Between Dawn and Dusk Read online

  Setting the book down, I keep it open so the ink has time to dry.

  When I glance at Keryth, I find him staring at me. His pupils are so large they’re nearly black, and when he licks his lips, I audibly gulp.

  He looks like he wants to eat me. And I just might let him.

  I jump a little when his hands go to my sides, and I let out a nervous laugh when I realize he’s undoing the corsets. They loosen immediately, and I tilt my head in confusion.

  “How’d you get so good at this?”

  “Practice.”

  White hot jealousy ripples through my system. It’s so strong, flames shoot from my fingertips to the floor.

  Pausing, Keryth gives me a wicked smirk. “A former soldier of mine lent me one of his mate’s old dresses,” he clarifies. “No one was in it when I honed my skills.”

  “Oh,” I respond, sheepish.

  I don’t normally have such a temper, but the thought of Keryth with anyone else makes me burn. My hands are still smoking a little, and my gaze dips to the charred rock.

  Fitting a finger under my chin, he forces me to look up. “Don’t you know how much you mean to me? How long I’ve waited for you? I wanted you before I even knew you. I could never be with another. All of me is yours.”

  His words cause a dipping sensation in my stomach, and heat settles in my lower belly. The cap sleeves of my gown slide down my arms, exposing my breasts to the humid air.

  The material slips past my hips and pools at my feet. I’m essentially naked. Women’s panties in the Day Realm are usually see-through mesh. It gets so hot, breathability is important.

  And from the way Keryth’s breathing speeds up, I’m guessing he likes them.

  I pull my crown off my head, placing it next to the book. Then I hook my thumbs in the waistband of my panties and push them down.

  Reaching out, Keryth traces my slit. I jerk at the pleasurable sensation, and I steady myself by grasping his broad shoulders.

  I’ve touched myself many times while thinking about him. Imagined my hands were his.

  The real thing is way better.

  Wetness pools between my thighs as my clit pulses, and I grapple with the belt on Keryth’s leather pants. Next, I go for the button and zipper.

  Maybe I should’ve practiced, too. It’s not like I’m unfamiliar with pants—I do wear them occasionally when horseback riding or gardening—but my hands are shaking so much I’m having trouble getting them undone.

  Realizing I need some help, Keryth stills my fingers with his. “Calm. Your frustration is getting hot.”

  “Oh.” I yank my smoldering hands away and step back. I could’ve burned him. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m usually much better at controlling my ability.”

  After whipping his shirt over his head, he pulls off his belt and tosses the leather strap to the floor.

  “For one, you’re young. It’s not uncommon for your power to be unpredictable at times.” He slides his zipper down. “And two, we’re both going to experience a power surge. Being together enhances everything about us. It completes us.”

  I want to respond with something meaningful, but my mouth goes dry when his cock springs free.

  It’s massive.

  The swollen length juts out from his body, bobbing as he kicks his pants away. It’s pointing straight at me, like it knows exactly where it wants to go.

  Rumor has it, when fated mates have sex for the first time, it’s not supposed to hurt the female. As Keryth said, joining will make us more whole, and our ability to heal quickly will be even faster than before. So quickly, that as he enters me, I won’t feel anything but a stretch.

  But maybe the women who started that rumor hadn’t been with someone like my night king.

  “You’re staring.” Keryth is clearly amused, his eyes dancing with mirth.

  “It’s very… proud.” Proud? Seriously? I don’t get tongue-tied often, but my mind is foggy, and it feels like my whole body is throbbing. It’s hard to concentrate.

  Embarrassed by my blunder, my cheeks heat. Keryth’s laugh booms off the low ceilings, and I blush even more.

  Biting my lip, my eyes fall to the cave floor.

  I see Keryth’s feet—and his proud cock—come into view as he steps close. “Do you understand why you’re feeling the way you are right now?”

  “Because I love you so much?”

  I gaze up at his light eyes, and there’s almost an invisible physical pull between us. My eyelids grow heavy, and there’s a strange hunger inside me. I need Keryth to touch me. To fill me.

