Everlasting Kingdom (The Winter Court Chronicles Book 3) Read online

  I didn’t like feeling this unsettled. “I don’t quite know how to handle this.”

  “I know,” she nodded, tightening her hold on my hand.

  “Before the Blooming Ceremony, I never saw you this way, as anything more than a friend.” I swallowed, my mind fought to understand. “Yet, now I can smell your essence and my body has reactions to you that I’m finding hard to resist. Being close to you like this, all I want to do is make you mine. My body wants you, every inch of me is ready to be with you…”

  Kah’s chest rose and fell as her breath accelerated in response to my words, to my essence. I knew she was feeling the same need. It suddenly occurred to me she seemed different from the Kah I knew, not like a warrior, but a woman taken by the fated magic. She appeared dazed by me somehow, and as my body responded to the sight of her like this, I briefly wondered if I too, appeared different to her.

  “I feel it too.” She confessed. “I pretended not to because at first I wasn’t sure what was happening, but now that I’m finally here with you, it is so much stronger. My body wants you too, Nyx. It needs you to complete the bonding. It needs you to make me yours.”

  I blinked as confusion and shock fluttered in my chest. Our gazes never wavered from the other. “You want to open up to me?” She didn’t need to answer; I could see it in her eyes. And although my body agreed with the need, urging me to do it, I felt a bit lost. I still needed to make sense of it all. It was an innate reaction. I struggled to swallow. “I just… I don’t know what I’m supposed to do. My body wants you, but my mind hasn’t arrived at the same conclusion.”

  She took a settling breath and slowly nodded as though making sense of my words. “So you don’t want me?”

  My chest constricted as I stared at her, my gut protested. “That is not what I meant.”

  She straightened, closing off to me and looking more like the warrior that had grown up by our side. “It’s okay, Nyx. I understa—”

  “No. You can’t possibly understand, because I do not.” I interrupted, cradling her cheeks in my hands, and lifting her head towards me again. “Do you love me?”

  She blinked, startled by my question. “What?”

  I shook my head slowly. “I thought with the Blooming, one would feel something deeper, love perhaps. I thought it would be an instant emotion and we would love each other, however there is only a physical need running through me, and begging me to make you mine. Do you feel love?”

  I held my breath as I waited for her answer. None of what I had read about the fated said what one would “feel” after being paired by the Goddess. I never realized there were so many unanswered questions, until this moment. How did love come to be? Was it instant? Did the magic contribute to it? Would it burst from us once she had opened up to me? Was that why the need to make her mine was the only thing I felt? Did we need to physically bond before loving each other? I had so many queries, though I feared no one around me could answer.

  “I, um…” she looked into my eyes, considering my question. “I want to be with you, I want you to make me yours, but I think that’s because love will come after I open up to you.”

  I nodded, feeling my glasses slide further down my nose while I gazed down at her; Kah had come to the same conclusion. “I just want you to help me understand. I need to think things through, make sense of them, I always have. It’s my process.”

  “I know,” she answered with a smile. “I’ve always treasured that about you.” She confessed, sliding my glasses back in place with her finger.

  My lips stretched into a wide grin. “You have?” Kah sincerely nodded. “Then you’d be the only one.” She laughed, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’ve always admired how strong and determined you are. You know what you want, and you stand for what you believe in, whatever that may be.”

  I gazed into her beautiful green eyes, discovering then, I did feel something for her, something more than a sexual need. Kah had been in my life for so long, in my own way I loved her. I understood her, and she understood me. Perhaps the Goddess had gotten this pairing right, after all.

  “May I kiss you again?” I inquired, looking at her lips as her scent traveled through me once more.

  “You don’t have any more questions?” her eyes searched mine, half amused.

  I chuckled. “Not at this moment.” My lips closed over hers and she gave into me, enjoying the kiss as our lips danced together. I liked kissing Kah, I decided. Something occurred to me then, I pulled back. “I didn’t know you were Blooming so soon.”

