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Chapter 36

Allie

By the time we make it back to the archives, my rush of adrenaline from the throne room is finally beginning to ebb.

What just happened?

Walking into the throne room and seeing Eren put his hand around that demon’s neck was a shock. But seeing him react so violently in defense of my honor…

I shouldn’t find it as hot as I do. There shouldn’t be anything erotic about my big, hulking demon husband taking my naysayer by the throat and just daring him to continue insulting me… but here we are. Eren’s got his hand curled around my elbow as we get closer and closer to the archives, and even that small touch is sending shoots of desire spiraling out through every part of me.

“Wife,” he rasps as we reach the door, “I can smell exactly what you’re thinking.”

“I can’t help it,” I whisper.

I can’t, I really can’t. Damn mating bond or whatever this is making me go weak in the knees over his barbaric behavior. It’s still blooming through my veins as he opens the door to the archives and guides me through the library.

In the map room, he catches me around the waist and lifts me onto the table carved with a map of his realm. Stepping between my spread thighs, he braces his hands on my hips.

I half-expect him to just rip off my clothes and have me right there, but when he speaks again, it’s not with lust in his voice.

“I can’t say how sorry I am,” he tells me quietly, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “For putting you in that position, for exposing you to that spectacle and my shame.”

I lean back, looking up at him. “Shame?”

“Behaving as I did. It was not kingly or honorable, and it’s all the worse for you having witnessed it.”

He seems absolutely serious, and I don’t quite understand why.

“You mean with Crowley?” I ask. “I mean, he was being a huge dick.”

Eren barks out a surprised laugh and pulls me closer. “Still, I should not have been so reactive. It’s what he was looking for.”

That may be true, but it’s also true that my lady bits are singing in response to his entirely uncivilized show of masculine ownership.

“You claimed me,” I say, leaning up to drag my teeth along his neck.

His breath catches in his throat.

“You defended me,” I continue, kissing the places I’ve bitten.

A growl starts low and fierce in his chest. “Always. I will always defend you Allie.”

“I know. I don’t expect you to be anyone but exactly who you are.” I lean in and rest my cheek against him. “Besides, you did warn me that demons run hot-blooded and a little wild.”

He considers that for a moment. “I suppose I did. I would, however, like to be a bit more civilized for you.”

“Why? Haven’t I made it obvious enough that I like you snarly and half-feral?”

While I speak, I caress the bare skin under his jacket, running fingertips from his chest to his abs and lower still, toying with the waistband of his trousers.

“Allie,” he says, a warning. He takes a step back from me with what seems like supreme effort. “Don’t distract me, witch. What is it you mean to tell me about this book?”

The thread of command in his voice and the things it does to my lower belly undercut his order a bit, but I hop down from the table and make myself focus.

“I can read it.”

Taking his hand and chuckling a little at his look of bald surprise, I tug him back into the workroom. Putting my gloves back on, I flip the grimoire open and read its inscription, flip through a few pages and explain what’s written within.