Portals, it seemed, could only be created when a tether existed between two realms. Their creation was intrinsically linked to the element Spirit, a force far more demanding than the others. Spirit wasn’t just a tool-it drew directly from the Fae’s life force and soul. The strain was dangerous, and overuse could lead swiftly to death. Only those with immense reserves of power could successfully create a portal, and even then, the process left them utterly drained, requiring a significant period to recover before attempting another.
Some of the information struck me as useful, though it felt distant-like it wasn’t meant for me. When I had created portals in the past, there had been no conscious effort, no deliberate channeling of Spirit. The only thing I’d felt was raw, unrelenting fear, fueled by the need to escape whatever had been hunting me. Strangely, I hadn’t experienced the bone-deep exhaustion others described, but then again, adrenaline was a powerful mask for pain.
Determined, I turned my focus to elemental blockages, flipping through countless stories and ancient accounts. The tales were of great Fae warriors, their connections severed by curses or buried beneath trauma so profound it left scars they could never fully heal from. Yet, among the grim narratives, there were rare instances of hope. A handful had overcome their blockages and mastered their elements, but their paths were as unique as their struggles. There was no definitive solution, no singular method to follow.
It left me feeling as though the answer I sought lay somewhere deep within myself, and only time-and effort-would uncover it.
The ache in my eyes eventually pulled me from my search. The dim torchlight had dried them out, and I blinked against the strain. Graziana and Leonardo approached a few minutes later, their faces mirroring my exhaustion.
“Did you find anything useful?” Graziana asked, her voice kind and tinged with sympathy.
“Not much,” I admitted with a weary sigh. “Absolutely nothing that helps with overcoming this block.”
She nodded, understanding. “Some answers only come with time,” she said softly. “And unfortunately, they tend to reveal themselves in the midst of chaos.”
“They really do,” I agreed, managing a small, tired smile.
We returned to our suite not long after. The night air clung to us, warm and heavy with the fragrance of wildflowers. In the moonlight, the blossoms seemed alive, glowing faintly as they swayed in the breeze. The sight was breathtaking, but its beauty couldn’t quite mask the faint unease simmering within me.
At the doors to our suite, Graziana paused. Her expression, though brave, reflected the same flicker of uncertainty I felt. “No matter the outcome,” she said firmly, “what matters is that we see it through to the end.”
Her conviction stirred something in me, and I nodded, hoping my resolve looked as unwavering as hers.
Despite the comfort of the night air and the soothing hum of wildflowers outside, sleep eluded me. I lay sprawled across the bed, staring at the darkened ceiling as the weight of tomorrow pressed down on me.
“You’re overthinking,” Leonardo’s voice murmured from beside me. The bed shifted as he turned, his arm wrapping snugly around my waist. He pulled me back against him with an ease that never failed to surprise me. His scent-earthy and faintly sweet-surrounded me, chasing away the lingering tension. “You’ll never fall asleep like this.”
“I don’t know how you’re so calm,” I said, laughing softly despite myself. “We could die tomorrow, and you’re worried about sleep.”
He chuckled, his lips brushing my hair. “A good night’s sleep is even more important if it’s your last.”
His teasing brought a small smile to my lips, but the anxiety remained. “This is just… a lot to handle.”
“I’d like to help you relax, kitten.” Leonardo murmured against my hair. His fingers made lazy strokes up and down my arms, leaving little goosebumps in their wake. “Will you let me help you?”
“I suppose you can, but I don’t see how–” I gasped as the hand that sat against my waist dipped into my underwear.
By the time he slid two fingers inside of me, I was more than ready for him. I grabbed onto his wrist, narrowing my eyes as I debated telling him no entirely. Just as my mouth opened to form the word, he pressed his thumb against my clit, and thrusted his fingers inside of me. The skilled move made my head fall back, and any thought of protest crumble on my lips.
When he turned me on my back and spread my legs apart, I couldn’t bring myself to fight him. Instead, I gave into the sensations and the way it felt to have his darkened eyes staring at every inch of me.
I had practically forgotten all about my worries when he settled himself between my legs. He was shirtless as he always was when we slept together. His porcelain skin seemed lighter in the moonlight, and his masculine scent surprisingly mixed well with that of the Wildflowers.
My mate knelt between my legs, towering over me as I laid back on the bed. I could see the imprint of his cock against the thin fabric of his pants. I reached out with trembling fingers, my mouth practically watering. It was one of the many things I had thought about, and had craved since completing my bond with Leonardo.
“Not so fast.” He smirked, grabbing my wrists in his hands with ease. My core throbbed painfully as he lowered himself onto me. I let out a near silent whimper as his covered shaft pressed against my swollen clit. He ground into me harder, knowing exactly what sensations were burning through my body. I could hear him chuckle in my ear, but was defenseless as I panted and grinded my hips beneath him. “I can feel how much you like rubbing that little pussy on my cock.”
Another jolt of pleasure pierced my body at his words, so vulgar and yet they elicited all kinds of foreign responses. He could feel every bit of it through our bond. He knew exactly what I wanted, every dirty thing that crossed my mind as I edged closer to my release.
“Don’t–” I gasped, feeling myself come too close. “I want to feel you inside of me, please.
Leonardo!”
Just as I thought I’d tumble head first over the edge, he stopped. My core ached a bit from the loss, but only hungered for the thick length of him.
“So greedy tonight.” He chuckled, glancing down at my lips. “Not to worry, kitten. By the time I’m finished with you, you’ll have the best sleep of your life.”