To The Ones Who Can't Dream

chapter 60 - He Loved The Stars Too Fondly To Be Scared Of The Night

POV: Rhys
     Rhys's mind was always slow waking up. He had to take a few minutes each morning to orient himself. Especially recently, since he was no longer waking up with his favorite fae next to him. At first, he hadn't realized why he had such a hard time sleeping in his usual bed. But after a couple of nights he came to the conclusion that it was because Seren wasn't next to him. After almost 50 years of sharing a bed with someone, he had gotten used to the warm and steady presence of her.

     Believe it or not, he had been scared of the dark as a child. How ironic is that? Rhys was terrified of the night, yet would one day become the High Lord of the Night Court. From the moment he was born, his soul was set in darkness. But by some miracle, one night Rhys took the time to look up at the sky. And in its murky depth, he saw billions of stars. That's how he got over his fear. Those stars reminded him that even in the darkest of places, light would always find a way to show itself.

     The Bone Carver had pointed out that in the Old Language, her name translated to 'star'. And there could not be something more true. She was his star. She was the twinkly light in the sea of darkness. She was what helped him overcome his fear of the night. She was everything. Though his soul may set in darkness, Rhys always looked for the light. For he loved the stars too fondly to be fearful of the night.

     So right then and there, Rhys knew what Seren and him were doing that day. He was going to take her to the Weaver's cottage. His mom had given her ring to the Weaver and told him that he would only be able to marry the fae who retrieved that ring. He didn't care that Seren would never marry him. There is nobody else that Rhys would ever want to marry. There is only her.

     There was a weight on his chest and over his body. At first he thought it was just the disappointment of realizing that, yet again, he was waking up alone. But as his mind slowly came more aware of his surroundings, Rhys figured out that something was laying on top of him. Not something, someone. Now, his first instinct was to karate-chop this fae off his body. And right as he was about to do just that, his enhanced scent picked up jasmine and strawberries.

     Instantly, his body relaxed. It was just Seren. Then, his body tensed up again. But for a whole other reason. It was Seren. Seren was the one laying on top of him. He could feel her hot breath on his bare chest and shuddered slightly. Cracking his eyes open, he looked down at her. Somehow, his arms had come up around her at some point because he was effectively holding her. As if his body subconsciously was trying to pull her closer while he slept. Her head was laying almost directly above his heart and she had thrown her arm over his opposite shoulder. He could feel her soft breasts pressing against his... No, he scolded himself, bad Rhys. He was not thinking about that right now.

     To distract his mind from this fact he surveyed the rest of her. She had wrapped her leg around his torso, directly over his... What the fuck is wrong with you? Why can't you just behave like a normal friend.

     He looked for something else to distract himself with and picked up on the fact that he was still in his shirt. Rhys felt his cock harden against her thigh. He groaned quietly. Fuckkkk.

     If Seren woke up right now, he was screwed. And as if the Cauldron had heard him, Seren began to stir. Rhys didn't think she knew where she was yet. He tried thinking about anything that was inherently non-sexy. Think, think, think. The Attor. Court of Nightmares. Tamlin.

     But nothing was working. And as soon as she started moving slightly, he knew he was done for. How in the world was he supposed to think of something else when Seren was laying on him, both of them only partially dressed. He took a deep breath and balled his hands into fists at his sides, in case he tried to do something extremely stupid like touch her.

     He felt the exact moment Seren noticed Rhys was under her. Her whole body stiffened slightly but she didn't move. Her hand slowly began tracing the tattoos on his chest. Tamlin. Tamlin. Tamlin.

     Rhys needed to de-escalate this situation before he did something truly idiotic. "Having fun there?"

     He had tried to come across as smug but he heard how his voice was slightly breathless. She jumped at his voice, moving her leg slightly. Rhys gritted his teeth. She slowly swiveled her head to look at him, "Sorry I didn't think you were awake."

     She blanched, "Not that it would be okay if you weren't awake. I honestly don't know why I did that in the first place. I'm so sorry if I made you uncomfortable. That wasn't my intention at all."

     Rhys smiled slightly at her rambling. But she still hadn't gotten off of him. He needed to point out the obvious before she found out for herself, "I'd say your touch has the opposite effect on me."

     He shifted his eyes downward and Seren's face turned pink. He thought it was one of the most beautiful sights. Her eyes went wide. "Oh well um in that case..." she trailed off.

     As if she just realized who she was laying on, she suddenly pushed off of him going to climb out of the bed. He cringed, Of course she wouldn't want you.

     He took another deep breath through his nose and froze. That was her arousal he could smell. And just like that, his confidence was back. He grinned and reached out his hand to grab her forearm, "Hey, I actually have something I need you to do with me today."

     She eyed him suspiciously, "What now?"

     "Since we are waiting for the Summer Court to respond to our request to visit, we should test how well you can find items. I lost something in the Weaver's cottage that I need back. I was wondering if you'd get it for me?"

     She smiled, "Oh, I've heard of the Weaver. Isn't she related to the Bone Carver? Anyways, that'll be fun so I'm in. Let me get ready and I'll meet you in the dining room in a bit."

     He smiled back at her, "Okay, sounds good."

     With that, she got up and walked out of his room. He laid back in his bed, but for some reason he couldn't wipe the smile off of his face.