by Godiva Glenn
The King paused on the walkway and turned his attention to the dark distance. “You think I’m being too harsh, but no one wants to forever stand in the cold shadow of someone burning bright. Resentment is real. One day you may find that simply helping her isn’t enough for your own ego. That’s just reality.”
It was a fair point, but it didn’t apply, and Blair knew it. “I know who I am,” he said bluntly. “My ego isn’t fragile, and my identity is solid. I’m the only dryad to ever leave Prism, thus the only one of my kind to ever set foot on this Earth. And yet that uniqueness is a trifle when compared to being the man good enough to have earned your daughter’s heart. I don’t fear her shadow.”
“True enough,” the King conceded.
“I don’t wish to continue skirting facts, Your Majesty. I love Alethea and obviously she feels the same. What we have isn’t a passing fling.” He took a moment to regain his composure. “I think we are at the next step.”
The King froze beside him.
“My apartment no longer offers privacy, and I’m not allowed to visit Alethea’s chambers. While I respect the rules you set in your home, I’m requesting an alternative.”
The King released an apprehensive breath. “You’re treading thin ice.”
“I don’t know what you mean,” Blair replied. “But I believe we should be allowed to find a place together.”
The King grumbled. “Of course you do.”
“I’ve brought no scandal to your daughter. The people love me. If moving in together causes a stir, it will be short-lived,” Blair insisted. “And even then, once we are married, no one will care how we got there.”
The King slipped his hands into his pockets and faced Blair straight on. “Once you get married?”
“Did you imagine that I wouldn’t be that invested in her? You’ve known her for her entire life. You know what a treasure she is.”
The King scratched his beard and looked away, but Blair saw a hint of emotion on his face. “There is a villa set aside for Alethea. Though I love having her in the palace, I know she’s been wanting more room... but...”
“Yes?”
The King grumbled. “I hate having to ask this. Do you... Are you able...” His voice trailed off and he pinched the bridge of his nose. “In time, would you have a family?”
“Yes, of course.” It hadn’t been specifically discussed with the aspect, but he somehow knew that he’d be able to have children. It was part of his wish, after all. “In time, as you say.”
“The villa is meant for her when she marries, but I have had Nikki updating the interior for a while now. I saw this coming.”
“Does that mean what I think?”
“Not all the rooms are done, but I know Alethea and she’ll be impatient to move in,” the King said with a heavy sigh. “This arrangement comes with a warning. I don’t want a public announcement that you two are sharing a home. There are still appearances to keep up and I won’t have Alethea’s reputation being questioned.”
“I don’t want that either.” Blair held out his hand.
The King stared at it for a moment, then gave it a single firm shake. “Don’t let me down.”
Blair walked through the garden that led to the villa now granted to Alethea. She’d been ridiculously thrilled when he’d told her about his talk with her father the night before, but he’d underestimated what that meant. He’d woken to a half dozen texts and a missed call, all telling him to come over. He could guess what he’d find, and as he rounded the final hedge, he discovered exactly what he expected.
Countless members of the royal staff fluttered around like busy bees, carrying boxes, luggage, furniture—just about everything. Alethea and Nikki stood in front, conducting and chatting. Alethea wore a fitted lavender dress and flats, but Nikki wore dark jeans and an oversized blouse. He’d bet anything that Alethea had dressed up to make sure her father didn’t relapse. He joined them and yawned into his fist. He’d intended on sleeping in.
“Ladies,” he said by way of greeting. He kissed Alethea on the cheek. “Lovely.”
“I could barely sleep last night.” Alethea took his hand. “Come on. Let’s see our new home.”
Nikki picked up a bag that was sitting at her feet. “Go on. I’ll take care of this.”
He waved to her as Alethea dragged him away. “I knew you’d want to move in soon, but is this rush really necessary?” He gestured around at the bustling workers. “I thought we’d do it gradually.”
“I think I’ve been incredibly patient lately, as have you. We deserve this.” She paused in the first room. “Besides, if we get moved into today, it means we sleep in it tonight.”
He liked the sound of that. “I love the way you think. But I didn’t bring my clothes. Or anything, for that matter.”
She pursed her lips and smoothed down the front of his shirt. “That’s okay. I may have already arranged for your things to be picked up.”
“Already? I just got here. I just woke up an hour ago.”
“I know people. I have some pull,” she pointed out. “You don’t have much. Your apartment is still barebones.”
“I liked it that way.” He looked around the room they stood in. “Entrance hall?”
“Parlor straight forward, library to the left, dining to the right.”
“Do we need all that?” He leaned forward to peer through the doorways. The villa was smaller than the vacation home, at least.
She walked him to the library, which already held shelves and countless books. “It’s just the essentials. It’s cozy.”
“I see.” He followed her through to the parlor and stood by the fireplace. “How many rooms are hiding in here?”
“Three bedrooms. The only things you can’t see from here are the little kitchen that attaches to the dining room and an office.”
He glanced around. She was right, it was cozy. After seeing the palace and her apartments, not to mention that vacation home, he’d expected the villa to be a smaller replica of opulence. “I like it.”
