Page 81 of Oaths & Vengeance
She was perfect and glistening. I pulled out my fingers and watched her surprised look as I leaned forward and dipped my head to lick her clit, once, then twice. Nameless ones above—Aella tasted like the sweetest nectar. She lay her head back and gripped the edges of the lounge.
I took my time exploring and savoring her, pleased at how she responded so readily to everything I did to her. I’d handle Aella gently for tonight because something lurked in her gaze that told me she needed tenderness more than roughness. We could save the other for later, but satisfaction filled me at her complete surrender to my ministrations despite her earlier anger.
Sensing her pleasure building, I pressed my fingers inside her once more as I continued to lick and suck. She lifted her hips, giving me better access, and I took advantage. I noted every place she responded with a pleasure-filled cry, memorizing each for future use.
No man would touch her again except me, but I would do my best to satisfy her in every way possible. I was shocked at how much the need for that drove me. When I first proposed wedding each other, we hadn’t kissed, and it all seemed more straightforward. Our marriage would be one of convenience. I soon realized there was nothing simple with her. She was mine, and with every moment we spent together, I would make that clearer.
My father had warned me about what would happen with my mate. He’d said he knew he was endearing his wife to him, making her fall madly in love when he could not return the sentiment. Still, he couldn’t help himself. He’d desperately wanted her bound, heart and soul, yet all he could offer in return was his protection and passion. She wasn’t happy once she realized her husband was cold toward her outside of bed after he owned her completely. I wished I could resist repeating that mistake with Aella, but I was no saint, and my control with her was limited.
As her pleasure built, I worked my fingers inside her faster and lapped at her sensitive nub as she screamed her release. I worked to keep it going until she collapsed, panting.
“Dare, I…that was…” she stumbled over her words as she looked at me with sated passion. Then she opened her thighs wider in the sexiest move I’d ever seen. “You need release, too.”
Dear nameless ones, she tempted me like no other. I wanted nothing more than to plunge my engorged cock inside her right now.
“No.” I reluctantly closed her legs and pulled her skirt over them. “If we do that, our scents will fully mix, and everyone will know it.”
Fae noses could be quite sensitive about some things, and the powerful aroma of sex was one of them. I would thoroughly wash my face and rinse my mouth before returning to the ball, but at least she had little of me on her. Nothing would make me happier than to take her, though. I’d triumphed with another step in the right direction tonight—she’d finally offered her whole body.
“Of course,” she said, sitting up with a blush. “I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Tightness filled my chest. Aella had been so beautiful and passionate that I wished I didn’t have to return her to her uncle. She appeared fine, but occasionally, while she’d danced, I’d noted a flash of discomfort in her gaze. Something was wrong, even if I couldn’t see it.
“Did your uncle hurt you?” I asked, leaning over to cup her cheek.
She hesitated, gaze dropping. “He…he slapped me when I refused to tell him where I’d been. Twice, actually, but I’m fine. It didn’t hurt too much.”
Something told me she lied about the severity. I dropped my arm and clenched my fists, wishing I could run into the ballroom and kill him right now. The curse he laid on Aella would be gone with his death, but it would be considered an unprovoked murder. Since her uncle didn’t know about our marriage, I couldn’t use his abuse of my wife as a valid excuse.
When I arrived at the palace earlier, the king had made it very clear that I must not start trouble, no matter what we discovered—even if Aella had been harmed. If I did so, he’d reveal our marriage to make my punishment lighter, but I would still have to serve time in the royal prison. It was in a remote location up north in Hartoll where they’d force me to spend years of my life alone with my magic suppressed and no contact with the outside world.
Then, my Unseelie brother would surely hear about Aella’s channeling powers while I couldn’t protect her. He would likely want to kill her or steal her for himself. Neither was a palatable option. For now, she was safer with her uncle, appearing to have no ties to me, like it or not.
“Send word if you need me for anything,” I said, forcing her head up so she looked at me again. There was misery in her gaze. She usually hid those emotions, but I’d gotten closer to her tonight in every way. “I’ll do whatever I can.”
“Okay,” she said.
I pulled her into my arms and kissed her deeply one last time, unsure how long it would be before I could call on her again. It wasn't easy to let her go when my need to claim her was still so strong. Perhaps next time we would have a chance.
Withdrawing from her, I stood. “Take care, Aella.”
Then, I walked away.
Chapter 36
Aella
Three days had passed since the ball and seeing my husband. My uncle had questioned me about dancing with him, but I’d managed to make up a believable story that Darrow had done it to taunt us. As for my restrictions, my uncle kept me confined to the castle and training area. The guards were instructed not to let me anywhere near the ring without his advance permission.
I might not have been allowed that much freedom, but Lord Morgunn received word that he must bring me to see the Andalagar Prime Chieftain. After all the abuse I’d suffered, I’d needed every moment to get back in shape.
We were about to head to their territory now, and I was more than a little nervous after several months of preparation for this day. I wore a new outfit my uncle had tailored for me. It was different than anything I’d worn before because it used animal skin rather than cloth. The brown pants were thick and tight, and the matching top was a flattering halter style with ribbing for armor that would protect my chest and most of my back from blades. I also had a custom belt and leg harness to hold numerous weapons.
It was a surprising splurge for Lord Morgunn to have it made when there was no guarantee the betrothal would happen, but he certainly had high hopes. I didn’t look forward to disappointing him.
He’d stopped acting cold and furious with me, but it wouldn’t take much to anger him again. The strain was evident every time we spoke to each other. Unknowingly, the Andalagar had saved me from further punishment.
We walked toward the ring outside Tradain, accompanied by half a dozen soldiers. My uncle had exchanged back-and-forth messages with the leader these past months while I’d been preparing at Tradain and had finally received the invitation for a visit. Lord Morgunn made it abundantly clear that I had better do well at this meeting. I had little idea what to expect other than being tested in some way that they kept secret from outsiders.
