Page 35 of Wild Bond (Wild Bond #1)

R ake stood there glaring at Prince Malik, and Malik grinned back, though his eyes had gone hard in a way they hadn’t been while talking to me. His tone was mocking, his brow pinched in faux confusion when he replied, “Your trainee , is she?” He gave Rake an arch look. “Well, your trainee and I have been having a lovely time, as you well know from observing us so closely.” He turned to me. “My apologies, my lady, for taking up so much of your time. Please forgive me.” He placed his fist over his heart and nodded his head slightly in a formal gesture I felt had more significance than I realized.

Knowing what I now knew, I couldn’t help but glance between the two men and look for similarities. They were the same in height and build, both had the typical Zehvitian dark hair and bronze skin, though Rake’s skin was slightly lighter in tone thanks to his mother, and he had those blue eyes compared to Malik’s brown. And of course, they were both unfairly attractive. There was even something in the way the two men carried themselves. In fact, I couldn’t help thinking that they looked more alike than Malik and Amir did. It seemed blatantly obvious now. Though I supposed people saw what they wanted to see, and if you weren’t looking for the similarities, they would pass you by, or you’d simply dismiss them as the commonalities between people from the same region.

I, however, couldn’t unsee it.

“Th-there is nothing to forgive, Your Highness,” I finally assured him. “I’ve quite enjoyed our conversation.” And I meant it, even despite the upsetting revelation. “Thank you for the dance.”

He nodded, grasped my hand, and kissed it softly. “Good luck on the final trial. I have no doubt you will be joining our ranks very soon.”

I smiled faintly in thanks before he turned to Rake, the warmth fading from his expression. “Rakim,” he acknowledged stiffly.

“Your Highness,” Rake returned.

As the prince took his leave, Rake’s strong hand grasped mine in his. I couldn’t help the small intake of breath as his other hand settled on my waist. As he drew me in closer to his body and we began to dance, I felt that familiar hum of arousal in my blood, that awareness that always seemed heightened when he was near.

“I didn’t know you could dance,” I said after a moment, wanting to fill the silence and wondering why this felt so stilted.

“My mother taught me,” he explained, his gaze studying my face.

I was annoyed to find that he was apparently just as good of a dancer as Prince Malik. Of course.

I sensed Skye’s amusement in the bond, and I could tell she was confused as to why I was upset with Rake. I had to admit, I was as well. Being in his arms felt so good, so right, but the night in general had left me feeling out of sorts and like I didn’t really know the man I was currently dancing with.

“Have I done something to upset you?” Rake asked, those too-perceptive eyes studying me closely.

“Of course not,” I lied.

“Then what did Malik say to you? I saw your face while you were dancing.” His expression darkened. “If he did something—"

“He didn’t do anything to upset me. In fact, he was a perfect gentleman.”

Rake scoffed. “I highly doubt that. The man is our enemy, Rin. He can’t be trusted.”

“The Zehvitians are no longer our enemy. We’re not at war anymore.”

His eyes flashed. “They attacked us and nearly got you killed.”

“We still don’t know if the Zehvitians were truly behind that,” I countered.

A dark expression suffused his face. “I don’t like the way he looked at you. Royals can’t be trusted.”

It was my turn to scoff. “What about Princess Helene? Can she be trusted?”

He stared down at me in surprise at the change in subject. “What?”

“I saw you talking rather intently with her. You seemed quite intrigued. Can she be trusted?”

“Probably not, no,” he allowed. “And it’s actually the younger sister who intrigues me more.”

“Younger sister?” I asked. I didn’t recall there being anyone else from Halmar seated at the high table.

Rake nodded. “Princess Helene’s twin actually, but she isn’t here. She isn’t a dragon rider.”

I felt another flare of that pesky jealousy at his statement but tried not to let it show in my voice as I asked, “Oh? And why does this absent princess intrigue you so much?”

“Because I know nothing about her.”

My brow pinched. “And that intrigues you because . . .”

His gaze returned to me. “Because in my line of work, I know something about everyone.”

I suppose from that perspective his interest would make sense. Considering his personality and occupation, it would be a rare person indeed who could subvert Rake’s attempts to learn more about them. Not many people could keep a secret from him. I relaxed some, my feathers a little less ruffled.

“Perhaps she has nothing to hide,” I mused. “And there is nothing to know.”

“Everyone has something to hide,” he argued.

I snorted in derision and tried not to glare up at him as I responded, “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Some of us are just better at hiding it than others.”

His eyes narrowed. “What is that supposed to mean?”

I looked away again. “Never mind,” I mumbled, mentally kicking myself. Now was not the time to get into this.

Blessedly, the music ended, and I quickly stepped out of his arms.

His expression shifted. “Rin, what’s wrong?”

