Scars and Burns (No Light Without the Dark #1)

47. Aeron

47

Aeron

S he healed me! She fucking healed me! Of course she has the ability to heal. She’s her Mother’s daughter.

After we were interrupted I teleported to my own chambers. I could have killed whoever was at that door. We were just getting started.

She was eager.

Hungry.

She wanted me.

But I’ve waited too long to not show her true pleasure. Waited far too long to rush the moment together.

I watched as her eyes rolled back in her head. Heard her sensual, breathless moans. Felt her roll into my movements. Guiding me towards her center. Her sweet core. The most delectable thing I’ve ever had. I could drink her in every day for the rest of my life and never tire. I can still taste her on my tongue.

My fingers sliding inside of her with ease. Moving in tandem with my mouth as I worked her clit. My dick is still painfully hard against my slacks as I recall the way her pussy gripped my fingers. I only inserted two of them. Unsure of how much she could take. She will need at least a third to accommodate my size comfortably. But I cannot say there will not be even more of a split and stretch once I fully seat myself within her.

Her whispering cry that she was close was the most lustful melody to my ears. Watching, feeling her pussy pulse as she reached ecstasy.

I grip the railing of my balcony, my knuckles turning white. I will not finish, not unless it’s by her mercy.

My thoughts drift to the scars I felt on her body. Some were from battles, that was clear. But the ones I felt on her thighs as I lapped her up were a wonder. They were not battles wounds. Far to small and numerous. They were close together. Some felt old and scabbed over while others felt fresh as my fingers pressed into her skin.

These were self-inflicted wounds and I almost rip the railing off at the rage that burns inside of me at the realization. What kind of internal war has she been battling that has brought her to mutilate her Goddess given body.

I don’t even notice that Aemond is already there, too lost in what just happened.

He brings me out of my current state of mind when he says, “Soooo… are you gonna talk about it.”

Whipping my head towards him. He’s sitting on the balcony chair, leaning back casually.

“Talk about what?” I groan out.

Speaking through his laugh, “Your obnoxious hard on and the smell of sex on you. What have you done? Who have you done?”

He pauses for a moment, “Or should I ask who have you undone?”

My erection is finally starting to go down. I walk over and sit in the chair beside him. “Dinalia.”

An arrogant smile crosses his face. As if he knew this would happen. “Right and what does this mean for you now?”

“You as in her and I, or you as in just myself?” I counter. Seeing as he as always viewed the two of us as a pair.

He rubs his chin, “Both really. You can’t deny it anymore and based on this, neither can she. You both are trying to reject something that is out of your control. Regardless of whether you actually want to be with each other. Or you’re not willing to admit it. The Goddess has destined your souls together. Your will will not overcome the Goddess’s woven fate.”

I know he is right. But that complicates everything. Perhaps it wouldn’t if Dinalia were not so close with her sister. Her sister who I am manipulating into my grasp. Not to mention all of the secrets I still keep from her.

“What would you have me do?”

Aemond just looks at me. Seriousness on his face but also sincerity. “Finish it”

I look away. Wishing there was another way.

I ponder on his words. Feeling my chest where she just healed me and my whole body freezes at what my fingers brush over. Or rather what my fingers don’t brush over.

It’s smooth. Completely.

Not just of scars from where the demon had wounded me but of my burns. She healed the years of fire damage from my skin.

Aemond sighs, pulling me from my thoughts, to say, “I understand why this is difficult for you. As much as you don’t want to admit it but there has always been something about her that you are drawn to. And with your Father and Mother being well… them, it’s become easier to believe you are meant to venture through this life alone. You are meant to rule and you will rule well. But that cannot happen while the other realms still stand alone. Darkness cannot continue to descend. Your Father will decimate everything. Seal the deal with Saphrina, kill the others, and leave Dinalia out of it.Take what you are feeling for Dinalia and imagine it’s her when speaking with Saphrina. If she isn’t already lost in you, she soon will be. Make her believe it.”

“She’ll never forgive me.”

“Perhaps not. She may even loathe you for a time. But she, like you, cannot resist the Goddess’s fate. She will not be able to stay away. And one way or another you two will come together. Willingly or by force. Fate wills it so.”