  The black strands of her hair swayed as she shook her head slowly within my hands, I still cradled her cheeks. Confusion filtered into her eyes. “I shouldn’t be for another year, or at least I thought so. I guess it’s hard to know when you are meant to Bloom, but I am. I can smell you, and I need you.”

  I sighed knowingly, recalling every detail ever recorded about the Blooming. “If your essence is ready, it will open up, regardless of what your time should be otherwise.” Kah nodded and sought my lips again, brushing hers against mine. “One more question.” She chuckled, as I pulled back to look into her eyes. “I am a prince, and you are just a warrior, the daughter of the castle keepers, why would the Goddess pair us for mating?”

  She laughed, pushing me off of her. I frowned, and fixed my glasses while she shook her head. Why was she so amused?

  “You are lucky I’ve known you for a long time, Nyx. Any other woman would have smacked you for making that comment.”

  My frown deepened. “I don’t see why she would. I am merely stating the facts.” I huffed.

  Kah’s lips closed over mine briefly while she chuckled, then the back of her hand connected with my arm anyway. Dumbfounded, I absentmindedly rubbed the spot, as she stood and took a few steps back. Her fingers began to loosen the lace of the leather corset she wore until it fell to the floor, and then she unbuttoned the soft white shirt underneath. My eyes unavoidably went to her chest as she uncovered herself to me.

  I was mortified, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. My heartbeat quickened and heated blood rushed through my body, the need returning at the sight of her beautiful breasts. I swallowed while a naughty glint entered her eyes, fully aware of the effect she had caused in me. I stood, stepping closer, drawn to her and unable to resist it, my hands fisted as I fought the urge to touch her naked skin. But once I stood before her— overlooking her small form—Kah turned, giving me her back.

  “The castle keepers are not truly my parents. They are my guardians.” She whispered over her shoulder, sweeping her long black hair to the front.

  I froze where I stood, and the heat that had once filled my blood turned ice cold, as my gaze focused on her skin. There, in the very center of her back was a large birthmark that I would have never been able to discover, had she not bared herself to me—a pattern resembling a bursting star lay in the curve of her spine. A low gasp escaped me, and our gazes connected when she turned to face me once more. Kah stood there, her upper body naked to my eyes, while I processed what this meant.

  “You are a Pixie,” I whispered, astounded. She wasn’t just any Pixie. “You are a direct descendant of the original royal family, and heir to their kingdom.” I stepped closer, handing her the shirt she had dropped. “Everyone has been searching for you for the last four thousand years…” my words trailed off as horror filtered through me. “The Dark King has been looking for you, to magically force you to give him your throne and kill you once you do.” My heart thundered in my chest as I shook my head, perplexed. “All this time you’ve been—”

  “Hiding in plain sight?” She smiled. “Yes. My aunt was part of the Dragon Lord’s private guard. He has been keeping me safe, by your side, all these years. I am Kahina Startay, the Starlight Princess, and future ruler of the Startay Astri Daeuthay.”

  “The Stardust Kingdom,” I whispered, amazed.

  Chapter 3. Our Secret

  NYX

  *

  Kah’s finger
s roamed my chest as I lay in bed with her in my arms. The soft white shirt she had worn covered her skin once again, although her leather corset remained on the floor, discarded.

  Our breaths were deep and indulgent, steady, while her cheek rested on my bare chest, attempting a more subtle way of connecting, and getting used to one another without needing to make her mine just yet. My mind was still reeling from everything I had learned, the secrets Kah shared with me, and trying to get a hold of the reactions I experienced with her. The more I thought about it, this pairing the Goddess had performed between us seemed perfect.

  Kah wasn’t a Fae, but a Pixie. However, our future seemed to center into bringing back the kingdom my grandparents had once held to the higher of standards, governing not for themselves but for their subjects and the harmony they deserved. Uniting the realm would require my brothers and I to establish strong alliances, aside from the one we had already formed with Theo as ruler of the Golden Elves—one of the most powerful kingdoms in Kalithdor—allying with the Pixies, the largest, and most populated domain in our land, was brilliant.

