Betrayals of Spring (Forever Fae #2)(55)
I can see the honesty in his eyes, but favors to the fae can mean anything from something easy to something extremely difficult. I begin to grow weary and a frown takes over my face. “I am not asking for much,” he admits, smiling.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
“Then what, may I ask, is your favor?” I ask curiously.
“I have never had the pleasure of a woman who hasn’t been enthralled by my power, so all I ask from you is…one kiss.”
“One kiss?” I repeat, confused.
He nods his head, “Aye, one kiss. Our mother once told us before she died, that there is no greater joy than the pleasure of true love. She said that we have been cursed with our powers of seduction.” He moves closer to me and continues. “By kissing you, it will give me a taste of true love.”
I furrow my brows and stare at him. How can he get that from me? I don’t love him. I’m about to ask him, but he stops me with his next words. “I know you do not love me, but I will be able to feel the love you share for your prince when I connect with you. It’ll be a gift I will cherish for the rest of my existence.”
“Is there not a way you can stop using your powers on women and experience love for yourself?”
He shakes his head wearily and looks down at the floor. “Nay, that is why we are cursed.”
I am shocked by his admittance, because I never would have thought the Tyvar would consider their powers a curse. I can feel the sadness in his soul, and I wonder if all the Tyvar feel this way or if Bayleon is the only one. I’m sure a lot of them thoroughly enjoy bedding the women until they die, and thankfully, Bayleon isn’t one of them. If kissing him is the only way to get out of here, then I’ll gladly give it to him. Doing so feels like a betrayal to Kalen, but I think he would prefer I kiss one man instead of bedding a hundred of them. I know I would prefer the kiss. I will do anything to save Kalen, and if it only involves a kiss then so be it.
Bayleon is still looking at the floor, hands in mine, when I squeeze them to get his attention. He hesitates before finally looking up to meet my eyes. “You can have your kiss,” I say softly.
His midnight blue eyes glow and a smile takes over his angelic face. He reminds me of Finn with how ethereal he looks. Thinking of Finn spikes my need to get out of here quickly, and to let him and Ashur know that I am safe and well. I don’t want them getting killed trying to save me, but when I get out of here I’m going to do what I should have done in the first place. I am going to finish out this journey alone.
Bayleon moves closer and with him being so tall, I angle my chin higher to receive his kiss.
Before touching my lips, he whispers, “I need you to think of your prince and the love you feel for him. Take all of that love and build it up here.” He releases my hands and places one of his over my heart. “Are you ready?” he asks.
The love I have for Kalen has never left my heart, but I do as he says and concentrate on all the love and all the passion I have for the one man I desire most. I let those feelings build until my heart feels like it’s going to explode. I close my eyes and nod my head, ready for Bayleon’s kiss.
“I’m ready,” I confess, shaky and breathless.
He moves closer and takes my face in between his hands. His lips feel warm when they close over mine. I part mine slightly, giving into him fully, and he uses this invitation as time to deepen the kiss. I try to picture Kalen in my head while another man takes claim to my lips. The way Kalen looks when he smiles and the way his eyes smolder when he looks at me are fresh in my mind. My lips move against Bayleon’s and I know that if I am to get out of here I have to make this gift memorable. I have to put everything into it, and that means doing the only thing I can think of to do — pretend it is Kalen that I am kissing.
I envision the man before me is the strong and handsome Winter Prince that I have fallen madly in love with. I take us to the place in our vision where everything is colorful and free, the place where we will make our court and begin a new life. I deepen the kiss of my own accord and the man before me moans into my mouth and pulls me in tighter to his body. I wrap my arms around his waist while our tongues intermingle in a sensual embrace. His breathing becomes frantic and so does mine. Things are beginning to get really heated when Bayleon breaks away from the kiss, and I am thrust back into reality. Imagining he was Kalen might not have been the best idea because things were beginning to get carried away really fast.
Bayleon tilts my chin up and presses his forehead against mine.
“That was the most amazing feeling I have ever felt, Princess. Your love for the prince is powerful,” he says, amazed.
I give a small laugh, “Yes it is, and that is why I must go. Am I free to leave?”
He smiles at me warmly and nods, “Aye, you are, and thank you for giving me the taste of true love. I know it must not be easy to give yourself to me when you love another. It warms my soul and has made me see things in a new light. Are you sure you don’t want to stay for the night? Your warriors are gone which means you will be travelling alone at night.”
Traveling at night is not the safest thing to do, but staying here with an army full of lustful Tyvar definitely isn’t. I bow my head in respect, “Thank you, Bayleon, but I really think I should be on my way. I have lost so much time already.”
“As you wish, Princess, but I would like to escort you to the edges of our territory to see you off,” he advises.