Page 41 of Throne of Dreams
“That fucking prick.” Tiernan’s own rage mirrored hers.
“My thoughts exactly.”
His fury was enough to smother the desire pumping through his veins. Queen Marella gave him the Astralstone in exchange for protection. Though her alliance was with the Autumn Court, she and the merrows would remain safe so long as they moved between Summer waters. But there was only so much he could do. His power only extended so far until it would be considered an act of war. And maybe that was exactly what Garvan wanted. But why?
“Tiernan?” Maeve’s soft voice drew him back from the recesses of his thoughts. She was looking up at him. Expectant. “Will you help me?”
“Yes.” Anything. He would do anything for her. “Yes, Maeve. I’ll help you.”
“What do we do?”
His gaze drifted to the glass dome above them, where the stillness of night coated Niahvess, where the stars kept watch. “First, we sleep. In the morning, we plan.”
“Okay.” Her body relaxed into him.
Tiernan lay there, watching her until her eyes finally closed, tempted by the pull of sleep. Her chest rose and fell in long, even breaths, a lullaby to his ears. As she slumbered soundly, the tension from all the years of before slid away, and his magic unfurled around them. The cool kiss of a summer breeze. The soft rumble of thunder.
For the first time in a long time, Tiernan slept.
* * *
Maeve woke,deliciously sore and comfortably warm. A strong arm was slung possessively across her waist, and she looked over to see the High King of Summer sleeping soundly beside her.
Her heart stuttered.
She’d not expected such tenderness from him last night. He’d been demanding. Punishing. And then…everything had changed. His kisses went from rough and desperate to soft and lingering, like he worshiped every inch of her body. She’d never felt so cherished. So treasured. She wasn’t foolish enough to think it was for any reason other than he’d belatedly realized he was taking her virginity.
Even still, she appreciated his concern for her.
Morning sunshine spilled in through her windows from the east and above them the sky was tinged in hues of blush from the glow of dawn.
She studied him while he slept.
Sun and sky, he was gorgeous. She memorized the angle of his jaw, rugged and scruffy, yet classically handsome. She liked the way his dark lashes swept down, was maybe even a little jealous of their beauty. His dark hair fell across his face in long, sweeping pieces. Then there was his full mouth, those delicious lips…
“If you don’t stop thinking so loudly, I’ll be forced to have you beneath me again this morning.”The rich timbre of his voice skated through her mind and chills riddled her flesh.
She inched closer.“Is that a threat, my lord?”
“No. It’s a promise.”Just then, his eyes slowly opened, the mesmerizing twilight of them still full of sleep. His palm coasted over her hip and bottom, squeezing gently. “But last night was your first time, and I don’t want to hurt you again.”
A frustrated sigh escaped her. “How long will you make me wait, my lord?”
He smiled, but it was sinful. “So eager.”
She stretched out, reaching her arms overhead, arching her back, and pointing her toes. Then she pulled back the covers and crawled out of bed.
Tiernan was faster. He snatched her waist, his grip unbreakable. “Where are you going?”
She nodded to the bathroom. “Just to shower.”
He made a noise, like a disappointed grunt, but released her.
She slid from the bed and padded softly to the bathroom, knowing he watched her every movement. She turned on the faucet and let ribbons of steam fill the bathroom before piling her mass of curls on top of her head and stepping into the shower. All she wanted was to soak and soothe. The hot water gently poured over the sensitive area between her thighs while she played back every image from the previous night in her mind. Already she wanted him again.
But when she exited the bathroom, fully expecting him to be awaiting her return, he was gone.
Clothes were laid out on her bed. Leather leggings, a cropped corset-style top armored with midnight blue sapphires, and her favorite boots. Her Aurastone was there as well. Apparently, training was in order for the day. Maeve quickly changed, ran her fingers through her hair, and when she opened her bedroom door, Lir was standing there.
