Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Nineteen

Lying here in Theo’s arms, my thoughts ought to be consumed by the new-found truths of my existence and its forthcoming path. Yet, my attention remains unwaveringly fixed on Mikyl, pondering the present circumstances of his whereabouts. I can’t help but feel a mix of panic and dread as the words ‘Mikyl is missing’ repeat in my mind.

Even though our marriage has ended and the truth about Theo and myself being destinara has surfaced, my worries for Mikyl have not diminished. I still hope that he can find the support and guidance he needs to find his own joy in this unforgiving world.

“We’ll find him,” Theo whispers, having read my mind. His voice is a soft but firm declaration against the thought of uncertainty coursing through my mind.

I roll my eyes and let out a frustrated breath. “Not all of my thoughts are meant for you, you know,” I mutter.

“Your thoughts are overpowering tonight, my sweet. I can’t help but hear them.” He leans in and softly kisses me on the lips.

The comforting warmth of the affectionate gesture does little to abate the storm inside me, but it’s a welcome distraction, nonetheless. “I know, but still...” I pause, grappling with a fear that is slowly creeping up my spine.

“What?” Theo’s voice holds a note of concern, his eyes assessing my expression with a discerning gaze.

“It’s just...” I swallow and finish in a rush. “What if we don’t find him? What if he’s...” I can’t bring myself to say it. The room suddenly feels painfully cold, as if the very walls are echoing with my unspoken fears.

“Rosanhi,” Theo says firmly, pulling me closer so the warmth of him seeps into my bones. “We will find him.”

I nod against his chest, clinging tightly to his words and to him. Feeling his powerful heartbeat under my fingers offers me a strange solace—at least one thing remains constant amid this chaos.

“But why do I even care?” I whisper, more to myself than to Theo. “After everything Mikyl did to ruin our marriage, why can’t I just let him go? ”

Theo’s hand gently tilts my chin up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “Because you have a kind heart, Rosanhi. And because destiny is strange. We don’t choose it; it chooses us. Everything happens for a purpose.”

I search his eyes, looking for any hint of jealousy or resentment, but find none. “How are you not jealous? How can you be so understanding?”

He smiles softly, brushing a strand of hair from my face. “Because I trust you, and I trust in our bond. Mikyl is your past, but I am your future. And together, we will find him and bring him back safely.”

His words wrap around my heart, easing the turmoil within. “Thank you, Theo,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to his chest. “For everything.” I run my hand along Theo’s abdomen, feeling the firm and well-defined muscle beneath his skin.

He trembles at my touch and lets out a pleasurable growl, “But for now…” he says, grabbing my hips and pulling me so to straddle myself on top of him, his hands traveling up my back and then cupping my neck as he pulls me towards his lips. Our tongues dance together, a warm familiarity that starts to calm my racing mind. His strong hands explore my back, leaving a trail of tingling sensations in their wake.

I rise up on my knees, my body looming over his, still straddling his hips. My fingers delicately work at the knot that holds my cotton nightgown in place, allowing it to fall open and reveal my bare breasts to the cool night air. The gentle breeze causes my nipples to pucker and harden, sending a tingle through my body.

Theo stares up at me, his eyes darkening, and he lets out a low growl of desire. His touch becomes more insistent as he softly trails up my thighs and I gasp as his hand finds my bare hips. He pulls himself up so his lips can meet mine once more. My lips part in anticipation as our tongues dance together in a passionate embrace. I can taste the sweetness of his mouth, and it only fuels the fire burning within me.

Without breaking the kiss, Theo lifts me up, turning me over to softly lie me on my back, his body covering mine. Our fingers tangle together, our bodies moving in perfect sync. I can feel myself growing wet with desire, my body aching for more. He breaks away from our kiss, his lips trailing down my neck as he murmurs into my ear.

