AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No,” I said, setting aside my tea myself. “I am ready.”
Judging by the desire burning between my legs and the nervousness flitting in my stomach—
Lie.
47
ARRAN
The human realm was being infected by some sort of disquieting darkness, my betrothed was coming out of her skin with the need to avenge her brother, ready to stab anything that looked at her wrong, and I was so fucking repressed my cock felt like it was about to explode.
So, of course, the Elementals threw a party.
Lugnasa was observed in the terrestrial kingdom as well. But nothing I’d ever experienced in my homeland was as opulent as the celebration unfolding around me in the goldstone palace. I shuddered to think what Mabon would be like, when Veyka and I were finally and irrevocably joined.
That would take place in the throne room, I assumed, in a similar configuration to the Offering. But for Lugnasa, the courtiers spilled out into the courtyards instead.
I wondered what I would see if I was in the streets of Baylaur tonight. Would the citizens of the elemental kingdom dance under that biting Annwyn sun without the promise of a magically cooled palace to retreat to? Perhaps this was a celebration only observed by those gifted with wind or ice powers.
Or perhaps the rest of the fae were smart enough to not risk the consequences of their magic on a hedonistic festival. I snorted into my aural. That wasn’t likely in any kingdom of the fae.
A presence approaching my left side.
Gwen—no. She did not have that freedom anymore. She was leashed to Veyka, watching and guarding. It was a comfort, really. I could sleep in a real bed, knowing that Gwen was standing guard. But her place at my side—it was empty.
I certainly didn’t have any fondness for the male that sidled into it just then.
“Your Highness,” Parys said, dipping his chin and sending his dark curls swaying rakishly over his forehead.
“Go away.” I’d been thinking about sinking myself between Veyka’s thighs since we climbed back up from the bowels of the palace and I had to watch her hips sway up ten flights of stairs.
The last person I wanted to talk to was the one who had been fucking her last.
Even if I’d made a promise to myself not to kill him—for Veyka’s sake. Whatever the hell that meant. Because apparently, now I cared about her wellbeing.
Fucking Ancestors.
I took another gulp of aural.
“Do you know what to expect from the afternoon’s festivities?” Parys said mildly, visibly unruffled.
Bastard.
“I can figure it out.”
Parys smiled slyly.
He knew I was clueless.
My fingers caressed the head of my axe as I considered where would be the most painful place to bury it in his body.
Gwen had trained for this. She’d fought to become the terrestrial heir. She knew about the customs and traditions of the elemental court. Me? I was the solution to an unprecedented problem. I’d been trained for battle and bloodshed. I had no fucking idea what the ceremonies and nonsense would entail, and I didn’t care, either.
All I cared about was getting my cock in Veyka as soon as possible.
If the subtle grinding I was already seeing in the bright sunlight around the aural fountains was an indication, Lugnasa in Baylaur was not that different from Wolf Bay.
“I’m certain you can, Brutal Prince,” Parys said, taking a wise step away. “If not, I’m sure the queen would enjoy explaining to you.”
