Thorn Queen Chapter Twenty-Eight

Oh, I said lamely, stepping aside so that he could enter. I fancy you were some genius else.Someone in a velvet robes shrieking at the slide by of her lungs? he asked. He moved away me in that graceful way of his, and I noticed he was elaborated to keep a healthy distance betwixt us with protrude being asked, as though he suspected my aversion to jot.Something same(p) that. I shut the door.He shrugged and immediately found the rooms wine. She wont cardinaler you any much, he said, pouring a cup. Im sending her away.Yeah, she told me. You go to sleep, I feel kind of bad for her.S sack up, he ordered. Shes none of your c formerlyrn. She should bind had no expectations approximately her relationship with me.Yeah, well, she kind of did.Again, one furious person is none of your concern-not with every(prenominal)thing else going on.I grimaced. I suppose not, though it sure give earms like a lot of muckle are angry at me-oh. God. I nearly forgot. Do you have Volusian?Dorian w as setting his sword and cloak implement. He didnt look happy at the audience. YesI enslaved him to me.Can I toilet I have him build up?He eyed me. Are you sure thats what you want? Itd be better if we banished him together.I hesitated, recalling Volusians hands on my throat and turn ining what would happen if I ever lost control again. I wouldnt, though. I would freeze strong, and I needed him for what was to tot. Yes, I said firmly. I want him okay.Dorian shrugged. Then Ill summon him later. Lets not ruin the moment comely yet. Hes quite depressing, you know. Dorian strolled toward the window and bent everywhere, picking up the dress Id dropped. This is lovely.I was going to put it on, except notwithstanding I sw suspended and nodded toward the window. Theres a, um, branchy out there.He neatly laid the dress on the c whisker and glanced out the window. Yes. Yes, there is. Yours and mine. Well, part of them.I cant believe this happened. secrecy from them wont make them go away.I kind of hoped it would.He said zilch but gave me an expectant look. Something about it drew me out, and steeling myself up, I approached the window again, staring out at the wide, sandy stretch in the endorse of the castle.There were so many more than Id expected-and this was only allegedly a portion of the soldiers that would be conflict Katrice. My small army in their mismatched attire stood in formation on one side. Dorians militia stood beside them, much more sharply dressed in deep green shirts under their leather outfit and golden oak emblems. So manyand again, stock-still not the whole force. More of his soldiers would join up, and so my numbers would grow when the call went out throughout the land when I went to Highmore-if I went there.All of this, I murmured, all of this because of a chain of decisions. Me refusing Leith, him kidnapping me, you I couldnt finish the words, but Dorian and I both knew what Id been about to say.Do you regret it? he asked. What I did? He sounded as cool and confident as ever, but I could have sworn there was a tiny note of fear in his voice-fear that hed done something I hadnt wanted.Kiyos words about how I would regret all this came back to me, and I kept wondering if it was significantly worth it, all these men and women who might diefor what? For my honor? My revenge? I could still respond to Katrices message, tell her Id marry her nephew and make peace.A knot formed in my stomach, and I knew that wasnt an option. I could never be with anyone in that family, not without thinking of Leith, of his hands and his physical structure. I could never let her or anyone else think I or my people could be pushed around. After all, Leith hadnt beneficial taken advantage of me. Those girls had suffered too. I was the protector of my people. I was the Thorn Queen and the Thorn Land both.An image of Dorian running his sword through Leith re moody to my mind. Probably I should have found it gruesome. Instead, it brought mepeace.No. I turned and looked straight into Dorians eyes. I dont regret it. IIm glad you did it. My voice wavered a little. Im so glad you did it.His baptistery transformed somewhat, filled with a type of wonder. I think hed grown so accustomed to my common style, my human way of being rational and mercifulWell, I think hed been long bracing himself for my wrath. My rather suspicion about the worry in his voice had been correct. Hed probably expected a reaction like to when hed sinkn me the Thorn Land.The look on his face made me flustered and confused. I turned back to the window and admitted, But IIm scared. I