Feeling angry and confused and a little hurt and having a hard time making sense of it all, I knew I needed to get away for a moment. I needed to clear my head before I could talk to him rationally. I turned to walk away and collided with someone on the edge of the circle of spectators.

“Oh, I’m so sorry,” I began, but came up short when realized who it was. “Your Highness.”

Prince Pierce glared down his stiff nose at me. “Watch where you’re going,” he snarled. I swear even the white dragon at his feet sneered at me.

I felt Rake step up behind me, and I couldn't help but let my eyes drift to where Prince Pierce’s right hand rested at his side, the twined gold and silver ring clearly visible. I could just make out the hint of a symbol in the metal. Glancing back up, I wondered if I was looking at the man responsible for all the horrible things that had been happening recently.

I placed a hand on Rake’s arm behind me. I could feel him practically thrumming with anger and didn’t want him to react. It wasn’t worth it. I was surprised when Rake refrained from speaking; not to say I couldn’t still feel the years of palpable tension and animosity chilling the air between them as they glared at one another.

I stopped myself from apologizing again as Pierce moved away and released my hold on Rake. Then he grabbed my arm, holding me to him as he said from behind, “Come with me.”

His tone brooked no refusal, though he didn’t give me much choice with his hand still firmly grasping my upper arm, though not painfully.

As I let him escort me from the hall, I could feel eyes on us. I was past caring at this point, though. I was fuming at Rake, and my irritation with him only grew as he didn’t simply stop outside the hall doors as I expected, but dragged me down a corridor and up a flight of stairs that just seemed to keep going. When we finally alighted into another corridor, I was slightly breathless. “Where are you taking me?” I demanded.

He didn’t answer, but instead pulled me to a door partway down the deserted corridor. He moved so fast I nearly tripped over my skirts.

Cursing, I yanked my arm from his grip. “Rake!” I hissed. “What—”

He interrupted me by opening the door and gesturing inside. “In,” he ordered.

Glaring at him, I cocked a hip and folded my arms defiantly. “Not until you tell me what in the Dark Realms we are doing up here and why you just dragged me from the banquet?”

“Do you really want to have this discussion in a hallway?” he challenged. Then he turned on his heel and strode inside.

I stood there for a moment, contemplating returning to the banquet on my own. Then I thought of descending down all those stairs again in this dress . . . and the assessing stares of all those people . . . and decided against it.

Releasing an exasperated huff, I turned and followed the infuriating man into the room. It was a large bedchamber, larger than the one I had been assigned, and complete with a big four poster bed, plush rugs covering the stone floors, and dark green drapes pulled closed over a large window against the far wall. Like everything here, the room appeared to have been carved directly out of the mountain itself.

A roaring fire cast a warm muted light onto everything. A sword and several other weapons were stored neatly beside the bed, and dark clothing hung in the open door of the armoire. This was Rake’s bedchamber. A small thrill went through me at the thought, but then I decided I didn’t care. I spun with my back to the room, too irritated with the man before me as he closed the door.

“Okay, Rake,” I snapped. “Why did you drag me up here?”

His face remained blank as he spoke. “Because I wanted a place where I could talk to you without fear of being overheard. Something is obviously bothering you, and we haven’t been able to talk since the trial.”

“You could have made time to come see me,” I stated plainly.

His brow creased. “I would have, but I’ve been in meetings with the council up until the banquet. Some of them weren’t happy with the decision to let your trial stand and let you compete. After you left to recover, several of them called for an emergency meeting to discuss it further.”

“And?” I asked, my ire at him momentarily forgotten, suddenly anxious about the result.

“And nothing,” he replied. “After arguing the point for several hours and listening to many fruitless protests, we decided to let the decision stand.”

A sense of cool relief washed through me, but I barely had time to register the emotion before Rake was speaking again.

“But I doubt that’s why you are upset with me?”

“Who says I’m upset with you?”

He gave me a knowing look as he took a step closer to me, away from the door. “The woman I left behind in Dessin was warm and willing in my arms, and dare I say sad to see me go. But downstairs just now you were stiff and clipped. What changed? What did the prince say to you?”

I opened my mouth to refute him, claiming nothing had changed, but then decided, what was the point? “You told me you didn’t know who your father was,” I said. “That you believed he was a wealthy noble, but that was all.”

I was watching his face closely, so I saw the flare of surprise in his eyes. “What are you—"

“Why didn’t you tell me you were Prince Malik’s half-brother?” I blurted.

His body stiffened. “Malik told you that?”

I nodded, and I could see in his eyes that he had known. He had known King Nazeem was his father. That Prince Malik was his brother. “You lied to me,” I stated. I tried to keep the hurt from my voice, but I knew some of it bled through as I asked, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Rake sighed. “I didn’t lie. I just honestly didn’t think it mattered. I don’t see the king as my father. He was never a part of my life and never will be. He didn’t protect me or my mother when we needed him.” Anger lit his eyes. “When I discovered who he was to me, I felt disgust more than anything. Nazeem is a grasping, ruthless womanizer who subjected his people to a twenty-five-year war out of greed. And Malik is just like him. I want nothing to do with him or his son.”

