Page 75 of The Golden Rose Of Valenul

But the hesitation boiled Loren’s blood. She was looking for excuses and lies and pretty words to hide what she truly felt. If she did not love him, fine. He would still marry her and take what he wanted. He would not, however, stand by as she fawned over a lesser vampire.

“Az—Mister Tenebra is an excellent guard,” she choked out, and he lifted a lip in a snarl at her slip-up. “He kept me safe at the Vertium ball. Do you remember?”

“I remember well.” Loren grit his teeth and grabbed her wrist, yanking her toward the front door with him.

Ariadne yelped and tugged back. He tightened his grip. She would learn who was in charge, and it certainly would never be a Caersan woman. They were meant to serve their husbands, bring heirs into the world, and hold their tongues.

“You will not spend any more time with that guard,” he snarled and started up the front steps. Still, she twisted her arm. To his pleasant surprise, she did not say anything. “Do you understand me?”

Again, she did not speak. Instead, she stared at his hand around her wrist and whimpered. Each attempt to free herself became more and more feeble. Tears streaked her cheeks, and she turned wide eyes up to him in a silent plea.

“Do you understand?” Loren snarled. He twisted her arm hard and drew her in closer so their faces were inches apart. She tried pulling her arm down to free it.

“Yes!” she gasped and cried out in pain. Again and again, she nodded. “Yes, I understand.”

“Say it back to me.”

“I will not spend any more time with him.” She whimpered again and curled her shoulders in on herself.

“Look me in the eye,” he ground out, reveling in the pitiful sight of a Caersan woman at his mercy, “and tell me you love me.”

Ariadne lifted her silver-rimmed gaze and searched his face. When she spoke, her small voice shook, “I love you, Loren.”

Fuck. He liked that a lot. He still had a month before he could show her just how much he enjoyed reminding her of where she stood. What a fabulous morning it would be. Until then, he needed to get his cock under control. The urge to throw her up against the wall almost won out.

Instead, he released her wrist. She gasped and swayed, bracing herself against his chest to keep from falling. Gods, if only he could get away with fucking her right there.

Ariadne straightened, looking up at him with wary, watery eyes. Her tears shone on her cheeks like diamonds. Beautiful. He brushed them aside with his thumb, and though she flinched, she did not pull away.

A heavy hand went a long way, it would seem.

“Good girl,” he said, softer now, while dragging his thumb down her face to run across those perfect lips. They parted a bit. He would part them again in a couple weeks, and it would not be with his finger.

His cock throbbed at the thought. He would need to take a moment to himself before he could meet with the Princeps. Perhaps there was a maid with similarly dark hair he could fuck from behind.

“Now,” he said, brushing a strand of her hair back behind her ear. Again she winced but stood still. A smirk cracked across his lips. “I came to discuss business with your father. You distracted me.”

For a long moment, Ariadne did not reply. She breathed heavily through her nose, then finally, she whispered, “I am sorry, General.”

Loren clicked his tongue, warmth sweeping through him again. “Oh, darling, I forgive you. You did not mean to.”

She pulled her lip into her mouth. He almost groaned and instead set his hand on the doorknob to steady himself.

“I hope your meeting goes well,” she said and gave him a small smile.

“I will see you tomorrow,” Loren said and took up her hand again to kiss her fingers, “to celebrate our engagement before all of the Society.”

With that, he pushed through the front door and went in search of a maid.

Chapter 16

Azriel paced the kitchen, the race and its abrupt end thanks to Loren fucking Gard replaying in his mind again and again. The cook offered him tea after noting his agitation, and he declined with a silent shake of his head. Tea wouldn’t help this. Tea couldn’t soothe the wildfire in his soul.

When at last he found it within himself to reenter the rest of the manor, he almost turned back. Madan stopped at the end of the hall, crossing his arms and glaring at him from the far end.

“I know,” Azriel growled and pressed forward before Madan could even open his mouth. “I know.”

“Do you?” Madan said, throwing his hands in the air. “What the fuck did you do?”

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