Rustion whirls and grips Leo’s raised hand. “Shut your gob before I shut it for you, Son. Maybe after some time in the king’s dungeons, you’ll figure out how to behave. I’m sorry I didn’t teach you myself earlier.”
Nisa nods, her eyes blazing with righteous anger.
Laini shakes a little, and I hold her more tightly against me.
“I’m glad they’re finally standing up to him,” she whispers.
Rustion and Nisa step back, and the gamblers seize Leo. Leo roars as they drag him away. Tam and Harton shuffle their feet, mumble something, and then drift off down a side street.
The crowd shouts, lifting hands in their cheering. Rustion and Nisa smile sadly, hold one another close, and look up at us.
Rustion gives me a meaningful nod and a brighter smile. “Thanks again, Romulus! And Laini, too, because I’m pretty sure she was part of that magic.”
“She assuredly was!” I call back, squeezing Laini, who grins.
Rustion waves a hand. “I apologize for not solving the problem of my son earlier. To both of you, I am sorry.”
“Me too!” Nisa shouts up, her fingers cupping her mouth.
We give them a wave as the townsfolk begin singing a harvest song about goats, wheat, and the trouble with small glasses of beer. Everyone but us makes their way toward the tavern, and I hope Rustion and Nisa can be comforted by the company.
I face Laini, and the world falls away. The sunlight bursting through the last of the storm’s dark clouds streams over her face. Her golden hair, soft-looking cheek, and pert little mouth are illuminated in a way that takes my breath. Trepidation fills those blue eyes of hers, and I can no longer stand it.
Nothing will stop me from trying to be her true mate in every way.Unless…
“Do you still want me?” I ask, my voice rough from the magic and my desperate heart.
A smile like the sunrise itself breaks over her face, and she takes my hand in hers. “Most definitely.”
I begin to say something, but I decide it’s time for action. I pull her to me and kiss her relentlessly. She tastes like perfection, salty and floral, and just so Laini. Her body melts against mine, and I lift her and take her inside. I throw her onto the bed, and she laughs, eyes shining. I leap onto her and drop kisses over her forehead, down her cheeks, along her throat, and over the rise of her breasts. My mate’s mark is warm and tingling as I drag my talons down her chest to hook onto the neckline of her dress. I tug the fabric down and free one of her gorgeous breasts. Her head drops back as I flick my forked tongue over her nipple and massage her with my palm and fingers.
“Rom…”
“Aye, my love? Your skin smells divine…”
She runs a hand over one of my horns, and pleasure pulses down my scalp and over my entire body. I can’t help but moan.
“I wondered if they were sensitive like yourwings,” she says, her voice tinged with a mischievous tone that has me rock hard.
“Your guess was correct,” I rasp out as she strokes my other horn and then tickles the edge of my ear.
“And the tips of your pointed ears?”
“Yes. Those too.”
“It’s like you’re made for pleasure.”
I rise on my elbows and look down into her face. “Ready for another surprise?”
She nods emphatically. I take her hand and direct it down my body to the crest above my cock. I hum, and the vibration echoes in my crest.
“Oh!” Her eyes meet mine, and her surprised look turns molten. “Let’s give this a try.”
She grips my crest and squeezes lightly. I shudder, and my hips buck of their own volition.
“Ooo, you like that, do you?” Her slender fingers massage my crest, and then she’s using her other hand to stroke my length, too.
My mate’s mark tingles and the urge to solidify our mating bond shivers through me like a gust of fresh air.
