Sapphire Falls (The Lost Realm #2)

28. Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Morgan

M organ was back in the throne room where she’d shot Jasper. Despite the attempts to clear the room of evidence, Morgan had found the spot where a bullet wedged itself into the floor, leaving a small nick on the polished stone where someone had pried it out. She slipped off her heels and rubbed the spot with her bare foot, reminding herself that it actually happened. She'd actually shot a man in this very room.

The strange thing was that she still didn’t regret it. She thought she’d have some feelings other than satisfaction and relief, but she didn’t. Those feelings never came, and she suspected they never would.

Avery was alive and getting the fairy tale ending to her story.

Morgan pressed her foot back into the tall heels and looked around the crowded room. Susan left to get them both drinks, but Morgan had hesitated, wanting to give herself this reminder of what she’d done here.

When she thought about it, she knew she was living her own sort of fairy tale story too. She was dressed in the finest gown she’d ever seen, ready to join a royal ball. The silver hue was cast in starlight, shimmering and illuminating slightly as she moved. The full skirt and corseted waist made her feel elegant.

But despite the kiss she shared with Rylo, Morgan didn’t want a prince charming to sweep her off her feet. She wanted control, knowledge, and she could gain those things right here in Nephel.

Even today as she and Susan got dressed together, Morgan practiced a spell she’d read in an ancient text. The spell was a way the old witches communicated mind to mind, and Susan had managed to speak directly into Morgan’s mind. Eventually, Morgan could do it back.

Morgan wondered how far she could communicate with Susan when one of them was practicing that incantation. She muttered the incantation under her breath and her mind opened up, like it was creating a pathway between herself and Susan. She searched the crowd and directed her thoughts to her friend’s mind.

Does this work from across a room? Morgan asked as she pressed into Susan’s mind.

She couldn’t make out Susan’s thoughts. Rather, when she pressed into Susan’s mind, Morgan could feel her friend’s presence, like they were touching. They’d already tried sending images or emotions across the connected minds, but nothing else seemed to work.

I can hear you clearly. Would you prefer a Bayberry cider or red wine from Nephel?

Morgan couldn’t help but smile at the voice echoing in her mind. It was like having a walkie talkie in her brain. Magic like this definitely beat out any human technology she was missing.

I better try the Bayberry cider.

Morgan saw Susan gliding across the room, carrying two glasses in her hand. All around her, tall winged fae mingled and drank, a giddy energy filled the room.

Good choice. Where are you?

Still by the bullet hole, which is totally morbid. I’ll meet you by that pillar with the sun on it.

Susan smiled at her as they found one another and she passed Morgan her cup. The liquid was bright green, unlike any cider she’d ever seen. She took a sip and she never thought her taste buds could actually dance until now.

“So that was a fun experiment. Can I just take a minute to geek out on how cool learning magic is?”

Susan paused momentarily, like she was contemplating asking what Morgan meant before she said, “I haven’t had this much fun learning magic since I was young. In a way, I’m happy we’re both here, with the library and our shared interest in experimenting with our magic.”

Morgan took another drink of her cider and giggled. “What’s in this stuff? It’s delicious!”

Susan took another sip of her own cider. “It’s made from a rare tree that only grows in Bayberry. It’s quite strong.” Susan giggled at her own statement.

Morgan’s stomach growled and her next drink of cider seemed to go straight to her head. “You know, for being a night celebrating feasting, there’s a serious lack of food around here.”

There were a few servants walking the room with trays of dainty hors d'oeuvres. Morgan grabbed a bite of crusty bread topped with some cured meats and a spicy sauce. Could one of the fae servants trick her into spilling her secrets if she ate something off this tray? She didn’t know how far those rules went.

“In Bayberry, the celebration begins at midnight and we eat, drink, and dance for two nights straight. There’s a large bonfire and folk will dance around the fire until they collapse in exhaustion. It’s all vegetarian food too. I miss not needing to check if the food I’m about to consume contains meat.”

“Do you wish you were home?” Morgan asked, wiping crumbs from the corner of her lips and feeling a bit guilty about snarfing down some meat in front of Susan.

“I miss home, but in a way, no. I was never allowed to leave. There was too much danger in someone discovering that I’m a human. But now that everyone knows, I have freedom that I’ve never known before.”

Morgan knew what Susan meant. She missed her parents fiercely, and was worried about what they were experiencing with the loss of both their daughters. But, being in Aeritis had awakened something in Morgan that she would have never known if she remained on Earth.

