Page 23 of Blood On His Lips

His halfling—aKuthliele,because the realms enjoyed laughing at him—though she was the youngest of the triad.

At least she was worthy. His heart and instincts had not fallen prey to some lowly creature. Her human blood was almost irrelevant, though having met the father he believed Aerinne could benefit from more of Lord Étienne’s instruction. He’d been scandalized when he’d learned of Muriel’s choice. But the human was a canny male, with hidden strength.

Yes. . .Aerinne’s bloodline was satisfactory. Their children would not embarrass them. Even if they did, he supposed he could not kill them then start over—again forhersake. Of course she would be attached to the children she bore him. Renaud sighed. His halfling’s soft heart would prove troublesome to navigate, but he bit back his resignation. He had accepted this years ago, and it was too late to change course now.

“She isn't going to like this,” his young cousin said.

Another example of how children grew so quickly. Baroun had not been High Fae when Renaud had forced himself to sleep this last time. Now the boy was a mage and warrior grown; dangerous, impulsive, holding the House and the crown as Renaud made his slow way back to the waking world. Loyal—sentimentally so. That would not last forever, but he estimated he would hold Baroun's leash for a few centuries yet. He hoped the boy did not betray him in the quest for power—his death would be a waste.

“No, she will not.” Renaud shrugged. “So?”

Baroun gave him a keen glance. “She isn't cruel. A bloodthirsty harpy with no sense, but not cruel.”

A nature she did not even suspect. How could she? Muriel was dead, and Nur would not tell Aerinne, hoping ignorance would suppress the bloodline long enough for the girl to season. He hoped the strategy didn't backfire on his old friend—who called herself Nora these days—but Renaud was well aware of the value of hope.

“You'll lose her if you expose her to her nature so young,” Baroun added, as if Renaud had not comprehended the need for caution.

Renaud said nothing. He did not require instruction from his cousin. He was newly awake, not callow. But his silence acknowledged the point.

Aerinne had no idea what she was to him. He did not intend she discover it. . .yet. She required just enough knowledge to encourage the seeds he'd planted to bloom.

The children called it love. Renaud knew it for what it was. Subjugation. That it wasmutualmade his fingers itch in fury—but no, he hadalready decidedto stay his hand.

He tightened his jaw. If he must endure the indignity of love, then she must submit as well. If he must fall, then he would drag her down harder and deeper—and screaming, preferably. Her screams would soothe him, especially since she yearned to offer them. He would tolerate nothing less. A girl barely out of infancy, her power not yet fully sparked, had ensnaredhimwithout even trying. Not even Zephirre had sank her claws into him like this. It was intolerable. He understood better his father’s humiliation, why Assariel had not been kind to Nayya.

“My Lord? Cousin?”

But. . .maintaining aggravation was difficult. He remembered the child she’d been too well, her mind bright and her heart open. The adult she was now retained the remnants of that formerly pure spirit.

And how sweetly she fought him, playing the game until he pressed her to submit, bringing the spice of blood and pain to her bed because if she did not fully understand her nature, he did.

She would have eaten that boy guard of hers alive if she’d ever taken him to her bed. Well, if Renaud had not eviscerated him first.

Renaud closed his eyes, controlling his body’s natural response to thoughts of naked, screaming Aerinne. Of her blood and honey.

He shuddered. Thetasteof her. The memory of it would finish the task of driving him mad. She had no idea the strength it had taken to leave her without having sunk his cock into every orifice of her body that would take him.

“Renaud.Come back to the present. Whatever you’re thinking. . .Fuck it. Earth to Renaud.” Baroun snapped his fingers, muttering Aerinne’s name under his breath.

Fuck her, bleed her, walk her through Court covered in his scent and seed until there was no doubt she began and ended in him.

Swell her womb with his child. In that, he was like his father.

Soon,he promised his selves.Wait a little while longer. And then we will tie her to our bed for a thousand years and teach her the punishment and reward of being ours.

Renaud focused on his cousin. “I am present.”

Emotion sparked in Baroun’s eyes, turning them yellow. “I could serve you better if I understood your intentions towards her.”

“All you need to know is that she is mine.”

But. . .he was not his father in all ways, and Assariel had learned the hard way the inherent difficulties in forcing a female to heel. She must be seduced, not coerced.

His cousin’s lips twisted. “I got that. Will you take her as a concubine or as a consort?”

“She will be Princess of Avellonne.”

Baroun stilled. “I. . .see. That’s ambitious. I’m assuming she doesn’t know. Do you have any idea how difficult that female is? I’ve tried to end this bloody feud a half dozen times over the last decade and the overtures fly right over her head. She hates us. She sees nothing outside the tunnel of her purpose.”

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