Page 46 of A Bond in Blood

A burn lingered on my tongue from the drops of his blood, and I glanced at him, my eyes following the trail of his hands running down the two bodies on his lap. The women he’d called back after our deal had been sealed.

One of them let out a laugh, biting the edge of his ear while the other pulled the tie holding his hair at the top of his head. The gold locks fell, landing on his shoulders.

His eyes met mine while their hands continued to explore him. There was a fire burning behind the green, determined to burn me with it.

I turned my head, finding Olen in the center of the room, throwing back a mug of ale while bodies circled him.

My patience had simmered to nothing.

I stood quickly, turning my body toward Ulrich.

“Your grace,” I said, forcing myself to bow before him.

His guests shifted their bodies, twisting to reveal Ulrich’s face and chest. A chest I hadn’t realized was bared by these women who’d spent the evening running their hands across his body.

My eyes shifted to the ink on his skin, my brows crumpling at the beasts on either side. Their elongated snouts almost met at the center of his chest, with their necks disappearing back toward his shoulders.

Ulrich cleared his throat.

I turned my gaze to his, cheeks burning, that he’d caught me staring at the strange markings.

“Not used to inked skin?” he asked.

The women on his lap laughed, one throwing her head back as she flipped her hair over her shoulder. A power-play to expose her breasts to me.

“I’ve seen inked skin,” I replied. “Just not markings like yours.”

Ulrich’s palms slapped the bare skin of the women on his lap, a silent command for them to leave. Both offered me an annoyed scowl, then ran off behind me. Likely to find another to fulfill whatever needs they’d hoped their king would have offered.

“I’m assuming it’s time for sleep?” Ulrich grinned.

I turned my eyes, finding the moon high and full in the sky.

“I don’t believe the sun will rise for several hours, your grace. Your court does not sleep before sunrise.”

Ulrich offered me a wink. “They do retire to their rooms far before the sun rises.”

I scowled. “I am tired. I’m still healing. If you remember correctly.”

His smile dropped and he nodded his head. His voice echoed throughout the chamber, halting the sounds behind me.

“Disperse,” he ordered.

There were no protests and no groans. The feet shuffled out quickly and the music ceased. Not one soul in the room dared to object to their king’s demand.

Footsteps approached behind me, and I turned my head, finding Olen with a fae woman and man. One armed wrapped around each body.

“My duties, your grace?” the towering man asked.

Ulrich smiled at him, then turned his body to face me. “I think you can disperse with your found bedmates, Olen. Have fun.”

The king kept his eyes on me while he addressed his right hand. Emphasizing the last sentence of his response.

Olen let out a laugh, pulling my gaze from the game Ulrich and I had begun again.

“If you try and kill him—” Olen unwrapped his arms from his companions and leaned forward. I let out a yelp when his palm gripped the neckline of my gown, pulling me toward his face. “I will cut off those delicate hands of yours.”

He dropped me, winking once then strutting away with his arms wrapped around the two silent beings who’d approached with him.

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