It had been two weeks. Each night, the same painful nightmare plagued Aelin. She would wake with a scream on her lips and skin slick with sweat. No matter how much she ran, or trained, or danced, she could not shake the feeling that the dreams meant something more. Who did the voice belong to? What did it mean when it said it could be like this? As if her reality was not true. Aelin shook her head, trying to dash these questions away as she ran.
Keep going. Breathe. In, out. One step after the other. Harder, go harder. The golden light of the sun laid over every surface of the castle grounds only broken by her shadow skating across the gravel pathway.
It didn't help her restless mind that Prince Rowan had not come to her since the ball. Hell, he'd barely spoken to her beyond polite niceties. Her father would not tell her if he had even asked about courting her. Beyond brief eye contact in the dining hall, no one would ever guess they shared a mating bond. At each courteous nod or appropriate bow, Aelin's teeth ground together. Her fire wanted nothing else but to erupt, reach out to his ice and dance. With the amount of pent up nervousness and, let's be frank, sexual energy, she was surprised she wasn't a walking flame at this point.
Of course, it also did not help that she was storing up her power for the Autumn Equinox Festival. Each year she would dance as the Heir of the Fire, welcoming the changes of the season. However, this required a great deal of power and thus she had to dive down into it. She felt like a furnace most of the time, temperamental and wild. She had been chided by her father countless times already.
Veering off the gravel path, she ran towards the pond where Rowan and her had learned about each other. Or so she thought.
She was too hot. It was still very early and no one would be around to interrupt her. As she approached the edge of the water, she stripped her shirt off over her head and kicked her boots off. Making quick work of her chest wrappings, she tossed them aside and wiggled out of her pants. Even without the layers, she felt like the summer sun was beating down on her. The moment her toes touched the icy water, she sighed. Continuing into the water, sizzling noises emanated up and steam rose into the air. Finally Aelin dove below the surface. In the silence, she allowed herself to pretend the icy water was Rowan's large, strong body wrapping around her.
If not for her lungs, she could stay in that cold embrace forever, she thought. Kicking off the bottom of the muddy floor, she surfaced and sucked down a gulp of air.
"Feeling better, Princess?"
Aelin gasped, whipping around in the water towards the male voice. Crouching on the wooden dock was Rowan. He had that annoyingly handsome smirk on his face as he watched her. Despite herself she felt a glow in her chest begin at being in his presence.
Of course, she wouldn't let him know that. Dismissively she said, "Oh, it's you."
His silver brow quirked, "Yes, it's me. You don't sound pleased."
"Should I be pleased, Prince Rowan? It seems the only time you speak to me is when there is no chance for others to overhear." She languidly swam towards the dock, "Or when I'm naked. If anything I should be scandalized."
Aelin got satisfaction out of the tick in his jaw as he clenched his teeth. "I did not know you were naked."
She widened her eyes in mock surprise, "Do people not swim nude in Doranelle?" Aelin turns, so she faces the sky, doing a lazy backstroke. She glances up the prince knowing full well her curves are only slightly obstructed by the water. It's clear he's trying very hard to keep his eyes trained on her face.
"We do, but-," Rowan stops himself, shaking his head. "You're angry at me. Why?"
She stops suddenly, outrage lacing her reply. "Why? I said why. Gods, males are idiots."
His emerald eyes met her turquoise ones, unwavering. In a low voice, he intoned, "Tell me, did it occur to you, Aelin, that I might be keeping my distance for a reason?"
She stopped swimming.
"What are you talking about?"
"Your father is not an easy male to convince, Princess. Mating bond or not, I am from Doranelle. I needed to stay away from you until I could get him to allow the courtship."
Her brows furrowed, "Why?"
"Because," His white teeth gritted together. "You make me mad, Aelin."
For the first time in her adult life, Aelin was speechless. She gripped one of the posts of the dock as she stared up at the fae male.
"Every time you look at me, every smart comment you make, every swish of those damnable hips, I have to stop myself from having you at that very moment." Swiftly, he changed his position so he laid on his stomach on the dock, looking down at her. "You are spoiled, and annoying, but gods if I don't want you. I want you, heart, body and soul. If I allowed myself more than those looks, Princess… I would act a brute and steal you away to Doranelle, permission or no. So I had to stay away. I had to… to give you the courtship you deserve."
She felt a blush form over her cheeks. Aelin felt quite childish now, pouting because he would not pay her sweet compliments and steal kisses. She was about to apologize, when suddenly something occurred to her.
"You said you needed to stay away until my father approved the courtship. Does that mean…,"
His only response was a single nod.
A smile pulled at her lips, growing wider by the second. Biting her lip, she asked, "Do I still drive you mad, Rowan?"
He took a deep breath, letting it out raggedly, "Endlessly."
Wordless, she held a hand out of the water up toward him. Pushing up to his knees, he braced on the wood while reaching down and taking her hand. In a quick motion, he hauled her out of the water and suddenly she was pressed against his chest. He wrapped one strong arm around his waist and she placed hers around his neck.
"The feeling is mutual," She whispered. He laughed lightly and leaned down to kiss her. Their lips locked together and nothing felt more right. His lips were warm and soft, fitting perfectly against hers. When her tongue teased at the entrance of his mouth, he let out a groan that she felt vibrate through her chest. Their tongues danced and the only thing keeping them tethered to reality was when Rowan bit her bottom lip, tugging gently.
