Page 49 of The Phoenix Inheritance

The blissful peace is short lived. It feels way too early when an intrusive foot prods me repeatedly, though judging by the position of the sun in the sky it’s already noon.

“Wake up, lovebirds!” Warwick is bellowing. “We have a busy day ahead.”

I squint at him with difficulty. “What’s the hurry?” I grouse.

My brother rolls his eyes as if I couldn’t have uttered anything more absurd. “ Really, Dane? How very you to forget your own wedding day.” As Isobel and I wonder if he lost his mind overnight, he crosses his arms. “I won’t stand for these out-of-wedlock shenanigans any longer. Not when I’m going to be tailing behind you for many years to come.”

It’s on the tip of my tongue to point out that of all people, he’s the least legitimate person to sermonize about love affairs, but Isobel springs to her feet. The blush that adorns her cheeks knocks the grumpiness right out of me.

“You’ll marry us, Warwick?” When he nods, she flings her arms around him. “How perfect. I can’t think of a better person to join us together.”

I send a grateful glance towards my brother as he pats Isobel’s back. I know this preposterous marriage idea – he has just about as much legal basis to conduct the ceremony as one of the many trees around us – is Warwick’s way to say he accepts our choice. That he will support our love through thick and thin.

He clears his throat sheepishly as he extricates himself from Isobel’s embrace. “I’ll leave you two to get ready while I prepare my service.”

Isobel sighs wistfully when he’s out of sight. “Your brother really is quite sweet, for a flesh-eating monster.”

I grimace at the memory of the tournament. “I suppose so.”

My gaze follows her nimble fingers in awe as she makes quick work with her frazzled hair, tucking bits and pieces into an elaborate coil.

“I heard you two speaking last night, you know.”

I freeze, my heat dropping. I never wanted Isobel to know about matehood and the fact she isn’t the one destined for me. There’s no doubt in my mind that it will make her feel unimportant, when nothing could be farther from the truth.

Isobel spins towards me, a small smile curling her lips upwards. With her wispy coronet and affection dancing in her earthy brown beams, she takes my breath away.

“There’s one thing I want you to promise me before we get married.”

I narrow my gaze. “You gave me a condition yesterday, and I overcame it.” My eyes rake hungrily over her slim figure. It’s been too long since we made love. “You’re mine already, ceremony or not. Accept it.”

Isobel shrugs, though her face flushes noticeably redder. “Then perhaps you should know I don’t mind sleeping alone. I’ve done it for years.”

A low groan rumbles in my throat. “What do you want me to promise?” I rasp, beaten by a female half my size.

If Isobel pushes me away, armed with a shoe or not, there’s little I can do to make her yield. And the problem is, I can only wait so much longer before I’ll be reduced to a raving runt in front of the woman I love and my brother.

“That once I leave, you won’t go with me,” she utters softly. “And that you’ll keep your heart open so when your mate finally comes around, you’ll be ready for her.”

A strangled moan escapes my lips as I try to pull her close, but Isobel keeps me at arm’s length.

“Promise,” she repeats sternly. “Or I won’t bed you for a month.”

Either option sounds dreadful to my ears. I consider as coolly as I can muster, but ultimately it’s the warmth written all over her sweet face that makes me waver.

“I know you love me,” she pledges in a whisper. “I feel it every time you lay eyes on me, and you’ve proven it time and time again, at costs greater than I even dare think of.”

I bite my tongue, so ready to give her the words she wants to hear.

“It’s like you said, Dane. It’ll be another life.”

“Alright,” I relinquish, bowing my head in defeat. “I promise I’ll do my best… When the time comes.”

A finger lifts my chin until her sweet lips reach mine. Desire zips straight to my loins the instant her skin brushes mine.

“Thank you,” she breathes, breaking the kiss after a few short moments.

Only I won’t let things end so soon now that I’ve reclaimed my rights to make love to her. I tug her back and fondle her breasts until she melts into my grasp. My cock grows so hard I can’t resist nestling it between her thighs, grateful for their warmth yet yearning for even more sizzling quarters.

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