Page 29 of The Soul of the Dragon

“I meant if and when the time came," she hissed. "Not make an official announcement and lure him or his foot soldiers to our location. If he doesn’t catch us we never have to tell him anything.”

“Too many rules and too many what ifs. Let’s keep this simple and hopefully no one here will recognize you. We’re married and keep it at that.”

“Not married. Committed. Marriage is an old word here that hardly anyone uses anymore.”

“Fine. Committed. Now let’s go.”

* * *

Thirty minutes later,we had our own room and a lead on a seer located across the village. I pushed the golden key into her hand and pressed my lips to her ear again before I whispered. “Are you ready, little beast? You and me, all alone. How are you going to fight me off this time?”

Her breathing quickened. “I’m not the one who fought against you, remember?”

“Is that another offer, little beast? Because if so, I might just take you up on it this time. I’ve spent a fair amount of my time thinking about what it will be like when I finally fuck you.”

“Your crude words don’t frighten me if that’s what you're hoping for. I've heard much worse.”

The red haze of rage filled my vision at the mention of anyone talking to her like this but me. She wasn't their omega to test. “I’m not trying to scare you away, but I am going to take what's freely offered. Shall we?" I touched my tongue to the shell of her ear and traced my way to her neck. Her breathing stopped and I smiled as I nipped at her fragile skin with the teeth of my dragon.

Her arousal flared and I breathed deep to take it in. The rich scent filled my lungs, making every muscle in my body ache with the need to wrap around her. Reluctantly, I pulled away from her.

"Up the stairs and to the right."

She nodded, pivoted towards the stairs and quickly climbed them. I followed, doing my best not to watch her hips as they swung side to side. I failed, but at least it was fun. She glanced back at me once and based on the heated look in her eyes I got the impression her mind was on the exact same topic as mine.

I watched her smoothly put the key in the lock and turn the knob. I'd half expected her to fumble or struggle with nerves, but not my little beast. She was certainly affected by me, but not enough to make her unable to function.

That was something I'd have to work on later. By the time I got her naked and underneath me, there would be no doubt she would lose her mind.

I followed her into the room despite her having frozen just inside the door. I closed it behind us and then followed her line of sight to the large bed in the center of the room.

"Something not to your liking, Princess?"

"I just didn't think about the fact there would only be one bed. One of us will have to take the floor."

I laughed at her sudden attack of nerves. Now she was nervous and I was going to love every second of it.

"Neither one of us will be anywhere near that floor. That bed is plenty big enough for the both of us." I dropped my pack at the foot of said bed and took a seat. I hadn't slept all that much the last few nights and suddenly I felt the need for some serious rest.

"The size of the bed is not the issue."

"Then what is?" I asked, stifling a yawn as I removed my boots. "I'm tired, as I am sure you are too. And I'm not planning to do anything you don't ask me to. At least for now." I added the last to throw her off balance and remind her that like it or not, she was actually still at my mercy.

She grabbed her hips. "And what is that supposed to mean?"

"Take it however you'd like. But if you dare to lie on that floor, I will not be responsible for what I do."

She narrowed her eyes and I grinned back at her, ready for whatever pithy comeback she wanted to lob at me. "I need a bath. You too if I have to sleep next to you."

"Is that an invitation?"

She curled her lip in disgust."Certainly not. I'll go first and then you can follow." My bossy little fae poked her head behind the divider and sighed. Since a lot of life in the fae realm was driven by magic, I'd made sure that we'd have no problem with hot running water when we needed it.

While some areas of life in this realm seemed miles behind, there were other areas where it was as good as or better than mine. And the luxury of this little room rivaled some of the best of what we had to offer at Castle Ferguson. Including a semi private bathing area with all the creature comforts a princess could require.

Minutes later I could hear the water splashing as she dunked her body underneath it. I imagined her thick thighs spreading in the warm water as I sank between them so I could take care of her. My muscles tensed as the longing to be with her intensified. It pulled taut underneath my skin and nearly forced me to go to her. This all-encompassing desire disgusted me almost as much as the loss of control.

I never let anything or anyone set my destiny and she would be no exception. She was a means to an end and I needed to keep that clear in my head no matter what happened.

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