Eight four
I couldn’t believe how much Rafe made me happy. It was like he was a completely different person after the whole bomb blast happened. Tears of happiness blurred my vision. I went willingly into his arms, losing myself in his drugging kiss, in the overwhelming rightness of this moment. With the faeries’ tinkling laughter a musical backdrop to our passion, we sank down onto the mossy bank in a tangle of eager limbs, ready to make a new memory in this secret haven. One of healing, hope, and unshakable love.
Rafe’s warm hands cradled my face as he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing the seam of my lips until I opened for him on a sigh. My own hands roamed the sculpted muscles of his back, feeling them flex beneath my fingertips. He tasted of dark spice and smoldering need, igniting an answering hunger low in my belly.
With a groan, Rafe broke the kiss to trail his lips along my jaw, down the sensitive column of my throat. “You’re so beautiful,” he murmured against my skin. “I want to worship every inch of you.”
I shivered, tilting my head to give him better access. “Rafe…”
His mouth captured mine again in a possessive caress before he pulled back to meet my gaze, eyes glittering with desire and adoration. “Tell me what you want, my love,” he rasped. “Anything, it’s yours.”
My heart raced at his words, the intensity in his gaze sending a wave of heat through me. I couldn’t believe this was happening, that I was here in Rafe’s arms, about to give myself to him completely.
“I want…” My voice faltered, unsure of what to say. What did I want? Did I even know?
Rafe must have sensed my hesitation because he brushed his lips against my forehead in a gentle gesture. “Take your time, my darling. Whatever you desire, it’s yours.”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to sort through the jumble of emotions and desires coursing through me. And then it hit me, clear as day.
“I want you,” I whispered, opening my eyes to meet his intense gaze.
A slow smile spread across Rafe’s face and he leaned down to capture my lips once more. This kiss was different from the others – it spoke of promises and love rather than just passion and lust. Rafe’s hand slid down my body until it rested on my hip, pulling me closer to him.
I moaned against his lips as our bodies pressed together in perfect harmony. Everything felt so right – being with Rafe wasn’t just about physical pleasure but also about finding an emotional connection that I had never experienced before.
As we broke apart for air, Rafe gazed down at me with a mixture of love and desire in his eyes. “I want you too,” he whispered huskily.
He lifted me up in his strong arms and carried me towards the pool, laying me down gently on the soft grass. His hands roamed over my body with reverence as he trailed kisses along every inch of skin he could reach.
My body arched towards him instinctively, craving more of his touch. But Rafe took his time, worshiping every inch of me with his lips and hands until I was trembling with anticipation.
“Please,” I begged, unable to take it any longer. We came together in another searing kiss, lost to the shimmering magic saturating the grotto and the undeniable connection blazing between us. But as his strong arms tightened around me, I couldn’t help recalling his uncle’s ominous warning. A pinprick of unease pierced the haze of passion.
Sensing my tension, Rafe eased back, concern shadowing his handsome features. “What is it, sweetheart? Did Rafael say something to upset you?”
I dropped my gaze, heat staining my cheeks. “It’s nothing. He just… he thinks I’m a danger to you. That I should stay away for your own good.”
Rafe’s jaw clenched, a muscle ticking in his cheek. “Rafael doesn’t get to dictate our relationship. No one does. You’re my choosing, Freya. My destiny. And I’ll let nothing and no one come between us.”
The conviction in his declaration scattered the niggling doubts. This incredible male was willing to risk everything, to defy even his own blood, for me. For us. Rafe was my forever. Smiling tremulously, I rose on my toes to feather a kiss over his lips, a silent promise. Then I twined my arms around his neck and surrendered to the elemental need that would no longer be denied.
(Third pov)
The two of them sank onto the plush carpet of moss and fragrant wildflowers, sealing their devotion with passion as old as time. Oblivious to anything beyond each other and lost in a cocoon of sensual bliss, neither noticed the pair of envious eyes watching from the shadows.
Kelly’s hands balled into white-knuckled fists, impotent fury and burning jealousy raging in her chest as she spied her stepsister and Rafe’s intimate embrace. It should’ve been her in the Alpha King’s arms. Her basking in his love and fevered touches. Before Freya’s arrival, Rafe had been hers for the taking. The throne within her grasp.
But her conniving stepsister had ruined everything, bewitching Rafe with her innocent face and stealing Kelly’s rightful place. Bitterness soured her tongue. No, she wouldn’t let Freya win. One way or another, the little thief would pay for taking what belonged to Kelly. Rafe would be hers, even if she had to destroy Freya to make it happen.
Quietly backing out of the hidden doorway, Kelly stormed through the castle, an insidious plan taking shape in her mind. By the time she burst into the empty kitchens, a malevolent smile curved her lips. She would ensure Freya posed no further threat to her ambitions. And when her stepsister fell from grace, Kelly would be there to pick up the pieces of Rafe’s broken heart.
The crown would soon rest exactly where it was meant to. On her head.
Kelly impatiently tapped her foot, eyes darting to the door every few seconds. Where was that blasted maid? Ah, finally. The timid servant slipped into the kitchen, head bowed and shoulders hunched.
“You called for me, my lady?” the maid asked, voice trembling slightly.
A predatory smile spread across Kelly’s face as she sauntered closer, causing the other woman to shrink back. “Yes, I have a very important task for you.”
Reaching into the folds of her gown, Kelly withdrew a small vial filled with a viscous black liquid. It seemed to suck in the light, promising nothing but darkness and despair. She held it out to the maid, who eyed it like a venomous snake poised to strike.
“I need you to slip this into Lady Freya’s meals. Just a few drops at a time, mind you. Can’t make it obvious, after all.” Kelly’s tone was deceptively light, as if she were simply requesting an extra lump of sugar in her tea.
The maid swallowed hard, hesitantly taking the vial with shaking fingers. “W-what will it do to her?”
Kelly’s smile sharpened, a glint of cruelty in her eyes. “Let’s just say it will… hinder any attempts to conceive an heir. We can’t have that little whore securing her position with a royal brat in her belly, now can we?”
“But… but that’s… I can’t…” The maid looked ready to faint, face ashen and stomach churning.
Quick as a viper, Kelly’s hand shot out, gripping the woman’s chin with bruising force. She leaned in close, breath hot against the maid’s cheek.
“You can and you will. Unless you’d like to experience a fate far worse than a few drops of poison.” Her voice dropped to a menacing whisper. “Obey me, or I’ll make you wish you’d never been born. Are we clear?”
Tears welled in the terrified maid’s eyes as she nodded frantically. “Yes, my lady. I-I’ll do as you command.”
Kelly released her, looking immensely pleased with herself. “Good. See that you do. Freya must not be allowed to win.”
The maid scurried away, clutching the vial to her chest like a talisman of damnation. As the door swung shut behind her, Kelly let out a low, satisfied chuckle.
“Enjoy your victory while it lasts, dear sister,” she murmured to herself, eyes glittering with malice. “For I promise, it will be short-lived. In the end, I always get what I want. And what I want… is everything you hold dear.”
With that vow hanging in the air, Kelly turned on her heel and glided out of the kitchens, head held high and a triumphant smirk playing about her lips. Freya’s downfall was nigh, and Kelly would relish every moment of it.
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