  I sway toward him, and the tip of his erection pokes me in the stomach. A bead of pre-cum smears against my skin, and I have the sudden urge to taste it.

  Running a finger down my cheek, he asks, “Hasn’t anyone ever told you about a first time between fated mates?”

  “I know how sex works,” I say defensively.

  He chuckles. “I mean the demand of the bond. Do you feel it?”

  Nodding, I admit, “I do feel something.”

  “This is why it’s so hard for soul mates to resist each other. Destiny is literally pushing us together. Once we start, we probably won’t be able to stop. Are you okay with that?”

  Oh, this is intense. No, I hadn’t heard that part, but it’s easy for me to imagine how hard it would be to deny completion. We haven’t even begun yet, but I feel itchy and achy. Like if I don’t get Keryth inside me, my body might implode.

  “Yes,” I breathe out. “I’m okay with that.”

  Keryth

  I should’ve come more prepared for this. There are no blankets. No cot for Zella to lie on. The hard surface will probably be uncomfortable, but it can’t be helped.

  I had to get to her today.

  With nothing but the clothes on my back, I made the trip for her.

  So our clothes will have to do.

  Arranging them to make a pitiful-looking pallet, I lower Zella to the ground. I wish I had something to make a pillow. As if she can read my mind, she reaches into her satchel and pulls out the unfinished blanket.

  Perfect.

  Smiling, she slips it under her head.

  She gazes up at me with such trust. So much love. And when her eyes linger on my cock, it makes it very difficult for me to go slow.

  Pushing her thighs apart, I look down at her glistening slit. She’s wet for me already.

  I’m glad, because we don’t have much time. We can’t loiter here for long. It’s too dangerous.

  “Tell me what you want first.” Taking myself at the base, I guide my cock to her center.

  I rub my swollen head up and down, wetting my cock with her slickness, shuddering at the way it feels to nudge her hot opening. Every time I come back up and bump her clit, she gasps in the most erotic way.

  “I just—” Writhing with need, she hisses. “I just want you inside me. I don’t care about anything else. Please. Now.”

  Desperateness. That’s what she feels. I know, because I feel it, too.

  This time, when I prod at her entrance, I push forward. Just a little.

  The tip slides in.

  I groan. She’s so slippery and warm. Her snug walls hug my cock, and it’s the best sensation in the world.

  Dropping down to my elbows, I cover her body with mine. Our chests rub together, and I love the feel of her bare skin against mine. “Ready?”

  I hope to all the stars she says yes. If she says no, I’m not sure what it would do to me. My entire body is trembling with the strength it takes to hold back from plunging ahead.

  Fortunately, she makes an impatient sound while locking her ankles behind my back. She clenches her thighs as she tries to push me with her heels.

  I sink deeper, and Zella closes her eyes while tilting her head back.

  Searching her scrunched up face, I look for a hint of pain or discomfort. I close my eyes and implore the bond to see if I can experience what she’s feeling, but only pleasure flows back at
me.

  “More,” Zella demands, digging her fingernails into my back. “Give me more.”

  Anything for her.

  Holding onto her waist, I surge forward until I’m buried all the way. We both moan.

  I want to stay still for a second to savor the moment and give Zella time to adjust to my size.

  But I can’t.

  Against my will, my hips buck. The motions are jerky because I’m trying to stop. I knew I’d be driven by the bond, but I didn’t realize it would take away my control. It’s unnerving.

  Panting, I grit my teeth and will my body to halt. “Zella, I can’t…”

  Her eyes open as she undulates beneath me. “Stop fighting it.”

  I release a breath and give in. I let instinct take over.

  And it’s the best thing I’ve ever felt.

  Ramming my cock into Zella’s tight channel, I close my eyes and allow the bond to guide us. My thrusts are smooth, hard, and deep as I pump into her over and over again.

  I try to kiss her, but we’re so frantic, it’s hard to connect our lips for more than a few seconds.

