Chapter 26 – One Last Night
Despite the coronation, Storm Spire didn't have much of a celebration that night. Instead, everyone spent their time preparing for the battle that would come the next day. Some spent it training, drinking, or performing rituals, each elf, human, and dragon readying themselves how they wished to. The newly crowned prince had just spent several hours with the generals, mages, and captains before deciding there was something he himself needed to do before the coming fight.
Heading towards the royal antechamber, he found her looking out over the clouds. "Thought I would find you here," he said as he walked over and took hold of her hand. "How are you feeling?"
"Anxious," Rayla sighed as she stared out at the clouds. "But I will do my duty to protect the queen."
"I know you will Rayla." He squeezed her hand. "I couldn't ask for a better guard."
Touching the stone on her chest, she smiled softly. "How was your meeting?"
"We've gone over the plan a hundred times. We're ready for whatever that monster throws at us."
The Moonshadow elf glanced at him with a slight worry in her eyes. "Callum…will…will you be alright… if you have to face him? After everything…"
"After everything he did to me, it's time for some payback," he told her, leaning over and brushing his cheek against hers. "I'll be fine. I know I can do this. You give me enough strength to do this. Don't worry."
"No matter what you say, I'll still worry about you," she sighed, rubbing her cheek against his in return. "I hate that this plan will have us separated. I should be by your side."
"I have an army protecting me," he said, squeezing her hand in his. "And my mother and brother have you protecting them." He breathed into her ear, then leant back, looking into her eyes to search them for a moment. "Rayla…tomorrow…tomorrow may be our last day."
"Don't-"
"I know it won't be. I know we will win. We will stand together again but…there's still the chance. Despite all our plans, we may…we may fail, and it all may end. And…with that risk…knowing that tonight could be our last night, I can't let it pass unmarked."
The guard frowned at him. "What do you mean?"
A smirk came to his lips, and he leaned in to kiss her firmly. His arm wrapped around her hip, pulling her towards him. The elf didn't need much encouragement as she leaned forward, wrapping her arms around his neck and scratching him behind the ear.
His moan against her was intoxicating and she almost moaned too when he pulled away. He stared at her with a half-lidded gaze. "Rayla," he whispered, his voice suddenly deeper.
Before she could reply, he knelt slightly and picked her up off the ground. Her startled yelp just made him grin as he carried her across the chamber to one of the doors. Still holding her, he easily opened it.
Inside was a chamber carved into stone, clearly meant for a dragon. The walls were empty, aside from the lanterns of blue flame that illuminated the space. A collection of various, soft, dark blue pillows and blankets were gathered together in a large, messy area on the floor.
As the prince gently laid her down, the elf glanced at them with blush as she thought of another possible description: a nest.
"Cal-" she started, but was soon silenced when he kissed her once more. His hands wandered, exploring her body. They made her feel like she was melting, and she couldn't fight off the urges within her.
As he had said, this could be their last night together. So, she gave in.
~#~
Panting for breath, the dragon stared down at the sight below him. Her hair was tossed, her cheeks flushed, and eyes closed as she slowly recovered. Her eyes slowly crept open to look at him, and with a soft smile, she reached up and caressed his cheek.
A smile of his own formed on his lips as he leaned down and nuzzled into her neck. He kissed her skin gently, listening to her moans of delight at his caress, but he soon pulled back, leaning towards her ear. "Get some sleep."
"C-Callum."
"Shhh," he whispered, lying down and wrapping his arm around her. "Sleep."
Exhausted, Rayla sighed and rolled in the nest of pillows around her, eyes closing once more and snuggling into him. He moved closer to her, his tail wrapping around her leg comfortingly while he pulled one of the blankets over them both.
Slowly, they both drifted off into a calm sleep, listening to each other's breaths and heartbeats.
Hours later, Rayla shifted slightly, feeling a good kind of tired as she slowly stretched out, her joints cracking back into place. She looked around the room before settling down, leaning on the dragon's arm as he watched over her, but had since fallen asleep.
She smiled as she remembered his touch, the look in his eyes, the sound of his voice calling her name, the delight of the night before. Slowly, she reached up and softly brushed some of his hair to the side, knowing she would do anything to protect him.
