Addison
Oliver listens to my father, and keeps his hands to himself for the remainder of the walk to the tower house. Upon entering the dining room, my mother and Ryland are standing off to the side and the second they hear the door open, their eyes immediately fall on Oliver. We walk in first, Oliver on my left. My father and Elliott behind us.
My mother approaches us and reaches out her hand to Oliver, who takes it gently in his. “It’s nice to see you again.”
“You as well,” he says, with a slight dip of his head.
“Come, let’s sit down and eat.”
We all sit in our usual seats. Oliver holds out my chair for me as my father does for my mother. I smile and send him a silent, “Thank you.”
Dinner occurs in an awkward silence. Elliott makes sure to shoot daggers with his eyes across the table at Oliver throughout. Oliver, thankfully, isn’t at all concerned about him.
Once dinner is done, and we are waiting for dessert to be served, my father decides to speak up finally. “Oliver, let me start off by saying I know a lot has happened between our kingdoms and our men. I’d like to put that behind us and move forward anew. I want to set an example for my people, have them see we can all get along, and the treaty is holding strong.”
“I do as well,” Oliver replies.
“Now let’s move on to my daughter. I understand you have feelings for each other.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Please, there’s no need to be formal here. Call me Miles.” Oliver nods. With each sentence they speak, my nerves calm slightly. I had no idea how everything was going to play out but knew, above all else, my parents would be respectful to the man by my side.
“Now, Rya has told me how you two first started talking with one another and the event which led to it.” I’m not surprised in the least by anything my mom has said to him. I’m sure she has great influence where my dad is concerned. He continues, “I understand your connection and know fate works in mysterious ways. Everything we do and say is all part of a bigger picture. We might not know it at the time, but every aspect of our lives happens for a reason. That being said, you’re both going to come up against a lot of angry people; people who don’t want to see you together. Are you prepared to stick by her side and fight for her?”
“Of course. I don’t want to be with anyone else. Being separated from her…” His eyes find mine and in them I see utter devotion, sending a warm heat throughout my body. “…hurts me. All this time, meeting her in our dreams, then waking up with her gone, it hasn’t been easy, but I would take any time with her over none at all.”
“Wait a minute,” Elliott interrupts. I’m surprised it’s taken him this long to open his mouth. “You’ve been dreaming of one another?”
“Not your average dreaming,” Oliver replies. “We are fully aware of what we are doing and wake up remembering every aspect, as if it took place while we are awake. We can connect our dreams and find each other, as long as the other wants to be found.” Elliott sits back and crosses his arms.
Ry speaks next. “You two have been meeting like Alison and Luke did.”
“Yes,” I say. “But our dreams are different. Luke and Ali had no idea they were dreaming of each other until after they met. Ali told me she kept running toward him but could never reach his side. Oliver and I find each other; we walk around and talk. It’s how we’ve been able to work things out and build on our relationship, even though I haven’t seen him much during our waking hours. It’s the reason I came forward to all of you with our relationship. I’m tired of hiding in dreams with him. I want to have a normal relationship.”
My father chuckles. “I don’t think you’ll find normal anytime soon, my daughter. People are going to do everything in their power to try and split you two apart.”
“I’m hoping by us being together, maybe others will feel more comfortable doing so as well. Look at Sam and Maribeth. They had to spend all of that time apart for fear of what would happen if others found out. Their poor son had to live for years with what I can only imagine were short visits from his father. I don’t want anyone else to have to go through that.” I mean it, too. Every time I think of Mason running to Sam, it makes my heart hurt for all of the firsts Sam missed: first smile, first word, first steps.
“Change isn’t always easy and many will resist it, but I think the two of you have the opportunity to make a big impact on our kingdoms. Oliver, my daughter is tough, she likes to always be involved, and despises being treated differently due to her gender. Wesley is a good man, but he’s no match for her. When she told us about you, I thought you would be. I know you’ll challenge her, but treat her with respect. You’ve shown loyalty to Alison, who publicly sided with Azure in front of your own king. That takes immense strength and says a lot about your character.”
“Thank you. I appreciate your candor,” Oliver says.
My dad leans forward, his hands resting on the table. “That being said, if I hear one word of you mistreating her, make no mistake, you will feel my wrath. My army has nothing on me when I’m angry. I’m not like Reid, who prefers not to fight. I’ve been in battle more times than I care to count and know what it takes to win. You’re now entrusted with keeping her safe. Please do so.”
“Dad, I can take care of myself.” I know he means well, but I feel like I’m being passed off to Oliver for safe keeping.
“Yes, my daughter, I know. Indulge me, please. I like to know you are in good hands.”
“I will protect her with my life,” Oliver vows.
Dad nods then turns to Ry and Elliott. “You two, especially you, Elliott, I don’t want to hear you saying one bad word about Oliver, or engaging him in any way, other than a friendly manner. The Azures have always been a unified front and we will continue to be. The last thing we need is our people seeing us as anything other than such.”
Ry nods, not that I expected him to say much. Elliott isn’t done speaking. “What about Luke? I imagine he’ll have a lot to say upon his return.”
“For your information, a messenger was sent to your brother last night and has already returned with a response. I wanted him to know before coming back. He’s very supportive of Addison and whatever decision she makes.”
Elliott lets out a humorless laugh. “You know as well as I do Ali influenced that message.”
“Elliott,” Dad says in a harsh tone. “When you find your perfect match, you’ll understand that you no longer think of just yourself and your feelings. As with our family, Lucas and Alison are unified. They make decisions as one, since each decision can impact them both. I also think once you finally fall in love, your view on everything will change. Love makes you open your eyes and heart to possibilities you never imagined. Now, you will hold your tongue and support your sister. Am I clear?”
