Page 129 of Between Wrath and Mercy

“Pampered, sure, but plucked? Am I too hairy for you?” He slid his hand under my nightgown and rested it on my stomach, gently caressing around my navel, and I didn’t flinch or pull away. This man loved me and everything that came with me, rounded belly included.

“I was teasing, dear heart. I’d have thought you’d be more focused on the defiling part.” His hand slid lower, cupping my heat.

“Something tells me you won’t be waiting until tomorrow to defile me.”

“Your intuition is spot on, Em.” His finger slid down my center, and I exhaled, relishing the sensation. His movements were lazy and comfortable, much like the two of us. After the passionate night we’d shared, it was a pleasant surprise to have this easy, warm tenderness. I basked in it.

“I’ve missed your hands.” I folded my leg to give him better access and rolled into his touch.

“Is it just my hands you’ve missed?” His lips tickled the skin on my neck as he spoke.

“Of course, I’ve missed this, too.” I gave a soft laugh as I reached behind me, grabbing his hard length through the undershorts he wore. “I haven’t missed these clothes, though.” I began pulling at them, and he took his hand off me for a second to finish what I started. I felt him spring out and hit my ass, and I giggled before reaching behind me and pumping him, rubbing my thumb across the already slick head. He bucked gently into my hand, letting out an exhale on my neck. He froze for a moment before I felt him tilt his head up, looking down over my body toward my legs.

“You’re not in any pain, are you? If you’re still healing—”

“The only pain I have is the ache of wanting you.” He gave a low, rumbling laugh before he hitched my leg up, grabbing the back of my thigh and spreading my legs apart. I reached between and grasped him, guiding him to my entrance.

“I’ve ached for this ever since I spilled inside you.” His filthy words were rough and made my heart race. Groaning, I slid him through my wetness before positioning him just so, ready to thrust into me. He took me slow, still careful. I wasn’t sore anymore after the night we shared, but I still wasn’t used to him. He was so thick that I could feel my body stretching to make room for him. He let out a low, measured breath as his hips punched forward, keeping a leisurely pace as he kissed along my neck. I moved my hand down, tracing where we were joined, feeling his slick cock moving in me, and I sighed. Gods, he felt so good. When his hand found my clit and pinched it, I cried out in surprise.

“You’re perfect, Em, you know that?” His whisper tickled my skin as he rubbed me in tight circles with increasing pressure, all while he firmly thrust into me, and I could feel myself clenching around him.

“Perfect for you, maybe.” I was breathless as I tweaked my nipple, moaning the words.

“Only for me,” he growled. “You’re mine, and I’ll never let you go again.”

Someone rapped on the door.

He groaned and buried his head into my neck, still moving inside me. “What is it?” He barked out, clearly frustrated. I would have laughed if I wasn’t trying to keep from whimpering. I heard Sterling’s muffled voice behind the door.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness, but the queen’s carriage is here for Princess Lavenia and Lady Emmeline.” I deflated, not wanting this moment to end and certainly not wanting to spend the day with Queen Shivani.

“It is not midday, is it?” He called back, still teasing my clit with his fingertips, pushing me closer despite the distraction.

“It is, sir. My apologies.” Rain groaned and moved into me with renewed purpose, slamming my body while he brought me to the edge. I stifled a moan, pulling my pillow over my face while I reached behind me, grabbing his ass as he pounded viciously against me.

“Gods damn it.” His voice was quiet, meant for only me to hear, and I smiled before he raised his voice. “She’ll be out soon, Sterling. The queen will have to wait.”

He bit my ear, and I stifled the moan with the pillow when I came, pulsing around his body, my hips jerking as his fingertips continued their ministrations. He crashed into me hard and bit my shoulder as he finished with me.

“I quite like the idea that you’re going to feel how good I fucked you for the rest of the day.” He pressed an open-mouthed kiss against my neck, curling his body around mine.

“It would seem my day can only get worse from here.”

Chapter 41

Thequietwasthemost uncomfortable silence I’d ever experienced in my entire life. I was shoved into a seat next to Lavenia as we sat across from Queen Shivani. When Sterling had said the carriage arrived for us, I assumed he meant to take the two of us somewhere to meet her. I was especially ashamed I’d been the reason for our tardiness, having been busy being ravaged by her son, when I realized she’d been waiting in the carriage the entire time. At Rain’s recommendation, I wore my own simple, cotton blue dress and a braid in my hair. Lavenia wore a long tunic with skin-tight leggings underneath, so I felt confident in my attire. Until I saw the queen.

Shivani’s clothing was likely less formal than her standard garb, but she still looked every bit the regal ruler I recognized from the throne room. She wore a long, loose dress in jewel red. It wasn’t fitted to her body, slack and flowing instead, and it had long, sweeping sleeves. The embroidery on it was magnificent. Gold and silver patterns traced across the fabric, matching the gold and silver jewelry she wore.

We were headed to a hot spring in the mountains to the northeast. We would cut a diagonal path across the plains, so the trip was shorter, but it would still be a few hours in the carriage. I had not anticipated hours of silence with Rain’s mother, but I found myself not able to find any words. I’d been sitting there for the better part of an hour while the two of them made inconstant and awkward conversation when Shivani finally turned her attention to me.

“I remember you, you know.” She wore a soft smile, but her eyes held no kindness. I sat for a moment, waiting for her to continue. I wasn’t surprised she remembered me; I was the twin sister of the Beloved to whom her son had been betrothed. When she stayed silent and continued to watch me with those calculating eyes, dark as night, I wanted to wriggle out of my skin but decided to reply, just to see what she would say.

“I remember you, too.” As if I could forget the Queen of Vesta. Her smile grew, and she gave a light chuckle.

“You were much wilder than your sister.” It surprised me she thought that. I had generally been quieter than Lucia. My sister had a quick temper, though mine wasn’t much better, and she was the first person to lash out at anyone she felt had wronged her. Or me, for that matter. She was always a protector of sorts, much better with words, ready to launch a full-scale debate on the person she was angry with, whereas I would falter and stutter, unable to convey my message. I’d grown more confident in adulthood, but as a girl, I was timid unless I was around people I felt comfortable with. Only my friends and family were familiar with that side of me. I had certainly never been comfortable with Queen Shivani. I gave her a small uncertain smile, unsure of what to say.

“Wildin spirit. Your sister always seemed content to do as she was told.” I opened my mouth to object, but she gave me a knowing look and continued. “Oh, I know she could pitch a fit. But she always gave in to what was asked of her in the end. I assume it was because of your ordinary divinity and perhaps some pity, but you,yougot your way a lot. When the two of you started to train with the boys, I knew it was at your insistence and not my daughter’s.” I wasn’t sure if I should have been offended or not, but when she gave a warm smile to Lavenia, I was pleased to see it returned. Perhaps it wasn’t that Shivani was unkind, but instead, she didn’t make an effort to mince words.

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