my legs to quiver and me to moan his name. I gripped the sheets tightly, my body arching off the bed as wave after wave of pleasure washed over me. His mouth was hot and wet, his tongue moving in ways that left me breathless and gasping for more.
Each stroke of his tongue sent shivers of ecstasy coursing through my veins, building up a fire within me that threatened to consume me whole. I could feel the heat radiating from his touch, the raw power that flowed between us, connecting us in a way that transcended mere physical pleasure.
His hands explored my body, each touch deliberate and filled with desire. But the heat built inside of me, so did the pain. The same burning sensation that had consumed me before rose, threatening to overwhelm me.
I tried to ignore it, to push through it, but it was too much. The heat was unbearable, and I could feel myself losing control.
"Cade, stop," I gasped, pushing at his shoulders.
He looked up at me, his eyes clouded with desire, but also concern.
I shook my head, tears stinging my eyes. "It's too much. I can't... I can't handle it."
He pulled away, sitting up on his knees. His chest rose and fell with his ragged breaths, and I could see the struggle in his eyes. His face was pale, with droplets of sweat streaking down his chiseled face. "I'm sorry, Ash. I didn't mean to... I just... I couldn't help myself. I've been thinking about you all day, and I... I needed to be close to you."
I reached out, cupping his cheek in my hand as I struggled to catch my breath, feeling completely depleted. "I know. And it was... incredible. Until it wasn't."
He leaned into my touch, his eyes closing briefly. "I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
I shook my head. "You didn't hurt me, Cade. Not really. It's just... we're too different. We can't..."
He nodded, understanding dawning in his eyes. "I know. I just... I wanted to try. I had to know if there was a way..."
