Heart Over Sword
Chapter 209: New Sensations (1)

Chapter 209: New Sensations (1)

Evanna left the warmth of the camp and the clutches of Arawn’s tempting eyes, allowing the chill of the evening air to calm down. The prince did not follow her, nor did the dark fae who started to draw symbols into the dirt ground with a stick. There wasn’t much to see in the thick darkness of more woods beside the glittering light reflected on the lake.

With her body relaxing and the heat of her blood cooling, Evanna could think clearly again. Only Arawn could lead her into temptation, and although she knew there were risks with falling and allowing the elven prince to claim her, she couldn’t help it. He had always been alluring and naughty from the moment she reunited with him in Direwood forest, following him like a lost puppy. Even now, with the crisp air clearing her mind, she felt these urges not only to be near him but to touch him and for him to touch her.

Arawn had already kissed her, and now she’d had a taste; she wanted more. But this was not the place to think or fantasize about such naughty things. They were travelling to Lyvaria with creatures and other dangers surrounding them, yet here she was, wanting to join Arawn in the lake. Wondering how far things could go with the prince.

"Enough, Evanna," she scolded herself in a whisper. She looked up at the tall trees to the navy night sky as whisps of breath left her lips, revealing the slow changes in temperature and the environment.

The princess had noted how the temperature dropped the more they travelled towards Lyvaria. It made her wonder if soon she would see what Conrad was used to seeing every winter. Snow.

Was Lyvaria a snowy kingdom or just absolutely freezing?

By the time Evanna returned from her patrol of the area, the men were back, including Garrett, who also seemed freshly washed. Ronan and Ger sat chatting quietly, and from what Evanna had picked up on was about some venture they went on during Ger’s time away from the palace. Axel sat beside Fiza, he questioned her about her home town, but she grinned mischievously, asking him if he wanted to play a game instead.

From the slightly crazed look beaming behind her eyes, Axel shook his head and tried to question her again, his friendly, gentlemanly attitude never failing when the faerie rolled her eyes.

"Women should look out for this one.. Another way to get into their panties.. the nice guy routine. It doesn’t work on me, big boy. You get an A for trying, though." Fiza patted his shoulder, congratulatory.

Axel gaped at her. "I asked what your land was like?! I am not trying to get into your.." He cleared his throat, looking away with a red flush crossing his cheeks. "Delicate... undergarments." With that, he stood up with a huff and slumped down beside Garrett. Surprising both of them.

"Be nice, Fiza," Evanna reprimanded, ignoring the fae sticking her tongue out at her.

"Ah, she returns," Ronan chimed, standing up and moving his head from side to side. "What do you think?"

"Very pretty, Roach," Evanna deadpanned.

Ger and Axel burst into laughter as Ronan’s mouth dropped open. "Only pretty!? Not devastatingly handsome? With these dimples?!"

Evanna looked to the sky for help and smiled at him. "You all look devastatingly handsome," she said, not leaving either of them out. "Now get some sleep before you wake something that should remain asleep."

Ger pulled Ronan back down from where he was about to follow Evanna, exclamations on his lips. A smack in the back of his head had Ronan sigh in exasperation, but he lay down on newly acquired fur that all of them had now. Fiza raised her hand and slowly balled it up, her lips moving as the fire’s brightness reduced, but the heat remained.

Evanna rounded from the group, looking to take a seat on one of the boulders further along that had a decent view of the lake, but a firm arm snaked around her waist, hand grasping at her hip, halting her movement.

"*What about me? Am I devastatingly handsome?*" Arawn whispered in her ear, taking her by surprise, but the smooth velvet of his voice made her relax in his hold.

"*Do I need to reassure you of your looks, my prince?*" She whispered teasingly, her voice slightly breathless.

Arawn’s other hand snaked around her waist, making her insides flip and her eyes briefly close with his warm breath on her neck. "*Of course not. If looks alone would win you over then you would have been in the palm of my hands a long time ago,*" he chuckled against the side of her neck, inciting a gasp and goosebumps to flourish her skin.

Evanna spun around, smiling at Arawn’s possessiveness, holding onto her waist as she slid her hands up his arms, her eyes glancing behind him where the fire glowed lowly. She probably was in the palm of his hand from the moment she saw him. It was only her wit that kept her level-minded.

