Page 119 of Journey to the Elderoak
“I wanted to,” he said. “May I put it on you?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
She turned back around. Setting the box on the table next to the mirror, he picked up the necklace and draped it along her collarbone, attaching it at the back. It sat perfectly, accentuating her decolletage and bringing out the green in her eyes.
“Is this why I ran into you in Ghorza’s shop today?” she asked as he was fastening the clasp.
“Yes. I had her help me pick something that would go with your dress since she knew what you were wearing.”
“That was very sweet of you.”
Ava heard the door open and caught Fanya’s eye in the mirror but as soon as she noticed Casimir, she winked and backed out of the room. He didn’t seem to notice as he watched her through the reflection. His fingers trailed down her spine and she shivered. Reaching around, he adjusted the large gem, brushing her collarbone.
“Perfect,” he whispered in her ear.
She sucked in a breath as he placed a kiss below her ear, one hand on her hip, still watching her in the mirror. He stepped closer and yanked her flush against him, digging his fingers into her hip as his other hand traced the curve of her neck and shoulder blade.
“I’d like to rip this dress off you,” he said.
She turned around. “You can do that later. At least let me wear it first.” She traced the emblem of the tree on his jacket with her fingers. “I like this uniform.”
“It’s the official one. We don’t wear it often.”
“I hate that you have to work.”
“Me too.” He traced the lines of her face with his fingers. “You are going to be a challenging distraction for me tonight.” He stepped closer, touching his forehead to hers. “You. In that dress.”
He shook his head and kissed her. Ava sighed into his mouth as she ached for his touch, hands moving along his chest. He deepened the kiss briefly before pulling away.
“I must go.”
“I know. I’ll see you soon.”
He placed a light kiss on her lips again, backed away, and looked her up and down one more time. He ran his fingers through his hair before turning and leaving the bedroom.
Ava shook out her arms as she prepared to meet Thorne. She walked into the living room just as he was entering her suite.
“Oh,” she said. “I thought I was meeting you down there.”
“I brought something for you. Besides, I assumed you were nervous and thought I’d accompany you.”
He looked fantastic in a dark green velvet top lined with gold, and brown pants. He wore his golden crown of vines decorated with emeralds and the stark green of his eyes stood out against his bright red hair.
“You look beautiful, sister,” he said as he opened a velvet box, revealing a tiara matching his crown.
“You don’t look too bad yourself.” She smiled as she looked at the box. “What’s that?”
“Your tiara.”
“I didn’t even think about that. I guess I must wear it, huh?”
“Yes. Sorry. I know you’re not excited about all the attention. But it’ll be fine,” he assured her.
She stood still as he lifted it out of the box and placed it atop her head. Golden vines wove to a point on her forehead with an emerald dangling from it. Dainty gold chains interspersed with tiny emeralds hung in U-shapes, framing her pointed ears.
“Wow,” she said as she inspected herself in the mirror above the fireplace. “This is beautiful.”
“It was our mother’s,” he said.
