Page 54 of To Tame An Angel

“Did she hit you?” His voice is low.

I laughed a little. It lacked all humor as I shook my head. “Who else? She’s the only one allowed to.”

His face seemed like a stony reflection of a human. “Because of me.”

“No,” I said with a tight smile. “Because of me. Because I’m not cruel like she wants me to be. Because I’m not willing to break you, like she taught me. Because she’s afraid, afraid of what it’ll mean for me once word gets out.”

He cupped my face, gently kissing my cheek. “Then we leave tonight.”

It was a lovely dream, etched in idealism. Trapped here as I’ve kept him, he didn’t know the changes outside. He didn’t know how I too am trapped. I too await when the knell rings.

He studied my reaction, my hesitation. It was all there for him to see. I had no strength to hide it, to showcase resilience when I felt so defeated.

“You won’t come,” he surmised.

“Mother left a small battalion in my home. To monitor us–to monitor me–until she returns in two days.” I was surprised by the evenness in my voice. “If we’re to escape, it will have to be after the inspection. We just have to convince them.”

Despite my words, I didn’t believe we could do this. I’ve not broken him. On the contrary, all of my tactics have bloomed a stronger man. One who doesn’t mind submitting to me–right down enjoys it–but would battle anyone else. One who’d become protective of me and that would quickly be seen as a fault. I supposed that’s what love was. Strengthening and not defeating. But we weren’t allowed to love because it would give strength to our men. They would become overprotective of their families and the slope would slip into the chaotic past.

He grasped my arms and pulled me to him. “Brand me.”

I was startled as I stared up at him. His face is open, honest, and determined.

“No.” I tried to pull back, but his grip was tight.

“I want you to,” he said.

“No, you don’t,” I insisted and yanked myself out of his embrace.

His arms quickly took me once more and held my face in his hands. “I want you to. Not for your mother or the queen’s soldiers or anything other than because I wish to belong to you. For that reason alone.”

My mouth dried as I studied his sincerity and unwavering decision. “Why do you wish to belong to me?”

His eyes softened, and he tenderly curled his finger over the hair falling over my face. He smiled a little, and it was one of his few genuine smiles. It warmed my heart and belly, and I became desperate to hear words I’d never heard before.

“Because you’ve become my home.” His voice was low and open, as if he didn’t dare say the words.

Without thinking, I kissed him and drowned in his taste. He pulled me in as if I could truly become his home in the flesh. The kiss became passionate, and I felt him growing against my stomach.

“Nalla,” he whispered against my mouth.

“Get on the bed,” I blurted, before his cock distracted me.

He inhaled sharply, still staring at me, with his forehead pressed against mine.

“It’ll be quick. I’ll never leave your side,” I assured him, cupping his face.

The brand was ready, and I was careful with the items when I brought them to Tannor. He sat hesitantly on the bed, observing me. I pushed back his hair, kissing his face and reaching between his legs to rake my nails over his cock and balls. He grunted and thrust himself into my hand.

“You’re certain?” I asked him.

His hands slid up my body as his eyes locked on the brand. He turned to me and nods. “Do it.”

I helped him get on his hands and knees and took a moment to admire his physique. The muscled thickness of him. Keeling behind him, I ran my palms over his body, pressing against his thighs. He was quivering slightly, and I kissed his lower back.

He did this to survive. But also, he did it for me. To belong to me. Once this was done, no one else could have him. They would have to wrench him from my hands. His willingness to do this and the progress we made from the moment he struggled against his binds while I tried to heal his feet overwhelmed me.

I studied his face and closed eyes. “I love you, Tannor. Now you’re truly mine.”

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