That hadn’t been my impression of Prince Malik, but now wasn’t the time for that discussion. Some of my anger lessened as I listened to his explanation. But the hurt was still there. Part of me could understand why Rake might not want to tell me, especially if he didn’t truly see the man as his father, but that still left the larger issue of me wondering how well I actually knew him. And after everything . . .

He moved closer and pulled me into his arms. I let him, and stared up into his face as he vowed, “I’m sorry if I hurt you. I honestly just didn’t think it was relevant.”

I nodded again. “I’m sorry, too. I might have overreacted a little.”

He chuckled faintly. “From what you said downstairs, I thought you were mad because you thought I was flirting with Princess Helene. I thought you were jealous.”

I pulled back, staring up at him with a slight blush coloring my cheeks. “I was jealous,” I admitted.

He grinned, something soft and yet wicked in his eyes. “The only woman I want is you. I thought I had made that clear by now.”

He gently captured my lips in his. It started out soft and tender, a slow exploration of each other’s lips and mouths. It quickly morphed into something wanton and fierce as I got lost in the taste of him. I pressed myself against him. He growled into my mouth, and I was helpless to fight it as his hands sank into my hair and his lips consumed me.

He pulled away slightly, and I mewled in protest.

“Rin?” he said darkly, his eyes intense.

“What?” I panted in a breathless whisper. Our eyes met, his like chips of blue flame.

“It’s later,” was all he said, his voice gravelly with need, referencing what he had said the day he left.

My heart leapt in my chest, and I had no time to respond to the thrill his words caused in me before his lips returned to mine in a bruising kiss. His big body pressed into me, and his hands gripped my face tight as our mouths ate at each other like we were starving. I rose up on my toes so I could wrap my arms around his neck. He cursed, and I groaned as his hands moved down my body and around until they gripped my backside, lifting me up effortlessly until my legs wrapped around his lean waist—not an easy feat in the bulky dress. My hands moved into his hair, and I nipped his bottom lip playfully. He growled in response and ground himself against me. I felt his erection against my core, and a needy whimper left my lips.

“I love the sounds you make,” he breathed, his lips grazing over my skin. My heart felt like it was going to hammer out of my chest at his words, even as anticipation shivered through me.

I was vaguely aware of Skye’s presence retreating in my mind as she had done before, giving me privacy.

He gripped me to him more tightly. “As much as I love this dress, little thief,” he said, “I need it off you.” He dropped my legs back to the floor.

“And as delectable as you look in this armor,” I whispered against his lips, “I need it off of you.”

He smiled wolfishly down at me.

“As my thief commands,” he said, dipping a minute bow before one hand raised to begin unbuckling his shoulder plate.

As he divested himself of his armor, I reached around, trying to undo the laces at my lower back, but in my eagerness ended up tangling them more.

“Allow me,” Rake offered in a husky tone. Shirtless and clad only in pants, he stepped to my back and began undoing the laces. Once the ties were loosened, the dress dropped to the floor, leaving me in only the thin lacy slip that sat low around my waist. He cursed and his warm breath fanned across the now exposed skin of my shoulder. My breathing hitched as he cupped my breasts from behind.

His large hands felt exquisitely rough and male against my softer flesh, and I curled an arm up to grasp behind his neck as he played with my nipples.

“Turn around,” he commanded in my ear, and I reluctantly obeyed, enjoying what his hands were doing to me too much to resist.

No sooner had I done so than he dropped to his knees, and his warm mouth was around my nipple.

“Rake!” I gasped as he suckled hard. Fiery jolts of pleasure sang through me with each pull as his hand returned to playing with my other nipple. The sensations he created in me were overwhelming—something I had only ever felt with him.

After several minutes, when I was wet and breathless, Rake’s mouth moved from my breasts as he stood. He kissed me briefly on the lips before pulling back to stare into my eyes, his gaze studying me closely.

“I should have asked you this before now . . . but have you done this before?”

I took a deep breath before answering, trying to ignore the flood of emotions his touch awakened in me. “Once,” I whispered. But it had felt nothing like this. Not even close. “It wasn’t anything special, so I didn’t have any desire to try it again. Until you.”

A slow, devastating grin spread across his face. “Good. I’ll admit I’m selfish enough to want all your experiences to be with me. To want all your desire to be for me and only me.” He leaned close. “I intend to make you crave this—to crave me—until you can think of nothing else.” The utter confidence in his words made my knees go weak, and the look of sheer heat and wicked intent on his face made my stomach flutter and clench.

I bit my lip and caressed his chin with my knuckles. “I already do. You’re all I want.”

