“Oh, I beg your pardon.” The alluring voice from his dreams floated up to him and he grabbed the female’s shoulders. The bond surged to life, heating him thoroughly.
“Narissa?”
Her gaze flew to him, lashes fluttering, lips parting.
Concern pulled his brows into a scowl. “What are you doing here?”
She shifted, trying to loose herself from his hold, but he kept his grip firm.
She huffed once, her breath misting before her. “I figured I would enjoy my own company and explore Galefell, since my husband chose to stay out all night.”
A couple passed by arm in arm, their curious gazes lingering a little too long for Solarius’s liking. His hands instantly slid from Narissa’s shoulders to her wrists, drawing her closer. Her fingers were cold so he covered hers with his own, holding them against his chest.
“You kicked me out,” he murmured quietly, his thumb tracing idle circles across her knuckles.
“Of theroom. Not the cottage.” She pressed her lips into a smooth line, plastering a carefully crafted smile to her face before looking up at him. “I did not think you would leave and just?—”
Her little gasp did something to his heart.
“You’re hurt.” Narissa’s icy green eyes softened, and she tenderly touched the cut on his bottom lip and the bruising beneath his eye. Her soft fingertips caused his heart to pound and his blood to pump straight to his cock. “What happened?”
He shrugged, keeping his emotions in check, determined to stay nonchalant. There was no reason to worry her, no reason to tell her he almost beat Calfair into a bloody pulp, that he would have ended him right there if Drake hadn’t stepped in and hauled him back.
Solarius rubbed his lips together, wincing when the cut split open again. “I got into a fight.”
“Mm.” Her pretty pink lips pursed in consideration, and it took every last bit of his willpower not to lower his head andkiss her. Then she hooked her arm through his, tucking herself into his side like she belonged there and said, “Come along. We should get you cleaned up before anyone starts to talk.”
Too late for that, Solarius thought with a sardonic grin.
News of his brawl with Calfair would be widespread and would probably reach Ariesian’s ears before they even got back to Windsong. Not that he would be punished for such an offense. Solarius had no doubt that once he explained his side of the story, Ariesian would agree that Calfair’s ass beating was well worth it and very much deserved. Ariesian might be the responsible, stoic firstborn son, but if there was one thing he would never tolerate, it was a slight against his family.
And Calfair drugging Narissa then fucking her was definitely an insult.
The carriage ride back to Windsong was blissfully silent.
It wasn’t as though he didn’t want Narissa to talk, he actually loved the sound of her voice, but a pounding ache had formed at the base of his neck and then proceeded to dig its claws into his temples. He didn’t know if it was from the few injuries he’d suffered, too much alcohol, or not enough sleep. Likely a combination of all three.
Narissa led him to the main living area and ordered him to sit on the sofa before the roaring hearth. As the heat from the fire seeped into his bones, he watched in amazed silence as she disappeared to the bedroom, returning a few moments later with the necessary supplies to take care of him. A soft green towel was tossed over her shoulder, and she carried a small bowl of warm water in one hand, with a few jars tucked into her crook of her free arm. Setting everything on the glossy wooden end table, she shoved back the sleeves of her gown, then gathered her wild tresses, twisting them on top of her head into a messy, lopsided bun. A handful of loose strands curled around the nape of her neck, while a few more framed her face.
Solarius swore he’d never seen anything so fucking beautiful in his entire life.
She dipped the towel into the warm water, soaking it, then squeezing out the excess liquid. And when she dropped to her knees, situating herself between his legs to dab at the cut on his lip, his shaft hardened to the point of pain.
“This might hurt.” She leaned forward slightly and braced one hand on his thigh to balance herself. Her touch may as well have seared away his clothing. She dabbed the warm towel to his mouth, her full breasts brushing against the bulge in his pants, and he bit back a groan so it sounded like more of a feral growl.
He clenched his fists to keep from touching her, his nails biting into the skin of his palms.
Her brows pinched together and her tongue darted out, wetting her bottom lip, and damn the stars, he couldn’t tear his gaze away from her mouth.
“I told you it would sting,” she chided, pressing the towel to the top of his cheekbone.
Solarius almost laughed, but he didn’t want to piss her off, and he definitely didn’t want her to leave. Narissa thought he was in pain from his injuries, which was adorable, all things considered. But she had no idea her soft little touches, her absolute nearness, were driving him mad with desire. He wanted to stretch out on the sofa, pluck her off the ground, and have her sit right on his face.
Narissa’s cheeks flamed, and she made a squeaking type of noise.
It was then he remembered the bond, the way they could see one another’s thoughts, project their emotions upon each other.
“What’s wrong, Rissa love?”His magic stroked the bond as he slipped into her mind, and he was rewarded with another breathy little gasp. “Are you afraid to have me feast between your thighs?”
