Page 42 of The Time Of Kings

This meant that this strip of pale material could be seen underneath, with the purple framing each side of the centre panel. The bodice of the gown was also filled in with a pretty, triangular piece known as a stomacher. It was pinned to the gown over the laces of the petticoat and matched the purple of the outer layers of the dress. A pair of ivory satin, elbow length gloves completed the look.

The outfit had a long train of ruffled purple material, making me feel as if I was about to get married in some gothic wedding…

Right on time, the would-be groom entered, and I swear the moment he did, he looked as if he had been struck down by the hands of the Gods. And well, he wasn’t the only one, as I couldn’t help but do as he did now. My eyes made the delicious journey of discovery up and down his body.

Holy shit, he was handsome! Unbelievably, it wasn’t ever a sight I was used to seeing, no matter how many years we had spent together. Because Draven often had the power to render me speechless and blushing. And it didn’t matter what he wore, a suit, jeans, loose lounge pants, or a tux. I was often left with my mouth watering and my mind asking the Gods what I ever did to deserve such perfection in my life.

And right now,was no exception.

In fact, he looked like something out of some damn fairytale. Like some gallant prince come to sweep me off my feet. But that’s where I was wrong, because he wasn’t the prince in this picture.

He was the King that owned me.

One that currently was staring at me like he was ten seconds away from tossing me back to the bed and ripping this dress off me. And he wouldn’t have been the only one trying to get the other naked. Not looking the way he did. His strong, wide shoulders were showcased in a knee-length purple and black jacket that matched the material of the outer part of my dress. It tapered down his muscular torso, the long waistcoat beneath moulded to the powerful body I knew lay under the layers of luxurious material. A black shirt, cravat, and knee breeches became the only contrast to the deep purple colour he wore on his body. A colour currently flashing in his eyes.

He looked dark, sexy, and foreboding.

“Leave us…Now.”The word now came out as more of a growl. As up until then, the maids had still been fussing around me and only just realised their Lord had entered the room. Of course, it didn’t take long after this spoken command for them to move. They quickly went bustling out of the room with their skirts raised high enough so as they could practically run.

Not that Draven would have noticed as he couldn’t take his eyes off me, and that intense gaze of his was starting to make me squirm. Well, as much as you could squirm in a corset that felt like it was one pull away from cutting off air supply. But because I was starting to feel self-conscious being intensely stared at, I decided to break the moment by speaking.

“I didn’t steal it, before you ask.”

His lips twitched as if fighting a grin before he answered.

“No, but that doesn’t mean you are free from the title of thief…” My wide eyes must have asked for more. “…For you certainly stole my breath when being greeted by such beauty and perfection.”

I couldn’t help but blush and look down as I whispered an embarrassed,

“Thank you.”

“I am in no need for thanks, not for speaking the truth, for you are truly a vision and, therefore, your presence is thanks enough.”

I swallowed hard, biting my lip before telling him,

“Then I will say you’re too kind, My Lord.”

“You would not say such if you knew what the sight of you invokes within me and of what I wish to do to you,” he replied with a scoff, and dear God, I think he was trying to burn me alive with those smouldering looks enhanced by the sexual nature of his words. But this was when I decided to be bold and say,

“How do you know…? Perhaps I would thank you for acting upon them.”

Oh yeah, now that got his attention alright. His eyes heated enough that the barest hint of purple was seen once more. This before he kicked the door closed and was suddenly striding his long legs towards me, cutting the distance between us in seconds.

A blink was all it took before I was looking up at him as he wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me swiftly into his frame. Meaning that when he dipped his head to mine, at the same time cupping my cheek, my gasp died in his mouth when he kissed me.

I melted into him and closed my eyes as I basked in the feeling of my husband’s kiss, sighing against him as if I was coming home. Because there was nothing in this world like kissing Draven, and it didn’t matter how many years spanned between us, the kiss always remained the same…

Breathtaking

19

A ROYAL DECREE

The moment he growled as our kiss deepened, I swear I felt my toes curl. My fingers were near aching from how tightly I had them gripped in his jacket at his biceps. The bulging muscles beneath were just begging to be used to toss me up over his shoulder and throw me to the bed…as let’s just say that I knew my husband well.

“Gods, woman, you test my will like no other,” he said after placing his forehead to mine, now taking in deep breaths as he tried to control himself.

Ninety-nine percent of me wished that he wouldn’t even bother trying. However, it was the one percent that seemed to be rooted the deepest into my consciousness. As I knew that I was once again faced with a moral dilemma. Because despite knowing that the man whose arms I stood in belonged to my Fated King. The same man at the core who I had already fallen in love with and more than once at that.

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