Page 53 of A Bond in Blood

I slammed my head against the floor, angry I’d allowed my insane curiosity to slip out.

“Your grace,” I tried to reason with him. “You are not a beast that takes women with no regard to their consent.”

His body went stiff against me, his shadows grew colder. “What did you say?”

“Please, Ulrich.” I held a firm tone. “Do not do anything you would regret later.”

His shadows released me the same time the hidden door creaked open.

Olen’s laugh brought me instant annoyance.

“Oh thank the Gods.” The sound of fabric rustling brought a protesting cry from my lips.

“Don’t you dare!” I cried out.

Olen’s disappointed sigh was almost amusing as a palm wrapped around my own. I stumbled when Ulrich pulled me to my feet, steadying me in the darkness.

“Olen, I will be removing myself for the morning,” he said, clearing his throat.

I was shocked, completely unaware of what had happened. Before I could question anything, Ulrich’s fogging power hadlifted from the room and the curtains were thrown open, welcoming the sunlight.

I turned, mouth agape, finding Olen with an identical expression.

“What just happened?” I asked.

Olen blinked, running his hand through his unbraided hair. “I have the same question.”

I sank against the bed, finding the candlestick slick with black blood.

“Was that you?” Olen asked, kicking it away.

“My blood or my attack?” I asked.

“Well, I know your blood isn’t black, princess.” Olen replied.

“I don’t know what came over him,” I sighed. “It was like every night since our deal. Me on my end. Him on his. We talked about the courtyard, then…”

“Stop,” Olen cut in. “You spoke of Sigrun?”

I nodded.

Olen leaned back on his palms, letting out a sigh.

“Talk of Oberon and his court does things to Ulrich. Brings out a side of him few rarely see.”

“That sounds like an excuse.”

“Princess,” Olen turned to meet my gaze. “We may be fucked and make jests we shouldn’t regarding women and their bodies, but not one man in this court would lay his hand on an unwilling bedmate.”

I blinked at him, not believing his words.

“Both you and Ulrich have alluded to bedding me without my permission.”

Olen’s shoulders rose with his shrug. “I said we’re fucked.”

“Good Gods,” I sighed, laying back on the bed.

Olen’s body lifted from the bed and I sat up, watching him head toward the hidden door.

---