Aelin pulled away just enough to lean her forehead against his. She looked down at her wet, naked flesh pressed against his and sighed.
"This is quite the precarious situation we've found ourselves in."
Rowan laughed and it was the most beautiful sound Aelin had ever heard. He pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
"You are more than correct there. As tempting as it is to join you in a state of undress, I believe you have a festival to prepare for."
Rolling her eyes playfully, she cupped Rowan's cheek, "You're going to be a grown up in this relationship, huh?"
"It appears so." Relaxed joy played in the prince's eyes and he smiled at her.
Aelin stuck her tongue out.
"Buzzard."
"Go on and dress. I will see you tonight, Princess." He kissed her again, light but with a promise of what was to come. He turned quickly and ran up the dock.
Cupping her hands to her mouth, she called, "Good luck explaining why you have a woman-shaped water stain on your clothes!"
Rowan's laugh echoed through the wood and she was alone. But something told her, she would never feel alone ever again.
:::::::::
Hours later, Aelin padded down the stone steps towards the tents erected in the back courtyard of the castle. Her bare feet met the cool soil and her red painted lips turned up at the corners. Gentle notes of music danced over the crisp breeze that rustled the deep crimson of her gauze skirt. Hitting mid calf, it was just translucent enough to see her powerful legs beneath and matching leotard that hugged her curves. The neckline came up around her neck but left her arms free to move during the dance. Glittering rubies adorned the bodice and matching red flowers adorned her flowing curls.
Aelin's ladies in waiting went ahead of her, dressed in their own shades of black to announce her. Walking slowly to the edge of the circle she saw the familiar faces of vendors from the village, meat spinning on spits and spirits being passed around. Laugher, mirth, and excitement flowed through the crowds of people. She saw her own parents among the lords and ladies, making small talk. Nehemia and Dorian by the minstrels were laughing. Then there he was. Speaking with Aedion, dressed in a black tunic and matching trousers he was breathtaking. The deep orange of the setting sun glimmered over his tan skin, highlighting the curve of his lips. Their eyes met and it looked as if he were about to excuse himself when Aedion grabbed his arm. All she could make out was the word "wait" before her father took her hand.
Tearing her eyes away from Rowan, she met her father's eyes and smiled.
"Ready?" He asked.
"Always." With that he led her to the middle of the tents, conversation coming to a whisper.
Raising his voice, King Rhoe announced, "It has come time to welcome the spirits of Autumn to our lands. As is tradition, the recognized heir of Mala, Fire-Bringer will guide those spirits here with her light." Her father kissed her forehead before moving to the edge of the circle with her mother. Taking a deep breath, Aelin rooted her feet to the soil, diving deep into her power. The flames inside her licked at her, ready to dance as the first notes of ethereal singing began. Her ladies in waiting sang out, gentle yet strong. Their voices had a nearly hypnotic quality. Quiet strumming and drums echoed over the ground.
Slowly, Aelin raised her hands to the sky, her hands moving delicately in the wind as her hips began to caress the notes of music. Rising to her toes, she moved around the circle of people. Sparks followed her movements, until she reached the center of the circle again. Pushing the magic to the tips of her fingers, fire flowed into the night sky like snakes. The drums began to beat louder, faster. She found Rowan in the crowd, grinning as the string instruments quickened. Her magic itched to come out, knowing the familiar routine. Wanting to show her mate exactly what it could do.
All strength and grace, Aelin began to twirl and flames flowed like wings from her arms. The fire swirled around her like a hurricane, the hot wind raising her hair as it went up, up, up. She could hear it calling out the spirits and them answering in return. Aelin weaved between the flame's trails, spinning around in the circle making intricate designs in the air. Gasps of awe whispered around her as she went. Her brows furrowed when she thought she saw a tall, elegant woman standing behind Rowan. Her black hair was like shadows as it blew in the wind. Aelin blinked again and she was gone.
The voices of the singers raised to a fever pitch and as they stopped, so did Aelin. Breathing hard, the clapping of the crowd faded away as the mates looked at each other. She had tamed her magic to sleep but still she still felt rippling heat wherever his gaze rested. The people around them moved back to their festivities and Rowan moved from his place in the crowd, moving closer to her. She sighed in relief as she felt his hand cup her cheek, icy tendrils of magic ghosting over her sweating skin.
"You're perfect." He whispers, his voice rough.
Aelin couldn't help but smile up at him. "I'm supposed to be working on my humility, but I am pretty great at most things."
He laughed, shaking his head, "I'd think you were sick if you were acting humble." Rowan's hand comes to hold hers. She squeezes him in response, leading him towards the edge of the tents. Walking hand in hand, they moved through the topiary maze in silence until they found a tree to rest against. Aelin curled against Rowan's chest, wrapped in his arms and nothing felt more right. Quickly their speech turned to silence, which then turned to sleep. It was the first night the nightmares did not plague her.
THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE REVIEWS.
Truly, they pushed me to keep pushing through the writer's block.
I hope you liked this next chapter. I'd love to keep going.