Page 20 of Velvet Folds (Velvet)

Chapter 20

In which our hero prepares to take what he desires

For a month, Lucia has spent her days in the village or tending to the castle gardens. Mrs. Pegg showed her the courtyards that used to be cultivated, and she has turned what was once dead dirt into rows upon rows of sprouted seed starts. Half the castle seems like it will be overtaken by flowers come spring.

For a month, Lucia has spent her nights in my arms.

She has become mine in every way but one.

And soon, that will be taken care of as well.

After a month of nights exploring every delight of her velvet folds, I still want more.

Tonight, the moon has my blood buzzing with need of hers. Tonight, I will claim her as my queen.

Tonight, I will sink into her velvet folds for anyone to see and I will gladly let anyone who had designs on her weep for the loss.

“The tower is ready,” Tybald says, meeting me at the entrance to the vaults.

He was the second to change his mind in her favor. Mrs. Pegg beat him to it by a day.

The two of them have worked tirelessly to make this place feel like it could be her home. The changes are both subtle and garish as well.

“There is a storm coming.” He says as he waits beside me. “Please be careful.”

“Only because you’ve asked.”

He lets free a beleaguered sigh and I ignore the sword on his hip. What he has planned for tonight is his own business.

Leaping into the air, I start my nightly flight around my domain, and when it’s done, I will find my mate and claim her velvet folds.