Page 46 of Glass Hearts
Instead of an answer, she asks me another question, setting down her supplies. I miss her hands on me instantly, but before I can go to put them back on me, she is already placing hersmall hands on my shoulders. Not moving away from between my thighs.
“Do you miss the Terra Isles?”
“I do. It is such a beautiful island, filled with mountains, waterfalls, and so much beauty. I think you would like it.”
“My best friend Lo and I always joked that if I could free myself from the curse that we would run off together to your lands and get a little cottage up in the mountains.”
“Lo is a woman, yes?”
She smacks my chest playfully and laughs. “Yes, Lo, Elora, is a woman. Who I miss dearly already. We see each other usually every other night.” Her face falls, and I file away this tidbit of information as to whom my vixen loves.
“Why do you stay here and follow the orders of the council if you miss it?”
I sigh as I pull her in even closer, soaking up her heat and the feel of her soft body flush against mine.
“I miss my mother and sister terribly. I worry I will receive the notice of my mother’s passing while I am here. It’s one of my biggest worries. And my sister is too young to take care of her and watch her die. But it was a duty, ordered by the council, for us all to be here at the Castle in Eldor. To get to know the other future leaders, my brothers, and to learn what it means to become kings. For that, I am grateful to be here. Meeting them makes me feel a little less alone in the world.”
She cups my cheek, gently avoiding the newly-stitched cut. “I am glad you have them. That you have each other—I can see how much you all care and love each other. You seem to take a lot of the weight and responsibility off their shoulders, but I see how tired you get. Fighting may be a suitable solution for you, but perhaps… you should ask them to help with the burden. Not the council. You take care of everyone; who is taking care of you, Sylas?”
I look into her eyes. We find each other’s lips, though I don’t know who starts it. I pull her to me, as close as I can get. Her kiss is a sweet promise. Of what I could have, of what I want. My hands move along her gorgeously perfect body. She hungrily hardens the kiss, grabbing onto my loosened hair. Our kiss turns passionate as I lift her to straddle my hips. She moans as she feels my hardened dick.
“Sylas.” She moans my name, and if it isn’t the sweetest sound. I would hurt myself every day for the chance to hear her say my name like a prayer.
“Sylas.” She pushes away, her lips plump from our heated kiss. I want more. “We shouldn’t do this. I-I don’t know why I am weak for you and the other princes. But I am just the servant girl. You are looking to marry… and we all know it can never be me. I am growing tired of this dance. I don’t think my heart can bare it anymore.” A tear falls down her right cheek. I brush it away, but keep my hand cradled to her beautiful face. Each freckle sparkles in the moonlight, the candles flickering close to the end of their wicks.
“Vixen, I have been trying to deny myself to you since I met you. I am enamoured by your heart. My words might feel hollow, I understand, especially given my actions. I want to figure out how to get out of the council’s clutches. Just know you have my heart. Would you give me some time, please?”
She nods as I scoop her up and lay her down on her bed. I reluctantly let her go. So I can start to pick up this mess and form a damn plan. The stubborn girl instantly sits up.
“It’s late, Vixen, I need you to be well-rested.” I place a kiss on her cheek. But she surprises me as she grabs my neck and pulls me down for another sinfully wonderful kiss.
I groan. “Vixen, you are making itreallyhard to be a gentleman.”
She giggles, but the yawn she makes settles my resolve. “Sleep, beautiful.”
I pick up the bowl of water and supplies, my vixen already asleep as I regretfully leave her room.
Sleep evades me as I ponder how to resolve my promise. I am not sure how to manage the council, but I know I can no longer stay away from Arabella. She is the only woman I can picture in my life forever.
Grayer
It was my turn to keep watch over Sylas last night while he snuck out to Big Al’s. He looked even more pissed off than normal, which was weird, and I actually felt sorry for the bastard that had to go up against him as his opponent. Of course, he won, but what was most surprising was that his return led him straight to the duchess. Like a creep, I had my ear to the door.
“Vixen, I have been trying to deny myself to you since I met you.”A normal, sane man may be jealous that his girl was actively trying to be scooped up by his best friend. Instead, it gives me a wonderful idea. I see the way they all look at her, even Archer. Though he needs to work through whatever got up his ass about her. Nonetheless, since we have met her, she has been ours. She could be OUR center. OUR Queen.
Choosing a wife before Arabella was, truthfully, a nauseating task for each of us. I didn’t want to be married, ever. I also worried about what would then happen to our brotherhood. They are like my family, and if we had to pick different wives, what would change? Would I go back to feeling utterly alone? Maybe Arabella can be the glue that holds us together.
The next day, my smile shines as I enter Sylas’s room. We need to go to another courting event, but we always meet up here before the circus begins. Koi and Archer are already present and angrily talking to each other.
“You look thrilled this morning, brother. Excited to meet with Winona?” Archer asks as he sips his coffee, breaking from the heated discussion with my brother.
Winona White has been a blessing in all this. The poor girl was just as forced into this mess as the rest of us. She doesn’t want to get married, and I think she and my duchess would get along swimmingly. We had spent our entire ‘dates’ mostly talking about Arabella. Winona, with her bright ideas, hatched the plan to sneak Arabella out, outlining every detail for me. I will need to buy her a fruit basket in thanks. Pretty sure there is nothing romantic about a fruit basket.
“Winona is a lovely woman, but we are just friends. No, I am going to take my duchess out for a proper date tonight.”
As expected, Sylas’s cheerful face darkens.Bingo. “Why so suddenly glum, Sy?” I tease.
“I don’t think it is proper for you to be seen courting with her within the castle.”
