Nikel wrapped his long, wired arms around her waist, pressing her form against his. Evelyn had to lean back, tilting her head to maintain eye contact. She couldn’t help but trace her fingers up the length of his arms. Her fingers drawing along the vine tattoos that stretched across his skin. He always wore as little clothes as possible, preferring the feel of the wind on his skin.

The man before her had everest green tinted skin, allowing him to blend in seamlessly with the surrounding forest. The tattoos that ran across his entire body were inked in black, almost as if they were intended to be a second form of camouflage. They were stunning and mysterious. Half the time she was sure that they had moved along his skin, changing shape and moving as if they had a life of their own.

Such was the way of the Fey. They had their own type of magic, unknown and unattainable to anyone that wasn’t Fey and that’s how they liked it. The Fey folk lived in their own realm, their own dimension that mirrored their own.

Evelyn had visited his realm a few times in the past, but never unaccompanied and never for longer than a few hours. Time moved differently in his realm and she couldn’t risk her father becoming suspicious of her activities.

“I got your message. What was so urgent?” Nikel wrapped his long, thin fingers around the back of her neck, tilting her head back, forcing her to meet his eye.

Evelyn looked up into his black, hollow eyes. They were so dark she couldn’t see where the pupil began and the iris ended. She swallowed hard, bats beating inside her stomach as her nerves overwhelmed her. Unsure how he would take her news, she took in a deep, steadying breath.

“My father has brokered a deal with the King of Leon,” she started, watching him carefully for his telltale signs that would warn her of his rage. “My family will be traveling North to Castle Cretzia where Prince Alexi will choose one of my father’s daughters to be his consort.”

Nikel stared at her strangely. Almost as if he was looking straight through her. He was unable to focus on what was before him, let alone comprehend was she was trying to explain.

They had been lovers for the last two years. Both of them knew nothing could come out of their union other than carnal pleasure and she was okay with that. Her life and her future were always in her father’s hands, just waiting for a match that would benefit her kingdom. She thought Nikel understood that.

“Nik, did you hear me?” Evelyn tried again.

“I hear you. You are leaving tomorrow and may never come back if the Prince claims you as his,” Nikel spoke firmly, his voice cold and distant.

“No one is claiming me. It would be an arranged marriage, a contract to solidify an alliance between our two kingdoms to stand against the wolves when they decide to step onto our land. You and I both know it will happen. Most likely sooner than later. My father is taking every precaution he can. He’s doing what he thinks is best,” Evelyn stood taller in his grasp, pulling her shoulders back, stiffening her spine.

“And selling his daughter to the highest bidder is what’s best for you?” Nikel asked accusingly.

Evelyn refrained from rolling her eyes at the man before her. She had more dignity and respect than that but Nikel sure knew how to push her to her limits.

“Nik, you need to breathe. I am not being sold. Chances are, he will choose Margaret over me anyways. She is the oldest and much more suited, but just in case, I couldn’t leave without seeing you.”

Evelyn raised her hand slowly, cupping his face in her hand, running her thumb along his angular jawline. The Fey we’re a peculiar race. Not a single one of them grew any body hair. Nikel never had to worry about shaving or facial hair. He was always smooth and soft.

“I won’t lose you.”

She looked up into his black inky eyes and found them staring straight down at her. The sight unnerved her but she pushed it aside.

“Let’s not talk about it anymore. I just want to feel you,” she stood up on the tips of her toes and pressed her lips against his.

Nikel always tasted like crushed chestnuts and thyme. Earthy and refreshing.

His hands pulled her in tighter against his body. The thin linen of his pants did nothing to contain the hardness pressing against the corset of her dress, making her body burn even hotter. His fingers were already swiftly undoing the strings that held her bodice together as she allowed her own hands to run down the length of his chest and abs, pulling the trousers off his waist and letting them fall to the forest floor.

Even if this was her last night as Princess of Celia, she wanted to leave with one lasting memory of home.