  Zella gets wetter, making the slide easier as her body gives way to mine. She’s a wild woman, pinching her breasts and slipping an arm between us to touch her clit. I’ve never seen her so unrestrained.

  I knock her hand away and replace her fingers with mine.

  Bracing one hand by her head, I rub her with the other while pounding into her wet heat. My balls slap against her ass, and the sounds we’re making echo all around us.

  She brings her knees up, spreading herself wider for me. Allowing me to go even deeper.

  A new sound joins in, and I realize it’s the wind howling outside.

  “I’m not trying to make that happen,” I say through ragged breaths.

  Wide-eyed, Zella raises her flaming hands. “I’m not either.”

  She crosses her wrists above her head, trying to keep the fire away from me.

  I’m not afraid of her. Moving my hand, I pin her arms to the floor. I can feel the heat from her hands, but it’s not unpleasant. If anything, the way it makes me sweat is even sexier.

  Zella glances up at the way I’m holding her down, and her eyes flare with lust. She likes being dominated by me, and that turns me on.

  My sac tightens, and a heavy sensation forms in my chest.

  The bond is almost complete.

  “Gonna come,” I grunt, wishing I could’ve lasted longer.

  “Me, too.” Hooking a knee over my shoulder, Zella cries out at the new angle.

  A few seconds later, I feel her clamp down on me. Her inner muscles spasm, clenching around my cock, and her orgasm triggers mine.

  As my seed shoots out in hot spurts, I let out a long growl.

  Sparks pop and crackle above us, lighting the space. But it’s not Zella’s doing—that’s the bond detonating before snapping into place. I feel it settle in my chest, warm like sunshine.

  Like stars and laughter and my favorite ale. Like the adrenaline rush after a victory.

  Like everything good I’ve ever experienced all rolled into one.

  I finally slow before coming to a stop. Keeping myself rutted deep inside Zella, I lower my mouth to hers, kissing her slowly. Her core flutters with aftershocks, milking my already drained cock.

  Her hands are still smoldering with embers. My accidental storm still rages outside.

  But nothing matters right now. Except us.

  Except the new tether from my soul to hers.

  Zella

  The wind outside has finally died down and the tingling in my fingertips has eased.

  Keryth kisses me lazily, our naked bodies still tangled together and slick with sweat. I’m about to suggest a dip in the hot spring when a sound gets my attention.

  Footsteps. Snapping twigs. Hushed whispers.

  Alarmed, Keryth and I both sit up. We make eye contact for a brief second before yanking our clothes back on.

  Company isn’t good. People don’t just wander onto sacred ground. We’ve been followed.

  “My father has a seeker,” I hiss quietly, placing my crown firmly back on my head before slinging my satchel over my shoulder. “I should’ve thought of that.”

  I want to kick myself for not considering it sooner. Heston has been on the Day Realm council for centuries, and he’s a valuable asset because of his ability to find anyone as long as he possesses an object that belongs to them. He could’ve had his pick of anything from my room.

  Pressing a finger to his lips, Keryth signals for silence as he tightens my corsets and secures my dress. I latch my bag, making sure the blanket is secured safely inside.

  The voices are louder now. They bounce off the cave walls, and they think they’ve got us trapped.

  I shoot Keryth a panicked look and motion for him to use some wind power to blow them out.

  He shakes his head and whispers, “It won’t be enough. They can hang on to jagged pieces on the wall. We need something bigger.”

  “Fire?”

  “And wind. You project the flames and I’ll force them through the tunnel.”

  “I don’t want to destroy the forest.”

  “You won’t. Remember, there’s a waterfall at the opening. It will put out the flames.”

  Nodding, I agree. I face my palms forward and watch Keryth for the countdown. He ticks it off on his fingers.

  Three… Two… One.

  Blast.

  The flames are so hot they’re blue as they shoot from my hands. Keryth’s right behind me to make sure they don’t go in the wrong direction. My hair whips around my face as his gust pushes our powers through our only way out.

