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Chapter One
Sierra
“But I love my cottage,” I said, titling my head as Lucius kissed my neck.
“And I love having you in my bed.”
I was standing between his long legs, my hands on his shoulders, as he sat in his chair behind his desk in the study. Trying to talk to him when he was like this was futile, but it had been the only opportunity I’d had over the past few days, what with his running Ordelpho, me learning customs, not to mention a wedding ceremony to arrange and attend, and a Longest Night celebration to be had, both of which were happening tonight.
When his warm hands slipped underneath my skirts and found the back of my thighs, I tried to push them away, but he bit my lip. Gods, his hands on my naked skin had the power to arrest every thought in my head—except the desire to invite him for more, which I tamped down with the greatest effort.
“But I need my own space,” I mumbled against his teeth, losing the battle.
“Then redecorate my bedroom. Our bedroom.” His hands slid up, squeezing my bottom, which was now exposed to the cool room. I shivered.
“Lucius,” I breathed. Wetness began to pool between my thighs, and his scent became potent with lust. How in Titus had we managed to get anything done lately?
“Chieftain?”
Lucius snarled at the interruption, and as quick as lightning, my skirts were back in place and I was being tucked behind his chair, held back by an arm made of iron.
Obviously, the rut haze hadn’t fully left Lucius. He could never not touch me when we were near each other. And unless everyone disappeared from Ordelpho, he was bound to snarl at someone, anyone, several times a day. But it was gradually lowering.
“Chieftain, my apologies.” The Ongahri alpha lowered his eyes, and from here I could smell a trace of fear emanating from him.
“What is it, Tiberius?” Lucius bit out.
“Acheron is requesting you visit the eastern watchtower as soon as possible.”
I frowned. That watchtower was the one that monitored the harbor, the only public access from the Iris Sea to Ordelpho.
Lucius thanked him, briefly dismissing him. Tiberius promptly left the room, his eyes still on the floor as he shut the door to the study.
“Duty calls, my dove. First, come sit. I need to say a proper goodbye.” He patted his lap. The smile he gave me was downright feral, and I rolled my eyes in humor.
Looping my arms around his neck, I perched on his lap. “Hope everything is—” I didn’t get to finish. Lucius captured my mouth and set his tongue to work, exploring all of me. Through the bond I could feel his pleasure, feel his reaction to my pleasure. It was heady, this new ability to feel my mate.
Our kiss deepened, taking my breath away, until, finally, he pulled away with a groan. His silver eyes were a dark metal-gray as they took me in.
“The next time I see you, you will be my bride.” His voice was rough with desire, that husky tone of his even deeper, even raspier. He threaded his fingers into my hair, then gently touched the bite mark above my collarbone. I shivered. “I’ll see you then, little dove.”
“Okay,” I whispered, feeling shy.
“What is it?” His finger traced the heat I felt building on my cheeks. He grinned, but it was a tender look, a lifting of his lips that he only reserved for me. “After everything we’ve done with each other, you’re shy. Why?”
My whole face heated now. Lucius still had the power to make me feel virginal. But the idea of marrying him brought a different emotion, something vulnerable. Perhaps it was because I could still see the man in him that I’d first met. Someone so confident with who he was, who knew what he wanted so effortlessly. Someone who could cut to the quick. He was intimidating, and a part of me, regardless of what we had become to one another, was afraid he’d reject me, see me as less than. Would change his mind. Without the fog of estrus, doubt was able to resurface in me, even though it was unfounded.
It was irrational, but there it was.
“It’s—it’s just that I think you may be disappointed,” I said weakly, deciding to be honest and naked, baring myself to him.
“In you? Never.” His hands tightened on me. “Do you trust me?”
Did I? Fully? Just because we were mates now, it didn’t mean that I knew more about him. I didn’t. Barely anything. But there was time. Plenty of time, seeing that both of our lifespans were three times that of a normal human.
I looked deep into those exotic eyes of his. There was a whole world in there, a wildness, a powerful control. But through the bond there was an unwavering assurance. There were no tricks there, no ambivalence. His essence was hot, a tangible strength that spoke of caged power but also conviction, one that told me unequivocally he was fully committed to me. That was all I needed to know.
“Yes,” I said with my own conviction. “I trust you, Lucius.”
