Page 19 of The Flame King's Queen

He doesn’t give me more than a second to answer. “Always—ah.” He thrusts into me, filling me with sharp, hot pleasure.

I clench the blankets in my fingers and let my body arch as he pumps into me, deeper and deeper with every thrust. My slick runs down my inner thighs and our mating makes wet sounds that fill the air.

“I love the sound your pussy makes when I fuck you, Omega. Look at all this slick when you’re not even in heat. Such a good girl.”

It’s a special kind of sweetness being toldgood girlfor something that feels amazing. I’m nearing my peak when Zabriel shifts his body over mine, his mouth seeking the back of my neck. The first time I was in heat and he was in his rut, he sank his dragines so deep into my mating gland at the back of my neck that he drew blood and left permanent, silvery scars. I treasure those marks, and Zabriel bites me afresh whenever he’s in a rut.

Zabriel wraps both arms around me and lifts me up off the bed, pulling me down onto his cock. His knot is thudding wetly against my entrance. I can feel myself give around him as his thrusts grow faster and more frenzied. The pleasure ratchets up, and I climax right before his knot pushes inside me and swells. I can feel myself spasming around his knot, which is jammed tight inside me, moving just a little back and forth as Zabriel pumps his seed into me.

His teeth seek my nape, and he bites down hard on my mating gland, claiming me. Reaffirming that I am his and he is mine.

In the stillness that follows, we’re both panting and sweaty. He holds me tight against him, my back to his chest, and I can feel his heart thundering. Over my shoulder, I see him wince as he lowers me onto the bed. Such energetic mating has caused him pain, but I have no doubt that he didn’t feel anything but pleasure throughout. Even if he did, he’d be too stubborn and aroused to stop.

Zabriel’s knot feels huge inside me. I’m stuck fast to my mate, and I will be here for some time. As we lower ourselves onto the bed together, he kisses me over and over again. His thumb strokes up my belly, pressing until he feels the swell of his knot inside me.

I lay with my head on his ample shoulder, smiling dreamily.

“I didn’t think I would ever know such happiness,” Zabriel murmurs. He’s covered in injuries, but nothing can mask the beauty of his smile.

I stroke my fingers along his strong arms. “Neither did I. It’s wonderful to be back in this room with my mate.”

I want to hope or wish or pray that I will never see my mate injured again, but I think it will be futile. We still haven’t defeated Emmeric, and Zabriel is a king who leads from the front, walking through blood and fire to protect his people.

“I will fuck you again soon. Give me just a moment.” His voice is drowsy, which is strange considering he’s in a rut. I turn my head and look over my shoulder. His eyes are heavy-lidded and there are smudges of purple beneath them. It seems that the healing potions and broken bones have exhausted him. His knot no longer feels huge inside me, and when I give an experimental wriggle, it eases out.

Zabriel’s eyes close, and it’s not long before he snores.

My mate needs his rest if he’s to recover quickly. I extricate myself from his arms, clean myself up, tidy my hair, and get dressed in clean clothes. Before I leave the room, I cover him with a blanket and press a kiss to his lips. “I will be back in a few hours. Rest easily,” I whisper.

If I don’t come back on my own, I’m sure his rut will propel him from this room in search of me.

Fiala and Dusan are waiting outside the door, and they tell me that my family returned from the dragongrounds and are with the villagers in the Great Hall.

I find Dad, and we take a walk through the adjoining courtyard together. He seems a little lost for words.

“Is your husband unwell?” Dad asks eventually.

“He’s well, thank you. The fever that gripped him is due to his Maledinni nature. It comes in cycles.” I can feel myself turning red as I talk around what a rut is without actually naming its purpose.

Dad frowns. “If this is normal for Maledinni, then I wonder how they managed to recapture the country, even with dragons.”

I laugh, but then realize that I’m laughing alone, and Dad is being serious. “Zabriel is a strong and steady ruler. He puts a great deal of planning into everything he does.”

We keep walking along the courtyard in silence, but it is not an easy silence.

Finally, Dad says, “I have heard soldiers talk of an assault on the Shadow King. Is this a battle that your husband will lead?”

“Of course. He always leads his army into battle.”

Dad has spent too long under the Brethren to risk speaking out of turn against those in power, and so he chooses his words carefully. “The Shadow King ruled Maledin for a long time. He won’t give up easily. I am worried for you, Isavelle.”

“Thank you for your concern. I know you feel it out of love for me, but there is no one I would trust more to free Maledin from the Shadow King than Zabriel.”

“I hope that you are right, and he doesn’t put you in danger.”

It is a mild statement, but the implication that Zabriel is reckless doesn’t pass me by. The harder I argue for my mate, the less Dad will be convinced. Zabriel will prove himself to be the kind and thoughtful ruler I know him to be soon enough, but all the same, the conversation has made me sad. I wish my family knew Zabriel the way I knew him.

9

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