Page 45 of A Dagger in the Ivy (Blade Bound #1)

C Hapter

My mother raises the dagger, her eyes laced with sorrow. “I’m sorry. I can’t let him take it from you.”

I shudder awake. And the tingling sensation lingers a moment longer before it fades away.

Shit, I need to go see Ezra and get more of his powder.

I glance around. The hall is dark, lit by a single sconce. It looks so similar to every other hall in the castle that I can’t be exactly sure where I am. Steadying my breath, I take quiet steps forward, my mind racing to solve the puzzle of where I might have wandered to.

As I make my way down the hall, I can’t help but try to make sense of the images from my dream. In my previous nightmares, my mother had only spoken two words of apology. But tonight, she said more. “I can’t let him take it from you.”

My mind spins. I’d convinced myself it was only a reoccurring dream, but what if it isn’t? What if this is a memory? Not only do I struggle to understand why my mother would stab me, but I can’t fathom what her words could mean. Who was this “him” she was speaking about, and what was it she didn’t want taken from me?

Another set of voices rouses me. At the end of the corridor, light spills from a door that’s slightly ajar. Dante’s voice reaches me, and I can’t stop myself from tiptoeing closer to it. I stop just outside the room, my back pressed to the wall as I listen.

“Father, I wish you would believe me.”

“Son, this isn’t you. I know you’ve been swept under her spell.”

“It’s not I who is under a spell, but Torbin. He’s planning on usurping you. He wants your crown. Delasurvia’s as well.”

“That’s ridiculous. He will get the crown when I die. You, on the other hand, could be using this as the opportunity to take what’s his.”

“I don’t care about the fucking crown. I care about stopping the next war from happening.”

The king chuckles. “That vixen has brainwashed you, my son. Heed my advice: stop this nonsense before I take it as an insult to my intelligence and banish you from Hedera.”

A frustrated sigh sounds out, and footfalls follow.

I slide along the wall, deeper into the shadows, but Dante catches sight of me before I can get away. With widened eyes, he quickly checks behind him.

He gently takes my arm and leads me farther away from the room until we’re out of earshot of the king. “Celeste,” he whispers. “What are you doing here?”

“I don’t know.” I swallow hard. “I wandered. And then I heard voices.”

Footfalls reach our ears, and Dante guides me back into an alcove. We are silent, hidden in the shadows, as a guard passes.

I breathe in Dante’s scent, and my body seems to relax. “I feel like I’m still dreaming. I can’t believe you’re here.”

“I just arrived. I went directly to my father’s private chambers. I had to give it one more shot and try to talk some sense into him.”

“It’s no use. Torbin’s getting worse, but your father doesn’t see it.”

He worries his lip for a moment, searching my face, before pulling me even closer into his arms. “I’ve tried, Celeste. I’ve tried to make him understand. But he won’t believe his son could deceive him. ”

“I don’t know what to do.” I settle my head on his chest, the closeness reminding me of the night we spent together. “If I want to ensure the safety of my people, I may have to marry a monster. I will belong to him.”

A frustrated huff escapes his lips. He pulls back and takes my hand, the look in his eyes intense. “Not tonight, you don’t.”

Before I can understand what he means, he tugs me along down the dark hall. We move quietly, and I’m glad the hour has left the castle corridors empty. We turn a few corners until we reach a door. Dante checks once more in both directions before pulling me into the room.

As soon as the door closes, he runs his knuckles lightly over the sides of my face, as if burning my features into his memory. Behind him, flames dance in a fireplace, and I can just make out the room. To my left, a tall, mahogany bookcase stretches nearly to the ceiling, filled with an array of leatherbound volumes. A heavy, oak desk stands nearby. The chairs by the fire are deep and inviting, upholstered in dark-green velvet that looks as soft as a whisper. On the mantelpiece, various artifacts are displayed: a brass telescope, a small, ornate clock ticking away softly, and a framed miniature portrait.

His room.

We’re alone in his room.

I take in the sight of him. His black trousers, grey shirt, and black jacket fit him impeccably. His raven-colored hair is slightly in disarray, and his dark brows contrast with his storm-grey eyes.

He dips his head closer to mine. “Celeste, I went to Delasurvia.”

My eyes widen. “You did?”

He bites the inside of his cheek. “I can’t say I was greeted with enthusiasm, but I found the Garrison and requested an audience with your uncle.”

I take his hands. “You told him what we saw? What did he say? Are they sending out the squads?”

“I’m afraid they wouldn’t take my word for it. Your squad was there, and I guess they witnessed some animosity between us.”

I grimace. “I did tell Aila that you hate me. And I might have mentioned that you want me dead.”

One corner of his mouth inches upward. “Such a pirate.”

I squeeze his hands, pulling them to my chest. “So now what?”

“I told them the location of the camp and convinced them to scout the area. They’ll see the evidence, Celeste. And when they do, they’ll come to our aid.”

I reach up and touch his jaw. “I’m sorry I told them you hate me.”

His eyes get hooded. “I tried to hate you. But how could I when you’re all I can think about? When I see you and can’t let go of the urge to touch you. How much I’m practically shaking with jealousy whenever my brother says that you’re his.”

I blink up at him as his words swirl around me.

With a hunger in his eyes, he presses into me, urging me back until my shoulders are flush against the door. His fingers move my hair away from my face as his gaze drops to my lips. “I feel like we’ve been torn apart for months.”

“It’s only been a couple of days.”

He leans closer, tilting his head so his mouth is near my neck. “Feels like an eternity.”

My skin erupts with goosebumps. I’m filled with a mixture of desire for him to touch me and the fear of getting caught. We shouldn’t be seen together, much less touching each other. If anyone were to find out, it could mean our heads. But when his lips brush against my skin, I can’t help but give in to the desire.

