Page 57

The queen is the first one who reaches us.“My son!”She rushes with outspread arms to Vitai, forcing him to lower Eucabeth to her feet.“Incus just told me what happened.He saw it all through the archway of his chamber.”

She embraces Vitai, hugging him to her chest, and therefore not seeing the fierce look in his eyes as he holds Eucabeth’s gaze over his mother’s shoulder.

The king walks through the parted waterfall, resembling a dark devil as he takes in the damage.

Kian appears next, suspiciously sporting a few bruises and a swollen upper lip himself.

The queen wraps an arm around Vitai’s shoulders and leads him to the Great Hall.“I think we can all do with a strong drink.”

Tarix, who’s appeared out of nowhere, follows like a lapdog on the queen’s heels.“And this in the midst of an important visit.Whatever will the Marikanears think of us?”

The king addresses Kian.“Escort our guests back to their quarters.”He cuts a gaze to Aruan and me.“Elsie and Aruan have someplace to be.”

As the queen ushers everyone inside, Sandy holds me back with a hand on my arm.

“Why didn’t you tell us, Elsie?”She appears wounded.No, disappointed.“Is it because you’re in cahoots with them?Is that the deal?You pretend to help us to keep us pacified while we’re your prisoners?”

“No,” I exclaim.“Of course not!It’s not what you think.I’m just as much a prisoner here.”

She nods a couple of times.“Are you locked in?”

I hesitate.“Not exactly.”

She nods again before turning around.

“Sandy, I?—”

She looks over her shoulder.“You deceived us, Elsie.We thought you were one of us.”

She walks away without another word, leaving me on the ledge with Aruan, who’s taken in the exchange with a tight jaw and flaring nostrils.

In one long step, he puts our bodies flush together.“My quarters.”The way he adds, “Now,” makes me shiver.

I want nothing more than to be alone with him right now.

For once, we agree.

Chapter13

Aruan

I’m bristling, scarcely holding myself together when Elsie and I enter my quarters.Even before I’ve finished closing the archway, I’m framing her hips between my hands.My mouth is on hers in a desperate, searing kiss, a necessary confirmation that she’s here with me.Safe.

By dragons, she tastes sweet.Her small body is warm beneath my palms.She’s gorgeous, hard-headed, too brave for her own good, and everything I want.She’s everything I ever dreamed of having, the girl I saw growing into a woman in my mind’s eye, a beautiful woman who’s strong yet vulnerable.There’s not a part of her I don’t like or admire, nothing I won’t do for her.

Except let her go.

Her arms come around my neck as I tangle our tongues in a deeper kiss and cup the round globes of her perfect ass.She goes on tiptoes, pressing her breasts flat against my chest, and it’s all I can do not to shred her clothes and sink my cock up to the hilt inside her.

I pull the shirttails from her pants as I walk her to the bed.I can easily dissolve our garments, but I want to undress her slowly.I want to savor it this time.I need to.I need this like I’ve never needed anything.

When her heels hit the edge of my bed, she lays a palm on my chest and tears her mouth from mine.

Her voice is breathless.“Aruan.”

I reach for the button on the waistband of her pants.“What is it, my sweet?”

Her gaze plays over my face.“Your bruises are gone.”