Page 155 of A Bond in Blood

His lips were frantic against mine and his hand held my head still while his other pressed against my back, forcing my hips to grind further into his lap.

My Gods did I love it.

The fullness of his lips.

Knowing every pair of eyes in the room was watching us.

I needed more.

I moved my lips with his, my hands lifted from his shoulder, and my fingers went to his hair. Gripping it and tugging the locks like he did my own. He groaned, biting my lower lip softly.

My hips moved, rocking on him, needing the release he knew how to give.

“Not here,” he whispered, pulling away from me. “No.”

It was over as quickly as it had started and arms lifted me from his lap, placing me on my feet. My body swayed with my hazed thoughts, and I glanced up to find Olen smiling at me.

“They await to hear the punishment, your grace.” He addressed Ulrich, but his eyes were bright, still holding my gaze.

Ulrich’s responding voice broke me from my spell.

“Banishment.”

My judgement boomed out across the room, and I finally turned, allowing myself to watch his court.

Hate—hate stared back at me.

“Bring him,” Ulrich demanded.

The bodies parted in a straight line and a shrill, damning laugh echoed around us.

Those same deadly creatures that had dragged Harold’s body from the ship pulled Bjorn into the room.

The man’s hair had grown some in the months since his imprisonment. A thick beard accompanied his face now as well.

His head was hanging down while he allowed the creatures to pull him through the crowd. But he laughed the entire way, sending sickening horror through my body.

They threw him not at Ulrich’s feet, but at mine.

Bjorn glanced up, smiling like a creature made of evil.

“Princess,” he hissed. “Getting fucked now, it appears.”

Olen’s fist collided into his head and Bjorn dropped onto the stone below the dais. Ulrich stood next, shadows crawling across the floor with his rage.

“She’s given youmercy,” the king announced. “And you choose to mock her.”

Bjorn rose, holding a hand to his head. “I am the one doing the mocking?” He laughed. “Tell me, Ulrich. Does sheknow?”

Ulrich’s shadows rammed down Bjorn’s throat, cutting off his words.

Know?

My eyes went to Olen who nodded just once before placing his finger at his lips.

What was I supposed to know?

The beating started. Ulrich and Olen connecting their fists with every soft part of Bjorn’s flesh. But the monster did not cry out.

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