Page 42 of Knight's End
Chapter Eleven
Ryan’s ideas all included our new fleet of nearly indestructible gargoyles. He stated that if they weren’t able to fly in formations yet—which was my argument—they would be able to protect me, surround villages, trap marching armies.
“But they only listen to me!” I argued. “Or Pony does, anyway, and the rest seem to just follow along. I can’t be everywhere we need.” We needed to divide and attack from multiple directions at the very least. Even better if we could send some of the gargoyles against Isla and use some to guard Evaness.
Ryan rubbed my arm softly. I yanked it back, thinking he was patronizing me, but when he grabbed my hair and pulled it, then bent down and gave me a searing kiss, I stopped protesting. I stopped thinking and become a puddle of heat in his arms. Damn him. When he dominated me, there was no argument, no reason. My body just surrendered completely. My mind gave up and just awaited his orders. The thought of what he might do to my body filled me with longing. The places he might touch. The way his tongue felt on mine. There, in the middle of the library, as all my other knights watched, I rubbed myself against him like a cat in heat.
Jorad took the moment to excuse himself. “I’ll see what might be in the cellar for dinner.” And he shuffled away, muttering.
I hardly noticed, because Ryan’s lips nipped at mine.
Ryan pulled out of our kiss with a grin. “Tomorrow, you’re going to work with Jace to train those gargoyles. And you’re going to figure out how to make them into the fleet I want, aren’t you?”
I pressed my chest into him, nipples tightening. “Yes, sir.”
Every one of my knights moaned at the sight.
“I think it’s time to play pass the princess,” Blue said, pushing back his seat at the library table and holding out his arms.
I had no idea what he meant, but his comment brought a round of cheers from my knights. Ryan laughed, scooped me up and set me on Blue’s lap.
Blue was hard beneath his trousers and his hands went to my hips. He slanted his head and started to plant a row of kisses on the side of my neck.
His thoughts accidentally projected.—So beautiful. I hope she likes this.
I love it,I thought at him.Right there, I groaned as he hit a pulse point.
Would she mind if I grinded up into her?he wondered to himself, not realizing he sent the thought to me.
I didn’t get a chance to tell him I didn’t mind at all. I was scooped out of Blue’s arms and deposited in Declan’s lap before my newest knight could do anything further. Declan yanked my wrists behind my back. His mouth wandered down my collarbone and then he pulled my wrists hard, making my back arch. He bit my nipple through my dress.
Lightning flickered through my veins. “More,” I begged. “Please.”
Declan had just shoved my dress underneath my tits when Donaloo walked in, Dini still bobbing on his forehead.
“Settled in for an evening snack instead of preparing for an attack?” The old wizard danced a jig as Ryan moved protectively in front of me to block the view as Declan yanked my dress back up.
Shite! I thought.
My face flushed red.
Donaloo waved his hand, letting a pouch fall from his sleeve and dangle by a leather cord. “I have magicked up eternal day, but I’m here to warn you all away.”
Connor stood and went forward, my polite counterpart. I was still burning with embarrassment. “Thank you, Donaloo. Your help means the world to us. Without you, Evaness would be lost.”
Donaloo shook his head. “Lost things can be found, but things destroyed cannot rebound. I am here to play my part, for those who forget to feel with their heart.”
Dini smacked Donaloo’s forehead with a leaf. “Enough with the rhymes already. Unless you’re going to compose sonnets for me.”
I leaned around Ryan’s legs to glare at the wizard. “Dini’s right. You only tend to rhyme around me. If I walked out of the room right now, you’d speak to the rest of them normally, wouldn’t you?”
Donaloo just booped his nose and said, “Hatred closes men’s ears and fills their hearts with fears.”
Ugh. He was as annoying as he was helpful. I didn’t even mind when Dini grew and wrapped her stem over his mouth. As he pried her off, I stood and mocked, “I can only speak in annoying rhyme because I love to waste Queen Bloss’s time.” Then I waggled my tongue and crossed my eyes, parodying the old man. I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I felt ridiculous.
Donaloo wasn’t offended a whit. He came forward and grabbed my hand. His one eye whirled in a circle and he waggled his tongue back at me before saying, “There are so many reasons for sorrow that we must always seek joy.”
Something in his tone hinted that he’d seen many sorrows in his three centuries. Even Dini didn’t do more than sigh after he said that.
