Addison

Like the last time, I wake from my dream remembering everything that happened in vivid detail. I can almost feel Oliver against me as the smell of pine trees surrounds us. This is all too much. What he said, how my body ignited with his touch.

I kick the blanket from my body and turn to the open window. My room is still bathed in darkness as I lie and stare at the stars twinkling in the sky. There’s no chance of me falling back to sleep. Thoughts of Wes and Oliver race through my mind.

With Wes, I’m safe. We have a mutual attraction and I know he would never harm me. Plus, he’s in love with me. But at the end of the day, I don’t feel the same. I don’t love him. Love can grow over time, though. The question is, do I want to spend my time waiting for something which may or may not ever happen? I have part of what I need in a relationship—the physical attraction. It’s a good start, but not everything.

Then there is Oliver. He’s all wrong for me. He has killed some of our men. Men who no longer get to come home to their wives and children. I’ve watched those women suffer and been there when their husbands were laid to rest. There’s the other side of this as well. My brothers have done the same thing. They’ve killed Oliver’s men. No one was innocent in those wars which were fought. I'm not angry at my brothers for defending us. Should I really be mad at Oliver for doing the same thing for his own kingdom?

Oliver has this part of him that I can’t help but be drawn to. He knows how to touch me to get me to respond. His hands feel like magic running over my body–sizzling and full of power. The want I have for him feels like an addiction. I had to get away from him in the dream to save myself from going further into the abyss that is our passion. I could easily spiral down with him.

I’m with Wes. I shouldn’t have been kissing Oliver. It wasn’t a smart decision. How do I guard my mind against going back to Oliver while I sleep? Even during the day, I can’t seem to stay away from him. He dropped from the sky to save me, with no regard for his own life. Of course, then he went and slew the beasts, which made me angry again. My emotions are at war over him.

Lying in bed until the sun rises is all I can do. When I finally see it peek above the horizon, I stand and walk to the window. The Pine Forest calls to me even now. What I wouldn’t give to explore it more, and not in a dream. I want to go there when I’m awake. There’s something so powerful about it.

After getting dressed, I walk to the tower house for breakfast. I might be eating alone due to the early hour, but I don’t mind. A little peace and quiet is good for the soul, especially this soul, which has a lot of thinking to do.

When I walk through the door, I’m surprised to see Elliott sitting down, already halfway through his meal. I take the chair next to his, while looking over the table full of food: eggs, various cheeses, bread, and so much more. I go right for the eggs. The protein will keep me going all morning.

“Any plans for today?” my brother asks, while chewing a mouthful of food. So refined he is.

“No. I have to check on Wes, though.”

“Good. You can come with me.”

“Where are you going?” I take a bite of the eggs, and it fully affirms why I always come here for meals. They are fluffy and full of flavor. I can’t cook like this.

“I’m flying over to Pine to thank Oliver for helping us.” I freeze mid-chew. Elliott notices. “I know. I don’t want to go. Dad insisted. And since I’m head of the Elite in Luke’s absence, well, I don’t have a choice. We have to play nice neighbor and all that.” He takes me pausing as a sign of me not wanting to step foot in their kingdom. Little does he know that has nothing to do with it.

“Um…I really should spend some time with Wes.”

“No, you’re not getting out of this. You can see him when we get back. You’re coming with me. You already said you had nothing to do, Sis.”

I groan. “Can’t we just write a note and send a messenger. I don’t think this requires us to go there physically.”

“I suggested the same thing and thought Dad would agree, but Mom got involved. She said since Oliver saved your life, it’s only fitting we pay him a visit. She also said you would be coming with me, but I told her I was fine to go alone. Mom must have known you were going to show up at breakfast.”

I drop my fork down onto the plate with a loud clang, suddenly unable to eat another bite. Crossing my arms, I mumble, “I’m sure she loves this.”

“What was that?” Elliott asks, as he reaches for more bread.

“Nothing. When are we leaving?” No matter what I say I know I’ll end up going. Mom saw it. I’m not in the mood to fight fate today. Although, I may regret my decision when I see Oliver again.

Before I have time to process everything, we are in Pine. Em is as graceful as ever, while Obsidian is a bit rougher on landing. Elliott said I could ride with him, but I wanted to be able to flee quickly if need be. Having to wait on him is not something I need.

As soon as I step down from Em and my feet touch the ground, I hear a smooth, husky voice behind me. “Addison, I didn’t expect to see you so soon.” Oliver doesn’t miss a thing. He was probably alerted the second our dragons came into view.

I turn, and put on a fake smile, when what I really want to do is jump into his arms and kiss him senseless. “Oh, you know,” I say, waving my hand in the air. “We have to play nice now.”

His green eyes sparkle in the sunlight. One side of his lips quirk up seductively. “But playing dirty sounds like so much more fun.” If we were keeping score in this little game of ours, I would definitely be losing.

