Page 65 of Shadows and Roses

"No more surprises tonight, please," she murmured.

He simply bowed. That was almost certainly amusement on his lips though. Her eyes narrowed, and she pushed open the door.

Relief and joy washed over her when she found Castien sitting at her table, frowning at somedocuments. A dark curl of hair fell over his eyes. Her fingers twitched with the strangest urge to brush it aside.

"Reading anything interesting?" She gave him a half-hearted smile, leaning heavily against the wall.

He looked up. "My House dossier. Apparently I’m sensitive and don’t like being lied to. Who likes being lied to?"

"Some prefer flattery to the truth."

His right eyebrow arched. "I’m not sure your court counts as people."

She sighed. No, they were just the worst sort of people. "Thank you for staying."

He shuffled the papers together. "You look exhausted all over again. May I offer another massage?"

"Hmm. No, I need some air. Come." She smiled, beckoning him with an outstretched arm. He didn’t move right away, watching her with those too-observant eyes.

"Still afraid of me?" she teased.

He stood and followed her. "Just wondering what other secrets you’re hiding."

"I’m a Queen.Somany secrets. Most of them terribly boring," she tossed over her shoulder.

A spiraling tower led to a sprawling balcony with a large table. She sighed as she sat, weariness likely slowing her senses so that when Castien fell to his knees beside her, she was surprised.

Castien caught her hand. "You could never bore me," he murmured as he kissed every finger, caressed every claw, sending tingling little jolts of lightning through her arm.

A smile crept onto her face. "Be careful. You might find yourself in extremely dull council meetings with that kind of talk," she replied while his lips glided over her hand.

He pulled the other chair closer and sat across from her, still holding her hand. "Nothing could possibly be dull with youbeside me. I could easily spend every day listening to your voice, even when you speak as the Queen." His eyes held hers as he leaned forward. "You may sound cold, but there is a depth that’s fascinating and terrifying. Absolutely beautiful, Anais."

The warm late summer breeze swirled the sound of her name through the air. She inhaled and closed the distance, her free hand touching his cheek. "I terrify you?"

His lips curved. "Like a moonless night. Too dark to see where danger might come from." A pause as his eyes lowered. "I like danger," he whispered against her lips.

Her face tilted just enough that their lips brushed, then melded together.

Soft, gentle, sweet. His mouth demanded nothing but coaxed hers open nonetheless. His tongue tentatively tasted her, letting her lead every step of this dance. She explored him, tasted him, stroked him. Then leaned away.

"Castien… Do you enjoy your House persona?"

He stared as though caught off guard, then something curious and dark slid into his eyes. "Yes. I do. Is that something you’re interested in, my Queen?" he murmured in a low voice that heated her core, curled into the apex of her thighs.

"Yes. I think." She shivered at the darkness swimming in his eyes, his brown irises tinted black in the dim lighting. The smile that spread his lips hinted at a dangerous but delicious pleasure. Her breath quickened as she hovered between wanting to taste that pleasure on his lips and continuing to drink in the promise of delights in every inch of his skin.

His finger stroked slowly down her cheek, drawing a shudder as she closed her eyes. It was a feather-light touch that left an unforgettable impression and a burning desire.

"Please," she whispered, eyes still closed. "Show me what your world is like. If you don’t mind indulging me…" Her eyes opened then, reassuring herself that he didn't feel compelled.

"I’d like nothing more," he purred. Her thighs clenched. No, there was no compulsion in his voice except to make herneed.

He bent his head to her neck, murmuring, "What shall I do to you, my Queen?" Soft kisses fluttered her hot skin. "Where shall I start? Here…" he breathed into her ear, the tip of his tongue tracing a delicate path on the shell. "Or here?" His mouth sucked on her pulse as he lowered her dress from her shoulder. "Or perhaps…" Chuckling, his hand wandered up her inner thigh. "Is my Queen impatient? Should I taste you? Maybe I’m the one who’s impatient."

"Castien," she moaned. "Do… whatever… you want."

A quiet groan released over her shoulder. His hands ran up her legs, behind her back, cupping her ass, and yanking her to the edge of the seat.

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