Page 59 of The Reaping Rose

I take a deep breath, pressing my palms to my stomach.

White lace molds to my skin from my breasts to my hips. It only flares once it reaches my knees, allowing me to take larger steps. Small gems dot the lace, sparkling in the torchlight and making me glow. Over the lace are waves of white silk, draped at my chest and winding around my body to cover my most intimate parts, while revealing plenty of skin. The sleeves hang low on my shoulders.

The dress is revealing. Stunning. It perfectly hides the three rigid scars on my ribcage with the silk folds. My clavicle is exposed to show off my hanging heart rune. It’s as if it was designed with my body and secrets in mind, which can only mean Wilder guided the seamstress in its creation.

The gown is beautiful in a way that is unlike anything in the Ley Court. A style of another land—another people.

I roll my shoulders back as I walk through the palace. Guards pause as I pass, but their eyes don’t linger. I cool my expression, accepting the role I’ll be expected to play tonight.

Aether sparks at the edges of my mind when I near the dinner hall. The vibrations of my mate’s presence, even in thought, swim through me.

“Where have you been all day?” I open the thread to find Wilder’s warmth on the other end.

“Checking on the armies in Andare.”

“How are they?”

“Holding the line for now.”

My throat tightens. For now. But like everything else in the realms, we don’t know how long that will continue.

Voices come from down the hall, and my chest tightens. “Will you be at dinner?”

“Wouldn’t miss it for anything.” A figure dressed in all black turns the corner, and my heart jumps to my throat.

Like me, Wilder is often dressed more casually than the rest of his court. He seems to prefer fighting gear, even when at the palace. But tonight, he made an exception. His dark tunic is threaded with fine gold. It molds to his body—to his thick shoulders. Toeing the line of being royal and sinful. Wilder’s sleeves are rolled up, showing off the runes on his corded forearms, and his shirt is open down the front, offering a tease of his perfectly carved chest.

My mouth dries at the sight of him. And when his eyes drag over me, glinting as his gaze once more meets mine, I’m surprised my steps don’t falter.

Those eyes cling to my soul. They trap me in place.

Wilder has been respectful of my boundaries since I’ve been in his court, understanding I was working through what happened between us and giving me my space. But tonight, he doesn’t look away. His stare lingers.

Unapologetic.

Intoxicating.

My neck flushes, and my cheeks burn.

“This dress on you…” He swallows hard, pausing before me, as if he can’t finish his sentence because I caught him off guard.

“I thought about wearing leathers, but I assume if I did, I would have been underdressed for this occasion,” I joke, my heart fluttering the longer he watches me.

Wilder’s entire body is rigid as his attention sweeps me again. “Gods, souls, and stars, Starfire. There are no words.”

“The Great King Riven, speechless.” I take a step forward, biting back my smile when his eyes meet mine.

“Only you could achieve such a feat.” His magic curls around me, snapping our bodies together as I catch my hands on his firm chest. He dips his mouth to my ear, tickling his breath against my neck. “You are the beginning and end of me, Elorie Vale.”

When he pulls back, our eyes meet, his full lips a breath away. I trace the lines of his strong jaw with my gaze. With a lift onto my toes, I could kiss him.

Gods, I want to kiss him.

I want to erase all this doubt I’ve harbored. I want to stop missing him when he’s right here in front of me.

His gold eyes sparkle, his pupils blown. And though I sense his own desire down the thread, he steps back and takes my hand like a complete gentleman.

“I don’t think I’ve ever been accused of such a thing.” He kisses the back of my hand, grinning.