“I’d hoped you would. Everything we need, maybe a little bit more, if you consider that the attic has never been used for anything but storage.” She took his hand and led him through another doorway. “And this is for you.”
She stopped him in front of a window. Outside was a bare octagon of grass with a few barren but freshly overturned plots for gardening. “The office overlooks this. You can do whatever you’d like with it.”
A jolt ran through him and he placed his hand to his chest in shock as he bent forward. It wasn’t excitement, it wasn’t pain, it was something he didn’t understand.
“Are you okay?” she asked, one hand on his back. She searched his face. “What is it?”
He rubbed his chest, head shaking. “Not sure. But it’s gone.”
“Too much excitement?”
He straightened. “Perhaps.” He turned his gaze upward. “Bedrooms are up top?”
“Yes, but let’s not visit those just yet. I get the feeling if we see a bed we don’t see much of anything else after,” she teased.
He pulled her close and pressed his forehead against hers. “And what makes you think I won’t just make use of a desk or a counter... or a floor?”
A throat cleared behind them and he glanced over to see Pavel drinking from a mug.
“That’s what,” Alethea murmured.
“The bar isn’t stocked and you don’t have a proper set of crystal,” Pavel commented.
Alethea indicated his drink. “That’s what you call helping out?”
“Rome wasn’t built in a day.” He took a purposeful sip and grinned at them. “But come on now, everything is getting on just fine. We’ll be done in time for dinner.”
“Are you cooking, then?” Blair asked.
“Of course. We have to break in the kitchen and dining area,” he replied. He motioned for them to follow and made his way through the house.
Nikki was sitting in the dining room, legs crossed and
eyes glued to her phone. Blair recognized the furniture.
“Your dining set?”
“Most of the furniture in my apartments have been there forever. This set is actually mine,” she said proudly. “And it’s much better here.”
Blair glanced from face to face. Though he’d seen them all separately lately, this was the first time they’d all be in the same room since their short vacation. The only one missing was Vevina. Still, his heart swelled with the realization that he had friends. Not just a single person, but several. Friends, a wonderful woman, and now a home. The jolt from earlier returned, and he grimaced while turning away to hide it.
His chest felt warm and the air seemed to be squeezing from his lungs, but within a few deep breaths, he was back to normal. But he feared he knew what was happening. He’d been told to survive he’d have to replant the seed. But that seed was gone.
“Where’s the bathroom?” he asked.
Alethea pointed around the corner and he went to look for it as calmly as possible. Once alone in the locked room, he pulled his shirt up, exposing his tree.
Am I dying?
Blair had been relatively quiet throughout the day, even at dinner. Alethea could tell something was wrong but for the life of her, she couldn’t guess what. Pavel and Nikki had just left and Blair had gone upstairs to shower—without her.
She didn’t know what to think.
“Blair?” she knocked on the bathroom door then listened for a response.
Nothing but running water. She walked away and went to the dresser to remove her jewelry for the night. A wisp of exhaustion pulled at her. She’d barely slept the night before and woken early. Even though she hadn’t done much heavy lifting herself today, the excitement had taken a toll.
The shower stopped and a minute later the door opened. Blair stood naked in the doorway wiping at his face.
“Sorry. I just really needed that.” He ran the towel over his body and tossed it behind him.
He was still wet in patches, but her eyes were drawn to his chest. “Your leaves...”
“I know.”
“Is that supposed to happen?” she asked. Her fingers traced over a branch that was completely empty. Dead leaves scattered the base of the trunk.
“Changing of seasons, I suppose.” He glanced down at himself.
She dropped her hand. “Are you okay?”
“It’s our first night in our home.” He lifted both her hands and kissed them. “I think a part of me is still in denial. It seems too good to be real.”
“I know the feeling. Some of my motivation to move came from fearing father would change his mind,” she admitted.
He pulled her to the bed with him. Though he was nude, she was still wearing her moving outfit. His hand found the clip holding her hair up in its messy bun and removed it. “You’re too beautiful for me,” he murmured. “Is it any wonder I think this is a dream?”
She blushed and rested her hands on his shoulders. “I guess I’ll have to pinch you.”
“Or something.” He leaned down to kiss her slow and purposeful as he eased down the zipper along her back.
Now this is what I was waiting for.
She dropped her arms and pulled from the kiss so she could spin around. He peeled the dress back from her shoulders, grazing his lips across each one. Careful. Sweet. But she could see the hunger in his eyes. He was only this gentle when he was holding back. And then when he can’t take it anymore... She shivered at the thought.
He lowered the dress until she had to step to be free of it. She hooked her thumbs into the waistband of her pantyhose but he stopped her.
“I was thinking we’d try something different tonight.”
“Whatever you’d like.”
He bent her over the edge of the bed and brushed his erection against her rear. “You look incredible.”
She wiggled against him. “You feel incredible.”
His hands slid over her ass, cupping each cheek before lightly spanking both. “Are you ready for me?”
“Always.”
He nudged her legs slightly further apart and his hand teased along her slit. The fabric ripped and he shoved her underwear to the side in the seconds after, making her heart race.
“That’s better,” he murmured. His fingertips caressed her folds and opened her, the action controlled and contrasting to the moment immediately before.
