His wings were giving him the advantage. Wings. Hadn’t Corvin said something about a previous Midnight Sovereign summoning wings of moonlight? One of the first things he’d said to me, actually. About my powers. Wings and prophecy, that was what I remembered. Unfortunately, I had no idea how to predict where he would hover next. But moonlight, she was becoming an old friend. I waited until Corvin swooped close, arrogantly close—
Silvery wings materialized at my back. Unlike Corvin’s thick wings, mine were delicate, fragile. Almost translucent. Their shape was different too. Like the wings of a butterfly, with a stained-glass appearance, thin white lines sectioning their upper sides. I fluttered them back and forth. And jumped off the horse’s back. Tackling Corvin straight out of the air. When we tumbled into the grass this time, I made sure I was the one who ended up on top. Corvin did not look particularly displeased bythe turn of events. Rather, he smiled at me. Slow and sensual. “You win. I’ll tell you who I am now. I’m the prince of the sky—”
I cut him off, indignant. “Excuse me! I caughtyou—if anyone owns the sky right now, it’s me.” Something pressed upon my head. I reached one hand up, detangling a dainty silver tiara from my hair. It was a beautiful piece of craftsmanship, adorned on either side with a set of wings, forged from silver metal, detailed enough to look almost real. A large diamond dazzled in the center of the crown. “See!” I told Corvin. “I’m the princess here.” He reached up, placing the tiara back on my head. “Yes, you are.” Then, resting his hands above his head, he said, “You’re on top of me.” A rough chuckle escaped his lips. “Are you planning to restrain me again?”
I settled more firmly on Corvin, straddling his lower body. Placing my hands upon his naked chest, I traced the hard planes of muscle I found there. Had he been wearing a shirt before? His eyes tracked my every movement, waiting for me to answer. What was I planning to do? Restrain him? No, no, I wanted to feel his hands on my body. I didn’t want to restrain him. I wanted to find out what happened when he was let loose, untethered. Now to tell him that…
“No,” I repeated aloud, breathlessly. “No, I’m not going to restrain you. You said it yourself.” Very slowly, I began to drop the leftmost strap of my nightgown, letting it fall off my shoulder. Then, the other one. Until I was straddling him, both my breasts exposed. “Third time’s a charm.” Corvin’s expression turned ravenous. He pulled me down, my breasts pressing against his warm skin. Demanding lips found mine in a crushing kiss that caused my whole body to shudder, a jolt of pleasure coursing through me as he squeezed my backside.
Sliding down, I rolled my hips. Corvin stifled a moan, kissing me deeper. But I didn’t want him to gasp his pleasure into my mouth. I wanted him to scream it to the world. I rocked my hipseven faster, now grinding against the hard length of him. I stifled a moan of my own.
In one fluid motion, Corvin rolled our bodies sideways, his hands now free to explore…other places. Like the smooth planes of my stomach or the apex of my thighs. I gasped as his hand trailed lower. Placing my hand over his, I directed him to the exact place I wanted—no needed—him to touch me. He happily obliged. At his touch, I arched my back into him, grinding against his hand. Faster. Harder. And if I’d forgotten to extract the truth of his identity from him, he had at least made good on his offer of assistance. Because Iwasgoing to scream again—
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ijolted awake at dawn, panting, clothes drenched in sweat—my body still alight with sensation. Taking a few calming breaths, I peered over at Corvin, who was fast asleep in my bed. It had seemed so real, having him there with me, in that meadow. Just a dream then. Averyvivid dream. Now best forgotten. Outside the realm of consequence.
Gently, I touched my lips. My heart started to beat faster, thinking about all theotherplaces he’d touched me in my dream. Because if I were honest, there was no touching him without consequence: the feel of his skin against mine, the brush of his lips, the stroke of his hands. All of it—consequential.
I rose from my makeshift bed, trying not to make any sound. Slowly cracking the door open, I slipped softly out of the room. After a refreshing soak in the lake, during which I washed away an embarrassing amount of dirt and grime from our travels, I felt like a brand-new person. I rinsed the borrowed gown and set it out to dry—though I lacked the necessary tailoring skills to fix the long tear running through its side. Or the scorch marks decorating its train.
I owed Farryn a new gown and an apology letter. I figured I could draft it at the kitchen table after making breakfast. By the time Corvin made his appearance, I had food on the table and a sealed letter prepared, in which I expressed my appreciation to Farryn for loaning me the gown and my deep regret at having to return it in less than stellar condition. I would have included a few coins, so she could buy a new one, but I was uncertain whichcurrency would be appropriate, since I still didn’t know where Corvin, or his friend for that matter, actually called home.
Corvin whistled to himself as he entered the kitchen. “The food smells wonderful!”
“You’re awfully chipper.” I laughed. “You must have slept well then? Good dreams?”
His face flushed, crimson tinting his cheeks. “Very good dreams. Sorry I fell asleep so quickly.”
I smiled at him, taking a bite of food. “No need to apologize. I’m glad we made it home.”
He slid into the seat across from me at the table, filling his plate. “About that, if I’m not back soon, it will cause a commotion. I need to head out, probably after we finish breakfast. Thank you for cooking for us.”
My fork clattered onto my plate. “You’re leaving so soon?But we kissed last night…and I thought…well, I thought that you might want to stay longer before leaving again.” I fidgeted in my seat, pulling the neck of my tunic away from my throat, the fabric too restrictive.I should have known; nobody ever wants to stay on this island with me for long.
He set his fork down, face softening. “I wish more than anything that I could stay here with you today. But if I’m not back soon, people will come looking for me. I’ve never met someone like you before, Elvira. As passionate. As kind-hearted. You’re a truly good person. And I feel…I feel completely at peace in your company, like I’m exactly where I need to be. Like together we could accomplish anything. I should have waited to kiss you until after the—”
I stood up from the table, wrapping my arms protectively around myself. “You regret kissing me?”
He sprang to his feet. “No!Of course not; that’s not what I meant at all—”
“Then at least tell me where you’re going,” I pleaded, voice cracking.
His voice was strangled. “I can’t.”
My eyes pricked with tears. “You can’t? Or you won’t? After everything we just went through, you still don’t trust me? I’ve never felt this way about anyone before. Why won’t you tell me who you are?”
He gripped the back of the chair. “You don’t understand. The location of my home is a secret; one I’ve sworn to protect. I can’t reveal it to anyone. I made that mistake before, and it cost me my mother’s life. I won’t endanger anybody else. Won’t be the cause of anymore suffering. Things will be different soon, I promise. I’ll contact you in the mirror. We’ll be able to stay in touch that way. Until we’re together again.”
Together again.How long would that be? The question died on my lips, too cowardly to vocalize it.
We exited the cottage, neither of us speaking, standing awkwardly on the doorstep.
Corvin took a step closer to me, reaching out his arms, but I dodged him, retreating farther into the doorway instead. “You’ll contact me in the mirror?” I asked, my gaze downcast.
His arms dropped to his sides. “I will. Talk soon,Moonflower.”
He shifted into his raven form and flew gracefully away—to where, I didn’t know.
