Page 63 of Vows Forged in Blood

“Gods, I knew it,” she says, shaking her head. “I just knew it! The way he acted after the attack…”

“Knew what?” I ask, polishing off the last bite of fruit.

She hesitates ever so slightly, and then says “I knew that he cared for you, more than a prince usually cares for his Consort I mean.” I’m not sure that this is actually what she meant, but I let it go.

“I don’t know what happens now. I know this isn’t exactly…normal.”

Takara snorts. “Nothing about this Choosing or any moment since has been normal, Dahlia. But I’m thankful for it. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” I smile at her. “But as far as what happens with you and Alaric now, that I’m not sure either. I think it’s best that this remain…private for the time being, at least until Alaric has a chance to decide how he wants to handle it. I know for a fact of at least five other princes who have fucked their Consorts in the past, so it isn’t as if thisneverhappens, but…it is supposed to remain secret when it does. So,” she shrugs, “secret it is for now.”

I nod in agreement, figuring as much as well. She grins a wicked grin, her fangs glinting in the morning light streaming in through the windows.

“But that doesn’t mean you can’t have as many orgasms in private as that puny little mortal body of yours can handle.”

I bark out a laugh and soon we’re both clutching our sides, and while I’m so glad I have someone to share this with here, a part of my heart aches at it not being Enid. Takara says she has things to take care of, a mischievous glint in her eye that sparks my interest, and once she leaves, I fly to the desk. I pen a quick letter to Enid, one simple sentence that means more than anything else I’ve ever written.

Enid,

I’m in love with Alaric Montclare.

-Dahlia

I distractmyself at the forge with Braddock for most of the day, getting lost in the familiar rhythms and sounds and smells. I’ve perfected the gauntlet design after some input from Alaric and have now made sets for Alaric, Elias, Wesley, Nova, and, after I finish this pair, every member of my guard.

I spy Alaric walking through the camp with a group of his men in the afternoon, and even across the distance, his eyes find mine. He inclines his head, his lips curling up ever so slightly. His golden eyes spark with the mischief of this shared secret between us and seem to burn with the memories of last night. I try to hide my smile and obviously fail miserably if even Braddock notices.

“And what has our Lady Dahlia in such a good mood today?”

I shake myself and hold up the gauntlet.

“Finished,” I say with a smile.

He takes it from me, turning it over in his big hands.

“Very impressive, my Lady. Very impressive, indeed.” I incline my head in thanks and say my goodbyes for the day, hanging up my apron on the peg by the door on my way out. I stop mid-motion when I hear Singh cry out from the back room just before a loud crash echoes through the place. Braddock rolls his eyes.

“That boy, I swear the gods…” he mutters quietly.

“I’m alright!” Singh calls “It’s fine! Fire is out…Oh shit!!” Braddock and I look at each other and he holds up one finger, a smile playing on his lips. A moment later Singh calls again. “Ok,nowit’s out!”

We both chuckle lightly and I wave as I head out the door. I do some training exercises that Wesley and Nova had left for me to practice while they’re gone, counting down the minutes until the day is over and I can see Alaric. Finally, the light begins to fade and I practically sprint back to the cabin. There’s a sharp bite to the air now that winter is creeping in and my lungs don’t care for it yet. I sigh in relief when I enter the cabin and find a giant fire roaring in the hearth in the entrance hall. I rush to Alaric’s wing, heedless of who might be there or if he might have other business to deal with. I know that he’s in the war room, sensing him there through the bond that I still don’t quite understand, and jog down the hallway. I raise my hand to knock but the door flies open to reveal Alaric, eyes burning and fangs extended. Without a word, I jump into his arms, wrapping my legs around his waist. He kicks the door closed and presses me against the wood, his body pinning me as his lips crash to mine.

I melt against him, feeling as if it’s been days without him instead of only hours. His tongue thrusts against mine, hot and demanding.

“Missed you,” he pants between kisses. “How is that possible?” He turns and walks us across the room and I tunnel my fingers into his hair, rolling my tongue against his, biting and sucking on his lower lip until he groans huskily, making me grin and shiver with desire.

“Me too,” I say as he sets me on the giant table, scattering the figurines in all directions. I widen my legs and he shoves his hips between them, making me gasp. I yank his shirt upward and he obliges me, helping to pull it over his head and tossing it to the floor. I give an appreciativemmm, running my hands over his stomach and chest, as he presses himself more firmly between my thighs.

He kisses along my jaw and whispers in my ear, “I’ve been hard nearly all day, Keeva. Couldn’t stop thinking about you,about how good you taste…” He runs my ear lobe between his teeth and I make an obscene sound, bucking my hips against him. I can feel him grin against my skin as he kisses my throat. “Been dying to have my tongue on you again.”

Before I even realize he’s moved his hand, my tunic is open, the buttons scattering across the floor with softtinkingsounds. He slices my corset away, my breasts springing free, and immediately they’re in his palms. I moan and arch my back, pressing them more firmly into his grasp, begging—for what, exactly, I don’t know. Anything. Everything. He massages my flesh, running the pads of his thumbs over my nipples before pinching them lightly. I grip the edge of the table and kick off my boots before wrapping my legs around his thighs, holding him close to me as he continues his delicious torture. He kisses me again, tugging at the laces of my pants and stepping back long enough to lift my ass off the table and yank them down my thighs. He licks his lips as he stares between my legs and my entire body shudders in anticipation, but no. As much as I want that again, I want something else more.

Before he can move forward again, I slide off of the table to stand before him. He arches a dark brow, eyeing me hungrily as I go up on my tiptoes to kiss him again. My hands drift downward, untying the laces of his pants. I shove the leather down and tunnel my hand inside, and he hisses in a sharp breath as I wrap my hand around his length. I stroke as I kiss him, my tongue rolling in time with the movement of my hand. The sounds he makes send shivers down my spine, little groans and growls and pleas that I don’t even think he realizes he’s making. I break away from the kiss, leaning in to kiss his chest, trailing kisses lower across his stomach as I sink to my knees before him. He seems to stop breathing. He meets my gaze, his eyes churning like molten gold.

“Dahlia…” I can’t tell if it’s a warning or a prayer, but I don’t dare stop. I lean in and run my tongue from his right hip bone, along the indention leading downward. I take the guttural sound he makes as approval, and shove his leathers down his thighs, his cock springing completely free.

Dear. Gods.

I knew Alaric was big, of course. I just had my hand wrapped him and I caught a glimpse of him after his release last night, but neither of these things could have prepared me to see him in his full glory. Long. Hard. Straining. I gulp, but not in fear. Oh no, it’s absolute desire coursing through my veins, making me wet and needy. I grip his shaft and take the head between my lips. He makes an unintelligible sound that I believe meansplease keep going, and take him deeper into my mouth, swirling my tongue along the swollen crown as he slides deep into my throat.

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