Page 81 of Beneath the Cursed Veil

He made the mistake of reaching for me. Vareck reacted before I could even process what was going on.

“Do nottouch her,” he all but snarled, persuasion steeped in every word of his command.

Galpin stepped back, lifting his hands in surrender. “I wasn’t goin’ ta’ do anythin’ unsavory, friend. Yer lady is goin’ to freeze in these temperatures if we don’t get her inside.” The muscle in Vareck’s jaw tightened, but Galpin continued, wrapping his scarf around his face. “I’m covered head ta’ toe. She won’t get any dust on me, n’ even if she did, it’s not the first time. I’ve had plenty of encounters. Don’t affect me much anymore.”

A shudder ran through me. Without thinking, I leaned toward Vareck, reaching for him. He caught my wrist in a gloved hand, fingers flexing against my skin.

“Vareck,” I whispered, trying to break his hold.

He didn’t budge.

Didn’t evenflinch.

“Do it,” he said quietly. “Just know if you touch her inappropriately?—”

“I’m happily mated. Only woman I want ta’ touch is my wife.” He and Vareck stared at each other for a second, then the king nodded. He released my wrist and stepped back. Iwas too busy watching the man who’d occupied my thoughts for years to notice the bartender move. My world tilted as he knelt to bend me over his shoulder. A strong arm wrapped around my legs, just above my knees.

A growl rumbled in my throat.

“Put me?—”

“Do not compel him,” Vareck cut me off. My eyes narrowed. I couldn’t see him; only the back of the man carrying me. He must have sensed what was coming because he quickly added, “orme.”

My sexual frustration turned into a new irritation. Logically, I knew this was probably the best route. I clearly couldn’t walk. Vareck was struggling more than I’d originally thought. We were both trapped by the pixie dust and needed to get somewhere safe, or as close to it as we could manage.

Unfortunately, because of said dust, logic was not going to win.

“You—you asshole!” I yelled, fisting my hands to keep from beating against the nice man’s back. Or butt. I couldn’t make out much through his cloak, but the body beneath me was warm and hard. The pressure on my lower abdomen wasn’t helping matters either. “Put. Me. Down.” My demand turned into a low moan. One I tried to stifle. This was why I didn’t want to be carried, especially by some stranger. Frostbite seemed less embarrassing, though significantly more problematic.

The man holding me didn’t react, but Vareck did. A rough growl sounded from somewhere close to my left.

“We’re here.” Galpin opened a door with his free hand and stepped inside. Wood groaned beneath his boots. My skin started to burn with the sudden temperature difference, and not in a good way.

My body was gently lowered to the ground. A strong hand held me up with a grip on my bicep. “Farris!” he called out in greeting. I was too out of it to turn and see who he was speaking with. “These two got caught up in . . . a situation. They’re goin’ ta’ need a room. Not above anyone else, if ya’ know what I mean.”

The room blurred around me. Everything became distorted except for Vareck. He wasn’t touching me with his hands, but his eyes—I’d had fucks that didn’t feel as deep or sinful as his gaze. My lips parted.

“Sure thing. It’ll be?—”

Metal clinked as Vareck tossed another leather pouch on the counter.

Galpin whistled under his breath. “They had a run in with the dust,” he explained to the other man, presumably his brother.

“Ahhh,” Farris hummed. Something hard scraped across wood. “Here’s yer key. Second floor, turn left, last door on the right.”

“Ya’ need any help?” Galpin asked. His question was directed at me, but it was the man looming over his shoulder he looked at.

The muscle in Vareck’s jaw flexed. “I’ve got her.”

Gravel had less roughness to it than his voice did, and gods was I here for it.

The hand on my bicep dropped away. Before I could sway, Vareck scooped me up, carrying me bridal style toward the stairs.

“Have fun!” Farris called.

“Don’t forget ta’ bathe,” Galpin’s voice followed behind. Their good-natured chatting continued, slowly quieting as Vareck led us away.

I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, my lipsgrazing his neck. His scent—dark and masculine—ruined me. I kissed his jaw, nipping at his skin, wanting him to break.

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