“You’re mine,” he says, his voice husky with need. “I want to devour every inch of you until you’re a trembling, quivering mess.” His mouth moves lower, his tongue tracing a path along my collarbone before moving further down to my breasts. I moan loudly as his mouth closes around a nipple, his tongue teasing and swirling around the sensitive peak. My hands grip his hair, urging him on as I feel the familiar warmth building deep within me. Theo’s tongue expertly teases and explores, eliciting gasps and moans from my lips. The tension continues to build, my body trembling under his touch.

“Theo, please,” I will my thoughts into Theo’s mind. He smiles against my thigh, his breath warm against my skin .

“I see we are figuring out how to soulspeak. This accomplishment deserves to be rewarded.” He whispers.

I can feel my legs growing weak with pleasure, my body trembling beneath his touch. Theo’s hands move lower, slipping off my panties to find my wetness. He groans as he feels how ready I am for him, his fingers sliding easily inside me. I buck my hips against his hand, my body craving more of his touch. He begins to move his fingers in and out, his thumb rubbing circles against my sensitive nub. I cry out in pleasure, my body tense with need.

“That’s it, Rose,” Theo growled, his voice low and full of desire. “Come for me.”

I give in to his demand, my body reacting eagerly to his every touch. My muscles tighten as I allow myself to climax, releasing a loud cry of ecstasy. My juices drench his hand as he slowly withdraws his fingers, leaving me with a sense of longing. He brings his fingers to his mouth, savoring my taste.

“Take me,” I beg, my voice barely above a whisper. “Make love to me, Theo. I need you inside me.”

His smile is wolfish as he deftly rolls me onto my stomach as his hand supports my back. I push myself up onto my knees while he moves into position behind me. He teases me for moment, rubbing the head of his member against my wetness before finally pushing inside.

I gasp as he fills me to the brim, my walls stretching to accommodate his size. He begins to move, thrusting slowly at first before building a steady rhythm. I push back against him, meeting him stroke for stroke.

Theo reaches around and begins to play with my sex, using his fingers to rub circles around the sensitive bundle of nerves. I moan as my pleasure builds higher and higher. He increases his pace, pounding me harder and faster as we both chase our release. I can feel myself getting closer, my muscles tensing as I approach the edge.

Theo’s firm hand connects with the soft flesh of my ass, the sound echoing through the room. I cry out in surprise, my body jolting forward before he swiftly pulls me back against him. His fingers dig into my hips as he smacks me again, the sting sending a jolt of pleasure straight to my core.

I moan, pleading with him to do it again. “Please, Theo. Harder.”

He obliges, the sound of his hand meeting my flesh fills my ears. I can feel the heat radiating off my skin, the sensation building with each smack.

With one final strike to my ass, I fall over the edge. My body convulses, my muscles contracting around Theo’s hard length as I release an intense and powerful orgasm that tears through me like a storm. Theo continues to pump in and out of me, prolonging my orgasm until I’m exactly as he wanted me— a trembling, quivering mess.

Theo is insatiable, his primal desire taking over as he grips my long, red hair, pulling me back against his muscular chest as he thrusts into me. His fingers tangle in my curls, tugging sharply as he groans in satisfaction. He wraps his other hand softly around my throat, holding me in place as he goes deeper and deeper. My breath hitches, but I revel in the feeling of being dominated by him.

Suddenly, he pulls out and flips me onto my back, hovering over me. He enters me again, his movements more urgent now. I feel his organ twitch and swell within me as he lets out a low groan, his body shaking as he reaches the peak of his pleasure. With one last, powerful thrust, he buries himself to the hilt and releases. His hot, thick seed filling me as my muscles continue to spasm and contract around him, milking every last drop, as I cry out in pleasure, completely spent.

He collapses next to me, his chest heaving as he tries to catch his breath. “Holy Gods, that was intense,” he says, his voice still husky with pleasure.

I can only nod in agreement, completely overwhelmed by the intensity of our lovemaking. My body still tingles from head to toe, and I can feel the wetness between my legs as a reminder of our passion.

