Page 59 of Rotten to the Core

At least he doesn’t make me spell it out.

My stomach growls, and he chuckles. “Let’s feed you, then we have to be on our way.”

We’ve ridden at a frantic pace for days—weaker horses wouldn’t have survived the trip, but Doryn’s stable is superlative. He and I are riding the two most incredible beasts I’ve ever seen, but the others do manage to keep up with them, which is a feat in itself.

We eat on horseback—cheese and bread rolls that somehow taste soft and buttery although we packed them five days ago. Doryn orders a halt after four hours, like clockwork, and proceeds to rut me against the closest tree the moment we dismount the horses.

I am painfully aware that he’s doing so in full view of everyone else, although none among his circle seems to care. We’re in Allea now. A passerby would look twice. I flush, imagining all types of unfortunate encounters with strangers across the field.

Doryn's iron grip on my hips bruises as he slams fiercely into me, more frantic than ever. During our ride, he was as composed as ever, but now, with each punishing thrust, I feel just how anxious and unsettled he is. He doesn't let himself display any weakness, but in those few moments, he showsme. I take it all, holding on for dear life at each overpowering move.

I come in instants, but he keeps going, again and again, until he wrenches another orgasm from me, so unexpectedly I scream his name.

He collapses on top of me again, my chest thumping so hard I would expect half of the country to hear it.

I feel awkward as ever when it's done. We're not lovers—not even in the broadest sense of the word. I'm just a tool he uses to unwind.

My brows furrow, as it occurs to me that I am due for another contraceptive brew, soon.

"Already frowning?" Doryn's pulling his clothes back into place, smirking smugly. "If I didn't do a decent job, just let me know. I'm sure I can make you come again before Vess is done with lunch."

Someone really ought to bottle his ego. "I was thinking about protection. I have to see a witch when we head back—we wouldn't want anything to come of all of this fucking."

I expect him to panic, or seem completely shocked. Men rarely worry about that type of things until their whores turn up at their door with a newborn. Instead, Doryn chuckles. "Wouldn't we?"

I blink several times as my mind catches up. He can't mean what those words imply. He can't. "You're not trying to impregnate me. You're just not." It's a statement, not a question. Hecan'tbe. That wouldn't make any sense at all, and if I know one thing about Doryn, it's that he's a man of logic. Cold, yes. Calculated, certainly. But he's notinsane.

"I told you that the first night, didn't I?" Doryn tilts his head. "I distinctly remember saying it, but maybe I just formulated the words in my mind. I was preoccupied at the time, maybe they never crossed my lips."

I remember, now that he mentions it.

"I'm going to keep you. I'm going to fill your belly until it swells with my heir, and then I'll put another one in there. And another."

First I gawk, gaping in sheer horror. Then I start to yell. "You're kidding me, aren't you?"

"What about me could possibly make you believe I am proficient at making jokes?"

"No one pays attention to what men say when they're balls-deep inside you, you cretin!" That's beside the point. "We're not having a child. We're not."

I've never envisioned myself as a mother. Maybe because I had such a cold one, maybe because I haven't thought much past the tower of spies. I didn't think I'd wed, and children is one step beyond that. A permanent step, forever binding.

I am neutral about kids. They don't offend me, but I don't particularly enjoy their company either. They're so energetic and noisy, their proximity drains my energy without doing anything. The thought of being responsible for one of those wild, screaming, running mini-people causes a mild panic.

"Like we'renotgetting wed in the autumn court?" Doryn checks.

I'm so unnerved with his serenity. "We don't even know each other! The only thing you know about me is that I tried to kill you."

He chuckles, crossing the distance between us. "I know you're fond of baths, and are shockingly prudish though you love nothing more than getting railed into tomorrow." He leans in. "I know you're passionate and loyal. That's why you were chosen to come to me. The dick in charge knew you'd give it your all. That's also why you're not running away, although you could try. You're considering your friends' future. Most of them would have attempted to sneak past whoever's on watch and flee the moment we went to sleep." He presses his lips to my forehead. "You're beautiful, and ridiculously proud, and I'll be honored to father your children."

I'm back to gawking.

"You can see a witch when we head back. Stop taking your potion when you're ready."

I manage to find my voice. "I don't know if I want children. Maybe I'llneverbe ready."

He shrugs. "I need an heir—particularly if we're going to war—but my main aim is stopping the parade of wombs queuing up for me. With you as my consort, I'll be free. Then I'll find someone else to bear my children, one day. "

I can’t explain the vague sense of aversion twisting my insides.

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