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Chapter26
“Cheater!” I yelled as Noah bent over my legs and pulled me closer to him, wrapping my legs around him on my bed as he leaned behind me, setting his cards down in Slapjack and hitting the pile.
“You’re just a sore sport, I think.”
I shoved him down on the bed, before withdrawing back to my seated position across from him.
Our feeding schedule had resumed, and so had our games. However, they were unhindered now by fear of expressing ourselves. Our time together was filled with playful touches, enough tension that I thought I was going to die, and some very sexy flirtatious moves by the prince.
He leaned forward and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “Should we go for a walk? How many times have you used your telescope?” he asked.
I sighed. “I’ve been a little busy battling Seelie armies and trying to keep you safe, you know.”
“Ah, true. You’ve got a tough job.” He held out his hand for me to take as he helped me off the bed, then paused. “You were right about the passage in Vanessa’s room. I’ve put together a small group, none of which who are guards, to look into who else might still be in the castle that’s loyal to Vanessa. If there is anyone left here that was part of her plan, they won’t be much longer.”
“Do you think there are others against your family? That wanted Vanessa’s in power? More than you might realize?”
That fear was what had been eating at me. An internal Unseelie war at the same time as war with the Seelie would be disastrous.
Noah chuckled though, not appearing to hold the same concern. “You mean did she win the masses over with her stunning personality? No, there seems to be an extremely small faction involved in this.”
I exhaled, slowly. At least this part of things seemed to be put to rest. “Thank you,” I said, “for trusting me again.”
Noah shook his head. “I will never make you doubt again, Cora.”
Neither of us moved, standing there staring into each other’s eyes for longer than should have been comfortable.
When we did finally break free from the pieces of our friendship, and whatever else had shifted between us, we walked forward together. Noah steered us toward the gardens and the minute we were outside, with my hand in his, holding it as we walked to the small alcove where he’d safely stored my telescope.
“Have at it. You’ve earned it.”
“Oh.” I cocked an eyebrow at him. “I didn’t realize I had to continuously earn something that was a gift.”
Noah laughed, a real, hearty laugh. One that reminded me of how much pressure he had on him all the time since he normally didn’t have a laugh for anyone. But oh, how beautiful things were when he smiled. “I giveth and I can taketh away, they say.”
I looked at him, carefully, trying to see if there was any pain from the way things had happened with Vanessa. “How are you holding up after the betrayal?”
His eyes softened and he patted the bench next to him. I sat down next to him, letting my leg touch his. He didn’t pull away.
“I should have seen it sooner. You saw it, I should have listened. My father didn’t like her either—and my mother DID! The queen’s approval should have been a huge warning sign.”
I took his hand in mine. “Love is blind, it’s not your fault for seeing only the good in Vanessa. And it’s not your fault for only wanting to do what your mother wished, to make her proud.”
Noah squeezed my hand and looked up at the night sky. “Mainly I was in love with the idea of such a convenient relationship. A fae, a duchess, no drama, no strings…but I’m seeing that no relationship is completely without drama. And I think love, true love, isn’t meant to be convenient.”
I snorted. Believing he might be right. I let go of his hand and stood, walking toward the telescope. I found a few of the stars I’d seen with the king earlier before turning back to Noah.
He was watching me, staring intently as I looked through the telescope. “What other sage advice do you have to offer the commoners, Your Majesty?”
Instead of taking my playful bite, Noah walked over to me, resting one hand on my hip and the other bringing me close to him by pressing the small of my back. “Nothing worth having comes easily. Love is something to fight for.” He kissed my forehead, lingering for a moment as I leaned into him. “I promise, Cora, I’ll never again forget what’s most important.”
“And what is that?” I asked.
“Dessert. And winning at cards,” he whispered. I shoved him away and he giggled like a carefree child.
“Hey, seriously though.” He put his hands in his pockets and rocked on his feet. “Thanks for not jumping on a promotion. For staying my feeder. You deserved a promotion, but you turned it down. That means a lot.”
“I just wanted to stay close to you,” I said, twisting my hands together. I wanted to make a joke, to laugh, to chuckle and blow off the statement as a joke. But instead, I kept it serious.
Noah stalked toward me, looking like I’d just said exactly the right thing. He pulled me close to his body and kissed me. There was no rushing this. No battle looming, no one coming down the hall.
His tongue danced on mine and I moaned as I pressed against him harder. His hands ran down my back. I had my hands everywhere, his hips, his back, the nape of his neck, his hair.
When I felt as though I couldn’t breathe, I pulled away, dizzy with lust.
Nothing would ruin this feeling for me. Nothing would make me feel like I was anything other than on top of the world, with all the possibilities hanging in the air.
Not even the smoke and flames in the distance that promised more war to come.
