Page 43 of The Time Of Kings

But none of this truly mattered as…he wasn’t my husband.

No, he was at home.

Waiting for me to return.

The thought broke my heart and therefore managed to cool my libido enough that I released a shuddering sigh. One that Draven took for another reason entirely, as he tugged me even closer and growled a fervent promise.

“Soon… soon I will have you, my beautiful little thief… soon I will claim you. But as for now…” His hold on me only relaxed after he had made this vow, now giving me space enough that he cupped my face with both hands. His dark eyes smiled at whatever he saw in my expression.

“…It is time to introduce you to my world.” He finished making my breath hitch and not just at the declaration he made, but at the blindingly handsome smile he gifted me. The sight tugged at my soul enough to do something he would no doubt consider to be an odd reaction. As suddenly, I threw my arms around him and hugged him tight. The sound of surprise was easy to detect, as well as the feel of him going tense. But then this didn’t last long, as after a few moments he relaxed, asking me,

“Come now, what is this, little thief?” His tender tone was tinged with confusion. And without knowing how to lie about it, I told him the truth.

“You have a very handsome smile,” I said, feeling his chuckle as well as hearing it, as it rumbled through him. This before pulling back enough so he could see my face once more.

“Is that so?”

“I think we both know the power of your charms and, with that, a disarming smile… well…” I said, shaking my head, making him toss his head back and laugh…Jesus, I had no hope.

“Then I am afraid to inform you of your mistake in telling me such.”

“Mistake?” I asked, making him smirk.

“For now I know your weakness, it is one I will use often to disarm you.”

I blushed at this, especially when he proved his point by grinning down at me.

“Then I would say you have an unfair advantage, Sir.” To which he took a step back so he could scan the full length of me, his eyes heating before telling me,

“Gifting me the sight of such beauty all night long only holds weight to your own unfair advantage, for I do believe I would gift you my castle should you ask it of me when wearing such a dress.”

My blush deepened at this and I couldn’t help but tease.

“And if I was standing here naked…? Pray tell, what would that get me?”

He seemed utterly shocked, even going so far as to pull back a step. But then something in my face must have told him it was safe enough to play along with our sexual game. One that was most likely very out of character for this era. And no doubt why he looked pleased as he was free to react in kind. Now framing my hips with his big hands and tugging me to him, enticing a small gasp from me. Then with a burning need making his eyes heat up demonically, he told me,

“For that pleasure, I would lay my entire kingdom at your feet as well as having its King drop to his knees.”He followed this with a low growl, making me bite my bottom lip before answering the way I knew I had to.

“Ah, but I was unaware that I stole from a King?” I winked at him, surprising him once again.

“So, you finally admit that you’re a thief?” he teased, making me smirk up at him before gripping his lapel and bringing him closer to my lips. Then I told him on a breathy whisper,

“That depends on how many more times I can steal your breath, My Lord.”

A statement that ended with me kissing him, this time, and I did indeed…

Steal his breath.

Well,if I thought I had been nervous before, now I only felt foolish. Because the moment we stepped into his ballroom, I gasped, squeezing his arm before falling back a step. He paused to look down at me, frowning in question. But then his eyes took note of the panic written all over my face, prompting him to cover my hand that was positioned in the crook of his arm.

“Catherine, look at me,” he demanded softly, and I did just that, tearing my eyes from the opulent room. One that had me feeling vulnerable, like I was an outsider once again. Because this had been my fear for so long during our first years together. A turbulent whirlwind of push and pull. Of feeling as though I belonged one moment and then the next as if being cast aside.

It had taken me so long to get over what Draven had done to me. Even long after we were married. Of course, I understood the reasons he had cast me aside believing he could save my life this way, no matter how flawed by fate they seemed to be.

It had been as foolish as it had been selflessly heroic. I knew all that. But nothing could stop the fear of being cast out again. Of suddenly waking up one day and finding myself old and aged. My years passed by with the memory of Draven being by my side as nothing but a life-long dream I had been suspended in. Like Dorian Grey, I would one day find a picture of myself, of how I should be. And realize that my life of immortality was but a blade in Draven’s hand. One ready to be snatched away as he slashed at the picture of the woman he once loved. It was one of the nightmares I had suffered with for quite a while after our wedding.

Even on our honeymoon, I had seen what could happen should malevolent means think to intervene once more in our life. Just like that hand of the devil that had played puppeteer. What if he, or anyone else for that matter, ever thought to do so again? To try and turn Draven’s Demon against me?

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