Page 26 of Oaths & Vengeance
The way he touched my hair felt irritatingly good. “I can handle that myself, you know.”
“Possibly.” He leaned close to my right ear, warm breath fanning over me. “But you were very tense when we arrived, and after our last meeting, I discovered my touch relaxes you.”
I suppressed a shiver. “You are the most arrogant man I’ve ever met.”
“Dear Aella, I am only arrogant because I speak the truth.” I started to step away from him, but he snaked an arm around my waist and held me still. “Pretend you want to marry me, or the king may refuse to officiate it.”
“Easier said than done,” I spoke through gritted teeth.
His body was like a wall of muscle behind mine, with his intoxicating scent of sandalwood surrounding me, and I was trying very hard not to be affected by it. This was all a game for him, but his touch had an impact on me—mentally and physically—I couldn’t describe. He was like a force of nature, drawing me toward him despite my knowing the danger he represented.
Darrow spun me around and bored his gaze into mine. “Play the role for a little while and make it convincing. Afterward, we can stop pretending.”
“But I can’t just…”
He cupped my cheek and ran his thumb across my bottom lip. “I know. A week ago, I would have killed anyone who even suggested I marry you. I thought for certain you were no better than your uncle. It was only after you came and pled for your cousin’s life that I realized you are not the same as him.”
“I’m the opposite of my uncle,” I said, gasping when he leaned down and ran light kisses along my neck. “What are you doing?”
“Relaxing you,” he murmured.
What he was doing was sending my heartbeat into a gallop. “This wasn’t part of the deal.”
“Touch me,” he said, nibbling at my ear as I suppressed a moan. “The king needs to think there’s at least some passion between us.”
I clenched my eyes shut, unable to believe what he was demanding. While I wasn’t inexperienced, I wasn’t ready to touch a man I’d spent my life fearing and hating. If he noticed my body responding, it would only prove his point at the cabin.
“You’re only demanding I do that because I said I’d rather touch a sea serpent.”
He pulled back a few inches, amusement in his gaze. “I knew you were lying.”
“I hate you,” I said, though my words lacked conviction.
“And yet, you still want me.”
“I do not…”
He pressed his lips to mine and coaxed my mouth open. It felt so good as shivers raced up my spine that I couldn't resist. As the kiss deepened, hegrasped my hands and guided them up his hard chest. Even through his tunic, I could feel his heat and the ripple of muscles underneath. It took a moment, but before I knew it, I was touching him of my own volition. Damn him for this attraction I felt. Why? It should have been easy to feel revulsion for him and everything he represented.
Darrow grasped the back of my neck to hold me in place, and his other hand made its way around my waist to cup my ass, squeezing one side. Heat shot straight into my core. Before I knew it, I was moaning as we continued to kiss. He was everywhere around me, scorching my skin with his brazen touches. Every part of me came alive and wanted more. I lost myself so completely that it took a moment to realize someone was speaking behind us.
I jerked back when I realized it was the king. He stood a handful of paces away, cutting an impressive figure in a golden doublet with intricate embroidery and black pants. His brown hair was cut short and neatly styled. His appearance wasn’t what gave him away as a ruler, though. The waves of power emanating from him that filled the room and made everyone else feel small in his presence did it.
“Your Majesty,” Darrow said, giving him a deep bow.
The odious man was calm and collected as if we hadn’t been caught with our hands and mouths on each other. He didn’t seem as intimidated by the king as me, but maybe it helped that he had a lot of power himself—and royal blood.
I quickly bent my knees into an awkward curtsy, blushing profusely. “My apologies, Your Majesty. I didn’t hear you come in.”
The stately man, who’d turned 114 years old a month ago, moved toward us with amusement in his azure gaze. “I can see why you wouldn’t have noticed anything with how Darrow distracted you. It’s good to see there’s none of the animosity between you I anticipated.”
Not at the moment, anyway. I was certain my cheeks were blazing with the heat of embarrassment. This was not my first time meeting the king or even the dozenth. I saw him at least once a year for the annual winter ball, and sometimes, my uncle brought me to the palace for other events.We weren’t strangers, but I didn’t know him well enough to be kissing and fondling someone in front of him. At least he didn’t appear offended.
“I appreciate you taking the time to do this for us,” I said, hoping to change the subject.
King Worden nodded. “More than happy to do it as long as you’re both agreeable to your plan. I don’t like the idea of it being a secret, but I understand the complexities of the situation. Every time I’ve tried to intervene and bring peace between your lands, it’s proven impossible.”
“I’m afraid there has been too much bloodshed to make it simple.” Darrow drew me into his side, and I tried not to focus on where our bodies touched. “But Aella and I hope to resolve that issue when the time is right. For now, we must keep her out of Baron Elgord’s hands.”