I pull at his shirt, and his mouth is on mine. His kiss is gentle at first, tentative, as if asking for permission. But when I don’t pull away, he deepens the kiss, his tongue probing my mouth with increasing urgency. My knees grow weak, and I sag against Dante’s chest. There’s a hunger between us, a desperation. Like we’ve been struggling to breathe and have finally found air. His hands move from my hair to my neck and then snake around my waist to pull me closer. I struggle not to lose my footing as he moves us away from the door and toward the hearth. My feet find softness on the ground, and I realize it’s a pelt rug just as Dante drops to his knees and leads me down to follow him.

His lips still devour mine as we lie on the rug. I reach for the hem of his shirt and tug it upward. He pauses kissing me long enough to dispose of the shirt, and then his hand moves down the length of my nightgown. I gasp as he slips his hand underneath it, his fingers hot and firm. They travel up my thigh until they reach my underwear, where he strokes me through the fabric. I moan, a thrill rushing through me, knowing someone outside his room might hear me. I can only hope anyone within earshot will think Dante has simply claimed a different woman for the night.

His fingers glide beneath the fabric, pushing it aside so that he can fully access me. My entire body is on fire, every nerve ending alive with desire.

With a groan, he pulls away from our kiss and grins, his nose brushing mine. “Will you always be this wet for me?” His voice is deep and low, sending shivers up my spine.

“I’m sure you’ll come up with ways to test that theory.”

He’s right. I’m practically gushing for him, my entrance soaked with my desire to have him inside of me again.

I lean into his hand, unable to stop myself from undulating as he slithers along my entrance and circles my clit. My head falls back as I whimper, moving my hips to the rhythm of his strokes. I’m hot. Too hot. I need to get this nightgown off now. I yank it up, but it gets caught once it’s over my breasts. Dante seizes the opportunity and lowers his head to lap and suck at my exposed nipple, now hard and extremely sensitive. He slides one finger inside me, and then another, and I can’t hold back when I cry out his name.

“Fuck, you’re so slick.” He pumps in and out of me with his fingers while his other hand grabs my nightgown and rips it free from my body. “I love to watch you cum. Do it for me.” He bites his bottom lip as he slides a third finger into my throbbing core, the slick sounds joining the crackle of the fireplace.

The sensation brings me to the edge, and I willingly fall over, buckling as the orgasm tenses and releases my muscles in the most magnificent way .

Even before my body can stop pulsing, Dante has removed my underwear and disposed of his clothes. He takes me in his arms, and my skin vibrates at the feel of him.

His gaze moves over my face. “So beautiful.”

I come out of my euphoria long enough to place my hands on the sides of his face. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

Dante’s fingers tighten around my waist and pull me closer. I can feel the warmth of his body, the steady beat of his heart against my own. He brushes his lips against mine before twisting until he’s on his back. A devilish grin plays on his lips as he pulls me onto his lap. I straddle him, my legs trembling beneath me.

Dante’s hands roam over my back, tracing the outline of my shoulders before moving up to cup my breasts. I gasp as he squeezes them gently, my nipples hardening in response. With an intense yearning, I lean forward, pressing my breasts into his palms, unable to stop myself from rubbing my throbbing center against the length of his erection. He moans, his hands moving to my hips, lifting me forward and then lowering me back down the length of him, grinding his hardness against my sensitive flesh. I throw my head back, feeling my hair cascade down my back as I rock my hips against him.

I burn for him. And he knows it. He slides his hand down between my thighs. I watch as he teases my entrance, circling it with his fingers before slowly pushing one of them inside. I cry out, arching my back as waves of pleasure wash over me.

Biting his lip, he positions his hard cock at my entrance, rolls his hips, and thrust inside, burying himself to the hilt in one powerful stroke. My world explodes as Dante fills me completely. I tighten my legs at the sides of his waist, pushing myself down to take him even deeper as we begin to move together. My back arches, cherishing every stroke, every inch. Our bodies sync, finding a perfect rhythm as we race toward the precipice of ecstasy.

“More.” I roll my hips, bucking as Dante’s thrusts grow faster, harder, driving himself deep within me. The room fills with the sound of our cries of pleasure and our bodies slapping together. My nails drag across his skin, my breath coming in ragged gasps as the frenzy inside me grows out of control. My head snaps back. “Don’t stop. Please don’t stop.”

“That’s it, Celeste. Cum for me. Good girl.”

He grabs my hips, holding me firmly in place as he deepens his thrusts. He hits that sweet spot again and again, until my body locks up and a fiery explosion sends me over the edge like a tidal wave. My pussy pulses from the orgasm, pulsating around his cock as he pulls me down hard.

“Fuck!” He grunts, his release pumping into me.

My skin tingles as I lower myself until I’m lying on his chest, my head tucked into his neck. His fingertips trail over my bare back, and he presses his lips against my forehead. As our breathing slows, I am immediately enveloped by a warmth that is both physical and emotional.

I let myself linger in the moment, not wanting it to end. I feel safe in his arms. Like no one can hurt me, no one can do me any harm. I can look out for myself, but it’s nice to know that I don’t have to.

Dante watches me with a gentle smile, his fingertips brushing back my hair before capturing my mouth in a deep kiss. We don’t speak because there’s too much to say. I don’t know how we’re going to break free from this trap we’ve found ourselves in, but it’s too daunting right now. Tonight, it’s only us and the heat between our bodies.

As the buzz inside me levels out, I sigh against the silence of the room. The tingle in my hand, which I had pushed to the back of my mind, returns to the forefront. It now extends through my entire arm and shoulder. It makes me curious, but I push down the thought for now, choosing instead to simply exist in Dante’s arms for a while.