“What happened?” Kirian demands. “Quinn!”
“I’m right here.” My voice trembles. I want to go to him, but I’m too scared to move.
He staggers over to the bed and gropes around until his hand lands on my ankle. “Are you hurt?”
Man, he must be more terrified than I am. Kirian’s always so aware of his surroundings. He doesn’t trip or bump into people. He never has trouble finding me.
I cover his fingers with mine. “I’m okay. I just woke up and I could’ve sworn I saw…”
“Saw what?” he presses.
“There was someone standing over me with a sword or a knife. At least, I thought there was, but no one’s here. Maybe it was just a nightmare.”
Kirian growls, deep and menacing. “You’re not wrong. Someone used magic.” He sniffs the air. “I smell a portal.”
The blood drains from my face. “Someone really was here?”
Instead of answering me, Kirian pushes away from the bed to pace the room.
“They came into my castle and tried to hurt my mate,” he mutters, his voice gravelly with emotion. “Mine.”
“What did he look like, my queen?” Torius looks even more intimidating with the light from the lantern casting shadows over his face.
“A faerie?” That’s not very helpful. “All I saw was wings and hair. I’m not even sure if it was a man or a woman.”
“Your Majesty.” Torius turns his attention to the king. “Should I order a search of the palace?”
In answer, Kirian lets out a rageful, animalistic roar.
Holy shit, it’s loud.
I’m reminded again that he isn’t human. No one I’ve ever known could make that kind of sound. The deafening noise shakes the bed, and dust crumbles off the stone walls. A glass vase falls from the mantel over the fireplace. The distinct shatter of glass joins Kirian’s ungodly howl.
It hurts my head. Covering my ears, I tip over on the mattress and curl into the fetal position.
As I hear a few more muffled shouts, the light fades away when Torius quickly leaves the room.
I don’t like the darkness.
I squeeze my eyes shut, because maybe I can pretend all this didn’t happen. Maybe it was just a bad dream.
“Quinn. Quinn, love. I’m sorry.” Kirian’s soft pleas are barely audible, so I take my hands away from my head and open my eyes. He’s kneeling on the bed next to me, and I’ve never seen him look so remorseful. “Please don’t be scared of me.”
“I’m not scared of you. I’m just… scared.”
He pets my head, running his hands over my face like he’s done so many times before. “I never should’ve left you alone.”
Something he said a few seconds ago sticks out in my mind. “Did you call me love?”
“Yeah, I guess I did.”
“I like it.”
“Then I’ll do it more often.” Scooping his arms under me, he picks me up, cradling my body against his. “Come on. You’re sleeping in my bed from now on.”
This time I don’t argue.
Kirian
My impulsive decision to bring Quinn into my life will have consequences. As it is, damage has already been done. I hate how scared she was last night. The fact that she was in danger for even a second is unacceptable. In hindsight, it would’ve been better to order her to sleep with me instead of giving her a choice.
No one can protect her like I can, so she’ll stay with me always. I’m not unhappy about that. Keeping her close will be a benefit to our unfortunate predicament.
Even with the unknown hanging over my head, I still don’t regret pulling her through the portal.
Because she’s here with me, in my bed. It’s a hell of a lot better than waking up alone.
Making a noise, she jerks as if she’s having a bad dream. Her sleep has been fretful, and I tighten my arms around her body, hoping she can feel that I’m here.
I could almost be content to just hold her like this.
If I didn’t know what it was like to kiss her, maybe it would be enough. But it’s not. My need for her has multiplied since yesterday.
Her nightgown has ridden up, exposing her smooth legs and her cotton panties. My hard cock presses against her back, and when she squirms, I groan.
She wakes with a start.
“Shh. You’re safe,” I tell her, and she relaxes, her warm body melting into mine.
Her softness is intriguing. My hand splays out on her hip, and I move it up, tracing the dip of her waist. The curve of her ass molds perfectly to my crotch. That sweet scent she carries is so strong it feels like it’s imbedded in my pores.
I love it.
I love her.
“What’s that light coming through the window?” Quinn rolls onto her back and turns her face to me.
“Dawn,” I reply.
“The sun?” Sitting up, she throws the covers off and leaps out of bed. “I thought you said you don’t get daylight here.”
“We don’t.” I smile at her excitement. Pushing up on an elbow, I explain, “The sun won’t actually rise. Two suns orbit the Day Realm. Twice a day, they cross paths on the eastern border. The merging is so bright, the light travels all the way over Dawn and Dusk to here.”
“Dawn and Dusk… Can you tell me more about it?”
“I’ve been there many times, but I’ve only seen it once.”
“How old were you?”
“Ten. It was my first time using a portal. I wanted to see the mystical land my mother spoke so fondly of.” I smirk. “It was one of the places she forbade me to go.”
“So, naturally, that’s where you went,” Quinn says, amused. “And? Was it amazing?”
“Yes. I remember the rainbows. There were so many of them, dividing a sky that was both day and night. Stars twinkled faintly near the Night Realm border, and bright blue with fluffy clouds lined the Day Realm. It was the best of both worlds. There
