Page 84 of Bound to the Shadow Prince

I eye his hands. Sure enough, the forefinger and second finger of each hand have been filed down to short, blunt nails. As I realize what it’s for, I blush. It takes a lot to make me blush, but Nemeth’s simple determination and the naughty claw-filing will do it. I imagine him using those fingers on me, no longer worrying over his claws, and the breath escapes my throat. Oh, today isexciting. “My,” I murmur. “I’m liking this ceremony already.”

The look he gives me is scorching with heat.

Just the glances he’s giving me are making me squirm with arousal. It’s like he’s been saving all his pent up need for this day and it’s about to erupt out of him. “I suppose I should get dressed.”

“Unless you want to enter your mating ceremony with your hair about your shoulders and wearing nothing but your chemise, aye.”

The thought gives me a delightfully erotic shiver. As much as I love the thought, I also love pretty dresses and I always wanted to look nice for my wedding. Plus…I want a few moments in private with my knife so I can question it properly. “I should dress and do something with my hair.” I touch a damp lock in explanation. “I want to look good, too.”

“Shall we do your medicine early, then?” He puts away his sharp-looking nail file. “In case we are…distracted later? I’ve readied your potion.”

My goodness, he truly is selling this mating ceremony. Heart fluttering, I nod. “Very well.” Taking my medicine early will make my head a little swimmy, but it beats the alternative. “Now?”

He nods and gets to his feet. “Come.”

I move closer to him, and he smells like leather in his new clothing. I’m tempted to bury my face against his chest and just breathe in the mix of scents—Fellian skin with leather armor—but I suppose that won’t help him administer my potion. To my surprise, he pushes aside the books on the table and then lifts me atop it, seating me. He presses a quick kiss to my lips. “Wait here.”

As if I’m going to go anywhere? When he’s looking so delicious and being so commanding? Nothing could drag me from his side.

I roll up my sleeve as he crosses the room to the fireplace. I didn’t notice that he’d set a small fire there until just now, when I realize he truly has been warming my potion. He’s thought of everything this day, as if he’s mapped it all out in his mind as to how he wants it to go. I’m fascinated. He tests his claw in the potion and then rubs it between his fingers to check the temperature, then carefully pours it into one of the glass vials and screws on the specially made lid with the attached hollow needle.

With a damp towel, he rubs my arm clean, just as he’s done for me these last several months. He’s always incredibly gentle with me—more gentle than I am with myself. Today, however, his movements are distracted, thoughtful, as he strokes my arm.

“What is it?” I ask, curious.

“Am I pushing you?” He slides the towel over my arm, caressing me clean. “Into this mating.”

“Of course not. It was my decision.”

“But I have been withholding my affection from you. I have pressed you to mate with me. I worry I have pushed too hard. That this isn’t what you truly want.”

“Nemeth.” I put my hand over his larger one. “I’m a little nervous because of what our union means for the future, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t want this…or that I don’t want you. On the contrary. I’m going into this with my eyes open. I know what our mating will mean.” I smile at him, deciding to tease a little. “Besides, are you sure you want me? I have it on good authority that I’m a bit spoiled.”

“You are,” he admits, a hint of a smile curving his mouth. “But I can look past that.”

“Can you look past the fact that I cannot give you children?” I give him a worried look. “My blood curse prevents me from carrying. You would never have offspring of your own.”

“I know.” Nemeth shakes his head. “It will be the duty of my brothers to carry on the bloodlines of the First House, just as your sister carries on the Vestalin bloodline. I will be happy with you at my side. I want nothing more.”

“Nothingmore? Not even to be free of this tower?” I tease.

He gives me a somber look. “Sometimes I think I would be happy to remain here for the rest of my life, if all stays as it is today.”

Strangely, I know just what he means. If we could stay in this moment for all time, I would be a happy woman.

“Now give me your arm,milettahn,” he murmurs, picking up the needle. “I will be gentle.”

As if I need reminding. Nemeth is always gentle.

Chapter

Forty-Seven

After my medication is administered, I tell Nemeth I want a bit of time to myself to primp and look good. He seems skeptical, but I kiss his cheek and take a lamp with me upstairs, promising not to be gone for too long. While it’s true that I’ve left the largest mirror upstairs on my wall, I also want some time alone with my knife so I can ask it a few questions. I need to see what Erynne knows about my plans, or if she knows anything at all.

I head upstairs and close my door, setting the lamp next to my mirror. I eye the woman that stares back at me. I don’t look the same as I did from my days in court. My face is incredibly pale, the sun-kissed warmth once gracing my cheeks gone completely. My hair is thick and full of split ends from my careless brushing and the fact that I don’t have Riza to rub silky oils into the ends. I wear no cosmetics and my face is a bit thinner than it used to be, my cheekbones pronounced instead of a rounded face.

Ugh. I’m vain enough for this to bother me.

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