Theo’s fingers trace gentle patterns across my skin, mapping out the contours of my body as though he’s memorizing every inch of me. “I meant what I said… you are mine,” he whispers, his words carrying a promise of protection and devotion. I feel a warmth wash over me as I realize that for the first time in my life, I’m truly wanted… truly loved.

“And you are mine,” I say in return .

Darkness envelops me as I drift into a restless sleep, my mind conjuring images that blur the line between reality and nightmare.

I find myself in a shadowy forest, the air thick with an oppressive silence. The trees loom tall and menacing, their branches reaching out like skeletal fingers.

In the distance, a figure emerges from the shadows—Prince Ruvyn. His eyes gleam with a sinister light as he drags a bound and struggling Mikyl through the underbrush. Mikyl’s face contorts with pain and fear, his muffled cries echoing through the stillness. Ruvyn’s grip is unyielding, his expression cold and calculating.

They reach a secluded clearing, where Ruvyn forces Mikyl to his knees. From his cloak, he produces a vial of liquid—Auraroot—its contents glowing with malevolent energy. He begins to mix the root with other dark substances, his movements precise and deliberate. Mikyl’s eyes widen with terror.

With a low, mocking whisper, Ruvyn forces the potion down Mikyl’s throat. “Let’s see how you fare with this,” he sneers. Mikyl convulses, his body wracked with pain as the lethal mixture takes hold. The darkness around them seems to pulse with a life of its own, feeding off Mikyl’s suffering.

I try to scream, to reach out and stop this horror, but my voice is trapped in my throat. The scene shifts once more, and I find myself standing in a pitch-black room. Mikyl is there, bound and broken, his eyes pleading for help. The shadows close in on him, suffocating and relentless.

I wake with a gasp, my heart pounding in my chest, drenched in sweat. The room is bathed in the soft glow of morning sunlight, but Theo is nowhere to be seen. Panic grips me, my breath coming in short, ragged bursts as the remnants of the nightmare cling to my mind.

I sit up abruptly, my eyes darting around the room, searching for any sign of him. The bathroom door swings open, bringing with it a waft of steam and Theo’s familiar scent. He appears wrapped only in a towel slung low around his hips, his skin glowing from the shower. Relief floods through me, and my breath catches in my throat as my eyes drink him in.

“Are you alright?” he asks, concern replacing his initial smile when he sees my furrowed brows.

I shake my head, unable to hide the turmoil within me. “I… had a nightmare,” I admit, my voice trembling. “It felt so real. Ruvyn… he was hurting Mikyl. I couldn’t do anything to stop it.”

Theo’s expression softens, and he steps closer, wrapping his arms around me. I bury my face in his chest, seeking comfort in his warmth and strength. “Before we head back to the capital, we should speak with Lord Erhorn,” I suggest, my voice muffled against his skin. “My intuition tells me that Prince Ruvyn may have played a role in Mikyl’s disappearance. I have a strong feeling about it.”

Theo nods in agreement. “I trust you, but we’ll need to be cautious.” he warns. “Ruvyn is cunning and unpredictable.”

“I’m counting on it,” I reply.

We descend the stairs to the main floor of the temple, where we are greeted by the sight of the four lords gathered in the large dining hall. They are quietly eating their breakfast, and we join them at the table. As I take my seat, a plate of freshly cut fruit appears before me on the table.

“I don’t think I will ever get used to that.” I soulspeak into Theo’s mind and he gives me a pleasant grin.

“There is still much to learn, my sweet.” I look over and he winks at me as a warm tingling sensation flows down along the nape of my neck, as if Theo were kissing me there. My body inadvertently quivers.

“I’m going to learn how to do that to you soon, just when you least expect it.”

“I can’t wait.” He replies proudly.

I take a deep breath, the lighthearted moment fading as I turn my attention to the matter at hand. “Lord Erhorn, I think we should discuss the possibility that Prince Ruvyn’s activities may have something to do with Mickyl’s disappearance.”

