Page 120 of Knight's End
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Ilet each of my knights give Quinn a single hug. I let them apologize for forgetting him—though we all knew we had no control over that—and exclaim over him.
And then I dragged him bodily into the castle, ignoring the courtiers who gasped at my short, lacy dress and exposed legs, ignoring the maids and the servants who clapped and cheered upon our return.
I dragged him straight to my chambers. Gennifer was there, pouring a bath.
She turned, startled. “Your Majesty, the scouts said they spotted you. Or what they thought was you, so I—”
I pointed silently toward the door. And she bobbed her head and scurried out, shutting it behind her.
I attacked Quinn. My lips kissed every inch of his face. I stroked his pointed ears in the way I knew he loved. I kissed down his neck. “I’m so, so sorry.”
Don’t be. I’d do anything for you, Dove,Quinn’s face grew somber as he put a hand on either cheek and pulled me back so his eyes could drink me in.I’m only sorry I don’t have more wishes to give you.
I don’t want more wishes. Not ever!
Quinn gave a sad, half-shrug.Well, now I’m practically human. I can't give you cottages in the woods anymore.He pictured the time we’d made love in the Cerulean Forest, and he’d created my dream out of mere thoughts.
My hand traced his jaw.Do you actually think I care about that? I care about you. Quinn, what you've been through … I can't even imagine. Knowing we didn’t remember you. Not knowing how long the sarding nightmare would last. But know that I love you. From the second you leaned in against me under the portcullis, as our disguise spells faded away. I loved your snarky, arrogant face even then.
Quinn leaned down so that our foreheads touched.I loved you long before that, you know.
I know. Part of me wishes that you'd approached me that day you realized it was me in the market. We could've had a naughty little affair.
I felt his smile against my lips as he gave me a gentle kiss.What was I thinking? How dare I respect your independence.
Obviously, you weren’t thinking clearly enough. Perhaps I need a new spy master. If I'm the only one who can come up with a plan to have a torrid affair—that seems pretty basic to me.
We could still have one, Dove. Use a secret passage and sneak down to my office.He smacked my ass.
You mean the torture chamber?I shuddered.I’d rather take a bath.
He laughed and stripped off his shirt. I paused to admire him, tracing the ship tattooed across his abdominals.We can try the torture chamber if you're feeling kinky. But I do have an office elsewhere.
I've never seen you use it.
That's because it's proven more effective to question people while they dangle from a chain.His hand slid around to my hip and he yanked on the short dress I wore.Damn. I think you should only dress in clothes from Avia’s kingdom from now on. You’d look amazing if I had you dangle from a chain.His fingers dragged the skirt up inch by inch until I was exposed to him. His fingers traced the inside of my hips as he thought,Maybe I should question you that way, huh? Would you like that? To be chained up while I do whatever I want to you?
An excited shiver ran down my spine. I bit my lip as I stared up into Quinn's sparkling grey eyes.
If you want to chain me up,I replied putting a little sass into my mental tone,you'll have to catch me first.
Then I shoved Quinn as hard as I could and bolted for the bathing room. I yanked open the door and tried to slam it closed behind me.
I turned, smirking, only to see Quinn right in front of me, already in front of the tub.
I’m faster than you, Dove.
Shite,I cursed, but my heart beat out an excited little pitter patter.
Quinn's fingers dug into my hips and yanked me forward.
I grew as breathless as I was aroused.
Quinn ground himself against me. My tiny skirt bunched around my waist and his fingers traveled over my ass, cupping the cheeks. He dipped his lips to kiss my neck and I felt the full length of him press against my core through his pants. Heat flooded me there. And an aching need filled me.
You’re mine now!Quinn added a ridiculous villainous laugh to his thoughts and then an image of a man in a cloak with a shadowed face tapping his evil fingers together in delight.
