A Court of Fire and Sun

chapter eleven

***Helion***

I was struggling to piece my thoughts together. It happened so suddenly. I was dancing with other people then it was her. It was all her. Esther.

I couldn't control myself. She was there, grinding against me and gods-damn- I need to get her home. We were stumbling out of Rita's, struggling to pull away from each other.

Lodging, where was the lodging? Rhysand had told me before. I pulled away from Esther's mouth and she breathed deeply. Her cheeks and nose were pink. "Sorry," her voice was soft and her tone was off.

"No, no. Don't be sorry. I'm trying to think which way we can rent somewhere to stay."

Esther pointed down the road. A tall building with two stories and multiple windows was there. "Morrigan said that's the nicest we'll get."

When did Morrigan and Esther discuss that? Had Mor told her about the time they had... No, Morrigan wouldn't do that. Plus, it's not like that meant anything to either of them. It was just a hookup. Neither of them meant more than that.

Esther was pushing open the door. We were greeted by a slender female with long fingers. She had deep ebony hair and red eyes rimmed with gold. "Good evening," she flashed a wide grin.

In the light of the building I could now see the gold powder that was on my face smudged all over Esther's. It trailed from her forehead, down her brow, her jaw and ended at her neck. Gods she was gorgeous. She pulled a few gold coins from her satchel that I just now only noticed. This must had been another thing Morrigan had given her.

The fae female slid a key over, "Down the hall, up the third flight of stairs. It's the second hallway on the right. The only room on the floor. Our finest."

"Thank you," Esther said, grabbing the golden keychain.

"Only our best room for the High Lord and his Lady Esther."

Esther and I both exchanged a smile before departing rather quickly.

***Esther***

I couldn't get the door open quick enough. My hands were shaking. I had never been with anyone, not by my choice anyways. This would be the first time I had done anything for my own personal pleasure.

For the moment I struggled with the door I tried to think. Was this a good idea? Was he drunk? Was I? No. We both knew what we wanted.

We slipped through the door and before I had time to think of anything else Helion's arms found my waist, he was pulling me to him. This time the kiss wasn't hungry like it was earlier. It was gentle and kind. "Esther, are you sure okay with this?"

I nodded and pressed my lips back against his. I didn't know this part of me. It was hungry and needy. All I wanted to know just how close the two of our bodies could connect. I wanted to be so intertwined with him I could never untangle myself.

He guided us to the bed as he worked on pulling my dress off of me. "Esther. I haven't really said it before but," he paused, letting his lips leave a trail of kisses down my neck. I shuttered and I could feel him grinning against my skin. "You are so fucking beautiful. I've thought that the moment I saw you in the woods."

"E-even when I was dirty and caked in mud?" I couldn't help but asking. His confession left me feeling full of doubt. How could he think that? The first time he seen my I was travel worn. My clothes were dingy and my hair had twigs all through it. My skin was caked in earth. Did he really think I was beautiful then?

"Even then. Every moment since then. That's why i have to leave to get work done. When I'm close to you, you're all I can think about. Your smile," he planted a kiss on my lips. "Your hair," another kiss on the top of my head. "Freckles," one on my jaw. "Neck," a kiss there. He was lifting the dress off me now, tossing it aside. "Your breasts." The kiss he placed on my chest was hungry and aggressive. He bit at my skin.