Page 29 of The Time Of Kings

“There, now that’s better, for as nice as it was to feel your claws raking down my back, now is not the time for Amorous Congress, my muddy little kitten.”

She actually growled in response, causing me to chuckle as I ran my thumb down her dirty cheek, promptly making her turn her face away from me. An irritated action on her part that did nothing to deter from my mirth.

“I don’t know what the Hell Amorous Congress is, but if it’s foreplay, then be warned. I bite as well, arsehole,” she threatened, making me laugh. This was before I found myself once more invading her space, doing so by holding the back of her chair whilst I leaned in so as I could inform her,

“Mmm, I can’t wait, thief.”

“I thought I was a kitten?” she snapped, a question that left me smirking so close to her face, I could have easily kissed her. But alas, it was not the first kiss I had envisioned, so instead I left her with an insight of things to come.

“Oh, I think you will soon discover that there are many things I will call you, and soon your name will be the only one spoken in my bed… after which you grant it to me, of course.”

She swallowed hard and despite knowing that I was leaving little for her to question in my desire for her, she still had an act to play. Clearly, she did not want to give into me that easily.

Challenge excepted, little thief…challenge excepted.

“Then I hope you’re prepared to be in for a long wait, as this isn’t exactly endearing me to you…lover boy,”she said, lifting up against her restraints and whispering this gifted, adolescent alias when leaning in closer. Meaning that I was unable to contain my heated gaze that I knew bore into her angry one.

“And I will soon prove to you, little thief, that there is nothing boyish about me… now as for the lover part,thatI will happily accommodate, for you only need to give me the word, and I will gladly oblige.”

She rolled her eyes at me before turning away. But again, she must have thought me a fool, for the wanting in her body was easy to detect. The quick intake of breath, followed by the heavyrise and fall of her chest. The sound of her rapid heartbeats causing her pulse to thump at her neck, like a Siren’s call, pulling me into her spell.

The scent of her, however, was something else entirely. As it was clear that the picture I painted of our intimate future together was one she was visibly thinking about. And with a positive reaction at that, for her growing arousal was a scent that had me near fucking drooling like some starved wild beast ready to feast on her.

And feast on her I soon would, as she smelled fucking delicious!

But first, I needed to get her clean. I was eager to see her in her entirety, minus the caked mud marring her skin. So, I left her a short while, knowing that I needed to speak with the captain of my guard. For I needed to discover whether or not the men that had taken her from the cottage had come forward for their reward. I also wanted to be assured of their treatment of her, for she didn’t appear injured, but it was also clear that she had escaped them. Hence why I wanted their account of events.

I also wanted to ensure that no maids entered my bedchamber. As I didn’t trust that my little captive wasn’t capable of trying to convince one of them to aid her in her next escape attempt. She most certainly would play the victim well enough, I was sure. Hence why I ordered them to stay away from my bedchamber unless I was there. As for her obvious need to bathe, I instructed them enter the room adjacent to my own. One which would lead them to where I usually bathed, doing so through the access door so as they could fill the bath without seeing her tied to a chair.

Something they had accomplished by the time I returned after discovering that my guards had indeed found the men and they were awaiting my arrival. But I had a far more pressingmatter to deal with and, in truth, it was the first time that I could barely contain my excitement.

Getting back to my prisoner had me quickening my steps and was the reason I was unable to keep the knowing smirk from my lips. Especially when I saw her furious face upon opening the door.

“I’m thirsty and need to pee,” she stated the moment I turned to close the door, and I couldn’t help but grin before schooling my features enough to then face her.

“One usually causes the other,” I told her, unable to help in teasing her. Something I confess never having the inclination to do to others before. In fact, most knew me as quite a serious character and, no doubt, would be surprised at this new easy manner I openly displayed around her.

“Well, that’s good and all, doctor, but it doesn’t stop the fact that I am unable to do either right now.”

At this quip I chuckled, already adoring her quick wit and in how freely she felt comfortable enough to do so. In all honesty, I was more used to mortals cowering from me and the verbal bout was certainly refreshing. Although I had to admit that her use of the English language was certainly different, to say the least.

I walked towards the pitcher of water on my sideboard and poured her a glass before approaching her, pleased that she had given me the excuse to touch her once more.

“You will be free to relieve yourself soon enough, little thief, but until then, let me aid you with at least one of your requests… considering you asked so nicely,” I teased, making her mock me with her condescending gaze as I held the glass to her lips. Doing so by placing a gentle hand at the back of her neck begore prompting her to tip her head back to drink. Once I was assured she’d had enough, I used my thumb to take away the droplet clinging to her now pink lips. I then watched as her façade ofindifference slipped as she swallowed heavily. She also had to clear her throat before gifting me with her thoughts.

“Thank you,”she said softly, and I vowed in that moment that I would soon hear that sweet breathy voice of hers when warming my bed and gifting me her cries of pleasure.

I couldn’t fucking wait!

I walked into the bathroom and removed my jacket before rolling up my sleeves, so as I could ensure the temperature was perfect for her. But it was when walking back inside that her anger at still being tied up reached its peak.

“Is this really necessary?” she snapped, making a show of trying to get free.

“I believe we both know the answer to that question,” I said as I continued to roll up the other sleeve, giving her insight as to what would happen next.

“You’re not bathing me!” she shouted, clearly appalled at the idea, something that once more had me grinning.

“Am I not?” I dared to say, as even I knew that no matter how much I wanted to wash her, that I was walking a fine line as a gentleman to even suggest such. However, in this instance, I couldn’t seem to help but goad her. And in doing so, was once again awarded with her colourful and outraged response.

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