  Pixies were not regarded as they should by our people, for most didn’t know who they truly were, yet I did. Most thought them to be small and insignificant winged creatures, who lived joyous, careless lives filled with sneaky pranks and childish humor. Their first mistake was to underestimate the Pixies, and they used that to their advantage. They were not naturally miniscule; in fact, their size was more ordinary than others could imagine. Kah was five foot seven, which until now had allowed her to blend well with the women of our kingdom, but they had the ability to manipulate their bodies to their gain—typically in self defense—which was the main reason they never revealed their true selves to outsiders, and appeared to everyone in their smallest form.

  They were tenacious, decisive and fierce in battle, which made them good fighters. But they rejoiced in the small pleasures of life, and truly enjoyed scheming and amusing themselves at the expense of others, which now explained why Kah loved messing with me so much. My mind finally gave in to the idea. Being mated to the Starlight Princess, who also happened to know me better than my brothers did—whom I trusted, and had been my dearest friend for the better part of my life—was a flawless strategy, I concluded.

  Relief flushed my every cell once my mind finally settled, and I relaxed, accepting our pairing as the most logical course of action. I pulled Kah closer, seeking her lips, but she leaned away a second before I kissed her, and searched my eyes.

  A dazzling smile curved her lips as she found my approval. “It took you long enough.”

  I chuckled while she lifted her lips to mine and we kissed. Yes, Kah may be suitable. She knew me and understood the intellectual needs that drove me, she gave me space to think, and the time I needed to arrive at the conclusions that would allow me to move forwards. Her presence was soothing and just what I required.

  Our lips danced together while I finally gave myself into the feelings she awoke in me. Her scent seeped into my every pore, and I accepted the reactions my body experienced with her. I curled around her as we kissed, pulling her body to mine, and a small whimper left her when her breasts pressed against my pectoral muscles. I stopped and rested my forehead to hers, both taking settling breaths.

  “Thank you,” Kah whispered on my lips, making me want to kiss her again. I did. When her gaze settled on mine, she smiled. “Thank you for taking this slow, even with the way we need each other now.”

  I cradled her cheek, my thumb caressing her skin as I held her gaze. “There is no need to thank me, I feel the same way. I want us both to be certain. I don’t want to rush anything with you, Kah. I value you too much. I need you to be comfortable with me when the moment comes to finally make you mine. I know you’ll say this is something we just need to feel, but I want you to be conscious of it too.”

  She nodded, understanding my assessment, and her hands began to travel down my chest. My eyes closed as the sensations rushed over my skin with every stroke of her fingers. Need pulsed in me and I allowed myself to enjoy it, while her palm roamed my abdominals, moving lower still, towards the edge of my trousers. My lips closed over hers, kissing her deeply while her hands shifted to my back. The muscles contracted under her touch as my want grew. I hardened for her. I pulled back, trying to regain clarity, and gazed into her eyes.

  Kah didn’t speak, but she didn’t have to. Her gaze spoke for her. She wanted me to see her again, caress her, feel her… my skin flushed in embarrassment and she grinned, but the truth was, I wanted that too. My fingers slowly undid the buttons of the silk shirt and I gently pulled it off of her until she lay on the mattress, her chest naked to my eyes again. My hooded gaze traveled over her form, satisfying her silent request.

  “You are so beautiful,” I whispered, and placed a kiss on her collarbone. I should be mortified that I was seeing her this way, and a part of me was indeed, yet I couldn’t help but admire her.

  “Thank you,” she answered breathless, seemingly delighted by the way I beheld her.

  My lips stretched into a small smile. I rested my forehead to hers and I just lay there, with her, in silence, accepting who we were to each other now.

  “You know, after you finally make me yours, I will have officially been with all three brothers.”