Lord Erhorn sets down his fork and leans forward, his expression grave. “I will not deny the fact that this has also occurred to me.” He gestures towards the other lords as he speaks. “Which is why we have all decided it is time to bring this matter to the attention of the King.” The lords around the table nod in agreement.

“We must proceed with caution,” adds Lord Phirel, voicing his own concerns. The room falls into a tense silence as the weight of the situation settles upon everyone.

Lord Klaern finally clears his throat, drawing all our eyes to him, “Phirel speaks wisely. We should also consider the possibility of a deeper intrigue at play. Perhaps this is a ploy to draw us out, to see how we react.”

Lord Ailwin nods in agreement, “We also must not act rashly, the prince is resourceful and has eyes and ears throughout the capital. We do not want anyone being accused of treason.”

A thought comes to me, and I speak it with confidence. “But the King is not just t he King anymore. He’s my father. I know we can use this to our advantage.”

Erhorn’s voice trails off as he lets out a soft sigh. “While that may be true,” he begins, “This also means that Prince Ruvyn… is your brother.”

The realization hits me like a punch to the gut. Ruvyn—my brother. The word feels foreign and bitter. The being responsible for so much turmoil, now possibly linked to Mikyl’s disappearance, shares my blood.

A wave of nausea rolls over me as I grapple with the truth. The thought of Ruvyn calling me “sister” feels like a cruel joke, a twisted mockery of the bond we should share. My mind races, trying to reconcile the image of the ruthless prince with the idea of family.

I glance at Theo, seeking solace in his steady presence. His eyes meet mine, filled with understanding and unspoken support. But even his comforting gaze can’t fully dispel the chaos within me. The room feels colder, the air heavier, as the implications of this revelation settle in.

The rest of the breakfast is a blur, my mind preoccupied with the newly understood relation to Prince Ruvyn. Does he know? Would it change things if he did? In the backdrop of my thoughts, I can hear the lords discussing strategies, but their words feel distant and alien.

I stand up abruptly, pushing back from the table. A collective silence falls over the room as all eyes turn to me. “I need some air,” I stammer out, feeling a sudden rush of claustrophobia in the grand dining hall and without waiting for a response, I turn and stride out, not bothering to conceal my distress. My heart beats fast, pounding with a rhythm that echoes my confusion and fear.

The garden offers a breath of fresh air and solitude I desperately need. The morning sun feels warm against my skin and the dewy grass tickles my bare feet. With a sigh, I sink to a stone bench tucked under the shade of an old willow tree.

A whisper of movement alerts me to Theo’s presence before he steps out from behind the tree line. His eyes find mine immediately—they always do—and even from this distance, I can see worry etched into his handsome features.

“Theo,” I manage to say before he reaches me.

“I’m here,” he responds softly, dropping down beside me on the bench. His hand finds mine, fingers intertwining like they were made for this very purpose.

“Ruvyn...” My voice trails off but there’s no need for words. Theo understands.

We stay silent for what feels like eternity. The love and understanding that radiates from him feels like an anchor amid my rolling sea of emotions.

“You do not have to face him alone,” Theo finally breaks the silence, his voice so low that it blends with the rustling willow leaves. “We are in this together.”

I squeeze his hand in acknowledgment, feeling a spark of strength ignite within me. This new-found relation does not absolve Ruvyn of his deeds, whether or not he is my brother.

“We should return to the capital soon.” I suggest, rising from the bench and pulling Theo with me. His gold eyes meet mine, filled with a purpose mirroring my own.

“Yes,” he agrees, pressing a kiss to my forehead before letting my hand go. “Let’s tell Erhorn about our plans. ”

We walk back into the temple, and I feel an odd sense of calm wash over me. Perhaps being related to Prince Ruvyn doesn’t change anything at all. Maybe it simply gives me another reason to fight for what’s right.

And fight… I will.