Page 39 of Treasured By the Fae Royal

Cheers erupt in the tavern when Yvette’s final dart hits the target. She laughs and claps and spins to face me with a radiant smile. My heart contracts at the sight. I take her in my arms and kiss her soundly, and the faefolk cheer louder. Some offer their congratulations on our recent nuptials, and I suspect that before the sun rises the entire settlement will likely know about our arrival here.

It means we’ll be found easily, and yet this is the safest place if I’m to draw upon the depths of my magic and fight whoever left the blood warning. Considering that faefolk possess such little magic, I suspect the foe will leave another blood warning in hopes that it will draw a dangerous creature out of the forest that will attack Yvette and me. I must be ready.

After ordering a round of drinks for our new companions, we settle at a table in the corner of the tavern, and the faefolk are quick to join us. We take turns regaling them with the events leading up to our marriage, and they listen raptly while downing huge mugs of ale.

It’s almost daybreak by the time we head upstairs, and as we ascend the steps, I emit a playful growl and sweep Yvette into my arms. I carry her into our room and use magic to illuminate the sconces, though I don’t bother with a fire. My summer heat will keep us warm, and it’ll be daylight soon anyway.

I lay Yvette atop the covers and remove her shoes. She stifles a huge yawn and stares up at me sleepily. “I think there’s a nightgown in the pack you brought. Would you fetch it for me please?” She sits up and unfastens the tie that holds together the bodice of her gown, and her creamy white breasts spill out.

My cock lurches in my pants, and I make no move to retrieve her nightgown. I shake my head. “I think I prefer you to sleep naked. In fact, I command it.”

She scoffs. “You command it? Oh my. That sounds rather serious. What happens if I don’t obey?” She bats her eyelashes at me and starts to refasten her bodice, her gaze holding a haughty note of defiance.

I growl, flash my teeth, and withdraw my fully erect shaft from my pants. “Then you’ll get what you deserve, sweetling.”

I pounce on her and we tangle on the bed. She tries to push me away, but I thwart her every move. Clothes go flying and eventually, we find ourselves naked atop the covers.

Her chest rises and falls rapidly, and her face is flushed from her attempts to keep me from removing her dress. I force her to turn on her hands and knees, and she peers over her shoulder at me with wide eyes. I take position behind her, grasp her backside, and pull her center wide apart, exposing her slick pink folds and the pucker nestled between her ass cheeks.

She gasps and tries to move out of position, but I make a noise of disapproval in my throat that causes her to go still. She exhales a shaky breath and shoots me a pleading look.

“As I said, wife,” I position my shaft at her wet, swollen core, “you’re going to get what you deserve.” I shove inside her with a feral growl that echoes off the walls.

CHAPTER23

YVETTE

A week passesand still there’s no sign of danger. But Lucas becomes more cautious, and I can’t help but notice the sudden influx of fae soldiers in Giarrla. I’d witnessed him standing on the balcony of our little room holding a missive the other morning, waiting for a massive black bird to swoop out of the sky and snatch it up, and he later confessed he’d sent word to his army requesting reinforcements.

The presence of the soldiers, hundreds of them, makes me uneasy. It evokes memories of the fae’s occupation in Trevos. The sound of marching boots as the soldiers patrol the streets never fails to put a knot in my stomach, though I don’t admit this to Lucas because I know their presence is necessary. Because if our enemy arrives and creates another blood warning, the soldiers will be needed to drive away the deadly creatures that emerge from the forest.

During the last week, Lucas hasn’t let me out of his sight once. He’s also become more agitated as the days pass. How much longer will we have to wait?

As of this morning, he announced I must remain in our room until our enemy is dealt with. No more trips downstairs to drink ale with the regular faefolk and play darts or cards. No more leisurely strolls through the winding gardens or trips to the bustling marketplace.

A knock sounds on the door, and Lucas answers it. He’d mentioned he was expecting a delivery this morning, though he wouldn’t tell me any details. I’m pleasantly surprised when a tall fae male hands him a stack of books. Lucas passes a few coins to the male before closing the door and fixing the deadbolt in place.

He turns to face me and places the books on a table. He makes a sweeping gesture with his hand, and there’s no mistaking the anxious gleam in his eyes. My heart softens when I realize how anxious he is to impress me, and I shoot him a pleased smile as I approach the stack.

“Oh, Lucas, this is very thoughtful.” I pick up the first book and feel my eyes go wide. It’s a human romance novel, and it’s one I’ve never read before. I flip the pages and my mouth falls open. It’sillustrated. The naughtiest scenes, that is. “Oh my. Lucas. I had no idea such books existed.

“I didn’t either until very recently. I sent a missive to the owner of Giarrla’s largest bookstore and inquired about hunting down some human romance novels. She replied that she’d recently acquired a very rare collection of illustrated romance novels, and I asked her to send a few in hopes that it might keep you occupied.” He sighs and glances around the room. “I know you are starting to feel trapped here, sweetling, and I’m sorry for it. But as you know, I refuse to risk your safety. You’re the most precious thing in the realm to me.” His voice resonates with honesty, and gods how it makes my throat burn.

I set the book aside and walk into his open arms. He kisses the top of my head, and I sink deeper into his embrace, soaking up his comforting summer scent as a warm, fragrant breeze drifts over us. My heart pangs with longing, and my adoration for my new husband grows.

“Thank you for the books, Lucas. It’s a very thoughtful gift.”

“You’re very welcome, sweetling.” He pulls back slightly and stares down at me, his gaze becoming more heated by the second. I step closer and my breath catches when his hardness presses into my stomach. Just as I suspected. Warmth spasms in my center, and though I’m eager to peruse the books, I’m even more eager to spend the morning showing my husband just how much affection I hold for him.

We’ve only known one another for about two weeks. While it could be argued that ours was a marriage of convenience, it’s so much more than that. Not only do I hold him in high regard, but I’m also starting to believe I might love him. I don’t regret our hasty union, and with each passing day, I find myself more drawn to him.

Not only do I crave his touch, but I crave his presence. Always.

I find comfort and peace in the sweet companionship we share, and while I’ve felt trapped in this room a few times recently, his presence has made it entirely bearable. I’ve enjoyed more moments than not, and I cannot imagine ever parting ways with Lucas, the handsome fae prince who’s very much a thief because he’s stolen my heart.

My face flushes when I think about the illustration I just saw when I flipped through the pages of the first book. It was a pencil drawing of a woman on her knees preparing to suck her lover’s appendage. While Lucas and I have shared many amorous activities, we haven’t tried that particular act yet.

“Yvette, sweetling,” he says with a smirk, “I don’t believe I’ve ever seen you blush so fervently. Whatever you’re thinking about, it must be very, very naughty.” He growls and presses his hardness more firmly to my stomach.

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