But, honestly, he’s not pressuring me at all. He’s been the most patient man I could’ve hoped to call mine. I’ve resisted the feelings I’ve had for him since the moment we met. Every minute we’ve spent together has only confirmed we are destined to be together. My own stubbornness has kept us at arm’s length.
But no more.
“It’s almost as if we’re meant to be together, isn’t it?” I trace small circles on his chest with my finger, excited and scared about what’s to come next.
He grabs my hand, stilling my movements, and moves us to sit up so we’re facing each other. “Sara, what are you saying?”
“I’m saying I love you, Saban. You’re my soul mate—my only one. I’ve known since the moment we met, but I’ve resisted because those feelings scared me. But not now, not anymore. I’m giving you all the ammunition to destroy me. I’m trusting you with all of my heart. Please don’t let me down.”
“Never. I will never hurt you, never leave you. I love you so much. I can’t even measure it, there’s nothing to compare it to. But I promise to make you the happiest woman in Covis Realm. I’ll never give you a reason to regret giving your love to me.”
He cups my face with his hands and covers my mouth with his. What was meant to be a kiss of happiness instantly escalates into a fiery passion that consumes both of us. He leans toward me, pushing my back to the mattress, and covers my body with his. His mouth moves down my neck, nipping and licking at the sensitive skin.
He grips the hem of my shirt and slowly moves it up, giving me plenty of time to stop his advancement. But I have no intention of stopping now. I lift my arms in the most obvious signal I can give. He pulls his head back and watches my face as he removes the shirt. Then, when he can no longer stand it, he drops his eyes to my chest. His mouth immediately follows, closing around the pebbled bud of my nipple, laving it with the warmth of his tongue. My toes curl and my fingers grip his hair, tugging on it without even realizing I’m doing it.
“You are my dream come true.” He murmurs against my skin between lavishing attention on my body. His hands slide down to the drawstring on my pants. “I dreamed of you, Sara. I couldn’t see your face, but the magic of your love saved me from dying.”
I can’t confirm how close to the mark he is with that statement.
“My heart, my mind, and my body are yours—and always will be, princess.”
He tugs on the string, and it comes undone under his touch, the same way my body does. I’m on the verge of spontaneous combustion. I lift my bottom off the bed and help push the pants down my legs. Now I’m laid bare to him and unafraid. I’m ready to become his and only his.
“Are you sure? We don’t have to rush into this.”
The best part is, he means every word of it. He would wait for me as long as I needed.
“I’ve never been more ready for anything in my life, Saban.”
In a flash, he sheds his clothes and settles between my legs, the thick head of his erection poised at my entrance. I bite my tongue, waiting for the moment of pain when he thrusts inside me. But, true to my Saban, he moves gently at first, working his way inside and giving my body time to adjust to his size.
With the initial sting minimized, I can relax and let him show me how to move with him. Our bodies and movements are in perfect tune. Hands, mouths, and tongues roam with free will. We’re slick with each other’s sweat and winded from exertion. He murmurs sweet nothings in my ear, sending chills down my spine and goose bumps across my skin.
“That’s my girl. You feel so good, baby. I can’t get enough of you.”
He grips my leg behind my knee and pushes it toward me, deepening his sensual assault on my body. The intense sensation spreads all over my body. My fingers dig into the skin of his back. He drives harder now that our bodies are in sync, playing me like a fine instrument only meant for him until the dam building low in my belly breaks. I cry out in complete ecstasy, and he tumbles over the edge right behind me.
He rolls over to my side and positions me so that his chest is firmly pressed against my back. His arm is draped over me protectively, and his lips are close to my ear.
“You make me feel invincible, princess. All my love will always be yours. I’ll follow you anywhere. Whatever you need me to be, I’ll be. There’s nothing you could ever do that would change how I feel about you.” He kisses the back of my head, and within seconds, his rhythmic breathing tells me he’s dozed off.
Hold on to that promise, Saban, because I really need you to keep it in the near future.
Chapter 20
“How do you feel?” I gently rub my fingers over his bandaged head while we wait for our clothes to dry. After a hot shower and a long nap, we both feel refreshed.
“I’m fine, princess. It’s a good thing I’m so hardheaded.” He grins and taps on his skull with his knuckles. “I’m not going to the hospital. I feel fine.”
“Saban, you drowned. You could still get an infection from the water getting into your lungs.”
“Nah, not that water. It’s clean and clear. If we’d been in murky water, I’d let you force me into going to the doctor. But I promise if I start to feel bad in any way, I’ll go immediately. You can even take me and make me comply with whatever the doctor says. Deal?”
“Fine. But if you fall over dead at dinner tonight, don’t blame me.”
“I’ll keep that in mind…if I die during dinner, I won’t hold you responsible.”
I’m speechless for a moment because someone in this world finally understands my sarcastic humor and can throw it back at me with ease. These seemingly insignificant moments between us only solidify my belief we actually do belong together. There’s no way the little things are simply coincidences.
“It would make dinner with your sister a little more awkward, too. You really need to think more about my needs in this scenario.”
