Page 53 of Oath of Betrayal
The bindings disappeared, but the raw hunger I saw in his glowing eyes held me in place just as effectively. ‘I’ve decided upon my prize. I want a kiss, Ani. I want to taste you.’
‘And if I don’t want that?’ My voice trembled with emotion.
‘I will accept it, of course. But … I’ll not duel with you again.’ Alaric pulled away, but his gaze never strayed from my lips.
‘Then kiss me. Claim your prize,’ I said, my voice breathy and raw. I didn’t even see Ari move, but the grip on my hair was firm as Alaric claimed my lips. The burning desire that rushed through my body only surprised me for a moment before I lost myself to the passion.
I yielded to his strength, gasping as my body ignited, seeking his touch. I wanted his hands to roam over my skin, but I was no meek maiden, waiting passively as my partner took charge. I exhaled softly, nipping at Ari’s lip, savouring his response as he crushed my body against him. When his hands moved down, caressing my back, I felt Alaric’s questing magic echoing his physical touch as it moved over my soul.
Before the pleasure of the dual sensations overwhelmed all logical thought, I stole a dagger from the sheath on his belt and pressed it to his throat. ‘Yield to me, my dark fae, or must I spill your blood to cool your ardour?’ I teased with a soft chuckle that startled him.
‘Don’t … Hrae! Ani, I … I like pain. You have no idea what you’re doing to me,’ he murmured. He was right. I had no idea what I was doing to him. I only knew the effect he was having on me, the power I felt as he towered over me, desperately holding himself back while his lips rested against my neck.
‘Do you really want this? Would you take me as I am if I gave myself to you?’ he whispered, and I knew our reckless game had turned into something more than either of us had expected.
I hesitated, suddenly anxious. Gone was the confident woman who embraced her desire, replaced by the feeling that I might be out of my depth in a game with rules I no longer recognised.
‘Ye … I … I don’t know. We were just teasing … right?’ I questioned.
‘No, little wildcat, not since the magic in your heart lit the depths of my soul. You have no idea how much I’ve been craving you,’ he breathed, his lips landing on mine.
Damn that man’s voice. I was lost. The dagger fell to the ground as I pulled Ari closer, unaware of the blood that trickled down his neck. My magic soared, flowing over both of us, and my lips parted, our tongues meeting with a fervour that swept me away until the moment I cut myself on his fangs.
When I tasted my own blood, I pulled back with a frown, unsure what had happened. I couldn’t think straight, couldn’t look away from the swirling crimson in Ari’s eyes. ‘Your fangs,’ I said, fumbling for something to say.
‘You taste like the sweetest plum wine.Hrae!I wish I could devour you … Anchor you …’
His reply was too much for me. The room was suddenly too small, and panic squeezed my chest. ‘No … no, wait. It was just a duel, and you got your prize, but I don’t want—I don’t know … I’m sorry, we shouldn’t have …’
Alaric pulled away, breathing heavily before regaining his composure. ‘No, I apologise. You are right. It was just a duel, and I took it too far.’ He licked his lips. ‘I yield, my lady. Few can trick me, but you did it. You are formidable, both as a mage and a woman.’
I didn’t know what to say. Apart from yesterday, Alaric had always been in control. Yet now he looked lost in a maelstrom of emotion—and so was I, because he was no longer the teasing fae I’d grown to cherish. Now, he was so much more … and I found that I liked it.
‘I’m sorry, but I need more time. I lost my …’ This was ridiculous. How could I expect Alaric to understand my feelings when I couldn’t explain myself? It wasn’t only about choosing to take an Anchor—I had warmed up to the idea—but about choosing the right one. Alaric was the obvious choice, and he said he didn’t mind sharing, but the way I felt around Orm … knowing the commander, I didn’t think he was a man who would welcome such an unusual arrangement.
I wasn’t ready to make such choices now. Not before I talked to Orm or understood what was happening to Alaric. With a deep, unsteady breath, I tried again. ‘I’m afraid … no, I’mterrified. I can’t afford to make a mistake, not right now. Even after I Anchored Vahin, my heart rejected him, and we almost died. I need to be sure before committing to someone again and right now, I’m not,’ I said anxiously, before Alaric gathered me in his arms.
‘Shhh, Ani. It’s okay, I understand. The way you stood up to Ihrain, the way you came to me when I needed you … it gave me hope, that’s all, but this was a mistake. C’mon, sweetheart, I want to see your smile, not your tears. I will wait for you, even if it takes a millennium. You’re worth it. After all, you’re the first woman to make me bleed.’ He flirted so effortlessly.
‘What? Oh gods, your neck! I actually cut you. I’m so sorry. Please let me check.’ I made to pull away, but Alaric shook his head.
‘It is not my neck I’m worried about. I can still taste you, smell you … such exquisite torture … so unless you want to adjust my cock, which is painfully hard at the moment, your touch won’t do me any good.’ He said it with such unbridled honesty that I forgot what I was going to say myself, and stuttered. ‘Oh… I don’t think that’s a good idea.’
‘I’d thought as much,’ he teased. ‘In that case, I’ll survive. Gather some personal items and move them next door. I’llsend some workmen and maids to repair the damage in the meantime.’ He placed his hand on his chest and bowed. ‘You won our duel, sweet lady. You’re officially making me leave, so take some time for yourself today,’ he declared as he straightened and shot me a quick smile.
When he left, I sank to the floor, manic giggles escaping my lips as I fell back to stare at the ceiling. ‘That was the most insane, exhilarating, and intimate duel I’ve ever had,’ I said to no one, still giggling, following a crack in the painted ceiling with my eyes. ‘What a rascal!’
A loud gasp had me almost jumping out of my skin.
‘Lady Annika! What happened here? Were you attacked?’ Agnes slipped back into formal speech as she rushed in, grasping my shoulders and checking for injuries. Behind her, several workmen stood silent, looking on in disbelief.
I couldn’t blame them. The window was shattered, and drapes and pillows were scattered all over the floor, mixed with petals and glass shards from various arrangements. There was ash everywhere, and I was in the middle of it all, laughing like crazy.
‘Everything is fine. Alaric and I … did a bit of impromptu sparring.’
‘A duel? In the bedroom?’ Agnes was so agitated that, by the last word, she was screeching. ‘I will inform the commander about this. He’ll put an end to this disgusting behaviour. I swear I’ll not forgive him for this,’ Agnes exclaimed, but as she turned to leave, I raised my hand, stopping her.
‘Lord Ormond is still in the capital, and Alaric did nothing wrong. We were testing our magic, and things got slightly out of hand.’
