The Sorrow of Shadows (Crimson & Shadows #1)

Chapter 23

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

AURELIUS

F eatherlight kisses trailing down my neck and Breyla’s honeysuckle citrus scent greets me the next morning. That, and a painfully hard erection. Before she could sense my awakened state, I have Breyla flipped and pinned beneath me, her hands secured above her head and my body between her legs. I slowly thrust against her core, providing just enough friction to frustrate her further.

“Good morning, little demon,” I whisper in her ear, my voice gravelly and thick with sleep.

“Good morning,” she half gasps, half pants in reply. I feel her legs wrap around my back, and she rocks her hips against me. No doubt she can feel exactly what her wakeup call has done to me.

“I suggest,” I pepper kisses down her throat, “you do not start something you can’t finish.” I leave little bites along her collarbone as my hand finds its way to her ass and squeezes. Lifting her hips up off the bed, I grind my cock into her again and again until she’s panting .

“I’m perfectly capable of finishing this, Aurelius.” Her voice is breathy and my utter undoing.

I capture her lips with my own and demand entrance with my tongue. She meets me stroke for stroke, moaning softly as I continue rolling my hips into hers. I pull away from her swollen lips to clarify, “I know you’re capable, Princess. Trust me, I plan to find out just how capable you are. But what I meant was, you lack the time to finish this right now.”

She groans in frustration. “Damn ball. Why does it take all day to prepare for these things?” Her bottom lip juts out in a pout that I find entirely too adorable on her. “Are you sure? I think we could spare a few minutes.”

“Oh, Princess. I’m going to make you eat those words. Nothing I do to you will take a few minutes. I will take hours to properly explore, devour, and worship every inch of you.” To drive her even crazier I skim my hand down the back of her thigh until I reach the edge of her undergarments. I pull them aside and run my fingers up and down her center. She is absolutely soaked for me.

She whimpers and rubs herself against my fingers, chasing pleasure in any way she can get it. I plunge two fingers inside her without warning and watch her back arch off the bed. I pump in and out several times, listening to the symphony of moans and whimpers she makes. I finally pull them out when I feel her inner walls begin to clench.

Her eyes flare wide at the sudden loss, and I can’t help but chuckle. I sit back on my knees, putting some much-needed space between our heated bodies. My lips quirk in a smirk as I suck my fingers into my mouth, savoring the tang of her arousal.

Visibly frustrated with me, she reaches her own hand down to relieve the pressure herself. I use my Hemonia Gift to freeze her hand in place right above her clit.

“No, I don’t think so,” I tsk. I roll away from her, sitting on the edge of my bed. “Ophelia and Lyla just entered the royal wing. They’re on the way to help ready you for tonight. If you want to slip back into your room unseen, I suggest you go now.”

A look of panic crosses her face. She isn’t ready for others to see us together, but I couldn’t give two shits. On any other day, I would hold her hostage in my bed, but it’s important to her and Genevieve that tonight goes smoothly. So, I will let her go for now.

She practically flies across the room to return to hers before Ophelia and Lyla can see her. I sigh and drag myself to the bathing room. The magic in our palace provides running water through the pipes that run through the walls. It’s a beautiful thing, but a cold bath is probably best for me right now.

I let the cool water wash over my heated body and try to calm my throbbing dick. As much as I want to stroke myself to the memory of her moans, I resist. I left her worked up and wanting, so I can abstain as well. I will have her. Soon.

It takes several minutes more, but I finally get my cock to soften. I quickly scrub my skin and wash my hair, combing my fingers through the shoulder-length black waves in an attempt to tame them. Freshly showered, I step out of the bathing chamber and dry off.

I dress in a black button-up dress shirt, rolling the sleeves up to my elbow. Black leathers hug the muscles of my thighs and I tuck my shirt into the waistband, securing everything in place with a black belt. I plan on waiting until the last possible moment to dress for the engagement ball. Is not showing up an option?

Fully dressed, I exit my chambers. I have shit to do today, but all I want is to drag the vixen next door back into my chambers and make her scream my name—repeatedly.

Deep in thoughts of Breyla, I nearly miss the figure across the hall from me as I close the door. When Ayden clears his throat, I inwardly roll my eyes.

“Good morning, Prince. Is there something you need? Or do you just enjoy haunting doorways and creepily staring at other’s rooms?” I had no patience for him today—or any day, really.

“Interesting,” he muses. “I could have sworn I already heard your door open and someone leave this morning. Yet here you are.” His eyes sparkle with mischief.

“Perhaps it was someone leaving Breyla’s chambers.” It was the most plausible lie I could come up with.

“Mmm, no. You see, I’ve noticed your door squeaks slightly when opened. Breyla’s is silent.”

Motherfucker. When did he have time to study our doors?

“Your point?” I say flatly.

“No point, just an observation, really.” He shrugs, then continues, “Are you looking forward to your engagement celebration this evening?”

“I’m ecstatic,” I reply dryly.

He quirks an eyebrow at me. “You should be. The queen is a beautiful female. And powerful. Quite the catch, if you ask me.”

“I didn’t, but thanks for your input.”

“Well, here’s some more input, My Lord. Try to be more discreet when you fuck your future stepdaughter.”

My blood heats, but I keep my expression neutral. “I’m not sure what you think you know, but I assure you I haven’t fucked anybody.” Yet.

“Maybe not, but you will. Her scent is all around your chambers; it’s not hard to do the math.”

I sigh, clearly done with this conversation, but Ayden is not. “Before you go, I have something for you.”

He disappears into his room momentarily before returning with a stack of documents. King Raynor’s red wax seal sits on the top document, right next to the black seal of Prince Ayden along with both of their signatures.

Fuck. “I thought this matter had been dropped.” My stomach sinks at the realization it was not forgotten.

“Not in the slightest. It was actually settled before Raynor’s death, but you had disappeared before I could deliver the documents. I wanted to make sure they were hand delivered to you. I’m sure you’ll see that the queen gets these?” It’s not really a question, but I nod anyway.

“Glad it’s settled, then. I’ll see you tonight.” He turns and leaves me alone with my thoughts.

This is not good.