Trumpets blared, echoing off the high ceiling that danced with starlight. Morgan turned to where the sound came from. Fae were moving close around the balcony and the two witches walked together to join the group.

Elio landed on the arm of a gorgeous fae woman. Her cascading blonde hair reached her pristinely white wings. Morgan looked at Susan. Despite the placid smile, her eyes gleamed with jealousy. Behind them, Rylo landed, Selene at his side. She wore a violet gown, encrusted in jewels. The damn thing probably had tens of thousands of dollars worth of gems on it.

But it was Rylo who made her breath escape her in a gasp. His graceful golden wings were out on full view, a magnificent glow to his presence, and his clothing was a brilliant gold, perfectly matching the subtle hues of his wings. His crown seemed to be kissed with sunlight. It was all too much, looking at this perfect man that had kissed her with such unrelenting passion only a day ago.

She turned her face down to the effervescent green drink in her hand, hearing the servants announce King Rylo’s arrival. As he walked past, she couldn’t help but look up at him. His face was the perfect picture of indifferent royalty, but for a moment he met her eyes and gave her the faintest hint of a smile, his dimple making a quick appearance. Her stupid heart deceived her as it clambered in her chest. She wasn’t actually interested in this king, and why would he want her? He could, and probably had been with any of these super model beauties in the room. Hell, he probably had something with Selene. She was always at his side, after all.

Rylo took a seat on his throne, a drink in his hand, as music began. Fae all around her began partnering up to dance. Elio approached them, taking a long gulp of the green Bayberry cider in his glass.

“How are the witches this evening?” he asked, his charming smile obviously for Susan only.

“We are well,” Susan said, a blush on her cheeks as she took another sip of her own drink.

“Susan, would you like to dance with me?” he asked.

She frowned. “What about the woman you flew in with?”

Elio wrinkled his nose. “That’s my cousin. She’s distantly related to Rylo too. She’s my link to royalty.”

“Oh! Your cousin!” Susan said, beaming.

Elio smiled back at her, and Morgan felt a pang of jealousy at the way he looked at Susan. His desire for Susan was earnest, without games or tricks. “Yes, my cousin, Susan. I enter the feast with her every year. Now, would you do me the honors of dancing with me?”

Susan looked at her with a pleading expression.

“Go, I’ll be fine,” Morgan insisted.

“Thank you, Morgan!”

Susan gave a cheerful wave and walked toward the growing throng of dancing fae. It was fine that she was alone. She didn’t need to dance or laugh, or feel wanted and beautiful. Really, hanging out alone by the pillar was perfectly fine.

Morgan watched as the room began to spin with twirling couples. Some took to the air, dancing to the music above the rest of the crowd, delicate feathered wings spread out like fans. The dancing couples’ wings pushed a warm breeze around the room, cooling Morgan’s perspiring face.

“This may be the only time I wish I had Nepheli wings,” a deep voice said from beside Morgan. Her attention was snapped away from the enthralling movement overhead to a man she’d never seen before. His skin was so white it appeared pale blue. He had bright blue eyes and a smile of sharp teeth. The man’s hair was the color of purple seaweed Morgan once saw while on vacation along the Oregon coast. A faint scaly pattern dotted the man’s skin. Despite his strange, and obviously inhuman features, the man had this striking air about him that caught Morgan’s breath.

She wasn’t scared. She wasn’t even nervous standing in front of this man. Instead she felt intrigued. Like she wanted him to whisper all his secrets to her, and she’d happily listen.

“They make me wish I could fly too,” Morgan said with a quick grin.

He smirked with shark-like teeth, saying, “I’m Kai. You are?”

Morgan stuck out her hand, offering to shake his, but he didn’t take it. “Morgan. You’re not from Nephel, are you?”

Kai shook his head, “What gave it away? Are my gills showing again?”

The cider must be working overtime on her, because Morgan laughed like he was cracking the funniest joke she’d ever heard. “What are you, a mermaid?”

The man leaned in close, his chest was near enough to press against hers, and Morgan felt her back bump into the pillar behind her. “Do I look like a maid to you?” His voice was so deep, it rumbled.

Morgan gulped in a breath of air. She knew better than to start something with one of these fae, but damn, that voice alone made her toes curl.

“Merman then?”

“Sea fae. The ambassador.” His mouth turned up in a flirty smile as he said, “And you, curious little creature, must be the witch I’ve heard so much about, the kingslayer. I’ve been wanting to lay my eyes on you, but King Rylo has done a thorough job keeping you sequestered from the rest of the court. Now that I have, I do not think I’d like to stop looking.” Kai’s hair fell in an effortlessly handsome way across his face. “Can I get you a drink?”

