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“I just didn’t want to upset you more.”

My eyes traced over the portrait in my hands, and I frowned because I couldn’t remember. Then, like an arrow through my heart, something snapped inside of me as I looked at him again.The red crown marking him as mine made me feel feral, wild with lust.

“Thea…” Cassius muttered like he knew exactly what was happening to me. It was like an itch that couldn’t be scratched unless I touched him. “We should talk first.”

I shook my head. I couldn’t wait. My magic rose in my chest the more I looked at my husband, simmering just under the surface but longing to burst free. The longer I had to admire him shirtless, with my mark on him, made the need unbearable. My eyes glanced around at the guards still watching us.

“Go, you’re all dismissed for the day!” I yelled. Haden tried to stifle his smile, but it was a losing battle as he patted Cassius on the shoulder.

“Actually, take today and tomorrow,” I corrected myself.

Cassius smiled this time. The guards all bowed their heads and departed quickly. Cassius watched me closely, as if I were the hunter and he was my prey.

“I want to hear you say it…” I demanded. My darkness swarmed inside of me at the sight of him. It practically clawed at me to go take what was ours. “I want to hear that I’m your mate, your wife.”

Cassius’ chest rose and fell in quick breaths as he watched me slowly approach him. His pretty golden eyes didn’t shy away from mine.

“You’re Thea Valeska, my wife. Future Queen of Crimson. My mate. My queen.” His voice came out in a rasp.

I couldn’t help the smile that tugged on my lips.

“Then kneel for your queen.”

Cassius’ eyes swarmed with black at my demand. He took two steps toward me before he fell to his knees in front of me. When I was finally close enough to touch, his hands grabbed my hips and pulled me forward so he could rest his head against my stomach.

“Gods above, Thea. I can feel how much you want me. It’s almost crippling,” he breathed heavily as his hands gripped me tightly.

“Why can’t I feel you through the bond?”

His face tilted up to me, a sad look in his eyes. He lifted his wrists, and I saw what looked like thin red bracelets burned into his skin.

“You burned these into my wrists. A form of punishment from that day in the clearing.” I traced the red burns softly. Flashes of that day hit me, but they couldn’t make this want—no, thisneed—for him to go away. My fire rose up and swirled around his wrist, taking the damage I had done back and making the burns all but disappear.

I stumbled back as the onslaught of his emotions hit me. Sadness, pain, love, understanding, longing, grief, and anger all swarmed from the bond and straight into my chest.

“You took them away, why?”

“I want to feel you,” I whispered. My skin was hot, and I couldn’t wait anymore. I flung myself at Cassius, knocking the two of us to the ground. Our magic swirled around us, shielding anyone from seeing me ripping the clothes from our bodies.

“My love…” Cassius groaned as my hand stroked down his hard length. Fuck. My heart was thumping so loudly in my ears. I needed to claim him, taste him, touch him. It was all too overwhelming. I leaned forward, my tongue running up the length of him before shoving him into my mouth.

“Fuck,” Cassius sighed loudly in response. His fists clenched tightly at his sides. My hand moved in tandem with my mouth, and I could see the muscles of his stomach clenching with each stroke. Cassius wrapped my dark hair in his hands but didn’t take control.

His heavy breathing had me pulling away from him. His golden eyes were gone, replaced with black depths of lust and longing.

“I want to cum with you,” I breathed quietly as I straddled his hips. Cassius was about to say something, but I sank down on him, making his mouth tense shut. His hands squeezed my hips as his eyes closed tightly.

“Did you miss me when I was gone?” I asked as I slowly lifted myself up. His eyes found mine, giving me a sexy smile.

“I always miss you, wife.”

The word sent a shot of lust straight to my core. The need was already building into something bigger than I had ever experienced.

He sat up and took my mouth with his. His kiss was hard and demanding. I pulled him closer to me so he couldn’t stop kissing me. His hands skimmed across my naked back and down my ass, grabbing fists full of flesh, so I was riding him harder. His lips moved down my jaw and neck.

“I fucking missed you so much, my love,” he whispered against my skin. His tongue moved over my nipple before he sucked it into his mouth.

“Fuck,” I groaned loudly and tangled my fingers into his hair. My hips were rolling slowly into his. It was almost too much emotion, too much want. Cassius’ deep exhale hit my wet skin, making me shiver.