She didn’t know what to expect, she only knew they’d both enjoy it. Glancing back, she stole a glimpse of his face. Dark. Mischievous. “You’re in a mood.”
He pressed the swollen head of his cock to her entrance and shoved himself in rather than responding. One hard thrust and he was buried completely, shocking her senses. They both gasped from the sensation. He’d never dared to enter so roughly. He’d always played with her before, stretched her slowly. Still, there was no pain. Only tight pleasure.
He pulled in and out, steadily, treating her to a slow tease of every delicious inch of him. At the deepest she felt too shallow, like he hit the edge of her, and that felt the best. He traced a finger down the length of her spine then back up, drawing a straight line then zig-zagging, confusing her senses.
“It feels so good,” she whispered.
“We’re alone. You don’t have to hide your voice.”
So true. No more neighbors. No reason to fear being overheard. “Then give me a reason to scream...”
He gripped her hips and yanked back as he pistoned his hips forward, slamming into her so fiercely a wave of dizziness overcame her. He plunged in again. And again. His flesh smacked hers and his sack slapped against her folds, sending overwhelming vibrations straight to her clit. In the torrent of pleasure, she couldn’t continue to hold herself up. She sank to her elbows onto the bed, only to have him grab her hair and jerk her head back.
Moans and whimpers bounced off the walls, evidence of the pressure building within her. Each thrust tugged her closer to climax and the continued sharp sting of his hand gripping her curls kept her pleasure wound tight. She bit her lower lip and held her breath in an attempt to rein in the sensations that wanted to burst free, determined to let it build until there was room for nothing else in her senses.
When she thought she couldn’t last a second longer, his hand brushed her folds, fingering where her flesh welcomed his. Two fingers invaded alongside his solid length, drawing her to her limit. The second they curled and pressed the sensitive spot along her inner walls she released everything she held.
Ecstasy rushed through her, coursing through her veins with trembling heat followed by blissful numbness. Spots clouded her vision, and her entire body felt flushed and spent, to the point where her fingertips and toes tingled. As she writhed and cooed and came down from her high, he pushed into her one last time, curling his body over hers. While he groaned and bit her neck, his cock twitched and emptied deep inside her.
The bite became a teasing nibble, then kisses trailing from her earlobe to her shoulder. She collapsed beneath him, sated.
“I love you,” he breathed against her skin.
She tried to return the words, but her lips barely moved. Sleep pulled her away.
Alethea didn’t recall falling asleep, and she woke naked and pressed to Blair’s side with the nagging sensation that she’d forgotten something. She rubbed a hand over his warm, muscled chest and stared at him in the dark, though she saw nothing but pitch black. Touching him brought her peace, and the strange feeling that had woken her had subsided by the time her eyes had adjusted to the dark.
He was an incredibly beautiful man. She resisted the urged to trace the profile of his perfect nose and lips and chin, not wanting to wake him. The gentle cadence of his breathing and steady thump of his heart began to lull her immediately back to sleep, but as her eyes closed, she detected a soft glow. She blinked around. The tree on Blair’s chest shimmered with faint silver light, pulsating to the beat of his heart. She sat up, no longer concerned with disturbing him but mute in her confusion and
fascination.
Does it always do this?
Or is something wrong?
She reached out to shake him awake but the moment her hand touched his shoulder, the light faded. A smile curled onto his lips and he sighed, then rolled to his side. Still, she watched him and considered waking him to ask what the light was. Except he seems fine.
She weighed the options and though it concerned her, letting him rest won out. He was a magical being. With all she’d seen from him and Vevina, combined with the strange tales she’d been told, this seemed like it could very well be a typical dryad thing. After all, his tree had changed, and she never would have guessed that could happen either. She smoothed his hair gently then lay down behind him, wrapping an arm around him to hold him close.
I’ll ask him in the morning.
“You’ve never noticed it glowing before?” Alethea asked.
“No... though if it does so when I’m sleeping, I suppose I’d never know,” Blair answered. His gut twisted with the suspicion that whatever she had seen wasn’t normal, but he didn’t want to worry her.
He stood in the mirror examining his flesh, but he could only imagine what was going on. There was no one to consult. No way to find an explanation. Only the aspect who’d gifted him could offer answers, but he had returned to the fade—Blair knew that much from Vevina. Alethea stood on her tiptoes behind him, peering over his shoulder to see the reflection.
“It was a silver light,” she said wrinkling her brow.
“I suppose all we can do is see if it returns.”
She left him in the mirror and returned holding a shirt. Before he could take it, a searing pain erupted from his chest, stealing his breath and sending him tumbling to the floor. Alethea cried out but he couldn’t see her through his clenched eyes. Her hands fluttered over him and she was speaking to him, but the sound was muffled. His own beating heart was a thunderous drum in his ears, layered over distant cries of death and misery. Dark red spots blurred his vision as he managed to open his eyes.
The sensation of dread poured through him, but the longer it lasted, the more he felt that it wasn’t happening to him. It was simply happening, and he didn’t understand the distinction. The pain dulled somewhat and no longer felt like a burning slice in his flesh.
