Their Bonds of Love
Chapter 16

The light in her room told her she needed to wake up, but she resisted the urge. Instead, Eleri kept her eyes closed as she tightened her arm around Conri. She was lying as she had fallen asleep, firmly in his arms with her head against his chest and her arm wrapped around him. She wondered if he could possibly be comfortable, but judging by the gentle rise and fall of his chest, he was at least asleep.

She nuzzled into him, not wishing for even a single bit of space between them. The only way she could settle was with him by her side. Even at supper the night before, she constantly touched him in some way, whether by brushing his hand or placing her leg against his. He said he did not mind and actually enjoyed it, but she wondered if he was only sparing her feelings.

He must have felt she was some kind of nuisance, always wanting to be close to him. It was a new feeling for her. She had never felt so dependent on anyone. Her sense of balance felt off without him around. The little time they were apart, she could not wait until she was near him again.

His arm tightened around her as he stirred. Eleri finally opened her eyes and glanced at him to see him looking at her.

“Good morning,” she said softly. “I hope you got some sleep last night.”

“I slept better than I have in a long while. I think I only woke up twice, but feeling you in my arms soothed me back to sleep quickly. These past weeks, I have spent many nights in front of my fireplace thinking of you.”

“You don’t know how relieved I am to wake up in my bed and not in the palace. I was almost afraid to open my eyes to replace it as all a dream, but then I felt your arms around me, and I knew I was home.”

“I hope you always feel at home in my arms no matter where we are,” he said before kissing her forehead.

She moved up so she could be face to face with him. “I can already tell I feel better than I have in a long time. My head is so clear, and my body doesn’t ache as it did before.”

His hand rubbed against her side. “I’m glad to hear it.”

Her hand moved against his bare chest before going up to his cheek. “Perhaps I might give you the reward you commanded earlier now.”

His hand went down her body to her lower leg, replaceing the hem of her nightgown. “I wouldn’t be opposed, my lady. I think it might be what I need to start my day.”

She leaned forward to kiss him as his hand worked its way under her gown and up her leg. She moaned as his hand reached her upper thigh. He kissed her jaw before working his way down her throat, replaceing his mark. He lightly sucked on the spot, letting his tongue brush it, causing Eleri to gasp. A wave of desire ran through her so strong it made her shudder.

“Eleri,” he breathed against her neck. “You are mine.”

“Yes,” she groaned as he kissed her neck again.

She finally leaned back from him slightly and moved on top of him. She kissed him quickly before working her way down his chest, leaving a string of wet kisses as her hand went to the pants he wore.

He laid back fully and relaxed as he groaned her name. She kissed his lower stomach while undoing the ties on his pants. He lifted his hips off the bed so she could take them off when there was a knock at the door.

Conri huffed in frustration as Eleri looked up at him with a small smile. “I suppose it is later in the morning then we realized. That must be the servants to see me dressed.”

He pulled her up to him. “You should dismiss them. You haven’t even been home a full day. Tell them you wish to rest in your room for a while, maybe the whole day.”

“You have lofty plans then, your highness?”

“I just want to spend every moment with you, kissing every part of you.” The knocking happened again, this time louder. Conri reached down and adjusted his pants before fastening them. “I will go tell them to leave, myself.”

“I really do need to get up,” said Eleri with a sigh as she sat up. “Don’t look at me like that, Conri. I have to speak with my father. He barely said two words last night, and I fear he is upset over what has happened. We also need to speak further with Deri. The land is in great peril, and we don’t have time to waste.”

Conri sat up next to her. “The land can wait at least one more day, but I know you don’t want your father upset. I should speak with him as well. I would hate for him to think I took advantage of you and have him not approve of our bond.”

“I am sure that is not it, but we will need to replace out. Go on to your own room, and let me dress. We can do what we need to today and then perhaps retire early after supper.”

“I hope you will not tire yourself out and wish to go to sleep early, Eleri,” said Conri.

“I have other plans for this evening, my prince, and they do not involve any kind of rest. I still owe you a reward.”

He leaned forward and kissed her forcefully, making her wish she could just send the servants away.

“Go change, quickly, Conri. I do not want to be away from you long,” said Eleri once he finally let her go.

“I will wait for you just outside in the hall,” he responded.

He kissed her one more time before there was another knock at the door. They stood together, Conri throwing on his shirt while Eleri put on her robe. She opened the door, and two of the young woman who served in the house entered with their heads down. Conri kissed Eleri’s hand before leaving, causing one of the women to giggle as the other nudged her with her arm.

Eleri dressed as quickly as she could. She stretched when she was done, feeling a little stiffness in her side, but not the pain she had grown accustomed to. It was so freeing to be in her simple winter gown and not feel the weight of a heavy train dragging her back. She supposed it was good not to be infected with poison daily as well. She looked in the mirror, and though she looked a little thin and pale, she wasn’t displeased with her looks.

Opening her door, she stepped out in the hall to replace Conri looking effortlessly handsome as always as he leaned against the wall. She couldn’t stop herself from hurrying towards him as he pushed off the wall and took her hand.

“You are so lovely,” he murmured as he pulled her close. “I never grow tired of looking at you.”

She leaned up and kissed him, wanting nothing more than to drag him back into her room or go to his, but it could not be. She reluctantly pulled back and took his arm. “You must be hungry, Conri, and I believe I might be as well. I almost forgot what that felt like.”

“Then let me escort you to breakfast. I will try to control myself,” said Conri.

She took his arm. “It is I who pounced on you. I’ll have to work to control these feelings­­. I cannot just jump into your arms all day.”

“I would not mind it, but I do not want to anger or disappoint your father, Eleri. I hope he approves of me.”

“You know he does. I am not sure what is troubling him, but I will replace out this morning.”

