Page 104 of Oaths & Vengeance
I gave him a furious look. “First, you dump multiple secrets on me that you should have told me sooner, like that Vas is your brother, and then I find out you’ve been invading my privacy in the worst possible way. Let me go.”
“I need you here, Aella,” he said with an intensity that surprised me. “After what happened in Siggaya, I decided we should be more upfront with you. My sister was only doing what I asked.”
Faina’s footsteps faded as she returned to the other room.
Lifting my chin, I glared at him. “You asked my former lover for personal details about me. Do you know how horrifying that is or how it might feel like a violation? Why not askmethose questions?”
“There are time constraints with each of your visits, and speaking with Cam was a faster way to get the information I required before you came tonight,” he said, squeezing my arms gently. “After missing your birthday, I realized I had significant gaps in what I knew about you on a personal level.”
That would be endearing if I didn’t feel certain he had ulterior motives.
“I thought you had plenty of other spies to find out whatever you wanted,” I said, unwilling to give him an inch.
His lips quirked up. “Unfortunately, none of them are inside your uncle’s castle. They can report your movements in certain locations, but that doesn’t help me with your favorite foods or habits out of their view. Trust me when I say your cooperation this evening is vital, and you’ll understand once I explain.”
I tucked that tidbit about the spies away. “Do you promise to ask me from now on?”
“Yes.” Darrow nodded. “I wasn’t overly fond of asking Cam about you, and I don’t believe he felt very comfortable about the topic of discussion, either.”
“I think I’m going to have nightmares about it,” I said, grimacing.
He scowled. “That is nothing compared to me having to go to him, knowing he’s had you numerous times while I haven’t been with you fully. It was all I could do not to stab him in the throat.”
“You started it by stipulating we wouldn’t have sex when we made our marriage bargain, but I still gave you a chance on your birthday,” I pointed out regretfully.
“Under the circumstances, that night shouldn’t count against me.” Darrow leaned closer and whispered in my ear. “But I hope you will reconsider after our little trip this evening.”
“You mean stay the night here?” I asked, shivering as his breath tickled my skin.
He pressed his lips to my neck, trailing kisses to my shoulder. “I’ll make it worth your while, Aella. I promise. You will not leave our bed in the morning without feeling fully sated.”
It was very hard to resist him, considering how much time had passed since I’d last been intimate with anyone. Not to mention all the late nights I’d spent wondering what it would be like to sleep with my husband. Why did he have to have the most intense looks I’d ever seen on a man? Why did he have to have a seductive voice that could light up all my senses? He was a tempting package, and I desperately wanted to see more. I needed to slap myself.
“We’ll see how the rest of this evening goes,” I whispered tauntingly. There was little chance I could resist him if I stayed the night here, but I wouldn’t make it easy.
“Very well.” Darrow pulled away with heat in his eyes. “I’ll consider that a challenge.”
I took a slow step back while keeping my gaze on his. “Then you better be prepared to work hard for it, and even then, I might deny you.”
He gave me an arrogant smile. “Oh, dear wife. I promise you’ll be begging for more before the clock strikes midnight, and even then, I might keep playing with your body until you’re mindless with need and begging. I do enjoy watching my enemies plea for mercy.”
I felt myself growing wet between my thighs at his words. That was only six hours away, and now I’d be doing a mental countdown, anticipating whether he kept his vow.
“Dinner is ready,” Jax called from the end of the hallway.
I nearly jumped, having forgotten about everyone else. “Who cooked?”
“Bogdan. He’s an expert at quite a few dishes, but especially your favorite,” Darrow said, taking my hand to guide me toward the dining area.
His palm was warm and strong in mine. Even that small touch sent my senses into overdrive, and I had a feeling I would spend the whole evening trying to resist him. I was so distracted that it took me a moment to comprehend what he’d said.
“Wait, Bogden? Isn’t he supposed to be guarding Jolloure Island or something?” I asked. Not to mention, he was a full dark elf and not supposed to be in Zadrya.
Darrow guided me toward the dining room table. “It’s a tedious job, so he’s allowed breaks. The king has given permission for him to visit for a few days as a favor to me.”
“Another favor?” I asked as he pulled out my chair.
“Trust me when I say that I earn it.”
