Page 62 of A Court So Dark
“Did you miss the part where I said I wanted one of the brooms?” he asked. “They’re a fantastic and easy way to keep things clean.”
“Cute, you two.” Naesala whirled on her heels and headed toward the house. “You have disrupted my beauty sleep, but I guess I’m glad to see you are all right. You know your way around the house. Make yourself comfortable.”
We made our way to the bedroom we’d shared the last time we were here. The first order of business was to take a hot shower, which quickly devolved into an intense session of kissing and groping and…
It seemed we couldn’t keep our hands off each other. Once clean and refreshed, we fell asleep on the large bed, arms and legs tangled together, impossible to say where Kalyll began and I ended.
CHAPTER 22
KALYLL
Oncemore,Iawokebefore Daniella. It was a treat to watch her sleep, and a relief to find her by my side safe and sound after the woeful time I spent fretting and mourning over her. At every moment, I wanted to keep my eyes on her to ensure she was all right. How she had coerced a promise out of me to let her fight, I still didn’t know.
I did believe she could take care of herself. She had gained a couple of very dangerous skills, after all. Yet, I didn’t think I would ever stop worrying about her well-being.
But a promise was a promise, and I would not use my worry to stifle her.
Her eyes fluttered open, and it was like sunshine warming my face as they appraised me with tenderness.
“Good morning,” she said, covering her mouth with one hand.
I pulled it away and planted a kiss on her lips. “Good morning, my queen.”
Immediately aroused, I started sliding a hand down her side, ready to make her wriggle under me, but my plans were destroyed when the door burst open. Shirtless, wearing only a pair of loose trousers, I jumped to my feet, expecting guards to pour in and arrest us. Instead, Kryn stomped into the room, wearing a huge smile.
“We’ve been waiting too long. This is an indecent hour to still be in bed.” He marched straight in my direction, wrapped me in a tight embrace, and thumped on my back. “Brother.”
I thumped back, my chest swelling with a myriad of feelings.
Awkwardly, Kryn pulled away, avoiding eye contact, for which I was glad. It seemed he’d marched in here on impulse alone and was embarrassed by his display of affection. I was chagrined as well. This was highly unusual. Still, I couldn’t be anything but grateful to call him my brother.
The rest of the Sub Rosa entered the room. They were all smiling and looking relieved. Daniella, for her part, was sitting up against the headboard, the sheets pulled tightly around her.
“I see you’ve been making up for lost time,” Cylea said, wiggling an eyebrow.
A fierce blush colored Daniella’s cheeks. She opened her mouth to say something, then her gaze flicked to the door. “Larina. Shadow. Please, come in.”
The pixie and the sprite hesitated for a moment but eventually flew into the chamber. They both inclined their heads in a respectful salute.
“King Kalyll,” they said in unison.
Abandoning all shyness, Daniella flung the sheets aside and got out of bed. “Larina, I’m so happy to see you.”
The pixie zoomed to Daniella’s shoulder and hugged a lock of her hair. It was the strangest thing I’d ever seen. Pixies were distrustful of the big folk, as they called us. True, Daniella was not Fae, but I wasn’t the only one who seemed surprised by the gesture.
Larina batted her wings and backed away from Daniella.
“Are you all right?” Daniella asked. “I was worried about you.”
“Worried about me? You were the one who disappeared without telling anyone. We thought…” She couldn’t finish. She only appeared distraught.
I regarded Daniella with pride. She had made a friend of the pixie, had broken through untold species and social barriers with her warmth and kindness. She would make a better queen than anyone my parents could have chosen and would help me fulfill my plans for equality and progress in Elf-hame.
“Dani, you have to tell us how you freed him,” Silver said. “The sorceress couldn’t give us any details. You think she would’ve at least found out the barest minimum last night.”
“Perhaps we can discuss it over breakfast,” Jeondar said. “I’m sure they’re hungry.”
Arabis approached Daniella and took her hand, shaking her head in disapproval. “You were reckless, weren’t you?”
