Page 39 of The Divine Shallows
“You’ve only just met me, and already you’re enraptured,” Elowyn tutted.
“Well, if we’re being sensible about it, I met you seven years ago... And I was charmed at first sight,” Draeden smiled down at her. “But even if I hadn’t met you then, would you blame me?”
Elowyn felt like she might collapse at any moment, her knees weak. She knew the Darkmaw prince had an irresistible hold on her. All she could think about was his magnetic presence. She was drawn to him in ways she couldn’t explain. He was all she wanted too. Her aura must have given her away because Draeden gave a suggestive smile.
Guiding their swaying steps further into the alcove, Draeden slowed them to a stop. He looked at her, his golden eyes burning with need, and gently brushed a hand down her cheek, resting it at the bottom of her chin.
“May I kiss you?” he whispered.
Elowyn held his golden gaze and nodded.
Gently, Draeden tipped her chin up as he lowered his head to hers. His eyes sparkled with excitement and his lids fell halfway, his lashesluring her with longing. Elowyn welcomed his guiding hand and lifted her head to meet his. Their lips met tenderly, unhurriedly. He deepened their kiss, his mouth coaxing hers to answer to his demand. Elowyn complied, tangling her fingers in his hair, pulling him closer. Her desire for him intensified. She didn’t want this moment to end.
A smile played on Draeden’s lips as he pulled back from their kiss, brushing his thumb across her lips with care, admiring her delicate fangs, before dropping his hand from her chin.
“Why did you stop?” Elowyn asked breathlessly, her face flushed with heat from their embrace.
“Just one kiss for now,” he said softly, reaching for her hand and clasping it. He intertwined their fingers as he placed a gentle kiss on their enfolded touch. “There’ll be many more to come.”
Leading her away from the corner, he wrapped his hands around her lower waist as she rested her arms around his neck. They swayed to the lilting strings once more, and Elowyn was utterly captivated by the warlock before her. Her eyes traced the angles of his jaw and the curves of his cheekbones. His allure was intoxicating.
But she knew this couldn’t last. Reluctantly, she began to construct an invisible wall between them, piece by piece. After the week was over, she would return to Eriden and he to Orwyn. Both heirs of Neramyr, destined to rule over their own separate kingdoms.
He noticed the shift in her aura and pulled back, concern furrowing his brows. “Is everything all right?”
“Promise me that there will be more,” she asked earnestly.
Elowyn didn’t know what had come over her, but she didn’t want to let this go. She pushed back against her mental safeguards, determined to keep whatever this was from being fleeting.
The only other fey Elowyn had ever kissed was a stone mason’s son from Lochwald. He and his father had been commissioned to construct an addition to Eriden’s royal castle, staying in the stewards’ quarters for months until the structure was finished. Elowyn wouldmeet with the son in the dark of night for stolen kisses and hurried caresses, but she always declined to acknowledge him in daylight for fear of her father finding out.
The night before he was to leave, Elowyn had proposed they meet in her bedroom, wanting to experience what it felt like to be thoroughly embraced by a lover’s touch. But he never showed. Perhaps he came to his senses and realized he would be hanged if he were caught sleeping with the daughter of the Fanged King. Nonetheless, it was for the best; her father was in a fouler mood than she was that night. If they were caught, she believed her father would have tortured the fey until there was scarcely anything left of him, before having Bane dispose of his body in the pits of the Eriden mountains.
But this... Right now, she wanted Draeden wholeheartedly. Their kisses and embraces felt exhilarating, born from excitement rather than the adrenaline of fear and disobedience.
Draeden chuckled sweetly. “I promise.”
“Now that’s two promises you owe me. I’m keeping count,” Elowyn teased, tracing idle circles on his shoulder.
“I haven’t made up for my teasing yet?” he smirked, pulling her closer and gesturing around them. “A balcony. An alcove. Another dance. When will my debt be repaid?”
“One debt can be repaid with another kiss,” Elowyn said.
Draeden let out a low sound and gripped her waist tightly as he claimed her lips again. Elowyn’s knees threatened to buckle, but he held her firmly against him. Draeden’s urgent kiss softened as he cupped her cheek and pulled back.
“You’re perfect,” he whispered, placing another brisk kiss on her lips before whisking her up in his arms.
Elowyn’s eyes widened in surprise as he carried her back to the cushioned bench and settled in, cradling her in his lap. She sprawled her legs out and leaned into him, reveling in their closeness. He claimed a lock of her hair and began twirling it aroundhis finger again.
They sat there nestled together for a long span of time, sharing lingering laughter and secret smiles. They spoke about their past, their perspectives on the present, and their dreams for the future. Both of their hearts beat to the rhythm of the song still floating around them.
Elowyn’s face ached from the heartfelt smile that remained on her lips. She thought to herself how wonderful it was to feel happiness like this.
13
Folded in Fourths
Emergingfrom the archway of a moongate, Elyria was enveloped in feylight. Just before it dissipated, she collided violently with the hard marble floor of her antechamber. She winced, her face contorting in pain from the impact of her fall. Elyria heaved raggedly, panting from the monumental effort it took to portal back to her bedchamber from the Iron Hollows.