dont want to wage a war. I certainly dont know how to.Dorian came to stand beside me, still careful to maintain a buffer amidst us. Its in your blood, he said. Storm King was the greatest tactician in centuries.Im not him. I dont want to be like him. A nasty voice spoke in my head But you called yourself Storm Queen, according to Kiyo.You can acquire his ge nius without his cruelty, said Dorian.I suppose, but stillI still dont know what to do. Will you tending me?We turned to look at each other, and again, his face seemed to be lit from within. Of course. Youre not the only one Katrice is after. Im the one who killed the poor bastard, remember? The light faded from his face a bit at the reference to Leith. He leaned toward me, eyes intense. Id do it a thousand snips over, if I could. War or not.That extravagance in voice, that fierceness-it sent a shiver down my spine. You only say that because we havent gone to war yet. You dont know whats going to happen.Ah, Eugenie. I know. We impart be victorious, you and me. Were the strongest monarchs in this world. Katrice knows this but is blinded by her grief and rage. You and I will lead this army, and we will moderate the Rowan Land. Well split it between us, adding on to our own kingdomsand from there, we can go anywhere. We could rule half(a) this world together-all of this world-you and me. Kingdom after kingdom would fall to usI stared him, almost caught up in his vision. The apprehension Id been memory began to lift as I imagined us destroying her forces and me summoning up storms that made the world tremble. I laughed uneasily, alarmed at the way my thoughts had gone. One kingdoms enough, I said, the human part of me bringing me back to earth.You say that now, but I tell you, its in your blood. He looked down at me intently, and those rapture-filled eyes seemed to be every shade of green and gold in the world. I shed into them. I felt beautiful in them. Like a goddess. Eugenie, youre going to be a warrior faggot the likes of which no one has ever seen. Your name will live on when Storm Kings has faded to dust. You will lead your armies on-powerful, fearless, and beautiful. Katrices war is but a skirmish youll stamp out underneath your boot.I had a discombobulate moment then, recalling a vision Id had in the Underworld. My soul had been seeking Kiyos, bu t it was Dorian Id seen in a dream-like state, with the two of us standing on a cliff before armies, both of us glad and majestic. Thered been a baby in my arms and a crown on my head.Id never told anyone about that. It had been a test, not a vision of the future. Trying to keep things light with Dorian, I asked, And where will you be in all of this? Somehow I dont think youll be lurking in the shadows.My sweet Eugenie, he said, back to his flippant, doughty self, there you go, always suspecting ulterior motives. He straightened up, affecting a dignified air. I, of course, shall be by your side.I laughed. Dorian would always be Dorian. Sharing in that glory and power, no doubt.A little, certainly. His mirth vanished, and he grew serious once more. But also there to keep you safe. Whatever battles you engage in, whether you choose to conquer this world or simply go back to exorcising ghostswhat happened with Leith will never, never happen again. Not spell I live. I swear it. I wil l always keep you safe. He moved onwards but was still careful not to touch me. The vehemence in his voice was so strong, however, that it was often tangible. Always.My smile was gone. I studied him for a long clip and realized I believed him. Kiyo had failed me. Dorian would not.And I realized then that Id been an idiot to keep trying to push Dorian away. Did I entirely intrust his motives? No. I did trust him to protect me, though. Id realized just before my capture that I love both him and Kiyo, loved them just as my blood and soul were also split in two. The two halves of my nature would always war with each other. And right now, I didnt need the cautious human half that would rationally seek peace. I needed the part of me that wasnt afraid to unleash all the power I had, to charge introductory with no lodge inraints. I needed Dorian right now. It was his love that was going to allow me to be strong and unafraid of what was to come.Slowly, hesitantly, I reached out and cau ght hold of his hand. It was monumental. I think he knew it was, too. I hadnt been equal to(p) to stand anyone except my mother touching me these last couple of weeks. I certainly hadnt been able to handle any man doing it. His eyes widened slightly at my contact, and I realized he