Page 57 of Journey to the Elderoak
But she didn’t want to stop. Wanted to stay flush against him on this horse for as long as possible. Overcome with need, she pressed into him, unable to stop herself. He groaned as his hand tightened against her.
“What are you doing?”
She didn’t respond as she moved again.
He looped the reins around the hand on her stomach. With his other, ever so slowly, he brushed her hair behind her shoulder, fingers grazing her throat. She tilted her head, exposing her neck.
“This is dangerous, Ava,” he murmured as he placed a small kiss below her earlobe.
She inhaled a sharp breath at the way he said her name and whispered back, “Then why aren’t you stopping?”
“Because you’re torturing me on this damn horse,” he said, voice thick with desire, as his mouth moved lower on her neck, breathing her in.
“You almost kissed me that day with the blindfold,” she whispered, closing her eyes as she leaned her head back against his shoulder.
“Yes,” he rasped into her skin.
“Why didn’t you?”
“I don’t want to distract you from your training.”
He kissed the curve of her shoulder and she whimpered, arching her back. He let out a throaty groan as his hand gripped her hip and squeezed. The ache of desire worked its way to her core as another whimper escaped her lips.
“But you’re doing it now…”
“We’re not training now.”
She turned and looked at him. His eyes were darker, pupils wide as they roved over her face. He leaned in and their noses brushed against each other, when a voice sounded from ahead.
“We’re here!” shouted Quinn, pulling them from the moment.
Casimir straightened and removed both hands from Ava, holding the reins as he steered them to the beautiful cottage at the edge of the forest. She cleared her throat, trying to slow her racing heart as they pulled to a stop near a fence.
Casimir dismounted and reached for her hand to steady her as she swung her leg around. He grasped her waist and lifted her to the ground, holding on longer than necessary as they stood facing each other. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear with care before turning and leading the horse away.
19
The large cottage had a thatched straw roof and flowers of every kind filling the front garden. The fusion of pink, purple, blue and yellow blooms brought a cheery feel to the yard.
Kai and Jorrar greeted them as they entered with enthusiastic hugs, Ava following Quinn into the dining room. A long table sat in the center of the room with plenty of room for them all. An intricate lace runner contrasted the hand-scraped wood and a rainbow of flower-filled vases decorated the center. Wood beams crossed along the ceiling, holding colored lanterns to brighten the space.
Raine’s sister, Fanya, was already seated, her black squirrel on her shoulder. “Hi, Ava,” she greeted, her platinum curls bright in the light.
Ava leaned in to give her a quick hug. “It’s good to see you.” She looked at her animal companion. “And you too, Coco,” she said, scratching the squirrel’s head.
Two fae children burst into the room, laughing and chasing each other through the house. Both children had curly brown hair and umber skin. The girl—who appeared about sevenyears old—had Jorrar’s silver eyes while the boy—who was a couple of years older—looked more like Kai. They were followed by their own animal companions, one of the small glowing foxes Ava had seen in the forest after escaping the daemons, and a bright pink hummingbird.
“Ava,” said Kai, his black curls bouncing around the small horns on his head as he gestured toward the children. “These are our grandchildren, Griffin and Aria.” Ava smiled as they disappeared out the back door into the flower garden. “I’ll be in the kitchen finishing dinner. Make yourselves at home and help yourself to some wine.”
Ava took her seat, Quinn to her right and Thorne to her left. Casimir sat across from her and she avoided eye contact with him as Raine plopped between him and his sister. Jorrar grabbed a pitcher and filled everyone’s goblets as he made his rounds along the table.
Ava caught Casimir’s eye and he turned red, taking several gulps of wine and looking away. Raine looked in between them and raised an eyebrow at their awkwardness.
“I’m going to go help Kai,” she said, needing a moment to think.
She entered the kitchen and found Kai over a stove, stirring soup in a tureen smelling of rosemary, onions and other unknown spices. Moments later, a hand grabbed her arm and whipped her around. Raine had followed.
“Why is Casimir acting strange and why do you smell like a brothel?”
