Oliver

The night passes with Addison and me finding each other in our dreams. We talk, kiss, and she continues trying to find out what happened behind closed doors between her father and me. I won’t tell. I’m lucky I’ve been able to shield my mind from her. I wasn’t sure what I was doing at first, but then she grew more and more irritated at being unable to hear my thoughts, so I knew I was doing something right. I have to admit, it made me smile every time she got that angry look on her face. She’s very attractive when she’s fired up.

In the morning, I wait outside our castle wall for her to land on her dragon. She was adamant I not pick her up; that she could fly over on her own. I know she can, but the protective part of me wants to be there in case anything happens. Not that I necessarily think it will, but her flying into Pine has me slightly worried, especially given the way Sel treated her.

I’m still not happy about what took place. I talked to him again last night when I returned to the castle without Addi. I made it clear how he is to behave around her and nothing short of that will be acceptable. I’ve known him for many years. He was always someone whom I could count on in any situation, yet he doesn’t like the thought of Addison walking in our forest or standing by my side.

I roll my shoulders and try to shake off the anger I feel. Addi should be here any moment, and I don’t want her to sense my frustration and get worried. She’s very tough, but I know Sel rattled her.

A whoosh of air floats to my ears before a large red and black dragon descends to the ground. Addi pats her dragon’s side before gracefully jumping down. Before I know it, her dragon is back in the air, on her way back to Azure. I still marvel at the fact that Addi can speak to animals and people with her mind. Yes, I know, I can speak to her, but my gift is very limited in comparison. She can speak to all creatures, even Lyras. I would like to be able to communicate with her. It would strengthen the bond we have already formed.

Wasting no time, I walk to Addi and engulf her in my arms for a kiss. She immediately responds, kissing me back while her nails dig into my biceps.

“I’ve missed you,” I admit when we finally break apart.

She smiles. “You saw me yesterday and last night while you slept.”

“A dream is a meager substitute for when I get to see and touch you in the flesh.”

“I do have to agree.”

I take her bag and sling it over my shoulder. We walk hand-in-hand through the castle gate and courtyard on the way to my home. Passing the vendor I bought the boots for Addi from, he smiles genuinely at her, and it is then I notice she’s wearing them. She waves to him and nods.

In truth, I didn’t notice what she was wearing when she landed. My mind went right to the need to have her lips and body pressed to mine. Everything else fell by the wayside. Looking her over, I notice her hair is braided all the way down, landing mid-back, and tied with an azure ribbon. Her V-neck shirt is white today and it warms my heart. She could have come here in a typical shade of blue, but the shirt she chose is more neutral, not showing off she’s the princess of another kingdom, yet the ribbon still represents her name more subtly. Then my gaze moves to her slender waist. Her khaki pants hug every curve, making my mouth water.

“I see the way you’re looking at me, Sage,” she says, while keeping her eyes straight ahead. “If you don’t pay attention, you’re going to walk into a pillar or something.”

I look away from her seconds before my face would have met the side of one of the vendor’s carts. “Or something,” I mumble. Leaning down to her ear, I whisper, “I can’t help that when you’re near all I want to do is have your gorgeous legs wrapped around my body and those plump lips on mine.”

“You better keep quiet until we get behind closed doors, or we’ll cause a scene right here in the courtyard.”

With quick movements, I reach for her and press her to the interior of the stone wall surrounding the castle. A soft gasp leaves her lips a moment before I claim them. My hands find hers, lifting them above her head. My pelvis presses forward, letting her know how much she affects me. Her moan in response drives me on further. I sweep my tongue into her mouth, claiming every delicious part of it.

Someone chuckles behind us, causing Addison to pull away from me. Turning, I catch Richlan’s gaze and the broad smile he’s wearing.

“If there was any question as to whom the princess belongs to, it is now answered,” he says.

I return his smile as Addi buries her face in my chest. “Embarrassed, love?”

“Slightly. The only way that could have been worse is if you started dry humping me out here for all to see.”

My finger hooks under her chin to bring her eyes to mine. “Don’t underestimate me. There’s plenty of time to make that happen. Where you’re concerned, all bets are off.”

“As long as the same rules apply to me. You are mine as well, you know? So, I’m allowed to stake my claim on you anywhere, at any time.”

“I look forward to it.”

After dropping her bag off at home, I grab a large blanket and take her hand in mine. She asks where we are going and my only answer is the forest. I can feel her tense beside me.

“Addison, I spoke to Sel after you left. He knows I’m serious where you’re concerned. He won’t be bothering you again.”

