“It wouldn’t if you had let me cut it!”
“But Mal’s hair is longer, and he’s awarrior! I want to be a warrior, too!”
I released a disgruntled sigh and sank back into my seat. I have the literal powers of a god beneath my fingertip, and I can’t so much as untangle an eight-year-old boy’s hair.
“If you don’t let me brush this hair, Azrael, I will cut it off in your sleep,” I warned.
“Fine!”
He sat up with a pout on his lips, and squeezed his eyes shut as I attempted to gently work through each knot. Once it was at least presentable, I smiled to myself.
“There. It’s perfect. Go find Eowyn, and she can help you get dressed.”
Azrael jumped up and ran for the door before skidding to a stop as his hand slid on the handle. “You’ll wait for me, right?” he asked. “You promised.”
I couldn’t help but laugh. “Yes, Azrael. I’ll wait for you.”
Once he was gone, I placed the brush on the vanity and laid my head back against my seat. Two months. We were able to figure out what was needed to break the bond, and planned to do it the day before his execution. That was only a few days away now.
Two months of Tristan trying to find his place here. He and Dez had been spending quite the amount of time together, but it came as no surprise. Dez had a heart of gold, and it only made sense that he would accept Tristan with such open arms as he has.
Malakai had settled in quite well, actually. More of the lycan had come through gradually from the other world. We were able to find a place for them within the guards for each of the lords. They were natural-born protectors who hated the gods as much asIdid. All they wanted was to protect the people who didn’t have the means to protect themselves.
I honestly thought the villagers would be fearful of them, but the children had fallen in love with the creatures.
Azrael spent most of his days training with Mal and some of the other alphas. But when the day came to an end, it was the lycan Naomi that preferred sleeping in Azrael’s room at night. They were attached at the hip,like she was his big sister, and it made me feel relieved, knowing she was there to protect him when I couldn’t.
Hands slid over my shoulder, and I looked up to see Tristan leaning over me. He planted a kiss on my forehead. “You look stressed,” he whispered against my skin.
“Everything is changing,” I answered him. “Soon, everyone will know who you are. Are you… Are you ready for that?”
He shrugged and circled me until he knelt down, pulling my hands into his. “As long as you’re by my side, I’m ready for anything, Morrigan.”
Leaning over, I captured his lips with mine in a slow, tender kiss. It took a few weeks, but everyone seemed to fall into somewhat of a natural routine. Our Saturday dinners had returned, but the guys would stay the night afterward so we could have more time together. Sometimes they would take time to visit during the week, but as I grew closer to each of them, I had the sense that it would need to change soon. I found myself missing the guys while they were gone. Eris, Naaz, and I had a way to go in truly getting to know one another, but they were both making such strides since I had returned.
And the feedings don’t feel that bad either.
Are you thinking dirty thoughts?Tristan’s voice slid into my mind, and my lips curled into a half-grin.
“Maybe,” I said against his lips, deepening our kiss.
He stopped suddenly, sliding away and dragging his lips down to my neck.
“I don’t need your blood, Morrigan,” he whispered, tickling me with tiny nips along my skin. “But that doesn’t mean I don’t crave the taste of you.”
He lifted my legs onto his shoulders, and I watched him with lust-filled eyes as he lowered his head.
“Tristan,” I laughed. “We don’t have time for?—”
My words caught in my throat, and a gasp left my lips when his tongue pushed against my center. I dropped my head back, and my eyes closed, as he moved his tongue along my nerves, sending spikes of pleasure creeping up my spine.
Let me ease your stress, Morrigan,he pleaded, and my body slumped into the chair in response.
Eventually, I couldn’t take it anymore. I shoved his face away, falling to my knees, and straddled his hips. “Relieve me another way,” I insisted, grinding against him and feeling his hard length between my legs.
Finally, he lifted me with one arm and released himself, positioning his tip at my entrance. “As you wish,princess.”
The castle boomed with staff filtering in and out as they prepared the last pieces for the ball tonight.