Morgan wasn’t so entranced that she was going to accept a drink from a man she had no reason to trust, even if she did feel like she was under a bit of a spell being around him. “I can get my own. Want to join me?”

Kai winked at her as he pressed his hand to the small of Morgan’s back, leading her across the room to the side tables with glasses.

“Of course.”

Morgan looked around to the couples pairing off around the room. Some were just dancing to the rhythmic beat of the music. A couple was clearly making out on the dance floor, limbs entwined together as they held glasses of plum red wine in their free hands. Other couples were moving to the dark corners of the room. There were black gossamer curtains running along alcoves of the room and to the balcony. Their midnight dark fabric seemed to glow slightly, like it was sprinkled with stardust. She could make out figures behind the alcoves through the diaphanous fabric. Some were obviously stripped of their elegant ball gowns.

Was this party becoming an orgy? Already? They’d hardly even eaten anything and these dignified and snobby Nepheli were going straight to public sex. Maybe she’d been mistaken about what the fae meant by feasts .

And yeah, that was definitely the direction this party was headed as she made out the outline of wings brushing against spread thighs behind the thin curtain.

As they walked toward the wine table, Kai kept his hand on Morgan’s lower back, making small circles with his thumb. Morgan wasn’t opposed to hooking up with a random sea fae. Actually, the thought excited her. She hadn’t had sex in months, and even though he had inhuman features, she found Kai attractive in a way she would have scoffed at two months ago. Plus, he hadn’t seemed disgusted by the thick scars tracing her face and neck. It would be better if there were no attachments the first time she hooked up with someone after her body was scarred.

Back at home, she’d like to go to Missoula to have a one night stand every once in a while. It gave her just the tiniest taste of letting go of the pressures and expectations that she placed on herself. Letting herself be free every once in a while was always her little reward when she got through a particularly stressful project at work.

Kai pointed to the deep, plum colored wine. “Have you heard of the Bayberry wine that heightens pleasure?”

Morgan quirked her mouth into a half smile. “So that’s what all these fae are drinking? I was wondering why this place was turning into an orgy.”

“Yes, it seems this vintage is quite potent, and it was distributed before the actual feasting.”

Morgan slid her arm across Kai’s torso toward the empty wine glasses. Damn, she could feel how hard his muscles were from just that small touch. She reached for a glass and lifted the deep purple wine. “And you’d like to share this wine with me?”

Kai leaned down until his lips pressed against Morgan’s ear. “If you agree to enjoy it with me, of course.”

Butterflies fluttered through Morgan’s stomach and she poured the glass of wine for herself, swishing it in the glass. The heady scent of fermented fruit filled her nose. “Before I drink this, do you have protection? Because I’d like nothing more than to hook up with you.”

Hard lines formed above the ridge of his nose, confusion in his eyes. “Protection from what?”

“You know, like a condom? So I don’t get some fae venereal disease.”

He looked like he was swallowing down a laugh. “There’s no such thing as a venereal disease, thank the Goddess. You’re funny, Morgan.”

Morgan just rolled her eyes. “Of course there isn't. I’ve got an IUD so you don’t have to worry about me getting pregnant.”

Kai brushed his hand across Morgan’s cheek and she had to stop herself from wincing as he touched her scars. “You think of everything, don’t you?” He pressed his lips to her temple and began working his way down her face. His lips were cool and she could smell a faintly salty scent on his skin, sweet and cool, like an ocean breeze. Yeah, this was exactly what she needed. A man who wasn’t Rylo. Who didn’t look at her with those amber hued eyes and leave her body craving more and more from him, while her mind knew he was trouble.

She wanted uncomplicated passion without any of the issues that would come with fucking the king who controlled her entire life.

Morgan brought the lust potion to her mouth, draining the cup before she could second guess her decision. The sticky sweet flavor danced across her tongue as she poured more into the glass. Kai’s lips were on her neck, making her skin raise in goosebumps, pleasure rippling through his touch. Everything felt enhanced, like she could immediately feel more. Heat began to build under her skin, and the heavy, embroidered dress suddenly felt far too constraining.

She pulled back enough to look at him, sparkling blue eyes met hers and she lifted the cup to his mouth. He drank greedily and without hesitation.

A voice echoed through her mind. Are you okay? Did you just drink the Bayberry wine?

