Two things become crystal clear in that instant. One, Drystan is hiding a whole lot of desire under that stoic and grumpy veneer. Two, he will never, ever let me be in control.
Flipping us faster than I can blink, my back hits the birch as he braces himself over me with one arm on the bark above. Caging me. Trapping me. Drystan’s free hand finds my hair, holding my head securely in place as he takes over, mouth demanding and unrelenting as his lips slant across my own. He’s hard, dominant, and uncompromising as he tastes me, and I melt.
It’s embarrassing, really, how easily I submit. My core clenches, wetness weeping from my pussy to drench my underwear in a rush.
Drystan tears away with a tortured sound, eyes searching my face for a long second before he sighs. “You smell warm and sweet and wet andmine,” he mutters, and my body shivers at the pure need in his tone. “But we didn’t establish all your limits, and the others are waiting for you.”
Did I do something wrong?
“Do you want me?” I’m not sure where the boldness comes from, but I need to know. “Or is it just the oath? Because we don’t have to—”
Meeting my gaze evenly, he cuts me off with little more than an arrogant look. “I have never, in my life, wanted any female the way I want you. I’m not so young as to be so easily influenced by a bond—even one as powerful as a Guard’s oath. This…obsessionis purely your fault, Rhoswyn.” Something akin to anger flashes in his gaze for a second before he steps away and gestures for me to walk ahead back to camp.
The sudden distance may as well be torture. My body screams, wanting his touch, wanting more kisses, and I sway a little in place.
“Come on. I came to find you because there are things we need to discuss. We’ve been remiss in caring for you, and we’ve come up with a solution.”
His words are ominous, and I swallow back my complaint and head back towards the camp. How long have I been gone if they’re all back and having discussions without me?
I glance back, trying to read his expression, only to find his eyes are glued to my ass. I freeze, and he catches me, catching him staring.
“What?” he snaps. “The others have had weeks to do this. I’m just catching up.”
All my insecure thoughts about why he stopped kissing me evaporate.
Whatever is holding Drystan back, it’s nothing to do with attraction. Now that I know he’s staring, some tiny rebel part of me adds a little more swish to my hips with each step. Payback, I tell myself, for all the grumpiness he continuously sends my way.
A large hand comes down hard on my ass, making me squeak in surprise and jump a foot in the air. With wide eyes and goosebumps flaring across my skin, I turn to stare open-mouthed at him.
“Don’t tempt me, Rhoswyn. I’ve barely endured that ass grinding against my cock for the last few days. If you keep waving it in front of me while smelling like you do, I’m going to spank it raw and then fuck it.”
Holyyy… My knees actually tremble as the sting from the smack migrates straight to my clit, which pulses in sympathy.
“Keep walking. We have a discussion to get to.”
Biting my lip to hold back the ridiculous urge to ask him to do it again, I hurry forward like the devil is at my back.
And with this newly unleashed side of Drystan… I’m beginning to think he might be.
Ten
Rhoswyn
When we return to the fire, the rest of my Guard is scattered around it. Bree is wrapped in his wings like a gargoyle, his cat ears twitching as he stares into space, caught in thought. The moment he sees me, he reaches into a bag and grabs more of that delicious minty-sweet bread that he’s been feeding me for the last few days.
“Eat this,” he tells me.
Settling beside him, careful not to make any sudden moves, I take the food obediently and nibble happily at one corner. At some point, I want to ask him about what exactly this bread is, but right now, I’d prefer to know what the four of them have been talking about without me.
Bree shocks us both when one of those great black wings extends and curls around my shoulders, providing a barrier between me and the cool breeze. He doesn’t touch me, but the care and concern in the motion is sweet. Holding myself still and resisting the urge to touch the downy soft axillary feathers where the wings merge with his back is almost impossible.
But he might not welcome the touch, so I distract myself by focusing on the others instead.
“You said you had a… solution?” I ask, picking the bread apart and nibbling at it.
Lore grins from across the fire, the flames lighting up his pale skin in ways that are almost demonic. “It appears our fun today wasn’t on the scheduled list.”
“We need a frank and open discussion about sex,” Drystan interrupts, crouching by the fire and pulling a roasting spit of meat free. “Lore has proven today that he cannot control his impulses.”
