Chapter 911: Parting After Parting (Ch.912)
When Neveah returned to the first level, she sensed Jian’s presence even before she saw him.
Her feet moved before her mind caught up, going in search of him until she found him.
He sat at his desk in the study, a map spread out before him.
She took a glance at it and knew what it was. EbonHollow... the witch ruins.
They’d already been there once, a while back. And Neveah didn’t count it as the most exhilarating visit. Or one she would prefer to relive.
If she felt that way, she couldn’t imagine how Jian felt. Ebonhollow had always been one of his demons.
And now, the fate of the stronghold would be decided at that sa location. It was a cruel irony.
Jian glanced up, and as their eyes t, a smile stretched his lips. "There you are, beloved. I was beginning to worry."
She smiled back, pushing off from the wall she leaned against. She crossed the room, going around the desk, and settling into his awaiting arms.
He nuzzled her neck, the tip of his nose grazed her skin as he inhaled deeply. And for a mont, neither of them pulled away.
Finally, with a reluctant exhale, he pulled back just enough to stare up at her. "Kaideon?"
"Gone. I sent him off myself." She said,
She waited for him to protest her use of magic, giving Everon’s repeated warnings. But he didn’t.
His hand rubbed her back soothingly. "Eira?"
Neveah hesitated for a mont. "She’s well, I think."
Jian heaved a sigh, nodding in understanding.
"What’s on your mind, beloved?" He asked after a mont of silence.
She pressed her lips together, her eyes searching his. "You. You are on my mind."
His gaze ward, and he leaned his forehead against hers. "I’m right here."
"How long do you have?"
It wasn’t news the squadrons would be heading to battle. The entire Keep bustled with the preparations.
It also wasn’t news that if ever there was to be a final battle, then this would be it.
Victory or defeat, it would change the stronghold forever. There would be no other chances.
"Less than an hour." He replied honestly. "I wish I had longer, but the situation is dire. We must beat the forlorn to Ebon hollow."
She nodded in understanding. "Then you must."
Getting up to her feet, she offered a hand to him and he took it, letting her guide him into the washroom.
A layer of steam hovered over the bath pool. Warm and inviting.
She stepped away from him, her fingers working at a steady pace to undo the ties of her dress. Her undergarnts followed, until she was standing bare to his hungry gaze.
Jian’s eyes had darkened. They raked her naked form from head to toe and then back again, and a low growl rumbled in his chest.
"Well?" She smiled coyly, turning and stepping down into the steaming water.
She heard the thumps as his clothing hit the ground, but she didn’t turn, wading slowly through the water until his arms ca around her from behind, pulling her flush against him.
"You will be the death of , woman." He murmured through ragged breaths,
His lips trailed her neck and she tilted her head to the side to give him better access, laughing breathlessly.
"Good. Then you can’t die anywhere else..." She whispered, her tone hoarse. "Your life is mine, My Liege. And I don’t allow you to get hurt."
Jian nuzzled into her neck, nodding once. "I will abide."
His hand trailed down her neck, over the rise of her breasts and then lower.
"There are few things a man lives for. Even fewer for a dragon lord. But I...will live only for you, Neveah. Not the stronghold...not duty... just you."
His fingers stroked her inner thighs. She whimpered needily, arching into his touch.
"You are my purpose."
_________
Jian’s hair was soft as she threaded it through her fingers, weaving a warrior’s braid in the way she’d seen him wear it a few tis before.
He watched her through their reflection in the mirror, eyes searching hers like if he looked away for a mont, he would miss sothing he would regret for a lifeti.
"Done." Neveah murmured, stepping away to retrieve his outer robe.
It was a gleaming white battle gear. More functional than his court robe. In that fabric that she still wasn’t certain what it was.
He stood, letting her put it on him and secure the clasps at the front while his eyes never left her.
She brought over the tray of accessories next, the exact shade of his scales. Tassels, wrist guards, belt and sash.
She put them on one after the other, completely focused on securing each clasp and double checking for functionality.
And just when she secured the final wrist guard, the door ca open.
She didn’t turn. She didn’t need to. It was the King’s guard. All five of them. Her bond with Jian blossod by the day, she could sense them from miles away now like they were sohow linked to her as well.
Finally, when she was done securing the clasp, she turned. Sure enough, Xenon, narx, Cassian, lmagor and Kirgan stood by the door.
Xenon crossed the room over to them then, his arm going around Neveah’s waist.
"It’s ti." Cassian announced.
Neveah quite nearly choked on the breath she had been holding. She wasn’t even sure why she felt like this.
Like she was already losing sothing...
They’d been through parting after parting, she had begun to dread it. The last ti he’d left with the squadrons, he was gone for a year and no one could tell when he would return.
This ti...
She turned her face away, exhaling a shaky breath that was much too audible.
"Beloved..." Jian murmured, his tone pained.
Neveah lifted a hand to prevent him from coming to her, shaking her head slowly. "Just... give
a mont."
Maybe it was because she knew this was different from the battle at Aloria. This was a far greater enemy. The Forlorn overwheld the dragons in both strength and numbers, and they were backed by an even greater evil... sorcery.
The only battle in history that could be likened to this was the uprising. Where it all began.
Xenon’s hand rubbed her back soothingly.
She drew in a breath, and then turned to them again. Her gaze hardened. "There’s no ti to waste. If the Forlorn arrives at EbonHollow first, we lose the advantage."
Cassian fixed Neveah with an apologetic look. "We will bring him back to you, Your Grace. In one piece."
"It’s not just him I want back in one piece." Her gaze shifted between Cassian, Imagor and Kirgan who would accompany Jian to battle. "I will not lose a single person in this room. Not one."
The three bowed low, "As Your Grace commands."
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