Page 156 of Bane of the Wild Hunt

Then you are not so indifferent to myskiáafter all?

“Riordan—”

He kissed me, rough and urgent, and quickly hiked my skirts up around my waist. I heard the clink of the buckle on his leather pants being unfastened. And then he was sinking into me hard and fast, filling my ready body with such a powerful, demanding thrust that I lost my breath.

My king uttered a rumbling groan, hesitating only a second to savour the feeling of both of our gratification with being united again. And then he began to rut hard, his powerful body pinning me into the mattress as he gave us both what we needed with a ferocity that I matched.

“Amira,” hissed Helena, catching my arm just before I followed Riordan into his office, “youreekof lust.”

“It isnotmy fault!” I snapped back in mortification. “Taking just one night and half a day isnotlong enough for a proper honeymoon!”

Helena merely smirked at me and followed me into the office where Riordan had gone to his desk. Ares stood at the back of the room with Iris and Theo while Orion had taken up his customary place next to the king’s desk.

I was sure not to look at Riordan’sskiáas I moved into position next to him. I wondered if I should have stood on the opposite side of the desk, since he would undoubtedly be able to smell the lust Helena had, but he shifted closer. He was determined to put himself between me and the orc spy just as he had done the last time.

And I was immediately thankful that the tryst I’d just had with Riordan probably masked my reaction. But for a woman who had been raised on the streets, subject to a thousand threats of violence, his protective stance was undeniable. Similar to the way that Riordan had used his body like a living shield when we were in Uile Breithà.

I focused on my king as he sank into his seat with that confident authority I loved so much. I had always been wildly attracted to him, but now it was like everything he did was fuel for the fire of yearning burning in me.

I was sure to direct my thoughts at him as I wondered whether I could get my knees far enough around him on that seat to ride him in it, and he shot me a glance.

“Stop, please,” hissed Orion, startling me, and I looked up to find he was rigid with discomfort.

I panicked for a moment that he was able to hear me in Riordan’s mind, but my mate had reassured me that would not be the case unless all three of us were bonded. So I had no idea if it was my scent changing or if Riordan had reacted to my provocation internally and tipped him off, but I felt stupid fornot considering it. I made a mental note not to tease my mate in front of Orion anymore.

“Olirik, I hope you have good news,” said Riordan, voice just a little tight, and I barely restrained a smirk.

“I do, Your Majesty!” exclaimed Olirik eagerly as he took his seat across the desk from the king once my mate was sitting. “I established contact with a kelpie!”

“You’re sure she’s not a spy for the Autumn Prince?” verified Orion.

“Kelpies are still very loyal to their king. I trust her,” insisted Olirik. “She would not take me to him without proof I was not an agent of the Autumn Prince. She would like to meet you, to ascertain that you really do mean to offer them aid, and then she will take you to the king,” Olirik explained eagerly.

I had always been able to tell when Riordan and Orion were having a private discussion. But now I could almost feel it happening like a river that was flowing in a part of Riordan’s mind to which I did not have access.

“Then the question becomes how to meet her safely,” mused Riordan.

“Bring her here,” I suggested, and my mate nodded.

“Would she come?” he asked the orc.

“She expressed a willingness to meet you on whatever terms you set. Despite her caution, my impression is that she and her king are quite desperate. The Autumn Prince must be closing in on their hiding place,” said Olirik.

“Then bring her here as Amira proposed. Ensure she is housed in the northern tower in the Spring Quadrant,” Riordan instructed. “Send word when you arrive there, and I will come to you directly. I do not wantanyoneelse to know that she is here,” Riordan stressed to all of us.

“I will have a squadron awaiting you there to control access to the tower,” Orion added to Olirik who agreed.

“In the meantime, have her relay a message to her king to begin considering terms of sanctuary,” said Riordan. “He should know that I will require his assistance to fend off the Autumn Prince should Rian come here.”

“She already anticipated as such. She says he is weak, but their people are still strong and are prepared to follow your leadership,” Olirik reassured him.

“Good. Thank you, Olirik, for great work, as always,” Riordan thanked the orc genuinely. Olirik bowed his head with the utmost humility, and then rose from his seat to follow Orion who opened the door to let him out.

I looked at Riordan who sat looking thoughtful while his fingers drummed on the desk. Helena and the others began to talk among themselves about this development, but Riordan remained quiet and introspective.

Pensive?

Yes,he replied, his voice like a caress inside my head as he raised his eyes to me. And then he allowed me to see the vague pattern of his thoughts, like a faint map that allowed me to follow his logic.

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