He’s right. There is no room for error with what is about to take place. And I will not have her life on my hands. She will live.

We will live.

I’ll make sure of it.

* * *

It’s just before dinner. Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus are about to enter. He is meant to present her with a wedding gift. Something special and unique to his realm.

Dinalia is sitting at the high table next to King Elio. I keep looking in her direction discreetly, trying to avoid her eyes. In fear that I will not go through with what is necessary.

However, every time I look at her she is looking straight ahead. As if she has plastered another fake mask on her face to get her through the day. I never once feel her eyes glance over to me when I am not looking.

Is she avoiding me?

Finally, Princess Saphrina and Prince Proteus make their entrance. They are wearing matching attire. Similar in color. Complimenting and blending with each other perfectly.

They take their seats in their usual spots. Princess Saphrina to the left of King Elio and Prince Proteus to the left of her.

The room grows quiet. Silenced by Prince Proteus. The air fills with angst and suspense. All curious as to what he is about to gift his future wife.

Princess Saphrina keeps looking in my direction. Her eyes searching my face. I smile and nod at her. She is very pliable. Her eyes hold much longing and lust for me and it almost hurts to steal away her innocence.

That’s when I noticed it.

The pain in Dinalia’s eyes. Her outer shell cracked when she witnessed Saphrina and I’s interaction. She knows how Saphrina feels about me.

Does she believe it to be real?

Is she willing to let me go?

I look over to her but she doesn’t meet my eyes. I’m pulling on the thread that connects us. Knowing she feels it too.

She pitches forward ever so slightly. But unless you were watching her as intently as I am no one would notice. Her jaws clenches. I see the muscles twisting as she tries to keep it together. Her hands ball into fists in her lap.

I need to go to her. To wrap her in my arms and reassure her that everything is going to be alright.

My estrella, do not fret. I am truly only yours.

So brave and strong. So filled with life .

My gaze returns to Saphrina as Prince Proteus begins to speak.

His tenor voice fills the room. Gentle and endearing, as he says, “I’d like to start by thanking everyone for coming to celebrate my betrothal to the lovely Princess Saphrina. This marriage has long been in the making between our kingdoms and I am proud to take part in the peace that is to follow. However, this is not just a matter of state but a matter of the heart. Although Princess Saphrina and I have only known each other a short time. I see she is as magnificent as the stories say. Her beauty and grace follow the liking of the late Queen Freya. Her pure soul and kind heart filling my own. And with that, I am proud to gift her a star.”

The whole room gasps all at once. Stars are rare gifts indeed. Not to be given out sparingly. Although they are without numbers in our sky they hold tremendous power. It is said that each star in the sky is a life that has passed on. And if you hold enough power of your own, you may take that life for yourself. Giving someone the rare ability to give life in return. To bring the light in one’s soul back from the darkness of death.

It doesn’t matter which life or how far gone they are. If you have the light of a star it can bring someone back. Depending on the rarity of the star and its brightness. It can be used more than once. To bring back multiple lives. However, once the light of the star goes out that’s it.

I stare at the two of them. Saphrina rips her eyes away from mine and looks up at Prince Proteus. Shock on her face.

She probably wasn’t expecting such a grand gift since this was after all an arranged marriage.

I return my gaze to Dinalia. The same blank expression has returned to her face. Trying to once again distance herself from the world.

Clenching my own fist under the table. My whole body is tense but trying to keep my exterior calm. What I see next almost has me flying out of my seat. Hands ready to latch onto his throat and watch the life bleed from his eyes.

King Elio has placed a hand on the leg of my estrella.

It’s as if I was watching it in slow motion. His hand leaving his chin and slowly lowering it onto her leg. I can see it now. His thumb caressing her outer thigh. His other fingers gripping the inner side. His hand is right where mine were earlier. So close to her.

Too close .

I see the shock in her eyes. She snaps her head towards him. Almost breaking her own neck. Flinching at the touch. Glancing down at his hand. Disgust is evident in her body language. Though she keeps her face neutral.

If he continues to touch her, gets even slightly closer to her, this world is going to burn and not for the better.