“Yes, sir,” he says sullenly.
“Good. Let’s enjoy dessert and move on to other topics. Oliver.” He turns in our direction. “Is there any way you’ll divulge the magic of your forest? Given the amount of product you turn out, I’d think your forest would deplete quickly.”
“Nice try, Miles, but the secret is tucked safely away. Only a small number of people know, and trust me when I say, it’s heavily guarded.”
My dad shrugs and smiles. “It was worth a shot.” Oliver laughs. I love seeing the two of them talk with no malice between them. Ever since my mom came back, my dad has been a different man. He’s more easy-going and is spending more time with her. I can’t blame him after they were separated for so long.
We enjoy a delicious strawberry tart. The rest of the meal is kept light, even though the scowl on Elliott’s face remains permanent. I think about what Dad said about Luke, and can only hope when they return, he’ll be open to Oliver and me. He’s due back soon. They were supposed to stay for a couple of weeks, but he sent word that they were having a great time and had become guests in the castle of the Queen of the Fuchsia Lakes. Who could resist staying there? I’ve heard the lakes are beautiful and the castle more so. I haven’t gotten to venture as far and wide as Luke has. One day I hope I can.
My parents and brothers bid us goodnight. Okay, only one brother does. The other is still miserable and moping. I’m able to walk Oliver out without a shadow. My father assured me Elliott would be staying put, and if anyone else followed us, they’d have him to deal with. We take our time walking through the courtyard. All of the vendors have packed up and gone for the night. There’s only a handful of guards milling about. We are almost to the stone bridge when I feel Oliver’s hand slip down my arm to twine his fingers with mine. The usual jolt at our skin touching is there, but this time it’s accompanied by goosebumps breaking out across my skin.
Looking up, I see Oliver facing straight ahead with a broad smile on his face. This man, the things he does to me.
“How am I looking, love? Still happy you made the decision to tell them?” Of course he knows I’m watching him.
“I don’t regret it one bit.”
“And Elliott?”
“Will have to deal with it. He’s a big boy, Oliver, and it isn’t my job to make him happy.”
He stops and turns to me. With a quick movement, he tucks us into a shadow near the wall. His hands cup my cheeks. “I’ve wanted to do this all night.”
He lowers his mouth to mine and kisses me with unrestrained passion. He puts everything he has into that one kiss: his hands hold me so gently, his tongue caresses mine, his hips press into my own, making arousal spread throughout me. I moan and push my body into his from my pelvis to my breasts.
“I need you, Addison,” he whispers as he trails hot kisses down my neck. “I want your legs wrapped around me as I bury myself deep inside you. I’ve never craved another woman like I do you.”
“I want you, too. So bad. But we must wait, and hopefully soon, we can truly be together.”
He finds my lips again to give me one last knee-weakening kiss. “Will you come to me tonight while you sleep?”
“Of course.”
“I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be able to restrain myself from taking you. I know it won’t be in a dream, but even there you are a temptress I have a difficult time denying.”
Just as words are about to leave my lips, a loud roar pierces the air. Oliver pauses then slips out of the shadows, running through the front gate to the bridge. I’m on his heels, but come to a stop when I reach the grass. His dragon is up on its hind legs with her wings spread wide. Her head tips toward the sky as fire shoots from her mouth. The guards must have done something to spook her.
As intimidating as she is, she’s fascinating. We were told Elliott’s dragon is a fire breather, but he has yet to create any flames, no matter how many different things my brother tries to help him.
Oliver rushes to her side, calling out her name. He places a palm on her back leg yet she doesn’t acknowledge him. I decide to step in and send a message to her. “Easy, beautiful one. We mean no harm. Oliver is here. Look down. You’ll see him.”
She immediately lowers herself, causing a vibration to thrum through all of us when she has four feet planted on the ground. Her yellow eyes find me, even in the dark. She knows I’m the one who spoke to her.
“You’re okay now.” I step forward, pushing the guards back who are still close. I motion for them to head back to the castle. They shake their heads, not wanting to leave me unprotected.
“If you don’t go back to that castle right now, you’re going to become nothing but a pile of ash. She’s not going to harm me. Now go,” I growl. They don’t want to listen to me, but as royalty they must. The only ones who can challenge me are my family and the Elite, and these men are neither.
Once they are back to safety near the castle wall, I take hesitant steps toward the dragon. Oliver has her lying on the ground, but I can tell from her posture she is far from content. Her tail is whipping wildly from side-to-side, her eyes are alert and scanning the area around her.
“Addi, did you talk to Lyras?” Oliver asks.
“I did. Lyras is a beautiful name for her. May I?” I motion with my hand out so I can touch her.
“You may, but I don’t know if she’ll let you. She’s not happy at the moment.”
I speak to her through my mind. “Hello. I’m Addison. I would love to come forward and properly introduce myself.” I close the distance between us; my hand hovers close to the scales of her neck. “May I?” She dips her head down to gently nudge me with her nose, careful not to get me with her horns. “You’re gorgeous. One day I’ll have to introduce you to my girl, Em. She’ll love you.”
I stroke her head then feel Oliver come up behind me. He nuzzles his nose into the crook of my neck. “I don’t know how you did it, but you calmed her when I couldn’t. You’re gifted, Addi.” He places a chaste kiss on my exposed skin as his hands wrap around my waist. I sag into his chest, completely content in the moment.