Rafe crossed the room and lit a candle on the bedside table, and Bree watched his every move. The ripple of his shoulders as he fussed with the bed, the clench of his jaw from the tension bouncing around the room.
Bree had come so close to kissing him. She’d come so close to losing herself in his arms. How in the name of the forest was she going to be able to spend the night in his room? At least they weren’t sharing a bed. That might be the very last straw to break the camel’s back.
And by break the camel’s back, she meant end up sprawled across his body.
Because it was a very nice body. It was impossible not to notice, even in the dim lighting. She’d seen his back and his chest on numerous occasions during training, but something felt different now. Being holed up in his bedroom with him made every inch of skin that much more dangerous.
“So...” She swallowed hard. “What’s up with the extra bed? Do you have visitors often?”
She felt like an idiot for asking, and even more of an idiot for caring so much about the answer to that question. Did Rafe have visitors, particularly of the female variety? She imagined he would be fairly popular with the ladies. He was certainly one of the most handsome men in the entire Court, and he had a roguish kind of charm that often made Bree blush.
Of course, if he did have female visitors, she imagined they did not sleep in that second bed.
The thought of it all made her cheeks flame, and she wanted nothing more than to take back her stupid question.
“No, I rarely have any visitors. I originally shared this room with one of Taveon’s other friends, but he has not resided here for many years now.” He paused. “That is a long story and one not for now. Taveon has offered to move me many times, but I like it here just fine. It feels like home.”
Bree nodded and glanced around, hating herself for how relieved she felt. He hadn’t explicitly said he did not have female companions come to stay here with him, but that was a step too far for her to ask. His room was homey in a way. There was a fireplace in the corner, and he’d set up two armchairs around it. One held a thick blanket, and a book was propped open face down.
“You’re a reader,” Bree said, if only to say something to stop the crazy tension from driving her mad. If she kept babbling, she might be able to distract herself from the yearning deep in her gut.
“I am a reader,” he said with a nod. “Why don’t you get some rest, Bree? It has been an eventful night.”
It really had been. One she wouldn’t mind forgetting, though that would be next to impossible. It was obvious to her now that there was someone—or many someones—targeting this Court and targeting Bree. The attacks kept on happening, and she knew they wouldn’t stop. Not until they had finally taken the whole place down.
“Do you think the castle is unsafe?” she asked Rafe, knowing the answer to her question before she even voiced it aloud. Of course it was unsafe.
“Unfortunately, the death of the King has brought the worst of us out from hiding. They will continue to try to seize the crown until Taveon takes it for himself. I hate that you are caught up in this, but it is not surprising that the attackers would target the Prince’s champion.”
“How long do you think I’ll have to stay here?” she asked. “In your room. When can I go back to mine?”
He pressed his lips tight together. “I am afraid that it will not be safe in your quarters until the culprits are caught or until after the Prince becomes King.”
“And you think the Prince becoming King will stop the attacks? You think they’ll give up after that?” Bree didn’t know why she was asking this. None of this mattered to her. The crown, the throne, the stupid maneuverings to rule. It was none of her concern. She didn’t care who ruled. She just wanted to get this whole thing over with.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel a strange curiosity about it all.
“Once Taveon is King, he is King. Nothing can dethrone him. They would have no choice but to concede.”
Nothing could dethrone him. Nothing but death.
But Bree kept that last thought to herself, knowing how Rafe would react if he got that horrible thought into his head. Rafe loved the Prince. They were like brothers, bound together in a way that Bree understood. She and Norah had been that to each other. They both would have given their lives to save the other. No matter what Norah did, Bree would always stand by her side, and she knew the same was true in reverse.
She saw that same bond reflected in Rafe and Taveon.
Not that anyone could actually kill Taveon. But they might try.
“Enough about Princes and Kings and thrones and crowns,” Rafe said as he wrapped a hand around Bree’s waist, pulling her closer to the bed. “It is time for you to get some rest.”
What was he doing? Bree’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared down at the place where his hand fit against her hip. It was so strange, how perfectly it slotted into the curves of her body. She swallowed hard, letting her body move with his touch. Her feet shifted forward, bringing Bree only inches away from his chest.
How in the name of the forest had she gotten herself into this situation?
And how the hell would she pull away when her body was screaming yes?
Rafe dropped his mouth to her ear and whispered, “This bed will be yours. I will take the other.”
“Okay.” Her voice came out a squeak.
“Unless you would like to sleep in my bed.” She could feel his grin against her ear as his warm breath slid across her skin. “There is room for two, you know.”
“I’m not sure that’s a good idea.” She swallowed hard and risked a glance up at his face. Bad idea. His eyes were sparkling, the silver practically glowing in the darkness of the room. The candlelight flickered across his handsome face, creating shadows that Bree wished she could trace with her fingers. And his bare chest...damn him to hell. It just wasn’t fair how good he looked.
“You are looking a little flushed, Bree,” he said with a chuckle. “Should I open up a window and let in some air so that you can cool down?”
What a cocky bastard.