“Princess, I am more than happy to take care of any and all of your needs.” His eyes darken as he slides his hands around my waist. He bends his knees to put us at eye level. “When we get back to the palace, I want you to seriously think about moving in to my room with me. I know you’ve been working with Addilyn and you seem to enjoy it, but you’ll be in a diplomatic relations position when we announce our bond to the other kingdoms.”
“Diplomatic relations? Does that mean I’ll work with representatives from each of the kingdoms on issues that impact the whole realm?”
“That’s exactly what it means. You’ll join me at the council meetings, and you’ll attend separate subcommittee meetings. There’s a lot of red tape that makes it difficult to make any progress. Plus, everyone has their own ideas of the best course of action—and those ideas usually only favor that one kingdom. It’s maddening at times, but when we are able to work together on what’s best for the realm, it’s a beautiful thing. I realize I’m not making this sound very appealing.”
“No, actually, I think it’s all fascinating. Working with Addi every day has been great, and I’ll miss seeing her so often. But the chance to help the whole kingdom and the realm is an opportunity of a lifetime. I’m ready to roll up my sleeves and get to work.”
The chime on the dryer rings, and Saban walks off to grab our freshly laundered clothes. My mind races with possibilities of being included in their government meetings. I’ve held my own during persuasive debates in my high school back home, though I’m aware this is on an entirely new level. But my ultimate goal is to bring awareness to the undue suffering the prejudice against mages puts on the entire population of Covis Realm. If I can convince the others to listen to reason, we can unite against the dark forces trying to pull this world under its grip.
If I can manage to make a respectable first impression, maybe I’ll stand a chance of persuading the leaders to take the threat seriously and protect the mages who just want to live freely.
“Good as new.” Saban hands me my clothes so I can change before we fly back to the palace. He’s right—there’s
not a single sign of the blood that stained my shirt just a few hours ago.
“Thank you. I’m sure my current attire would raise eyebrows in the castle.” I giggle as I walk toward the bedroom, holding up my pants in one hand and my change of clothes in the other.
“You never know. Maybe you’d set a whole new fashion trend.” He chuckles and follows behind me.
“What’s the plan for tonight, then? Where are we going?”
“The four of us have dinner reservations at a four-star restaurant in the city, then we’re going to the observatory for some romantic stargazing. But don’t tell Isla I told you. She wanted that part to be a surprise.”
“I promise to act as if I’ve never heard of it.” Shouldn’t be too hard to pull that off.
We walk out of the little slice of heaven cottage together and climb on the horse. During the ride back, the events of the day replay in my mind over and over. From seeing that beautiful place for the first time, meeting Fadryth, to finally realizing what I have and nearly lost because I allowed the fear of the unknown to keep me locked in an invisible prison. Giving him my heart was the right decision, I’m sure of it. But Talia’s words still echo in the back of my mind.
All is not as it seems with him, and you’ll need all your wits and cleverness when the time comes.
Though I can’t let her prediction rule my life, I’d be a fool not to consider the warning involves my eventual confession. Will he assume the worst about me when that time comes?
With the horse stabled, Saban and I start walking toward the palace when he stops me just out of earshot of any of the workers. He seems unsure of himself, though he tries his best to mask it.
“Have you thought any more about moving in to the other wing…with me?”
“Yes, I have, and I accept your invitation. It’ll be much easier than one of us sneaking back and forth between our rooms in the middle of the night.”
We turn together and continue walking toward the front entrance. That panty-melting smile of his is back. He has a little more swagger in his step. His chest may be puffed out a little more. The emotions emanating from him are pure happiness, something I haven’t felt in him before now. He’s had moments of joy and contentment, but never to this degree.
Before we reach the front steps, the door swings open and Giselli marches out onto the terrace. Her gaze lands on us then drops to our entwined hands. A chill wafts over the warm late afternoon air from her icy glare. Apparently, I was good enough to attend the engagement party with Saban, but not quite up to par to be joined with him.
“Saban, you and I need to speak. Right now. Privately.” She turns on her heel and stomps back inside after issuing her order, leaving both of us puzzled and annoyed by her rudeness. This woman’s abrupt changes in mood and manners baffle me.
“Sara, you go ahead and get ready for our double date. I’ll see what Mother wants and have the staff move your belongings while we’re away. By the time we return home tonight, your new home will be with me.” He kisses me on the forehead before rushing off in the direction Giselli went.
I scurry to my room in the servants’ wing, where I know I won’t be interrupted. I can multitask with the best of them—dress and listen in on their conversation at the same time. I’m well aware that one day I need to learn the difference between the need to intrude and wanting to eavesdrop, but today is not that day. Obviously, I have a bad feeling about what’s happening in their conversation, but I’m also concerned about my safety. If anyone has learned who I am, I need to know with as much advance notice as possible.
“She’s a very nice girl, Saban, and you know I’m fond of her. But not as a daughter-in-law. I thought you brought her to the engagement party because of what happened with the elves that day. As a way to calm her nerves and give her a place to live and work here in the palace.”
