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Sandra knew this part of Griffin’s reality kept him in a guilt-ridden state. But she was also aware that he took pains not to demonstrate the most advanced skills he had as a Guardsman. In that way, he believed he protected his brothers-in-arms. It was also the reason he got wounded often during the one-on-one contests.
Arriving at the end of the hedge, he guided her to the left, back through the extensive fortress garden. His hand caressed her waist, then moved slowly down to linger on her hip. When he dug his fingers in just a little, she gasped softly. It felt so good.
He leaned close as he pathed, Don’t feel obligated to feed me. I can get one of the camp’s doneuses to take care of me.
She met his gaze, and forced him to stop for a moment. With no one else around, she planted her hands on his chest, then pathed, I can’t let you do that, Griffin. Right now, you’re mine.
I want to kiss you.
And I want you to do a lot more than that right now. In fact, I’m counting on it.
He held her gaze and she watched his eyes fall to half-mast. His summery field scent sharpened
so that she felt kicked at the back of her knees.
Are you sure? he pathed.
Absolutely.
Where can we go?
I have a place in mind where we won’t be disturbed.
She put them both back in motion, only she moved more quickly this time. With things settled, she was anxious to be alone with him.
Though she needed to find the duplicate key, right now she felt a strong urgency to feed Griffin. She wasn’t sure why, but nothing seemed more important. And right now, her heart felt laden, like it had been waiting all this time to provide him sustenance.
Opening the door to the north fortress entrance, she headed swiftly down the hall for a few yards then took the servants’ stairs to the right.
He followed after, but caught her hand a few steps up, forcing her to stop. I’m not allowed up here.
She smiled and tugged his hand. You are just this once. Don’t worry; Margetta adores me and if we’re caught she’ll forgive me. She knows I’ve never taken a lover and believe me she’s suggested it about a thousand times.
But it’s the women’s quarters.
It’ll be all right. You’ll see. Besides, at this hour, all the slaves are helping out in the camp. It’s feeding time at the zoo, you know.
He chuckled at the slang term for keeping the Invictus army fed. She laughed with him. But once she reached the second floor, she levitated, moving swiftly down the long central hall.
He tracked with her, the powerful vampire that he was. Nice moves, fae-woman.
Thank you.
She took him straight to her bedroom, a small chamber housing a chest of drawers, a nightstand, and a double bed with an ornately carved oak headboard. Off to the left was her bathroom. On the windowsill was a vase of roses.
“You have flowers in here.”
“I do.” She closed the door quietly and turned the key in the lock, leaving it in the aperture. She couldn’t believe she was doing this, that she was alone with Griffin, in her room, intent on taking him to bed.
~ ~ ~
For a long moment, Griffin stared at the flower arrangement sitting on the sill of Sandra’s bedroom window. She’d kept a piece of civilization with her, despite her slavery. In some ways, the flowers represented who she was, her beauty, her velvety complexion, her strength.
“I should wash up,” he said, suddenly aware he had blood spatter all over him from his wounds.
She crossed to the bathroom door and shoved it open. “One of the perks for being favored by the Ancient Fae. And please, take as long as you need.”
There was a small shower in which he would barely fit. But after wrestling off his boots and leathers, he took his time scrubbing head to foot, even washing his hair. He’d fallen in the mud, letting the slide of his feet during the sparring session cover for his ongoing restraint.
