Page 98 of Taken By the Fae King

“Things have been a bit strained between my husband and me these past few weeks. And he has been trying very hard to bridge the gap that has grown between us.”

Swallowing hard, I lower my gaze. “Strange you should say this, for things have been understandably strained with my own mate as well. It is entirely my fault. And I have been trying desperately to earn her forgiveness even though I do not deserve it.”

“Why do believe you are undeserving?”

“Because she is my mate. The one I swore to love, to honor, to protect, to cherish until the end of my days, and… I hurt her.” I swallow hard. “But that is not the worst part.”

Her eyes snap up to mine. “What do you mean?”

“I could have defied the will of the gods. I could have told her the truth before she discovered it, but I did not. And it wasn’t because I was worried about breaking the prophecy or about the world being plunged into darkness. It was because I was worried I would lose her.”

Her gaze holds mine as I continue. “The truth is…sheis all that matters to me. And in trying so hard not to lose her, I have driven her away instead. I am a selfish male, and I do not deserve her.”

“What if she loves you so much she has already forgiven you?”

A spark of hope ignites in my chest. “Have you?”

She steps closer, stretching up on her toes until her face is nearly even with mine. She wraps her arms around my neck and leans in.

Worried that I am dreaming, I remain still, afraid I will awaken at any moment as she brushes her lips to mine and then whispers against them. “Yes.”

I crush my mouth to hers, lifting her into my arms as I spin us both around. Setting her back on the ground, I fold my wings around her, holding her close as I drop my forehead to hers. “You truly forgive me?” I ask, because I need to be sure.

She cups my cheek. “I forgive you, Kyven.”

I capture her mouth with my own in a passionate kiss. Threading my fingers through her silken chestnut hair, I stroke my tongue against hers, relishing the taste of her kiss and the feel of her body against me.

My nostrils flare as I breathe deeply of her delicate scent. It is enticingly sweet. She is at the peak of her fertile cycle. Something dark and primal awakens deep within, demanding that I claim my mate.

A soft moan escapes her as I cup her breast through the fabric of her dress.

Movement in the distance catches my attention, and I growl low in my throat. Although I know it is only Talyn, trying to discreetly give us space, fierce possessiveness burns in my veins.

“Hold on to me,” I whisper against her lips, and Grayce nods.

I hoist her to my chest and take off, flying toward the balcony. As soon as we step inside, I am glad to see we are alone. Even Greywind is gone. I kick the door closed behind us and then capture her mouth again in a searing kiss.

She moans, threading her fingers through my hair, as our mouths mess repeatedly.

Desire burns in my veins as I carry her to the bed. I’m so lost in our kiss, my knees bump the edge and I fall forward, twisting at the last second so that she lands on top of me as we tumble onto the bed.

Her gaze holds mine a moment, her hair forming a curtain around us as her luminous eyes stare deep into mine. I reach up and touch her face, watching in wonder as a pink flush blooms in the wake of my fingers. “I love you,” I whisper. “More than anything.”

A beautiful smile crests her lips. “I love you too, Kyven.”

I rise up just enough to capture her mouth with my own, our lips and tongues meshing repeatedly as I hold her against me, her thighs straddling my hips.

Without breaking our kiss, I sit up on the edge of the bed, curling my wings tightly around her. I groan as she rolls her hips against mine, the delicious friction is the most exquisite torture.

The scent of her need fills the air and the desire to claim her is almost more than I can bear. Palming the left globe of her breast through her dress, I kiss a line down her neck and trace my tongue across the pulsing artery.

My fangs extend with want to pierce the delicate flesh beneath, but I force myself to pull back. “We should stop,” I whisper against her skin.

“Why?” she asks, voice breathless.

“I am on the edge of my control,” I rasp. “I do not want to rush you into—”

“I want you, Kyven,” she whispers and I still.

---