  Screams reverberate off the walls. One sounds like my father, but that couldn’t be. He hasn’t stepped out of Hailene since we buried Mother in the cemetery in Dawn and Dusk. It’s almost like he stays at the castle, waiting for her to come back.

  Keryth and I continue with the torch for at least ten seconds after the shouts quieted.

  Whoever’s after us might be burned but not incapacitated. If they were able to run away fast enough, they shouldn’t be injured too badly.

  Which means we need to get out of here. Now.

  “Can you fly?” Keryth takes my hand as we sprint toward the exit.

  I let my wings unfold, wincing at the twinge of pain. “Probably, but I’ll slow us down for sure.”

  “Then I’ll carry you. Be ready to jump into my arms once we reach the ledge.”

  The rock around us is charred and steaming, but I don’t see any fire beyond the waterfall. When we get to the opening, we turn right, ready to take off.

  But an iron net comes flying at us.

  We don’t have time to dive out of the way. The chains encase us both, and we fall into the pond. While the water helps to cool the sting of the iron, nothing can stop it from sizzling on our flesh. My already wounded wings are now marred with a crisscrossed network of burns.

  Wide-eyed, I cling to Keryth as I hold my breath.

  We won’t die down here. Faeries can’t drown. Our lungs might hurt from lack of oxygen, but it won’t kill us.

  It’s what waits for us above that has me frightened.

  Obviously, we underestimated the number of people sent to retrieve me. What will they do? Kill Keryth? Drag me back to the Day Realm to rot from heartbreak?

  I touch my forehead to Keryth’s as I caress his face. He does the same to my cheeks, as if he’s trying to reassure me.

  I can’t lose this man.

  I just got him.

  The rope tied to the net gets strung taut as someone pulls us up. We get tugged along the sandy bottom, and when we finally make it to the riverbank, we gulp at the air.

  Through the dripping wet hair sticking to my cheeks, I peer up at Heston. The left side of his face is seared, and he sneers down at me.

  “I really didn’t want to have to do this, Princess.”

  I spy one of my hairpins clipped to his pants pocket. Th
e white slacks are covered with brown patches where he must’ve caught fire. His blond mohawk is singed.

  “I could’ve done worse to you,” I croak. “I still can.”

  “I don’t doubt it,” he replies smoothly. “I saw what you did to Sedrick. That’s why we had to bring the net.”

  Yes, normally, this much contact with iron would weaken a fae’s ability. But with the bond being so fresh, I feel the intense power surge Keryth had spoken of before.

  Maybe they don’t realize we completed the bond already. It’s not like we wasted any time.

  And that could be helpful. If they underestimate us, we’ll have an advantage.

  I squeeze Keryth’s hand, hoping to silently convey my thoughts.

  “Nothing to say, King Keryth?” The voice makes me gasp a little, because I wasn’t mistaken in the cave—that’s my father. “You’ve never been the quiet type before.”

  He appears from behind a tree with a soldier at his side. Although the skin on my father’s face and arms is reddened, Heston must’ve taken the brunt of the blast.

  “Father. Let us go,” I plead, hoping he’ll hear the anguish in my voice and have sympathy for me.

  But he just laughs. It’s a cold, lifeless sound, and it sends a chill up my spine. As I look into his gray eyes, I see nothing left of the man I used to know.

  “Papa.” I purposely use the name I called him when I was a little girl. “I love you.”

  His smile fades as he points at Keryth. “But you love him more.”

  “He’s my fated mate.”

  There’s nothing else to explain. That says it all. He’ll have my loyalty and my heart forever.

  Without moving his finger away from Keryth, Father says, “You killed my wife. You wanted to get back at me.”

  What? Is his mind so far gone he forgot how Mother died?

  “No,” my mate denies vehemently. “I would never.”

  “There was a plague, remember?” I remind my father. “Keryth couldn’t have caused that.”

  “But witches can. He found a coven and persuaded them to curse our kingdom.” His eyes aim so much hatred at us both. “And now you’re joining the enemy, Zella. For that, you’ll both pay.”