He keeps a safe distance from me, but I notice the way his fingers are flexing by his side, as if he’s itching to reach out for me. That little distraction has me taking in the way his pants are hugging his strong thighs and hips in the best possible way. My eyes go higher to the white, short-sleeved shirt he’s wearing. It fits his body like a second skin. I want to run my hands over his chest and abdomen to feel every muscle beneath it.

“Sage,” I hear Elliott growl from behind Oliver. The spell breaks before either of us do something foolish. I’m thankful Elliott is here. Then again, I doubt anyone would allow me to fly to Pine alone, even with the treaty in place.

Oliver turns halfway toward Elliott. He’s able to keep me in his view and also direct his attention to my brother. He smiles wide, however, I can tell it’s not a smile he genuinely feels. “Elliott. It’s always a pleasure when you visit.”

“I’m sure it is. My presence reminds you that you have something to aspire to. Not all of us can be as strong of a knight.” Why is Elliott baiting him? Oliver could hurt him. Yes, Elliott is fierce, but this is Oliver.

Instead of starting a fight, Oliver leans his head back and laughs. “You are funny. I’ll give you that. I have no aspiration to be like you, young Azure.” His face turns hard. “I’m twice the knight you’ll ever be.” Elliott tenses and I know it’s only a matter of time before things escalate. I need to do something.

Closing the distance between Oliver and myself, I gently place my hand on his exposed forearm, letting our connection flare to life. I can only hope it’s enough to distract him and stop a fight before it starts. He turns to me with large eyes, his nostrils flaring as if he’s pulling my scent into his very being.

“That’s enough,” I say calmly. “There will be no fighting between the two of you. Oliver, Reid wouldn’t be happy if blood was shed on his land by your hand. And Elliott,” I sigh. “You know better. Dad will be irate if he finds out you’re taunting Oliver.”

“Since when did you become the voice of reason?” Elliott asks me.

“I have no idea.” In reality, I do. It was the moment Oliver saved my life and kissed me like no one else in the world existed but the two of us. Now I have some sort of protectiveness over him.

Oliver’s eyes never leave mine. He turns fully to face me and puts his hand over mine, which is still touching his arm. His gaze changes. Instead of the initial shock of me touching him, it’s now one of longing and heat. I need to move before Elliott notices. Quickly, I withdraw my hand, give Oliver a subtle shake of my head, and take a step back.

He lets out a breath I didn’t realize he was holding, then runs his hand through his hair. Turning, he starts walking toward the castle. “Come along. I’ll take you to Reid.”

“We came to see you,” I quickly state.

He falters a step then stops. I catch up to him and Elliott, who is walking just ahead of Oliver. “Me?”

I stop when I’m directly behind him. I’m not sure where Elliott is, since I can’t see past Oliver’s broad shoulders. Lowering my voice so Elliott can’t hear me, I whisper, “You saved my life, Oliver. Thank you.” He doesn’t turn around; doesn’t acknowledge me. If I wasn’t watching him, I might have missed it, but his shoulders drop as if all the tension in him flees.

Moving around him, I start walking to catch up with my brother. Oliver quickly appears at my side, and the warmth of his hand is felt at the small of my back. It’s a gentle touch, not one of trying to usher me along. It’s comforting and I have to resist the urge to lean into his side. This thing with him is getting to be too much. I have to fight my instincts where he is concerned and try to be logical. I don’t even want to think about what Elliott would do if he saw us as anything other than acquaintances.

We walk through the castle’s courtyard with me on one side of Oliver and Elliott on the other. The entire time, Oliver’s hand never leaves my back. I wonder if anyone behind us is noticing it. If they are, I hope they think it’s only a kind gesture and nothing more.

When we enter their tower house, we wait outside of a heavy wooden door while one guard enters and another remains beside it. The door swings open letting the scent of candlewax waft into the corridor. The guard walks out and states, “His Highness will see you now.”

As we walk through the door, I take in the room. Solid stone walls, warm amber glow thanks to candles set in sconces amongst the stone. There is a large wooden desk at the far end, which is scattered with papers, and worn books are piled high on it. Reid stands behind it, appearing exhausted and a bit disheveled. He tries to comb his fingers through his dark hair in an attempt to tame it.

He steps around the desk and approaches Elliott first. “So good to see you. What do I owe the pleasure?”

“We came to extend our thanks for sending Sage to our kingdom yesterday. Without him, I dread to think what would have happened to Addison.”

Reid turns and makes his way over to me. He clasps his hand in mine. I can feel Oliver grip my shirt at my back. “Addison, is this true?”

I nod. Reid’s eyes then move to Oliver. “Why didn’t you tell me? You returned and all you said was that the trelktik were taken care of.”

Oliver shrugs. “They were.”

Reid releases my hand then places both of his on Oliver’s shoulders. The hand which had been fisting the material of my shirt releases it. “You saved their king’s daughter, Oliver. I’m very proud of you.”

“I was only doing my duty. We have to maintain the treaty and fight as one.” The words sting as soon as he speaks them. Is that all it was? Him only doing what he’s supposed to do? No, that can’t be right. But what if it is? What if all the words he has said to me mean nothing?