Page 66 of Mountains of Mist and Magic

Triston couldn’t pretend any longer. He couldn’t deny that he wanted Julietta. He was still worried, and terrified of losing her, but he realized that even if he broke their bond, it wouldn’t matter. He was already in love with her. It would hurt no matter what he did. He wished he had an heirloom to gift her, or something custom made, but instead he had walked down to one of the jewelry vendors in the harbor before dinner. The rows and rows of pearl rings, lined up like soldiers going off to battle, didn’t catch his eye. He wanted something special for her.

Then he had seen it. A large red aragonite ring, flecked with diamonds and tiny seed pearls that encrusted the band. It was perfect.

And now he kneeled before her, the ring in his palm. He knew he caught her by surprise, and he had even shocked himself.

But it was right. He could feel it.

A tear sprung in her left eye, and before he realized what he was doing, he was off the floor and cradling her in his arms.

“Hush, sweetheart. No tears. I don’t want to make you cry. Ever.”

“I’m just…happy,” she said through shaky breaths. “I never thought—I was so upset when we were fated, but now—”

“It was the best thing that could have happened,” he finished.

“Yes,” she whispered against his chest.

“Is that a yes to my proposal, then?”

“Yes,” she whispered again, cuddling tighter into his chest. He held her for a few minutes, then gently grabbed her hand. He placed the ring on her finger, and she studied it.

“It’s perfect.”

“I wish I had something of my mother’s to give you, but her ring was lost…with her…and Esmeralda has everything else—”

She stopped his words, kissing him. “It’s absolutely amazing. The fact that you picked it for me—that’s what makes me love it.”

He kissed her, hot and possessing. He felt a primitive urge to claim her, make her his. Triston wanted every single male in his kingdom to know that this beautiful woman belonged to him, and him alone. He tried to mask the growl working its way up through his throat, but he couldn’t.

“Mine,” he said, lifting her up and placing her on the bed.

“Triston, I should bathe first, and find something…attractive to put on.”

“Do you think I care?” he asked, undoing the laces of her sandals. “Do you think there is anything you could put on that would make me want you more than I do this second?” Her sandals were tossed into the corner, and his boots soon joined them.

“If you’re sure…”

“I’ve never been so sure of anything.” His shirt was now on the floor, and he kneeled before her, running his fingers along her ankles and moving up to her thighs. “Do you want to take off your dress, or do you want me to rip it off?”

Julietta undid the side buttons, holding the dress in front of her as it threatened to slip down. Triston wanted to bat her hands away, wanted to see the gown fall to the floor, but he remembered how inexperienced she was, and how this must feel for her.

“Do you want me to close the drapes? Would you feel more comfortable in the dark?”

“Do you mind?” she asked timidly, and he knew in that second, he would do anything she ever asked of him.

“Absolutely not.” He went to the windows and pulled the heavy fabric over them. It darkened the room, but light still got in a bit as the sea air ruffled the fabric. “Is this dark enough?”

“Yes,” she whispered, standing awkwardly by his bed. He moved slowly towards her, holding out his hands. She reached out and grabbed them, and her dress finally pooled at her feet. He could make out her seductive silhouette against the shadows, curvy and full. It was enough for him. In time she’d adjust and wouldn’t be as modest, but even if she never got over feeling shy about her body, he wouldn’t care.

He was just so damn happy.

Triston pulled her to the bed, laying on his side with her next to him. He moved his fingertips along her arms, lightly teasing her.

“Are you ready? Or do you want to wait?” He closed his eyes, knowing that delaying the gratification his body was seeking would be difficult, but he would bear it for her. Anything for her.

“I want…I’m ready to officially be yours.” Her voice was shaky, but he opened his eyes and looked carefully at her face, seeing lust and determination there.

“Good answer,” he responded, and brought his head down to nip at her collarbone. She shivered, and he felt himself harden desperately against his trousers. Standing up, he undid the laces and pushed them down. At first, he had been slightly disappointed that their first time would be in a darkened room, but now he was grateful. He glanced down and noticed he had never been so swollen and engorged before. If Julietta saw him now, he was worried she’d be truly frightened. But he put the thought out of his mind, and removed his shirt, and moved back to the bed.

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