Page 41 of Forged By Heart and Claws
Vad stopped in front of a door but didn’t open it. He tensed, his wings flicking behind him as he stared at the wood like it might open on its own.
Something in his expression softened, and he sighed. “These past days haven’t been easy for any of us.”
“I know.” My fingers fidgeted with the bodice of my gown. “I never meant foranyof this to happen. I didn’t know me being crowned would strip power from everyone. It’s not just hard on you. I’m in a horrible position too.”
His gaze dropped to my hands, and for a moment, it looked like he was going to reach for me again. Instead, he stepped aside, resting his hand on the door beside us.
“That was one of the doors I couldn’t get in.” I eyed the door.
“He’s not in there.” A faint smile tugged at Vad’s mouth. He looked amused, but then I realized he didn’t want me looking inside.
I lifted a brow. “What don’t you want me to see in there?”
He shrugged one shoulder, though the emotion pouring through our bond told another story. He cycled through anger, grim satisfaction, and faint disgust, but not at me. “Because to find out that you were taken to Firellan’s Spine, Thalen tracked down one of the guards involved, and we…spoke with him.”
A beat passed.
Then the meaning hit. “So there’s a dead body in there?” I crossed my arms.
He shrugged. “Thalen ran out of time to remove the body without drawing attention. And you don’t need to see what happened to him.”
Warmth spread through my chest. Not because of the body, but because he had done that for me. For what I’d suffered. I swallowed. “I don't condone torture. But I won’t lie and say I’m sorry he’s dead.”
“I don’t regret it.” With a rough exhale, he pulled me hard against him.
My cheek pressed to his chest, and the steady thud of his heart grounded me. Wrapped in safety, I breathed in his smoky scent.
His arms tightened around me, and his chin dropped to the top of my head. “He was among those who hurt you, and I swore they would all pay. And they will. But if we open that door, the stench will ruin what little peace we have.”
A smile tugged at my lips. “Well, we’re trapped beneath a palace mid-rebellion. I agree that we can skip the smell of a corpse.”
He chuckled with his warm breath brushing my hair. “Your grandfather is not here. And unless he’s foolish enough to turn on us, there's nothing more we can do tonight."
"He won't betray us," I said firmly, even though I didn’t entirely believe it. “I’m angry with him—no, anger isn’t strong enough, I’mfuriouswith him—but I don’t think he’s capable of turning against us.”
Vad pulled back just enough to meet my eyes. “And I meant what I said earlier. I don’t blame you for any of this.”
"I truly am sorry. I never dreamed this would happen. I would’ve told youeverything ifI’d known. I can’t blame you if you regret being with me."
His expression hardened. "Regret it?" Our bond blazed with anger. "I havenoregrets about being with you, Briar. Even if I had known everything at the beginning, I'd still have chosen you. You aremine,and I am yours. Don’t ever question that. I wasn’t just saying that to Silus when he was running his mouth."
The fierceness of his response rocked me, chasing every ounce of my concern away. His wings flared as he pressed me into the wall, fitting his body perfectly to mine. He dropped his mouth to my ear and growled, "The only regret I have is that I didn't realize who you were to me from the start. All those wasted nights. All that time I could’ve had you in my arms and in my bed."
He paused, eyes flicking toward the dark hallway and then back to me, blazing with hunger. "We could wait before we rejoin the others. Veralt has the watch. No one’s expecting us for a little while.”
I arched a brow. “So you want to… what? Hold hands and share our feelings?”
He huffed a laugh, his thumb brushing my jaw with maddening tenderness. “Not exactly.”
He grew hard against my stomach, and the spicy scent of desire infused the air. He was utterly focused on me, and I wanted him too, more than anything. It wasn’t the safest place, but it seemed safe enough. And Fate help me, I needed this. Neededhim. “We’re spending time together now.”
His mouth curved into a half-smile that made my stomach flip, his fingers sliding to my waist. "Yes, but there are different kinds of ‘time together.’" His voice became lower, rougher. "And I'd rather not have an audience for the kind I'm thinking of."
Heat knotted my stomach.
The bond between us vibrated, sharp and hungry.
“Traditionally,” he murmured, his mouth brushing my ear, “brides and grooms consummate their marriage within an hour or two of the ceremony. We’re behind schedule.”