“I’m sorry, but I can’t shake the feeling that he wants to harm me.”

“He won’t. He knows the repercussions if he does; no man or woman wants to be banished.”

She shivers. “No, they don’t.”

Inside the forest, we go a little deeper and then go east. There’s something I want to show her. The forest holds many wonders and joys of new life. It should be celebrated, each life cherished.

We reach a large fallen tree, which has been completely covered in moss and hollowed out. I spread the blanket on the ground a slight distance away and gently tug Addi down beside me.

“What are we doing?”

I press a finger to my lips. “Shhh, just wait.”

Moments pass by, birds are chirping overhead. Wephals skitter across the ground at a rapid pace, paying no mind to us. Then we see her. A fix peeks her nose out from inside the log. She sniffs the air and turns to us before darting back inside. She tests the air a few more times and notices we haven’t moved, yet remains cautious.

I send a message to Addi. “Tell her she’s safe. That we won’t harm her.”

She nods and looks at the fix. Its ears twitch in our direction, her nose stilling. She ducks back inside.

“I don’t think she believed me,” Addi whispers.

This time when the fix reappears, she hesitantly steps free of the log. Her red fur is standing up as her bright emerald eyes take in her surroundings. Right behind her four, tiny fix pups follow her out. Once they are on the mossy floor of the forest, they start jumping around, biting on the other’s ears. They growl and yip as they play. Mother fix walks around, sniffing the ground in search of prey. Her ears perk up and she takes off. The pups try to follow, but she is much too quick for them.

One of the tiny ones walks our way, stopping to sniff the edge of the blanket. We sit still as stones to see if the pup will come to us. It does. It’s very small with a stubby tail. Addison is in its sights first. It walks to her then sniffs her leg. Two tiny paws lift to stand half on her, while it looks her in the face. I know Addi is talking to the pup. Its ears relax slightly, and it fully climbs on her before spinning a few times and settling in a curled up ball on her thigh.

“Oh my goodness,” she sends to me. “Can you believe this?” Even in my head her voice is full of wonder and excitement.

“It likes you,” I respond silently, not wanting to disturb the tiny creature.

The mother fix returns with a wephal in her mouth. She walks into the hollow log with the other three pups on her heels. A loud yip is heard from within, then the fix pup lying on Addi’s thigh stands and runs to the log, without a backward glance.

Addison lies back onto the blanket, her face tipped toward the tall pine trees, her lips stretching into a smile. “What a wonderful moment.” She turns to me. “Thank you for bringing me here.”

I lie down with her, and prop myself on my side, with my elbow bent to hold my head up to face her. “I saw them the other day and thought of you. I wanted to bring you to see them.”

“You keep surprising me.”

“I have to keep you on your toes. Wouldn’t want you to get bored.”

“I have a feeling I’ll never be bored with you.”

She leans forward to kiss me, but I hear the crunch of a foot on fallen pine needles in the distance. It puts my body on high alert since this isn’t an area many pass through. I’m not sure who it is, but every part of me is screaming that there is something wrong.

I shift to a crouch. Addison notices my sudden change in position and stands. I follow suit. Then Sel appears from behind the tall trees, bow drawn, with an arrow ready to fire. He’s pointing it at Addison.

“Sel!” I yell and move my body in front of Addi. He points the arrow to the ground, but doesn’t take his eyes off of us.

“What are you doing out here, Oliver?” he growls. “It’s not safe for the princess, should someone wish to harm her.”

“It’s not safe for you, if you don’t put your bow away.”

“I can’t.”

More pine needles are crunching, but this time it’s heavy boots pounding the ground in rapid succession. Richlan stops just behind Sel, a long sword in hand. “Sel, we talked about this. You aren’t to be near Princess Azure. Step away.”

“None of you understand. I can’t. There’s too much risk.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask. “I’m with her at all times. I can protect her.”

“Where’s your sword, Oliver? You’re unarmed. How can you protect the woman you love with nothing but your hands?”

“Don’t underestimate me, Sel,” I warn in a low voice.

Addison enters my mind. “I don’t like this. I don’t have my sword, either. Get us out of here, Oliver. Please.” The pleading of her voice makes my heart beat fast as I look for a way to disarm Sel. We’re trapped with no weapons. I stretch out my arm toward Richlan, hand open. He doesn’t hesitate to toss his sword the short distance. I catch the hilt easily and twirl it between Sel and myself.

“Looks like my hand is full now.”