Page 20 of Oath of Rebellion

"Nothing kind about it. It's the truth."

"Not many would see it that way. I run away when things get tough. It's why I always ran to the tavern."

He gave her a soft kiss under her ear, and he opened his mouth to tell her to run to him, to run to the forest where he'd always be waiting.

But Helga looked back and frowned with a glare. "We're almost there. See?"

Knox straightened, pulling back and already missing her closeness.

She shifted on the saddle as the road widened. His cock still bit into her ass, teasing her with what wasn't meant to be.

She pointed and practically bounced on his dick, making him groan. "Look, it's Demerel. We're almost home."

He felt a pressure on his chest at her excitement. He might live most nights in Vidrland, but he didn't really have a home of his own. He'd thought of Olive's cottage as home growing up, but it hadn't been home in a long time.

This was why it didn't matter that the princess was going back to her perfect little life. He had nothing to offer her anyway.

They left the forest and onward he went. As they went through town, people stopped and pointed. Eirwyn waved the entire time. It seemed like every other person she saw she asked a personal question.

How's your wife? How are the chickens laying this year? Did you get any new books in the store? Do you have any powdered treats?

The last one had been directed to a baker, who had sent a boy inside as the baker talked with Eirwyn. They went on and on about some sort of delicious fried sugary goodness? Perhaps he should've ridden at a faster pace so they wouldn't be stopped by every Tom, Dick, and Harry in town.

They were already on the next block when the boy caught up with them, handing Eirwyn a small brown bag. She thanked him and dug inside.

"Oh yes, how I have missed you, sweet olpertine." She spoke to the square confection reverently then she ate daintily. She moaned, and he took a deep breath as they turned onto the wider, cleaner side of town.

He wanted to hear her moan like that for other things. He might not have felt desire before this woman entered his life, but he'd read books. He'd watched and learned plenty at the brothels. He wanted...

It didn't matter.

"Do you want a bite?"

I want a bite of you.

She offered him a pastry, and he almost leaned forward to take it out of her hand before he remembered himself and shook his head. He wouldn't hurt her.

They approached the gates of the palace, and the guards' eyebrows rose as they opened the metal portcullis and bowed. Eirwyn wiped her mouth daintily with a kerchief and rolled the now empty bag up.

They went around the wide circular drive to the stairs that led to the front door. A servant ran forward to offer her a hand down, but Knox swung off the horse and blocked him with his body.

He didn't want to watch anyone else touch her. He grabbed her hips and pulled her off the horse, letting her slide down his body. If this was the most he would ever feel of her, he wanted to memorize what it felt like.

She gasped, her head thrown back as she stared up at him. When her feet touched the ground, he lifted her hand and almost kissed the back of it, careful not to actually touch her.

"Take care, princess." His voice was barely a whisper, and she gripped his bicep with her other hand. Then he stepped back, taking the reins of Ryder and walking away.

After a few steps, he turned to see Eirwyn still staring at him. Helga was complaining to the servant who had moved a dismounting ladder beside the donkey.

He met Eirwyn's gaze, and for a moment, he swore his every thought, wish, and desire was reflected in her eyes.

Then Helga was tugging her up the stairs, talking about how they needed to get cleaned up as soon as possible. Knox swung back onto his horse and took the reins of the donkey from the servant.

Scarlet pulled her horse up beside him and sighed. "Well, that's one less thing to worry about now. What do you say we stop by the tavern for a drink? I need to relax after listening to that woman complain every step of the way."

Knox nodded. "Maybe we can stop at the bakery too. I have a craving for something sweet."

Red snickered. "I bet you do, brother."

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