Page 18 of Blood On His Lips

I closed my eyes as the lips nuzzling my neck drifted down to my breasts. He licked and nibbled gently, fanning the flames of my seething lust.

“Renaud, I don’t have the strength for this tonight.”

This painstaking edging, his toying with my body, was to wind me up until I was at the point I suspected he wanted—submissive, at least to him, willing to do his bidding in impatient anticipation of a reward.

Begging.

But the Prince surprised me once again.

Instead of malicious compliance, he claimed my mouth in another deep, drugging kiss, his fingers sliding down my body and slipping inside, the rhythm gentle, expert, bringing me to a release that offered the kind of satiation that would allow me to sleep deeply rather than restlessly.

As the traitorous haze of lust whispered away, I stared up at the ceiling. “How did I end up here.”

He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Feel not despair. This was decided many years ago.”

I found the strength to push at his shoulders, shoving him off of me. Renaud sighed, rolling onto his back, sprawled on my bed like he belonged there. It wasn’t big enough for both of us.

I clambered to my knees and glared down at him. “Enough of your cryptic horseshit.” Realms, he reminded me of—

His lips twisted with annoyance. “Must you speak in that mongrel mortal language? It offends my ears.”

“Good to know. Do you know what else is going to offend you, Prince? My boot up your ass if you don’t start giving me some answers now.”

It was a little excessive, but he rolled his eyes, proving hehadbeen paying attention to my expressions. “You’re asking the wrong questions, Aerinne.”

Renaud hauled himself off the bed, staring down at me impassively. “You should be asking who tried to kill you tonight, not worrying about our relationship. Just like a female, focused on the wrong things.”

He meant to prick my temper with that comment and thereby distract me. It wouldn’t work. I wasn’t nearly as stupid as he hoped.

But he was right. Who tried to kill me was more important than our burgeoning—grimace—romance.

“My House will investigate,” I said, standing.

I padded to my closet and pulled out random clothing to dress, then returned to the male watching me, his eyes glacial, the danger that was always a muted cloak around his shoulders restless. I held myself very, very still, in case his power forgot I wasn’t the one who’d pissed him off—not this time, anyway.

“No. I will find out who attacked you and why. And I will deliver them to your House to face Faronne justice—alive.”

“I appreciate your generosity.”

Unprecedented generosity. If the assailants turned out to be from his House, he was giving them to me to deal with as I saw fit. Baroun would hate that.

He held out a hand. When I took it, Renaud lowered his head, brushing his lips on my temple. “Rest well. Tomorrow will be another infernally long day, and the faire after it.” His lips curved against my skin. “Though perhaps not so long, with you there to entertain me.”

Delightful. “Glad I fully understand my role in your world.”

ChapterSix

Renaud kissed me,his hands on my shoulders as we stood at the front door.

I understood the gentle gesture for what it was: another mark of his ownership. The usual guards were posted in the courtyard, and even at this late hour there were always cousins or lieges who came and went on business. Something as simple, as innocent, as a kiss on the forehead made plain that the Prince viewed me as his. High Fae did nothing by chance.

“You need to sleep, Aerinne,” he said, drawing back. “Allow your House to handle any matters that arise this evening. Ishaan’s healings are always taxing.”

I had no trouble following that command. “I plan on sleeping. Short of an emergency, no one will disturb me tonight.”

“Good.” His gaze swept the courtyard. “I take my leave. I will see you soon, my halfling.”

He left on foot, having declined an offer of a carriage or horse. I followed him for a few steps, watching as he strolled down the street, the occasional lamp highlighting his form until I blinked, and the shadows swallowed him.

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