  “What?!” I whisper-screamed, mortified.

  She grinned, wiggling her eyebrows. “I’m going to be the envy of every woman in the realm.”

  “That is disturbing.” I glared at her and she laughed, a full, throaty laugh that made me chuckle against my better judgment. “I have never been more serious, Kah. You have traumatized me for life.” She laughed again and I stared at her in wonder. Could I get used to us being this way? “Wait, have my brothers seen the Starlight birthmark? Do they know about you?”

  She shook her head, reaching for my cheek. “No, I made sure they never saw my naked back. I basically just laid there.” She grinned when I scowled.

  My lips sought hers again, deepening the kiss as my hold tightened around her. Her arms wound around my neck, causing her breasts to graze my bare chest, and a shudder traveled through us both at the sensations it elicited. I held her closer, my hands roaming her back, fingertips tracing the lines of her royal marking. I fixed my glasses and felt my skin flush at the sight of her like this. Embarrassment, need, and appreciation all whirled inside me.

  “You’ll get used to it,” she whispered knowingly. “We both will.”

  I nodded, kissing her again. Kah’s lips brushed against mine, and she regarded me for a moment, remaining silent. “Yes,” I agreed with her silent statement. “We should keep this between us until we are ready to share with everyone else. With everything that has transpired around us—”

  “It is best if we just deal with this by ourselves,” she finished knowingly, and relieved.

  My chest tightened. “I need to feel like there is still something I can control.” I confessed, feeling the unease brewing just under my skin.

  “I need that too,” Kah admitted, caressing my arm. “Please don’t tell anyone who I truly am yet. I’m not ready for them to see me differently.”

  Thud, thud, thud. “Nyx, are you there? May I come in?” Kyr’s voice filtered through the door, interrupting our intimate moment, and setting my nerves on edge.

  My body clenched, holding Kah to me protectively. “I’m bathing. I’ll be out once I’m done.” I shouted, hating that I was lying to him.

  “Very well. I’ll wait for you at the entrance of the temple. We are not done with your training.” I grunted while Kah silently chuckled under me. I glared at her and she winked. “Oh, have you seen Kah by any chance?”

  “No, Brother.”

  “If you do, please let her know Ash is looking for her. Thanks.”

  I remained still until the sound of his retreating steps disappeared in the distance, and suddenly the oxygen returned to my lungs.

  “Liar, liar, Trolls on fire.” Kah said in a singsong
manner, and laughed when I scowled at her.

  After Kah teleported to her room, I ended up having to take a bath to support the lie, and perhaps to cool myself down again. Not once had I allowed my body to take a decision away from my mind, and this was not going to be the first time. Reason had to persevere above all.

  I dressed myself for dinner in a pair of rustic gold raw-silk trousers and a white fitted shirt, they were part of a three piece suit Theo had gifted me while I was in his castle. Smiling at the memory of our kinship, I made my way down the corridor to the dining hall; taking extra time to get ready hadn’t exactly been a coincidence. I had had enough of my brother’s “push” analogies.

  I had no idea how to do what he was asking of me, and I didn’t particularly feel up to the task either. The last thing I needed at the moment was another hour of senseless energy exploration within my being, and frankly, I didn’t see the point to the exercise to begin with. A door opened as I passed by Ash’s quarters and Gabriella stepped out.

  She squealed after seeing me, gripped my arm, and pulled me down to her level so she could kiss my cheek. She seemed so excited to be here with us, she was absolutely endearing. “Hello, Gabriella.” I greeted as my gaze took in her appearance.

  Her deep brown hair rested softly over her shoulders and back in soft waves, and she wore light make up that accentuated her features delicately. A pastel pink, long sleeved gown adorned her body. The corset highlighted her curves beautifully, lifting her breasts and causing them to slightly strain against the bodice, giving her an enticing cleavage. My skin flushed and I blinked, realizing I was staring. I forced myself to look away, horrified at my behavior.