She pushed against his chest and stepped back, inwardly groaning at the distance she was forcing between them. “You’re right. It is a little warm in here. Probably best we sleep in separate beds. Because of body heat.”
“Body heat?” His lips quirked. “Does that mean our close proximity has made your body feel some heat?”
“You wish,” she retorted.
But the truth was, she was the one who was wishing. For more of his touch. For the closeness to never end. For just one kiss, to see how his lips felt. He looked as though he would be the kind of male to be a very good kisser. The kind to make knees buckle.
Too bad she would never find out.
“Very well.” Rafe stepped back, dropped his pants to the floor, and slid under the covers of his bed. He was still wearing underwear, of course, but Bree had just gotten an eyeful. And it did little to calm her racing heart.
Slowly, she pulled back the covers, fiddling with the pillows as she fought with the urge to take back everything she’d said and jump right into bed with him. She didn’t think he would turn her down. In fact, she had a pretty good feeling that he would throw back the covers and welcome her in.
But she couldn’t. Could she?
No, she couldn’t.
It was a terrible idea. He was a Dark Fae, and she was a shapeshifting Light Fae who had once been human. She was going to leave this realm just as soon as she could. That could be tomorrow for all she knew. Giving in to these feelings was a terrible idea.
Besides, they weren’t really feelings, were they? It was just lust, right? All Bree wanted to do was jump his bones and nothing more. It would be silly to make things more awkward just because she was itching for a certain kind of release, one that only Rafe could give her.
She just needed to exercise some control. That was all.
So, she hopped into bed, the springs squealing underne
ath her. The covers were soft and silky, and they smelled like sandalwood. It was a scent that inexplicably reminded her of Rafe, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that he was right there beside her, even if they were separated by a small slab of floor and a bedside table.
“You look tense,” he said in a drawl. “Do you need something to take the edge off so you can relax and sleep?”
“Stop being suggestive,” she snapped.
“I was not being suggestive, Bree.” The amusement in his voice made her wish she could stride over to his bed and slap him. But then she’d probably end up falling on top of him. “Although one might wonder where your mind is at if you thought it was.”
She let out a huff of irritation. “If you weren’t being suggestive, then what did you mean?”
“I have a tonic that is meant to help you sleep,” he said. “I have taken it a few times when my mind won’t settle.”
Right. By the forest, she was such an idiot.
“No, I think I’ll pass.” She loosed a breath. “But thank you.”
At least half an hour passed, and Bree still had not drifted off to sleep. Her mind was racing with thoughts of everything that had happened in the past few weeks. The attack at the feast, the ball, the trip to the volcano, and now Seath’s body showing up just outside of her quarters. She felt as though she were missing an important piece of whatever puzzle was being laid out before her.
There was an explanation for all of this, one that would point to whoever was behind it all.
Sure, there were those she had suspicions about, but nothing solid. Ethne, for one, and her strange disappearance that night. Lord Dagen could even be behind it. He’d asked her to spy on the Prince. Maybe he’d do anything to stop Taveon from ascending to the throne. She also couldn’t forget that strange fae, Fillan, who had shown up in the Prince’s chambers during the ball.
She hadn’t seen him before then, and she hadn’t seen him since.
And then there was Seath, the strange, snakelike fae who had unnerved her from day one. Of course, he was dead now, seemingly taken out by the very same attackers who were behind everything else going wrong inside this castle.
Because it could be anyone truly. Just because Bree had seen a few fae act in mysterious ways didn’t mean that it was any one of them. It could be someone she’d never met. Someone who likely didn’t even live inside the castle walls at all.
“Bree,” Rafe murmured. “You are still very wide awake. I can tell by the way you are clutching the covers to your chest.”
“Well, you’re no more asleep than I am then,” Bree said.
“What is on your mind?” he asked. “Is it Seath? You know you do not need to worry, not when you are in here with me.”
“It’s not just Seath. It’s everything that’s happened since I’ve come here.” Bree shifted on her bed so that she was now facing Rafe. In the darkness, she could barely see his features. Only the glowing silver of his eyes. “Is it always like this?”
“You mean, is it always so violent?” A pause. “It can be. Things tend to go in cycles here. There will be peace for many months, followed by many months of chaos. The fact that there is an empty throne can drive this place wild. And I fear it will get far worse before it gets better.”
Bree let out a long, heavy sigh. “God, I hope not.”
“I know you will say no, but you are welcome to join me in my bed, Bree. I will not try anything untoward. But if it would make you feel safer...” Rafe trailed off, and she swore she could hear an inhale of breath. And then no exhale, as if he were holding it, waiting for her response.
She opened her mouth to say no, but instead, she found her body moving out of its own accord. Her bare feet found the floor, and she padded across the small space between them. Rafe smiled and pulled back the covers, shifting to the left so that she could slide in next to him.
Her entire body was tense as she settled her head onto the pillow next to his. She stayed facing away, mostly because she couldn’t bear to look into his eyes, not like this. They were so close. His warm body was pressed against hers, and his arm curled gently over her waist.