“I invited her to the engagement party because she’s different from every other girl who has tried to turn my head since I was thirteen years old. From the first moment our eyes met, I knew she was the one for me. She’s my soul mate, Mother. We’ve pledged ourselves to each other and will make it official to the kingdom.” Saban keeps his tone controlled, but I feel the anger bubbling below the surface, like hot magma about to erupt in a spectacular show.
“I understand you believe that, son, and it may very well be true. But you’re destined to be royalty, and as of right now, the only way that can happen is if you join with someone of noble blood. Then the other kingdoms will be more likely to approve your petition to be named king of Easthaven Crest. I’m sorry, son, but for you to be king, you can’t be joined with Sara. Your wife has already been chosen.”
Giselli at least has the decency to sound heartbroken for her son rather than like the heartless robot she was after Sagran died. But I’ll never understand how some parents can put such blatant blind ambition before the happiness of their children. Though I know what he’s promised me, and he’s shown how much he cares about me, I wait with bated breath for his answer.
Will he choose me or the crown?
He scrapes his hand over his face and releases a long, pained sigh. “Mom…”
“I’m sorry, Saban. I really am. Had I known your relationship was progressing so quickly, I would’ve brought this to you much sooner. Isla mentioned a double date tonight, so naturally I had a lot of questions about it. Sara lives in our servants’ quarters, Saban. Think about how that would look if the other kingdoms were to find out. They’d laugh you out of the council.” Giselli paces across the room, her mind filled with regret over the decision her son has to make.
“Sara pledged herself to me today, Mom. She gave herself to me. She even saved my life—I told you what happened to my head on the way in here. How am I supposed to tell her I’m marrying someone else now?”
“The best thing you can do is tell her the truth—blunt and honest, even though it will hurt her. Then she’ll understand it’s not a matter of you rejecting her. It’s what’s best for the kingdom, it’s your duty to your station, and it’s a sacrifice you’re willing to make to serve your people as the king.” She puts her hand on his arm as a small sign of understanding. “Shall I contact Lord Renfry and inform him the union with his daughter is on?”
Saban nods his head, indicating his agreement and consent to her plan.
A million shards of glass stab me from the inside out in the space where my heart once beat. His promises were spoiled before they left his lips. His vow of eternal love was barely spoken before he broke it. The turmoil welling up inside him is minuscule compared to the pain and embarrassment that grip me. He’s dreading telling me the truth, and I’m fighting the urge to tear him apart with my physical and magical strength.
I want to break the connection between us. I don’t want his feelings mixed with mine anymore. His are all sorrow and remorse. Mine are all pain and anger—and I really want to focus my energy on the anger part. But I can’t seem to break free from the hold his thoughts have on me.
“What’s wrong with you, big brother? You look as if you’ve lost your best friend.” Isla meets him in the hallway outside his wing.
“Worse. I’ve lost the other half of my soul.” He hangs his head so low, his chin nearly touches his chest.
“What? Where did she go? Did she reject the bond?” The pitch of her voice rises with each word.
“No. It’s not her fault. She pledged herself to me—gave me her heart. But I just had a talk with our mother, and she has made vastly different plans for me.” He relays the entire conversation to Isla, and I relive each word of it as if it’s the first time I’ve heard it.
“There must be something else you can do.” Isla tries to offer some hope and solace, but her tone lacks conviction. She doesn’t believe there’s a snowball’s chance in hell this will work out any more than he does.
Any more than I do.
“I’ll cancel our reservations for tonight. You’re in no shape to pretend anything’s the same after this.”
“No, sis, don’t cancel. Give me one last night with her. I know it’s selfish, but I can’t tell her yet.”
Exactly how am I supposed to play along as the doting girlfriend knowing what I know?
He made his choice, and it wasn’t me. He chose to roll the dice on the slim-to-none odds of gaining a crown. Breaking every promise he made to me, not even half a day after swearing the oaths. There’s no way I can go through with tonight.
I’m not that good at pretending.
My only recourse is to confront him and end this charade immediately.
Chapter 21
Dressed in my standard attire, nothing that would indicate I have evening plans with the love of my life, I march right up to his bedroom door and knock as loudly as my fist will allow. It only takes a moment for the door to swing wide open since he undoubtedly questioned who would be so bold.
Me. I would be so bold and then some.
His angry expression quickly changes to one of bewilderment before grief mars his perfectly handsome face.
Join the club, buddy. We have jackets.
“Sara, what are you doing—?”
“What did your mother have to say?” I drive straight to the point. There’s no need to sugarcoat anything now.
“Oh, she just wanted to talk about some political stuff.” At least he has the decency to avoid making eye contact when he lies straight to my face. Actually, it’s not entirely a lie. It is all very political.
“Saban, tell me.” If I had the ability to shoot lasers from my eyes, he would be a pile of ashes right now.
“I’d rather not. I don’t want to ruin our evening.” He glances at my clothes and realizes his plans to spend one last night with me just disintegrated.
Cloaked: Easthaven Crest, Book One Page 15
