Page 25 of Atop the Faerie Throne
Jaro’s smile is positively wolfish with glee. “We came to an agreement while you were asleep yesterday.”
She’s blinking in confusion, because we’re all shooting looks at Caed, whose double-pointed ears are turning a deep navy like he’s blushing too.
A bolt of envy hits me hard, but I bat it away. I may not be able to give Rose my first time, or my second, or even my hundredth, but she’s the only female I’ll ever touch again. That’s worth just as much.
Drystan sighs when it becomes clear we’re going to make him tell her. “If you agree, we’re all happy for the Fomorian to join us tonight.”
Rose’s mouth falls open, and Lore helpfully reaches out with one finger to close it for her.
“You’ll catch flies,” he tsks.
“Join us as in…” Rose finally stammers.
“I just want to touch you.” Caed looks so hesitant. “Nothing more. Nothing to do with your wings. You don’t even have to touch me.”
“And you can say no,” Jaro insists. “If you’re not ready.”
Rose shoots one last disbelieving look at Drystan…
And then launches herself into the Fomorian’s arms, kissing the ever-living daylights out of him.
Nine
Rhoswyn
Instead of returning to Roark’s apartment, Jaro carries me to a suite in the palace. I understand why. We’re living on a dangerous edge right now, and I’d hate myself if either of my nephews were caught in the crossfire.
I can’t say I’m too upset by the change of location, especially given the size of the bed that takes up the centre of the round room. It’s covered in soft furs, and when Jaro places me in the middle, I sink into them with a smile.
The door closes with a soft snick behind Caed as he passes Drystan with a cocky smile, but I can see past that swagger now.
My Fomorian is nervous, scared, even. He’s every bit as apprehensive as I was the first time I was intimate with my males. The dullahan must know it, too, because he rolls his eyes at his bravado and locks the door, heading for a chair in the corner.
Does he mean to just watch?
Disappointment hits me hard. I suspect he’s unwilling to let his guard down around Caed, but I refuse to end the nightwithout him inside me. I mated all of them, damn it, and I know them well enough to understand that this would not be happening unless he specifically agreed to it.
Jaro climbs onto the bed behind me, brushing my hair back from my shoulders with careful hands. Suddenly, four hot male gazes are glued to my exposed breasts.
“I think he wants you to crawl to him again,” Jaro murmurs in my ear.
My lips quirk, but Lore interrupts before I can ask who told him about that.
“I think the Fomorian is the one who should be on his knees. He has a lot to make up for.”
There’s a moment of silence, and I catch Caed’s turquoise eyes, feeling the indecision in them, the pride, and then…
A burst of pure, unfiltered adoration hits me down the mating bond, stealing my breath.
Oh.
“You love me?” I ask, my mouth suddenly dry.
In answer, Caed lowers to one knee.
Then the other.
When he raises his shackled hands in offering, his head drops, stealing the turquoise from my vision. It’s the ultimate gesture of submission from a proud warrior who would never, ever do this for anyone else, and it tugs at my heart even before he speaks.
