Page 7 of Crown and Dragon

“You caught me.” She could hardly speak and her pulse was going a mile a minute.

“Yes, and I will claim you now.” He thrust into her and held her pinned to the wall as he shuddered with the effort of trying to control himself.

She loved that he got as riled up as she did. He slid back, then drove forward again.

“Mine,” he snarled.

His teeth found the place where her neck met her shoulder and he held on, almost breaking the skin. A thrill buzzed along her veins and she nearly cried out. She bit her lip, not wishing to wake the entire vineyard. Shifting again, he set a driving pace, and the pleasure inside her built higher and more powerful. The way he kept her tight against the wall, the desperation in his breathing, and the way he nipped at her skin…

He released one of her hands, seemingly caught up and lost in the moment. She moaned as desire tangled with the love she had for this male, and her pleasure peaked. She reached back, wanting to touch his cheek.

“We are not finished yet, my mate.”

Breaking away a fraction, Marius grabbed her and turned her around. He lifted her so that she could wrap her weak legsaround him. She was hardly a person, completely spent with satisfaction. His mouth found hers and he kissed her softly, his tongue dancing over hers and his teeth nipping at her bottom lip as he eased his way into her once more. This time, he took her slowly.

“I would seize the moon for you if you wished it. I would burn the world to ash. Ask me anything, my mate, and I will see it done.”

Heart swelling past the point she thought possible, she gripped his broad, powerful shoulders and let her head fall back. He pressed sensuous kisses along her breasts, teasing her nipples with the very tip of his tongue as he moved steadily. His grip was tight on her backside, and the feel of his large hands was delightfully naughty. Need rose inside her, a sharp crescendo, then she came apart as he worked harder, his hips slamming forward.

“Tahlia,” he called out as his eyes shuttered. The long, corded column of his throat moved as he took his own pleasure, his jaw muscles taut and his fangs bared.

He was the most gorgeous thing she’d ever seen.

They found a soft patch of grass within the rows of vines and he set to tidying her shift. His gaze turned to one of approval once she was covered once more. Then he sat behind her, one of his big legs bent so that she could lean on his knee, and he began braiding her tangled hair.

His whispered her name like a prayer. “Tahlia, my love, my dark soul longs for the light in yours.” He dropped a kiss on the crown of her head, the warmth of his hands and breath making her shiver and smile. “I hear your heartbeat, and I want to follow the poetic sound for eternity. Your ferocity in the skies and your love of life will always be my light in the dark.”

His murmured phrases about her body, his love for her soul, and his respect for her clever mind charmed her into a dreamy sleep.

Chapter 4

Marius

Morning came too soon and Marius only wanted to keep holding Tahlia against him in this warm bed. He’d carried her inside last night and the feel of her in his arms was so perfect—he could never deserve this.

A knock sounded at the door. “Commander?”

Marius untangled himself from Tahlia as she stretched and grinned up at him. He kissed her as the knocking continued. She was so soft from sleep and he longed to bury himself in her and forget the world.

Tahlia put a gentle hand on his chest. “Whoever that is will break a hand if you let him carry on much longer.”

He growled but got up, pulled on his trousers, and opened the door. A young male wearing the king’s livery bowed. Marius knew what he would say before he uttered a word.

“The king and queen have arrived and they request your and Lady Tahlia’s presence.”

“Allow us to ready ourselves.”

The fellow bowed and Marius shut the door.

“So what do we wear for this? Battle leathers?” Tahlia held up one of their bags, her nose adorably wrinkled. “The villager clothing Waith gave us? I forgot my fancy cloak.”

“I think we should dress in the undercover clothing, and keep your weapons to a minimum. Leave your short sword here, but take your daggers. One in your boot and one on your belt.”

Tahlia lifted the shift she’d slept in over her head and Marius turned away so he wouldn’t be tempted to get them killed for disobedience to the king and queen due to more lovemaking.

They met the liveried fellow outside the door and started down the corridor that most of the rooms opened into. The rest of the manor house was noisy with the sounds of staff preparing for the day—the scrape of small shovels clearing soot from fireplaces, the shuffle and crackle of new fires started, crockery clunking on hard surfaces as morning beverages were assembled, and the conversation of those long used to working side by side. The lad led Marius and Tahlia away from the ruckus and into a receiving room of sorts at the back of the manor house.

The room had a higher ceiling. A large window on one end showed the sunlight rolling down the green hills. King Lysanael stood enjoying the view, his arms crossed and his face stern. Queen Revna was pacing, hands clasped behind her back. Their crowns glittered in the window’s light.

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