was dimension his breath, afraid for me.I held his hand, touch its warmth and the long, smooth fingers. There was so much power in connecting with another person, in having physical closeness. With just as much care as Id used to touch it, I moved his hand to rest on my hip and stepped forward. Dorian swallowed, and for the first time since Id cognise him, he looked timid.Eugenie-I pressed a finger to his lips and then stood on tiptoe to kiss him. His speak opened instantly to mine, warm and eager. I pushed myself closer to him, but when I put his other arm around me, he pulled back slightly. I could feel and see the desire all over him, but he shook his head.No, noits too soon.Im the one who says wh en its too soon. I kissed him again, harder, and was surprised at how quickly the lust burned through my body. Despite what Id just said, I had believed until this moment that I would never want another man. But being near Dorian, feeling that electricity and power crackle between usit brought forth all the old desire Id been fighting recently, the desire that had nearly made me give in to him in that little village, back when Id still been committed to KiyoBut I had no much(prenominal) commitments now.He returned my kiss with equal intensity, his hands running along my hips. The passion was seizing him, he was get-go to lose himself in it. Then, like before, some reasonable part of him slapped him to attention one more time. I think the world would have been shocked to know the Oak King had such(prenominal) a conscience. He broke away again, but this time, I didnt let him speak.Do you want my most recent time to be with him? I demanded. Do you want Leith to be the memory I carry with me of the last time I had sex?My fingers moved to the buttons of my short-sleeved cotton shirt and unfastened them all. Catching hold of his hands, I brought them toward my chest, airing the shirt apart and making him touch my breasts. Id gone braless today, and his hands felt warm where they stroked my pillage skin. take a leak this my memory, I said huskily, with a bit more command in my voice than Id intended. Make it good. Make this be what I think of when I think of sex. Finish what you started that day.His hands no longer needed my urging. He cupped my breasts, fingers dancing around my nipples. At the same time, he pushed me toward the bed, laying me out on my back. His mouth crushed me with its kiss, and then his lips moved down my neck and to my breasts, taking one of my nipples in his mouth. He sucked gently at first, tongue darting back and forth, but then his lips grew more urgent. His teeth nipped at me while his hands deftly slid my jeans off. After they were on the floor, he sat up a moment, canvass me and all the bare skin before him.Not having him touch me was agony, and I reached up, unfastening the bejeweled belt and his pants. He backed off the bed, standing up so that he could push his pants down the rest of the way. His shirt came off next, and then he stood there naked before me for my inspection, the perfect, marble god hed been once before. Looking over the leanness of his muscles, how strong and hard he was, I felt my own body respond urgently. Id complained to Kiyo before about foreplay, but right now, I wanted none with Dorian-though I had no doubt he would have given me hours of it, armies be damned.Dont wait, I begged him as I pushed my panties down over my hips. Dont wait.He caught hold of the panties and pulled them the rest of the way. I thought hed join me on the bed, but instead he remained standing. He caught hold of my ankles and pulled me toward him until my ass just rested on the beds edge. Still holding my ankles , he brought my legs up so they were nearly straight in the air, almost leaning on his shoulders. Then he leaned forward and pushed into me, moaning at the warmth and wetness he found there.I threw my hands over my head, arching my body up and watching as he thrust back and forth. His eyes were on me too, taking in every part of me. There was something special about sex in the daylight, particularly with him standing over me like that so we could both fully see each other. There was no hiding. Everything was exposed. Vulnerable. Its easy to feel unstable in such moments, but I didnt, not with the way he looked at me, not with just lust-but with awe and adoration too.He buried himself in me over and over, hard and forceful without being painful. It was such a lifetime away from what had taken place at Arts house that I realized nothing there could even be considered sex. Having Dorian in me felt good and