A Court of Rising Starlight

Chapter XXIX

Lily POV:

My sister still seemed bothered by whatever had happened when she was alone with Kier. I wanted to ask but every time I would turn to say something she would put on a fake smile or turn away completely.

To say I was antsy would be an understatement.

Every time I thought I was free to fly to the camps there was another soldier to heal, not that it would be easy to find Dimitri in the chaos there. Az stood over my sister and I with Mor at his side. "I'm going to the camps," he says.

I practically leap away from the man I had just finished healing. "Let me come with you," I almost shout at him. He raises his brows at my eagerness. "I'm sure there are just as many people there that need healing as there are here. Divide and conquer," I cover myself quickly.

He seemed to hesitate but couldn't find fault in my argument. "Okay, but you have to stay with me. I don't need you getting hurt."

I almost ask what could hurt me now that the opposing army was overthrown but instead choose to agree to his terms. A lie. I take his hand and he windows us to the camp.

I reach for my mate's mind, thankful when I feel him opening to my mental touch.

Where are you?

Counting our losses. There are too many, Lilian.

He was the only one I let use my full name and it made my toes curl when he did. He knew it too.

But where, Dimitri? I need to see you.

You'll distract me, Princess.

Please, Dimitri.

I hear him mentally sigh. You know where I do my paperwork.

I quickly bolt away and hear Az curse but I was already gone. I feel a bit guilty as I slam into a few men here and there but I was probably annoying them more than hurting them.

I spot my mate standing calmly outside of his tent. I throw myself into his arms and he catches me with ease. I didn't care what people said or how fast word would spread. All I cared about was the fact we were both alive. I kissed him forcefully, blocking out the noise around us if only for a moment.

He broke the kiss, resting his forehead against mine. "I love you," he whispers.

I smile. "What's not to love?" He pinches my side lightly and I jump. "I love you too."

"Here we were, saying you needed to get some action and you've been with the princess all this time." I turn to see a tall Illyrian walking towards us. "He's a good man, Princess. But do keep him in line where we can't."

I smile. "That's quite a task you're giving me."

This time he pinches my rear, making me let out a little yelp and blush. "Believe me, brother, she is the one that needs kept in line."

"Apparently," I hear from my right. Az looked irritated but understanding. "You said you were coming with me to heal injured Illyrians."

"And I will. I just needed to make sure one in particular wasn't on his deathbed."

My mate rolled his eyes, letting his arms fall. I wanted to lean in and have him just hold me for hours, but I knew there was work to be done. "Go on. There are plenty here who are in need of healing." He kisses my knuckles lightly. "Come find me again when you're done though."

"I will."

"How long have you been seeing him?" Az asks, guiding me to the camp infirmary.

"It clicked instantly. I knew who he was when he carried me out of Kier's place. I've snuck out and spent the night here once or twice a week since."

"Why didn't you say anything?"

I shake my head. "Nicole already had to see Acacia and Derek together all the time. I thought it was too soon when I found out about my own mating bond."

He sighs, stopping when we reach our destination. "Can I trust you to actually stay here while I handle business elsewhere?"

"Yes." With that I began my work.

-----

A few hours later my power was spent and I felt as if I might fall asleep standing. Az had gone back to the house just moments ago, telling me I should stay with my mate tonight. I duck into the tent we share and he smiles.

"Words been spreading about some miracle healer going around the medical area. It's like she's got some Dawn magic in her or something." He strips his shirt, preparing to sleep and I cant help but let my eyes drift away from his face. "All these nights together and you're still impressed?" he teases me, laying down with his hands clasped behind his head.

"Slightly," I reply, bring my body down to his slowly. I lightly scrape my nails down his chest and abdomen, then trace my fingers along the bottom edge of his left wing. I see him swallow as I draw my hand upwards. "But these..." I smirk darkly. "Of these I most certainly am."

"Be careful, Lilian," he warns as I focus my touch on a more sensitive area. "You push me too far and I might just snap." Not a second later he had us flipped over, his breath fanning against my ear. "Wings out. Now," he growls when I give him a look of defiance.

"Bite me," I say.

He chuckles, nipping at the skin on the side of my neck. I inhale sharply. "Don't dare me to do something you're not ready to take, love. Besides, there are far less innocent places on that body of yours I could have bitten." He kisses me, pulling my hair gently. I moan in response. "Careful, love. We are still in public after all. Not that I would mind my men know just how good of a night I can give a woman."

I sit up slightly, finally giving him what he wanted. It still amazed me just how much my wings were dwarfed by his. "What happened to taking this somewhere no one can hear us?"

He slips his hands under my shirt. "At the moment I am just happy we are both still in one piece. I honestly don't care where the hell we are."

I grin. "Good."