Page 97 of Under Restless Skies

I let out a laugh of disbelief. “I doubt he said that. Also, we weren’t betrothed, and we broke up a long time ago.”

He pulls me close, gripping me hard. “You prefer me, don’t you? There’s no comparison, is there?”

“Each person is unique, so why would I compare?”

He smirks. “Maybe I gave you too little to compare.” I try to push him away, but he grips me harder and leans closer. “Let me make one thing clear. I don’t want you talking to other men.”

“I can’t have friends now?”

“Friends are fine. Stepping away with a man in a party like this is not fine.”

I narrow my eyes. “Who are you to tell me what to do, Alayel?”

“The future king of Dracolius, darling,” he whispers in my ear.

“You’re not the king yet, and you’re not my betrothed.” I manage to push him, then walk away to the edge of the water.

My legs feel light as I enjoy the feel of the sand on my feet, and a subtle buzz comes to my head as I watch the deep blue, almost black ocean. Such a beautiful ocean. Such stunning waves.

Stars above. Stars below. So many points of light everywhere, and then I feel like I’m made of light too, shining like the lumos algae. I’m walking on the sea, then turn around and take a run through the sky. We’re one. Brilliant. And I float and fly like a dragon. Glide in the sky with no glider.

The universe opens its doors to me, and I step in, careless and curious, swallowing the immensity of it all. My body’s relaxed. I’m free, and in a place where nothing can ever go wrong. And the stars spin, spin, spin. I spin with them, to the other side.

There’s only beauty. So much beauty everywhere. The fire on the beach is the fire within a dragon, ready to swallow us.

Then I’m floating again, something light and pleasant under me. Something soft above me. Something hard within me.

“Your Highness!” I yell, while he pounds inside me. Hard. Soft. I feel him in every part of my body, feel everything.

I let go, the pleasure of being fucked taking over me. We’re just two bodies lying on clouds.

And then I’m on that island again. Feeling that enormous tongue caressing my breasts.

The rider’s long hair brushes my naked body as he grips the staff, the object so brilliant and majestic, spreading waves of light around us.

When the rider’s face is near my thighs, he looks at me with those mysterious dark eyes, then, slowly, caresses my core with the staff, igniting a new energy inside me, a new light.

And I open my eyes.

Alayel is above me, his bare chest touching my breasts, as he kisses my neck. We’re in his bedroom.

“Wait,” I mutter.

He stops and looks at me. “Something wrong?”

“I’m not feeling well.” My body’s trembling, and I’m in panic. How did I even get here? “Did we?”

“Have sex?” He exhales, annoyed. “Frankly, I’m absolutely certain you would remember it. I’m that memorable.”

I bite my lip, feeling foolish, and yet still trembling, still puzzled. I remember having sex with him, but then I also remember walking among stars, and being naked with the rider. And the staff. By Vigorlu. What was even that?

He swallows and kneels on the bed, his legs between mine. “Are you all right?”

I sit, and realize I’m still wearing my lower undergarments. Alayel still has his trousers on. I’m not naked. None of what I saw could have been true. A wave of relief washes over me, even if I’m still startled. “I think I had too much star nectar.”

“Hmmm.” He gets up, pours a liquid in a cup, and brings it to me.

I give it a side eye. “What’s this?”