A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

Heat

The world blurred around the edges of Aria's pupil. The sky merged with the ground in an endless stream. It sparkled with life as the stars scattered all around—a true splatter of vibrant color. No painting could capture its breathlessness. In that vastness, at the top of a high mountain, above everything, lay a lone tree. A small patch of green and lively grass contrasted with the dark wood.

Aria laid against the tree trunk. Up this high, it felt like her body floated above the clouds. She never felt so light.

"You seem to like it up here," a deep, masculine voice pulled Aria from her daze.

Aria turned to her left and there, leaning against the same tree, was Elvin. His stormy eyes calmly looked upon the peaceful night sky. His long silver-gold hair danced with the light gentle breeze. His white skin seemed so bright against the midnight colored sky. Like he was one of the stars himself. His strong and sharp jaw, which was usually so tensed, loosened at the beauty around him.

"Thank you, Prince Elvin, for bringing me here. It is nice to relax after everything." Aria was genuinely thankful. She was also truly sorry.

Aria leaned her back further onto the bark of the dark tree. The rough wood spikes served to anchor her. It was hard to remember when she had been here last. So, much had happened. Yet, at the same time, so little. Her mind was as foggy as the misty air around them.

"Anytime. You need only ask." Firm lips widened into a teasing smirk, revealing pearly white teeth. The sky blurred behind him as the darkness of the night danced around him.

A tug pulled at the corner of Aria's lips, threatening to form a smile. She could not explain why her cheeks reddened at his action. Those words. They meant something. She bit her lip, trying to put out whatever flame threatened to burn within her. Instead, she gazed forward. She could not get enamored by the sight. There was a plan, and she would stick to it. 'A plan?'

"Is this where you bring all your conquest?" Aria teased, hoping to distract him from her wandering hand. It slid slowly against the singing grass, trailing towards her pocket. The green blades sang songs of pleads against her fingertips. Pleads for her to stop.

"No," - he smirked - "I like to come here for solitude."

"Umm," Aria mumbled, adding a smidge of skepticism to her tone. Caramel orbs watched his every breath, making sure his eyes remained on the sight before them.

"It is true. I wonder why you believe me to be such a skirt chaser." His grin widened as if he was excited at what possibly Aria would say.

The question stumbled Aria, the light blush on her cheeks spread all the way down her neck. "I imagined that a prince would get a lot of offers. Not to mention you have no problem prancing around in the nude, from what I have seen."

Elvin chuckled once again. His voice rumbled against the plane, brushing the edge of Aria's skin. He seemed to be doing that a lot. Aria wondered when she had grown used to it. When had the drumbeat of his chuckle become so enticing? He turned to her. Aria's hand stilled, ceasing its slow motion.

"Okay, three things. First, I do get many offers, and, yes, some are after my crown, but far more are dying to see if the rumors they hear are true. Second, as you have noticed, elves are not taught to shy away from their bodies, so as startling it is to you, most people would not be faced by it. Lastly, I do not bed everything that waltzes in front of me and offers."

"Are the rumors true?" Aria asked. A little taken aback that she would ask that. Why would she say that?

The smirk on his face wavered for a second. His eyes narrowed as a flash of thunder sparked within them. The way his gaze roamed across her lips sent a shiver down Aria's spine. It promised so much. "Are you asking because you want to find out?"