He kept his word. He didn’t try to pull her close or turn her around to face him, and he didn’t run his fingers across her back or down her arm. Even though she yearned for him to do it. All of it. And more.
Instead, he sucked in a deep breath and whispered, “Good night, Bree.”
Chapter 35
Rafferty
She was the most beautiful creature he’d ever seen, and she was in his bed. How he’d managed that, he had no idea. She’d been so against the idea from the very start. She’d practically railed against him when he’d suggested it the first time. His arm itched to pull the hair away from her face, lean over her, and kiss her forehead. But he didn’t. He knew there was an imaginary line that she’d drawn between them before sliding into his bed. She didn’t want him to touch her, so he wouldn’t.
But, by the forest, he wanted to feel her skin beneath his hands.
She shifted in her sleep, twisting his way. The morning moonlight streamed in through the windows, highlighting the soft, peaceful expression on her face. She’d been so tense before she’d joined him in his bed. Hell, he’d thought she wouldn’t sleep a wink. But just as soon as she’d snuggled in beside him, she’d drifted to sleep.
Her eyelids fluttered open.
Rafe smiled, trying to keep the strange emotion he felt toward her out of his voice. “Morning. Sleep well?”
With a sigh, she nodded, and then rubbed at her eyes. “What time is it? Nevermind. You don’t have clocks here. Sometimes, I forget where I am.”
“The moon rose several hours ago. It is late morning.”
Bree frowned and sat up on her elbows. “Shouldn’t we be training?”
“I wanted you to rest.” A pause. “You looked as though you needed it.”
“Thanks,” Bree said softly. She gazed up at him, and a lump formed in Rafe’s throat. By the forest, she was beautiful. And it wasn’t even her outward appearance that drew him in, though there was no denying everything about that was damn near perfection. No, it was more than that.
Despite knowing he should do nothing of the sort, he reached up and found a stray strand of hair that had fallen into her face. He pushed it back behind her ear, his heart lurching inside his chest. Bree sucked in her breath, and her body stilled.
A battle raged inside his mind. He should back away now. He should stand up out of this bed.
But his body refused to move.
He would kiss her now. To hell with the consequences.
Rafe wrapped his hand around the back of her neck and drew her toward him. He dropped his mouth to hers. She stiffened against him, but she did not pull away or push him back. Instead, a light gasp escaped her parted lips.
He pulled her in closer, a hunger rising up within him, one that could not be quenched by anyone or anything other than Bree. Her lips were soft against his, pressing gently at first before she slipped her arms up around his neck. He felt his entire body groan from the contact. He’d been yearning for this for so long. Thinking about how she would feel, how she would smell, how she would taste.
Suddenly, she tensed underneath him and pulled back. Her cheeks were pink, and her pupils were dilated. Shyly, she cut her eyes to the side and spoke her words in a whisper. “Are you sure this is a good idea?”
“Only if you are,” he said, trailing his thumb down the delicate line of her jaw. “I very much want this, Bree, but only if you do.”
At first, he thought she would say no. Her hesitance made him feel as if he’d overstepped a line he’d worried had been there from the start. She was so impossible to read. One moment, he swore he could see the affection in her eyes. The next, she seemed so far away, as if her mind were in a different realm completely. As if she wished for nothing but home.
But then her eyes met his again, and a shy little smile spread across her face. “I do want this, Rafe.”<
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He grinned, wrapping his hand around the back of her neck again. By the forest, he could not wait to spend the next several hours wrapped up in her arms. He would take things slowly. He could tell that she needed that, and he would wait however long she needed if she did not want to do everything he had in mind
And then a knock sounded on the door. First, it was calm and pleasant, but it soon became a demanding frantic noise. One that sounded like several fists were knocking at once. Rafe frowned at the door, contemplating ignoring it completely.
“Rafe, open up!” Taveon’s booming voice shook through the door, and Rafe let out a resigned sigh. The Prince sounded agitated, and he knew that Rafe was home. In fact, Taveon had his own key to Rafe’s room. His old friend would not hesitate to use it to come inside.
“I better get that,” Rafe said, groaning as he pulled himself out of Bree’s arms. The redness in her cheeks had grown as the Prince’s knocks got louder and more insistent. Rafe could imagine what she was thinking. “I will tell him we slept in separate beds. The spare is unmade from when you were in it for a bit. He will have no reason to doubt it.”
Bree slid out of bed and wrapped a blanket around her shoulders. She was wearing only a thin tunic that hit the top of her thighs. Rafe had to force himself not to stare at her legs and he slowly made his way to the door, rolling his eyes as the knocking became so hard that the entire door seemed to shake.
“Calm down, Taveon.” Rafe pasted on his signature devil-may-care expression, just to hide the emotions raging through his body, and he swung open the door to find Taveon mid-knock.
His old friend scowled. “What in the name of the forest took you so long to answer the damn door? I was two seconds away from banging it down, worried that something had happened to you and Bree.”
A Cage of Moonlight Page 18