Susan.

Of course she was keeping an eye on her.

Morgan looked across the room, meeting Susan’s gaze. She held a glass of Bayberry wine and Elio stood behind her, his arms wrapped tightly around her.

I’m fine. I knew what I was drinking and chose to share it with Kai here. Are you okay?

I think I may be so happy I don’t think this is actually my life. Check in if you need me. Susan’s presence faded from her mind, and Morgan turned her attention back to Kai.

“You’re so unexpected,” he said, taking her hand in his and pulling her toward the dancers.

Her limbs felt needy with desire to tangle her body around Kai’s strong frame. Morgan began to feel an ache between her legs. She needed friction against her aching core, and soon.

A glimmering flash of wings crossed in front of her, severing her connection to Kai’s hand. Morgan gasped at the rigid silky plumage that had slammed against her hand.

“If you wish to keep your meager life a few moments longer, I suggest you remove your hand from what is mine.” Rylo smirked at Kai before he turned his attention to her, and she didn’t know if the look on his face was disgust or desire. All she knew was that she’d never seen someone so gorgeous in all her life. His skin was aglow, his hard body so enticing beneath the finery of his clothing. She had to pry her eyes over to Kai to keep from gawking at the King. Kai, who was being blocked by Rylo’s fully spread wings.

How big were those wings anyway? His wingspan was enormous .

Her shadows that had been easily kept at bay all evening danced up and around his legs, like puppies who missed their master. She tried to draw them back in, but they bucked, frantic to not lose contact with the Sun King.

“How many times do I have to say you are mine, pet?” Rylo purred. How dare he hit her with the possessive bullshit right now?

Her nipples hardened into tight peaks, rubbing the silky fabric of her dress. It was all she could do to not fall into his arms. Damn, her stupid body was betraying her in the worst possible way. If she’d known Rylo would go all domineering asshole like this, she would have avoided the lust potion.

“I’m not your anything!” Morgan seethed, her breath came out in a pant as images of Rylo’s hard and naked body over hers came into her mind.

Rylo turned to Kai, and Morgan couldn’t see what look he gave the sea fae, or what he might have murmured. But whatever it was, Kai momentarily cowered. Oh fuck, he was going to leave her with Rylo, wasn’t he?

“I apologize for intruding, King Rylo. Morgan, thank you for sharing a drink with me,” Kai said as he turned and walked into the crowd of onlookers.

“Wait! You don’t have to leave. I wanted to share this night with you, Kai!” But Kai didn’t even bother to look back at her.

Rylo leaned in closer. His spicy scent filled her senses. “It seems all you will be sharing with the sea fae is the wine.”

“Thanks for cock blocking me, asshole!” Morgan shouted over the throng of onlookers talking as the music that continued its evocative beat.

“I’m not having my pet embarrass me at my own feast. Now, come on.” Rylo reached his arms around Morgan before she could protest, picking her up like she weighed nothing at all. His long, lean arms pressed her close to his chest and he lifted them both into the air, flying over the guests.

Morgan had no intention of leaving the party, especially forcibly in Rylo’s arms. She hit his chest, making her small hands into fists. She kicked at his grasp around her legs and wriggled.

“Put me down! Let me go!” she shouted, but Rylo looked at her with pure smugness as he beat his powerful wings toward the balcony. Servants pulled the gauzy curtains back, exposing the room to the night air and the couples seeking privacy on the balcony.

The chilled breeze hit Morgan and she sucked in a deep breath. Her skin was still so heated from that lust potion that the coolness of the night came as a shock. She continued to wriggle in Rylo’s arms, but the reason behind her struggle began to shift. She couldn’t help it. The friction between their bodies felt so good against her touch-starved skin.

Rylo tightened his grip on Morgan’s thigh as he flew higher into the dark sky. The moan she let out should have embarrassed her, but she couldn’t think about that. She couldn’t even remember why she’d been mad at him for interfering with Kai. Why would she choose Kai when Rylo wanted her and she wanted him?

His hand stroked her thigh, slow and methodically. Her blood was going to heat to a boiling point if he kept touching her that way.

“Ah, damn Rylo, your touch feels so good.”

Rylo smiled down at her, landing in a familiar space that Morgan quickly realized was his private rooms. His bedroom.

“That’s the wine talking, pet. You shouldn’t have drank that Bayberry concoction,” Rylo said, walking past her as he slid the golden jacket off, leaving him in only a thin white linen shirt.

