Page 54 of Queen of Thorns
Rev
Caelynn and I are escortedto a hall with bedrooms, dark and dingy like the others, and each assigned a room. Separately.
I press my lips together but don’t comment. I’ll let Caelynn take the lead on this.
The queen explains that there are more luxurious rooms in the palace, but they are unsafe for now. As the magic broke down, the palace residents condensed to only the central hall, closer to the source.
Once Caelynn’s magic refuels more of the palace, she’ll be able to move to several other areas of the massive castle.
The queen takes her leave, and Caelynn and I stand there in front of our doors. I curl my fingers over the handle of my room’s door but wait. Finally, Caelynn turns to me and nods for me to follow her.
I release a breath as we both slip into her room.
My hands curl around her waist, and I pull her back into my chest as we get our first look at her new bedroom. The bed is large with a faded black bedspread and an iron headboard, inlaid with tarnished gold, with twisting designs carved into it. The walls are entirely black, and there are three small, faded windows, peaked at the top with elaborate metal framework.
There is a round table in the corner and two green velvet chairs in front of a small fireplace.
“Not quite what you’re used to,” Caelynn says.
I shrug. “It’s not bad. Just needs a cleaning. And,” I lift my palm up, and four balls of light rise to the ceiling, “light.”
Caelynn sighs and lays her head back against my chest.
“This is yours now,” I whisper in her ear.
She shivers. “I hardly know what that means.”
“You’ll learn what it means.”
She nods. “I can’t believe I’m here. Can’t believe I actually made it. Can’t believe I fainted my first time using the fountain.” She smacks her palm to her forehead, and I chuckle.
“What you did was absolutely incredible.” I glide the tip of my nose down her neck. “You are incredible.”
Her fingers dig into my thigh, and then she pushes her back into me.
“You’re supposed to use this time to rest, Cae,” I whisper, but it comes out huskier than I’d intended.
“Believe me,” she says, spinning to face me. “You give me more energy than you take.” She places both hands firmly on my chest and shoves me back against the closed door without breaking eye contact.
I pause for one beat, heart pounding. Then, I quickly grip her waist and claim her mouth with mine.
My hand drifts down her neck, fingers curling under the hem of her tunic.
There’s a knock on the door.
