Page 71 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

Our laughter worked better than Darius’s spell to dissolve the fog. It vanished from the corridor, and a blade of sunlight speared through the window to shine upon us.

He cupped my face, staring at me with an intensity that weakened my knees. He didn’t say anything, but there was no need for words. The happiness on his face and the warmth in our bond were eloquent enough.

We both smiled, hand in hand, when we entered the servants’ quarters.

The kitchen was as big as the ballroom with four long tables, shelves filled with jars, and shiny copper pots. Bunches of dried garlic hung from the walls along with sausages, sage, and thyme.

Wheels of cheese, sacks of potatoes, and bags of dried fruit lined a wall. I inhaled deeply the scent of cardamom and rosemary.

The pantry had rows and rows of shelves filled with baskets of apples, jars of jam, and loaves of bread.

The fog slithered backwards in front of us. It was like a living creature, recoiling at our passage.

We filled two baskets with bread, salted meat, chocolate for Darius, biscuits, and everything else that didn’t need to be cooked.

“If Esmeralda doesn’t occupy Raven Hall, we’ll kill Rothbart first.” Alex carried the heavier basket filled to the rim with food. He didn’t seem to struggle under its weight. “Then we’ll reason with Bethlen after Rothbart is dead.”

“So you don’t want to kill Bethlen.”

He worked his jaw. “Getting rid of my curse would be wonderful. But if we can lock up Bethlen and keep the streets safe, I can wait to see what happens to Lucy.”

I put down the basket and threw my arms around his neck. “I know how much the decision cost you.”

He buried his face in the crook of my neck.

The walk back to the central part of the palace took another fifteen minutes, but I didn’t complain. I was holding Alex’s strong arm and resting my head on his shoulder. It couldn’t be better than that.

He dropped the food in the anteroom where there was a large cast-iron cooking stove. The servants had left in a hurry, and leftover vegetables and sandwiches were scattered on the table.

Alex lit the fire and put the kettle on, and I watched him as he moved silently around the room. He’d never been so calm and serene.

I prepared a tray for Darius while Alex set aside something for Cara.

The ever-present fog swirled inside, carrying a few smoky snakes with it.

I kept an eye on them, trying not to give in to the fear. “I’m glad the fog doesn’t attack us.”

“Cara is succumbing to its power. We need the mansion to be clear of the fog before the servants return.”

I was about to go upstairs when he took my hand.

He gently pulled me closer. His body was trembling, but he wasn’t shivering because of his condition, judging by how the bond was relaxed and warm. He dipped his head and kissed me. It was a sweet kiss that made the bond hum with pleasure and tenderness.

When the tip of his tongue darted out, I parted my lips, and he slid his tongue into my mouth. It was the first time he’d kissed me like that without the tension from his fears, and the sensation was ten times sweeter.

The way he pressed me against him made the kiss more pleasant and precious. But the sweetness didn’t last. The kiss became a clash of lips and tongues. No longer sweet but fierce.

Heat built up between us. I arched against him and ran a hand over his chest, feeling his taut muscles. The kissing and touching became all pulse and pleasure and ache. The real, physical contact with him was overwhelming in the best possible way. I wanted his heat and muscles to cover my naked skin.

How could a single kiss turn me into a desperate woman?

He cupped my cheek and rested his forehead against mine. When he’d kissed me after the deal, I’d enjoyed his kisses and touches, but this was genuine and real.

“Pain?” I stopped touching him.

“A little, but there’s love above everything else.”

He trailed his lips along my neck, and my muscles tightened in anticipation. My pulse sped up. I expected him to bite me, but he planted a kiss on a sensitive spot on my neck before pulling back.