We stared at each other, so much present yet unsaid in the air between us. He kissed my palm and then my wrist, surprising me with the gentleness of the actions. When our mouths found each other again, the kiss was slower, deeper. His strong arms tensed as he lifted me into his arms and carried me over to his bed, not breaking the kiss. He slowly lowered me to the bed and followed me down until he was crouching over me.

His teeth grazed my skin as he began kissing along my neck and down between my breasts. His mouth caressed my navel then laved along my hipbone as he tugged the slip down and off, so I was completely bare before him.

He wasted no time in spreading my legs wide. His hot gaze traveled over me, his expression almost ruthless with lust. My whole body throbbed at that look. The feral intent there made my whole body feel alive. Then he leaned down and devoured me. I gasped at the erotic pleasure of it. His mouth and tongue skillfully explored me, invading my body until my vision blurred and I couldn’t breathe. My hips began jerking involuntarily, pressing further into him as a finger and then two joined his mouth.

I writhed on the bed, reveling in the stretch and pull as his hand moved in me. It felt incredible, even more amazing than the last time he had done this. It wasn’t long before my whole body tensed, and my eyes rolled back in my head as waves of pleasure crashed through me.

“Hmm,” he hummed in approval. Licking his lips, he crawled back over me as my body trembled with aftershocks, my breathing erratic.

At some point he had removed his pants and was now completely naked as he rested on top of me. I basked in the weight of his hard, much larger body as he pressed me down into the mattress. His mouth descended on mine, and I opened for him, granting him access. I tasted myself on his lips as our tongues danced, and he ground against me, his hard shaft sliding along my wetness and making me breathless with anticipation. I had wanted this for so long. Stretching up I sucked on his lower lip and felt him jerk against me.

He lined his body up with mine. “Open your eyes,” he rasped in a dark whisper. “I want you to look at me.”

I hadn’t even realized they were closed. Slowly, I opened them, unconsciously responding to the order in his voice. Our eyes met, and his gleamed with blinding hunger and fiery intent.

He entered me in one smooth thrust, and my body arched against his as I cried out. Despite all he had done to prepare me, a slight edge of pain mixed with the pleasure as my body stretched to accommodate him. He was big, and I had only done this once before, a long time ago.

He waited, his hard body tense above mine, allowing me time to adapt to his size. “Breathe, little thief,” he murmured, nuzzling my cheek. One large hand gripped the side of my neck and slid partially into my hair while the other supported his weight above me. He continued to suck and nip and tease at my skin until I let out a long sigh and felt my body slowly begin to relax. He lowered himself further onto me, making my sensitive nipples graze against his chest. I gasped at the sharp pleasure the friction caused and felt my internal muscles clutch around him.

Rake cursed. “You test a man’s control. Do that again and this might be over a lot sooner than either of us want,” he warned.

I giggled slightly at the unexpected admission . . . and clenched around him again—intentionally this time.

He swore again and gritted his jaw. He stared down at my smiling face as a wicked gleam entered his eyes. “Minx,” he growled.

His mouth fell on mine in another devastating kiss that made me forget my own name and fanned the desperate hunger inside me.

Without warning, he pulled out and slammed back into me with a hard thrust. I moaned into his mouth as he slowly increased the pace. My legs circled his hips. We fit together perfectly, and I felt drunk on the sensations he created inside me.

“You feel so good,” I groaned, raising my arms above my head, and clutching the blankets. The sensation that was becoming more and more familiar since meeting Rake began to coil deep in my core, everything in my body tensing in a desperate, feverish pull.

“You’re mine, Rin,” he grunted against my mouth. “Every part of you.”

“Yes, yours,” I agreed fervently. “All yours.”

He grasped my right leg from around his waist, gripping it behind the knee, and pressed it upward toward my chest. He adjusted his body slightly and renewed his efforts. I panted, releasing a throaty gasp. The new angle felt amazing, pressing up against a spot inside me that had me seeing stars.

“Rake!” I cried. “I-I can’t . . .”

His restraint had slipped, and he was now pounding into me hard enough that it was moving me up the bed. Soon I was pressing my hands against the wooden headboard and making sounds that I knew I would be embarrassed about later.

The coiling pressure finally became too much, his almost brutal pace spurring me on as it snapped. Pleasure like I had never known ignited inside me. My vision darkened for a second, and I wondered if I might pass out from the ecstasy of it, it was so intense.

Rake slammed into me a final time with a masculine roar as warmth flooded me.

For several seconds—or maybe it was several minutes, or hours, I didn’t know—my body trembled, and I floated in bliss. I was vaguely aware of Rake kissing me and his body moving off me, and then him pulling me against his warm chest.

I felt a wide, satisfied grin split my face and thought to myself that maybe I had found something that was just as good, if not better, than flying.