The touch disturbed his sleep and he slowly opened his eyes, smiling instantly when he saw her. "Hey," he whispered, his voice sounding a little hoarse.
Despite the thousands of things she wanted to say to him, the only thing she could think of was to say "hey" back.
He didn't seem to mind as he nuzzled into her neck and sighed. "You look beautiful this morning," he purred as he leant over her, making sure the only thing she could see was him. "I wish I had my book right now. I could spend forever drawing you."
She rolled her eyes at him, stroking his hair back. "Silly lizard."
"Your silly lizard," he corrected, hovering over her lips.
Despite herself, the elf blushed and nodded. "Yeah…my silly lizard."
"Always," he whispered back with a kiss.
They ended up brushing against each other's bodies, letting out little moans as they did. Just as it got a little more heated, Callum rolling her over so she was on top of him, someone opened the door. "Your majesty!" The guard charged in, but then froze when he saw the pair.
Callum's eyes became furious slits as he pushed Rayla off him and sat up, his wings spread wide to cover her from this stranger's gaze. "Tell anyone what you saw and I will kill you!" he growled darkly, "Now what do you want?"
"Th-the enemy has been spotted, sire," the elf reported, clearly shaken by what he'd witnessed and the threat. "Th-they will be here in a few hours."
Calming slightly, the dragon nodded. "Very well. Now get out!"
The man bowed before hurrying away and closing the door behind him.
Callum sighed, then turned back to Rayla who had found a blanket to cover her body with. "I guess we need to get ready."
While he didn't want to let her get dressed and leave his side, he knew they had to. So, he shifted closer to her and kissed her lips firmly once more before pulling back. Without saying anything, he stood up and walked further into the room, not bothering to cover himself as he did. He picked up a box that had been placed in the corner, and brought it over to her, setting it down gently. "This is for you," he said with a smile, then grabbed his clothes and left the room.
Once she was alone, Rayla opened the box and gasped when she saw what was inside. Armour of a metallic, storm colour, and an emblem like the one on her badge.
~#~
Callum sighed as he looked out over the sky, head held high and breathing steady as he prepared himself for the fight. He'd dressed in the armour gifted by the Sunfire elves and wore his crown upon his brow. The sword hung at his side, and a shorter, more practical cloak draped behind his back.
"Hey, lizard!"
He smiled at the call and turned to face her as she came out of the room. Her normal outfit was now replaced with a light blue uniform, topped with silver metal. Her chest was covered with a breastplate, opening to a high collar. Her shoulders were protected with spaulders that had small, purple gemstones to keep them in place. The underskirt beneath her armour came down over her hips, and over her wrists were braces of the same metal. Her weapons were sheathed at her sides and she gave him a cheeky smile. "How do I look?"
"Perfect," he said, holding his hand out for her. She took it and stood by his side. The elf watched as he leant closer to rest his brow against hers, breathing in her smell.
She allowed him, her eyes closing until she felt her heart steady once more. "Callum. Promise me you'll be careful."
"I swear Rayla. I will come back to you." He smiled and leant back, making sure to kiss the back of her hand. "Protect my mother."
"I will."
"Until we meet again Rayla," he said, kissing her lips softly before turning to head to his post.
"Wait! Callum!"
He stopped and watched her run over to him and grab his hand, quickly sliding something onto his finger. He looked at the ring on his hand, then at her. "W-wh…"
"It was my mother's. I want you to have it, for good luck."
He smiled with a nod, closing his hand into a fist. "I will keep it safe until the end of the battle. Then I'll give it back to you."
"It's a deal. Now go." She smiled at him and gave a little bow. "Your Highness."
"I think I prefer you calling me 'lizard'," he teased, flicking his tail as he headed off once more.
SL: As much as Ray and I would like to write a 'bow chicka wow wow' scene…this story is suitable for ages 13+…so we had to cut it. Sorry. But if you go to Ray's Wattpad or my AO3 account and look for 'Extras and Prompts', you will find the cut 18+ scene.
Also, omg, it's almost over! One more week and that's it! T-T
RK: We're almost done...that's...that's weird to think about...like, bruh. T-T
SL: It's so close to being over. *clings to Ray with tears in eyes.* I don't want it to end!
RK: *clings back* Me neither!
