Page 71 of Vale of Dreams

So, I look into Talan’s blazing copper-ringed eyes and tell him something true. “I always wanted a family like other people had. A dad who read books to me in bed, or a mom who made sure I had what I needed. Someone who’d wake up at night when I was sick instead of letting me look after myself. I wanted them to clean up after me when I vomited and not the other way around. I wanted someone who was always there so I didn’t have to wonder how long I’d be alone…” I swallow hard, as I realize I’m straying too far into my own life. I sigh and give him a small smile. “But we get the family we get, don’t we?”

He inhales sharply and twirls his wineglass. “Well, Nia, that is certainly true. And what happened to your man with the cheap velvet suit? Why didn’t you make a family with him, like other people?”

“He left me for a singer.” Also true.

“So, the man is a fucking idiot. Would you like me to torture him to death? I would use the rack again, if it made you happy.”

I blink. “I believe his own music is torture enough.”

Talan gives me a smile that steals my breath for a moment, but it fades. “You told me a true thing, and now it’s my turn. No, I don’t go into the dungeons. I don’t need to torment people physically to get what I want. I kill them, if it suits me, but I’ve never seen a rack in my life, nor do I want to. Why use such a brutal instrument? I can invade people’s dreams and make them feel the most exquisite pain in their minds—or pleasure, depending.”

“Okay. But I told you two truths. One about my ex, and one about my family. Tell me another thing,” I venture. “Who was your mother spying for?”

His expression is inscrutable, and he gives me a casual shrug. “They say she never fell out of love with Mordred. That she was always trying to find him. She believed he never died. They say that he was truly our worst enemy, that he had made claims to the throne. That’s what they say. But that was a long time ago, when I was too young…” His gaze shutters, and he seems to collect himself. “Anyway, not to worry. You might loathe me, but you are mine now, and if anyone tried to burn you at the stake, I’d make them wish they were never born.”

I finish the last drop of wine in my glass and know I need to leave. If I don’t, my nervous glances at his desk will give me away.

I slide the empty glass onto his table. “Well, thank you for entertaining me while the sun went down. I’ll leave you on your own now.”

I stand to leave, desperately hoping he never notices that little shift of the envelope.

“Nia.” Talan’s soft voice stops me, and he stands. “I can see from the way you are holding your arm that your wrist is hurt.”

My heart slams hard, and I wonder if he’ll realize I’m not healing as quickly as I should. I shrug. “I just fell on it badly. Maybe twisted something. It will be better in no time.”

“I can heal it.”

“How?”

He holds out his hand. “Give it to me.”

My breath is still shaky as I rest my wrist in his hand. He traces his fingertips over it, a line etched between his eyebrows. Then he glances up at me. “I heal with my mouth.”

“Sure. Whatever it takes.”

He brings my wrist to his lips and kisses my skin.

A hot shiver runs through me as he runs his tongue over the place where it hurts. The sharp pain softens into pleasure, and as his tongue laves my skin, I’m no longer thinking about who he is. No longer able to think of anything except the way his mouth feels on me.

There’s obviously more to his magic than just healing, because as his tongue moves over me, a sensual heat pulses between my thighs. My nipples peak under my dress, and molten heat slides through me. Part of me wants to yank my arm away from him, to stop this pulsing of warmth in my core. But I’m transfixed, my breath becoming shallow as I imagine him kissing my hips, stroking me. Murderous prince or not, I can’t stop thinking about how it would feel for him to spread my thighs and kiss…

With a racing heart, I pull my arm away. “It’s fine now.” My cheeks are hot, and my breath comes in rapid little gasps.

Surprise flickers in his eyes. “Are you sure? Because your heart is beating wildly out of control, and you sound breathless.”

He’s fucking with me. Of course he’s fucking with me. “I’m fine.”

His gaze dips to my breasts, and one of his hands clenches into a fist. I look down to see my headlights on, high beams in action, and I fold my arms in front of my chest. Jasper doesn’t really do bras.

A sensual smile curls the prince’s lips as he looks into my eyes. “You can stay longer, if you like.”

I turn to the door. The pain in my wrist is gone now. “I’ll see you later, Talan.”

When I glance back, I find his eyes locked on me. “How strange. I like the way it sounds when you say my name.”

“When do I need to see you again? For the purposes of our fake relationship?”

“Tomorrow, actually. I want you to join me at the High Council. I don’t need your particular skillset just then, but I want you to know who everyone is.”

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