She could see every outline of his sculpted chest and abs through the dim light; his skin giving off a faint glow that accentuated every crest and ridge of his body.

No, there wasn’t anyone she wanted to be with tonight but the Sun King. Denying that had been a lie.

She moved close enough to grasp the hem of his soft shirt between the tips of her fingers, pulling him toward her. Standing in heels, she was almost tall enough to line her face to his chin.

Heat intensified through Morgan, and she thought she couldn’t survive another minute without Rylo’s hands on her. Touching her inflamed skin, pressing his lips to hers, stroking and exploring every inch of her over sensitive body.

She pressed herself against him, feeling the hardness of his cock through the thick layers of her dress.

“You want me. You want me and you haven’t even had a drop of that sex wine.” Morgan’s voice was laced with desire. So much desire that she should feel embarrassed by her blatant lust for Rylo.

She wrapped her arms around Rylo’s neck, crashing her lips against his in a searing kiss. She kissed him like her life depended on his mouth against hers, and to her delight, he kissed her back eagerly. Her core was throbbing and needy. If she didn’t get some relief soon she might just implode.

Rylo tore his mouth from hers, tugging his shirt from her hands as he backed away. She watched as he poured himself a glass of wine and sat down in a chair. The same chair he’d been in when she woke and saw him watching her sleep.

“Sorry, pet. I can’t do this.”

Morgan’s aching, burning body seemed to throb more with the challenge.

“What do you mean? You took me away, made that huge gesture in front of everyone, and now you’re not going to fuck me?”

The slightest dimple popped on his cheek as he smirked at her. “I don’t fuck women who are under the influence of that wine.”

“So now you’re an altruistic asshole? You literally kidnapped my sister.”

Rylo shrugged, stroking his chin with his long fingers. How she wanted those fingers inside her. “But I never harmed her, and look how it worked out for her. She’s queen now, according to my spies.”

Morgan’s skin prickled with the need to be touched. She was going to die from arousal. Spontaneous combustion.

“Then bring me back to Kai. Please.” She wasn’t above begging at this point.

She had to get out of this dress. Breathe. Calm down. Or at least get herself off if he wasn’t going to do it.

Morgan tugged on the corseted back, finally loosening the stays and letting the heavy gown drop to the floor. She stepped out, wearing only some lacy undergarments and her heels.

The look on Rylo’s face was pure torture. Gone was the smug, bored king. The man who never let his true emotions show, always looking indifferent. No, now he looked like a man completely undone. Like one more moment and he would lose complete control over whatever was keeping him in that seat.

Morgan traced her fingers down her throat to the swell of her breasts.

“Goddess help me, you’re beautiful, pet. And I bet you’re burning from all that wine you drank. I can smell your arousal. You’re so needy for my cock, aren’t you?”

Morgan cupped and squeezed her breasts, feeling the tension in her rise. She let out a harsh laugh. “You’ve made it clear you’re not offering up your dick to me tonight. I’ll take care of my needs myself.”

Rylo let out a low hum, leaning back in his chair, wings tightly tucked behind him. She watched him lift the wineglass to his lips. A small drop rested on his lower lip and never had Morgan ever wanted to be a droplet of wine so badly as she did in this moment as Rylo’s tongue sucked it back into his mouth.

Her throbbing core needed relief now.

She walked backwards to the bed, letting her hands explore her own body as she went, then positioned herself where she’d make sure Rylo knew just what he was missing out on.

Her hands roamed her flesh, enjoying the texture of the lace against her skin. Rylo watched with those intensely glowing eyes as she spread herself before him, and began to circle her clit. She was already on the edge of climax from the wine alone, and it wouldn’t take long before she found her pleasure. She slid two fingers into herself, making sure Rylo could see everything.

Tension coiled deep inside her, building quickly as she set a rhythm that had her ready to scream. When she fell over the edge, she closed her eyes, letting her body ride the waves of her release. As the waves of her orgasm slowed, she opened her eyes and saw Rylo hovering just above her, wings spread.

She searched her mind for a way to connect to his. She didn’t know why she was trying, maybe because she liked shocking him. He, who never seemed shocked by anything.

There. His mind was like a fluorescent light, beaming and active with connectivity. Linking her mind to his felt easier than connecting with Susan, more natural as she slid in.

Don’t you wish you’d been the one to give me that orgasm? She said into his mind.

His eyes widened and he stepped back.

“How did you?” he stammered.

Kiss me like I’m yours.

Rylo pressed his body to hers, then swept her up in a searing kiss that made her see stars.