The voices of the others were low, and already she heard the first tell-tale signs that Axel had fallen asleep. His snoring light for now. It was only Arawn and Evanna at this moment without anyone to part them. Evanna returned her attention to Arawn, looking up into his eyes as his lips fell upon hers. Soft, gentle and encouraging.

Evanna melted into him as his lips pushed into hers more, claiming them as his. She sighed blissfully at the softness of his lips, then clung to the leather of his jacket as he deepened the kiss, delving his tongue into her mouth to meet hers. He was skilled and smooth, working her like some magic as his feet moved closer to hers.

The pair started to move, and Evanna had no qualms about letting Arawn lead her to wherever he wanted to. Her back stopped into the ridges of a tree, and she felt trapped between the bark and the heat of Arawn’s body, but it was oh-so sensational. He controlled her body and mind. Her body came alive under his touch as her thoughts were plagued by only him.

The cover of darkness called to something inside of her as Evanna became enchanted by her prince, his sinful lips and the hands that started to roam over her body. They weren’t hesitant nor forceful but confident in his approach. Everywhere his hand glided over incited heat, pebbly skin and her groin to tighten at the brand new sensations exciting her more.

Evanna felt addicted to Arawn’s touch, and her hands which had been clutching at his jacket, wanted to feel more than the cloth covering the muscles she knew to be hidden underneath. She hooked her fingers to the brooch holding Arawn’s cloak together, letting it slide to the ground as her hands began to unbutton his jacket clumsily. The prince chuckled against her lips but let her hands slide underneath the thick leather and to his undershirt.

She wanted to feel him, his skin. She wanted to feel closer, engaging in acts she knew to be dangerous, but she couldn’t help it.

Arawn pulled back from hungrily kissing and nipping at her neck until his eyes imprisoned her under his stare. He wanted Evanna, wanted more like her, but his hands had moved, arms now resting against the tree, caging her in with the heat of his body. "*We should stop here,*" he murmured huskily, his eyes dropping to her lips like he wanted nothing more than to devour her.

Evanna’s core twitched from that look alone. "*What happened to bathing together?*" she challenged as her hands slid under his shirt and to the slabs of sculpted muscles underneath. At her touch, she felt his muscles contract and his breath hitch, eyes darkening as one hand caressed her cheek, slid down her neck and paused above her cleavage.

"*I do not think you can handle me right now, darling.*" His hand glided between her breasts, down her stomach and to the edges of her shirt, his hand making contact with the skin of her hip. Evanna gasped at his cold hand that shot heat across her body, and the need for him to touch her all over became unbearable.

His hand gripped her hip as his lips hovered over her neck, the touch barely there, but it tormented her. Her nails dug into his stomach as her breath hitched, head lolling back, giving him permission and more access to her. A silent invite to do more.

"*I can barely control myself, Evanna.*" He nipped her neck, the slight pain and pleasure ricocheting straight to her groin. A groan she’d never made before escaped her lips before she could stop it, making her skin flush in embarrassment, but the sound made Arawn’s grip tighten his hold on her.

"*Then don’t,*" she whispered and moaned at the feel of something hard pressing against her stomach.

Evanna lowered her eyes, curiosity piquing, until she realized Arawn’s desire was digging into her.

"*Those are dangerous words, princess.*" Arawn pushed off from the tree. "*You do not know what you are asking.*"

He turned away, but Evanna reached out and held his hand, making him stop and glance at her, his eyes burning into hers, desire warping his features. She could see the emotions flickering across his features, a battle between wanting and doing what was right for her. It made her heart crumble and melt even more.

Arawn was experienced, he’d felt the touch of women before, and she knew of the gossip surrounding him. Besides his cold exterior to others around him, he’d always had someone to keep his bed warm. But since Evanna’s arrival, there had been none, and here he was, restraining himself for her. Maybe she’d grown too used to men like Conrad and her father, lowering her standards and making Arawn shine brighter than any other. But she did feel special.

"Evanna.. please," Arawn whispered, his gaze tormented, his hand tightening over hers.

Evanna bit the inside of her cheek as she searched his features. "*Do not run from me now, Arawn. It hurts my feelings,* she whispered, feeling a little manipulative for saying so.

Arawn, the smart prince that he was, smirked at her words, seeing straight through her. "*Then run from me if it gets too much.*"