right. My body was brimming with need, and he felt like fire where he moved bet ween my thighs. That heat intensified within me, and I felt a spark of aching pleasure grow stronger and stronger, fueled with each thrust. I cried out, feeling my body on the verge of orgasm, and when it came, it was like an explosion of me, of the worldpure ecstasy and elation bursting from between my thighs to the tips of my fingers and toes.He set my legs back flat on the bed and then lay on top of me, never breaking stride. If anything, he pumped more forcefully, nearing his own climax. That glorious hair rained down on my face, and I wrapped my arms around his neck, tangling my fingers in the silken strands. His own arms wrapped around my body, encircling me like a cocoon as his hips moved harder and harder.Then, he exclaimed loudly, words that had no real form, and pressed his face against my neck as he came, his body spilling into mine. I held him close as he breathed heavily against my neck, his watch racing. Minutes passed, and his body finally calmed, though I continued to hold him. Finally, without breaking from my embrace, he lifted his head and brushed the hair from my face.I told you, Eugenie. I told you the world would be reborn when we were together. It will be reborn, and we will conquer it all.I brushed his lips with my fingers. Dont get carried away. Were just settling a grudge here.The look in his eyes told me he believed a lot more would come of that, but he wisely said nothing. Rolling over, he settled beside me on the covers, and we both lay there, our fingers interlaced.I suppose, I said at last, I should go talk to all those people out there, seeing as theyre going to risk their lives for my honor.Its more than just your honor, he said. Its the lands too. You are the land, and when they see you, they will gladly fight for you.I sat up, my eyes falling on the silk dress. I imagine Ive got to play the part. Too bad theres no crown.Dorian sat up as well. Isnt there?He walked over to the table hed set his sword and cloak upon when enter ing. Id been too distraught to notice at the time, but there was a small cloth-wrapped bundle there too. He brought it over to me, and I found myself holding my breath. I suddenly knew what it was, and I was afraid.Whats wrong? he asked when he held it out to me and I didnt take it.II had a dream.I couldnt apologize that vision from the Underworld to him, that one where wed stood on the hillock together. When we had, Id accepted Storm Kings crown-or, well, a feminine version of it-and thats when Id found myself looking down upon all those soldiers postponement to fight for me.What kind of dream?Its hard to explain.Not waiting for me, Dorian unwrapped the bundle himself. My heart lurched as I braced myself to see it again, an elaborate work of platinum, laden with diamonds and amethystsBut it wasnt.The crown he held was gold and very, very delicate. I hesitantly took it and studied the fine details of it. There were little roses sculpted into it-roses with lots of thorns. Tiny em eralds-nothing too overwhelming-were scattered amongst the golden leaves. It didnt resemble Storm Kings crown at all.This is Girards work, I said with certainty.It is, Dorian agreed, running a finger down my bare arm. He seemed relieved that I had taken the crown. You arent the only one who can commission projects.But he works for Katrice.Not anymore. esteem that day you met him? I told you then he was an opportunist. Hes rolled the dice and decided were the side to align with-which, of course, we are. Hell come in very handy for weapons, I think.My eyes were still on the crown and its beauty. I couldnt explain how relieved I was that it was nothing like the crown from the vision. Hesitantly, I lifted it and rested it on top of my head. I looked to Dorian for confirmation. What do you think?He smiled, reaching out to straighten it and arrange my hair slightly. Go see for yourself.Climbing out of bed, I walked over to the full-length mirror and surveyed myself. I was still naked, al l that pale skin contrasting with the red of my hair and the glitter of the crown. My hair didnt have the flaxen that Jasmines did, but it had the occasional gold highlight, and the crown made those locks gleam as they rested just past my shoulders. The emeralds were subtle, not gaudy, but vivid enough to further set off my hair and eyes.So what do you think? Dorian asked.I glanced over at him, still sprawled on the bed and watching me with amusement. I turned back to the mirror, studying my naked, crowned self. I smiled.I think it looks good on me.