They walked into the dining room to replace only Efa and Grace at the table. Eleri was disappointed not to see her father.

“Have we arrived so late that others have already taken their leave?” asked Eleri as Conri pulled out a chair for her.

“Lady Farrow and Lady Aella ate a little early as they were visiting a few of the area families to pass out baskets for the upcoming festival. They knew you would be too weak to do it and wished to take the burden off of you.”

“I am ashamed that I had forgotten. The Winter Moon Festival is what four or five days away?”

“Five,” said Grace. “Your father had thought to cancel the festivities, but with you back, he wishes to celebrate. I saw the servants running to clean the ballroom just this morning.”

“You should only participate if you are feeling up to it, Eleri,” said Efa. “No one wishes to rush your healing.”

“I am already feeling much better today. My head feels almost clear, and my body does not ache half as bad.” Eleri poured some tea for her and Conri.

“You must not push yourself, though, my dear,” said Grace. “No long walks outside or riding through the trees.”

“Or other… strenuous things,” said Efa with a stern look at both Conri and Eleri.

Conri choked on his tea and coughed as Eleri blushed. “I know my limits, Aunt Efa.”

“We shall see.” Efa drank her tea while still staring at them both.

“Where are the others then? The Havens? Caerwyn?” Eleri took a sip of her tea and looked down. “My father?”

“The Havens took breakfast in their rooms. I haven’t seen Caerwyn, and your father ate and went to his study,” replied Efa.

“Then I shall eat quickly and go see him,” said Eleri.

“I will go with you,” said Conri.

Eleri was about to protest and say it would be better to see her father alone, but Efa spoke up. “Let him go with you, Eleri. Your father will wish to speak with you both.”

“And you will feel more at ease with the prince by your side. I know how it was when I was first bonded to Efa. I couldn’t bear for Efa to be barely three feet from me.”

Efa grabbed Grace’s hand and squeezed it as they shared a fond look between them.

Conri glanced at Eleri and couldn’t help but grin at him. They made idle chit-chat with Efa and Grace as they ate a quick breakfast. When they were done, they walked together to her father’s study to replace the door closed.

“You don’t have to go in here with me. I am sure he will wish to speak with you at some point, but if it is too awkward right now, I understand,” said Eleri as she knocked.

“There is nothing awkward about it. It is very simple. I love you and have somehow gained your love. Now we are bonded together as thousands of people before us.”

“Not completely bonded,” said Eleri.

“You could fix that if you wished,” said Conri. “I am very willing.”

She turned to him as his words affected her, and her legs felt a little weak. He took her hand as the door opened, and her father stared at them both.

“I was hoping you might have time to speak with us, father,” said Eleri.

“You are well aware that I always have time for you, Eleri. Please come in.” He moved out of the way so they could both enter.

Her father went to his large wooden desk and sat down. Eleri saw he had many letters and other papers scattered all around.

“I hope we are not disturbing you, father. If you need us to come back, I understand,” said Eleri as she walked towards his desk.

“I am just going over some messages I received while you were away. I had a hard time concentrating while you were in the palace. Now that you are safe, I am trying to make sense of it all. We need to combine our forces quickly to move on Niamhan. There are also those coming in for the Winter Moon Festival.”

“We might have brought some useful information with us,” said Eleri. “Or at least someone who can tell us things that were said at the palace. The guard I brought back, Deri, he overheard many conversations between Lord Fellen and others.”

Her father looked up. “I have already had a long talk with the young man and Selven. They both had some interesting information. This letter I received late yesterday from Lord Cecil was useful as well.”

“You have been busy,” said Eleri, feeling a little hurt that her father had talked to so many people but not her.

“After what Selven and young Deri told me, I knew I had to act fast. I needed to get everyone here for the festival as witnesses. I believe Efa is going to her estate later today to convince a few of the magical families to come.”

“As witnesses?” Eleri looked at Conri. “What do you need witnesses for?”

Her father shuffled some papers before looking up at her and Conri. “Eleri, would you step outside for a few moments? I have some things I need to discuss with the prince.”

Conri titled his head as his eyes went wide.

“You can say anything to Conri with me in the room, Father. I am his First Advisor, and I am sure he would not mind me knowing any of his business.”

Her father gave a short chuckle. “His First Advisor and more, I hope. I am not trying to hide anything from you, Eleri. I would just like to speak with Prince Conri for a few moments. Once we are done, I will tell you all.”

She hesitated, not rising from her chair. “I hope you are not upset about what has happened. If you are, it is not Conri’s fault. He only did as I asked. It was the only way to save me. I know it wasn’t the best time and is sudden, but I do not regret it.”

Her father held up his hand. “I am not upset, Eleri. I know how the prince feels about you. He has not hidden his love for you from me at any point. It is a bit sudden, and it is difficult for me to accept my little girl is all grown up, but I am not unhappy. There are just some things I wish to discuss with the prince alone.”

“It is alright, Eleri,” said Conri as he took her hand. “Go and rest in the parlor for a moment. Have another cup of tea or some apple tart that you like so much. You did not have much to eat at breakfast.”

“You wish me to go?” she asked.

“I would never have you leave my side if it were possible, but your father has asked to see me alone, and as I respect him, I will do it. I know it is difficult for you to part from me at this time, but it will not be for long.”

“Not at all, Eleri. Go have a cup of tea, and when you are done, I will come to get you.”

She rose from her chair. “Very well. I will go for a short while.” Conri grabbed her hand before she could leave. He kissed it before letting it go. She gave him a very small smile as she walked to the door and opened it. Before she left, she looked at her father. “I will give you the time it takes me to drink one cup of tea, father. If you have not summoned me by then, I will come back here and let myself in.”

As she closed the door, she heard her father say with a laugh. “She is very much like her mother.”