Page 71 of Oath of Betrayal
‘Any time you need it, I’m happy to lend my shoulder—and my shirt,’ I said, and she smiled.
‘I will remember. Now go if you want to see me in your workshop tomorrow. I need some rest, and the longer you stay in my room, the more the chance that Orm will come to join the crowd. You two are like twin souls; one always chases the other.’
I wished I could stay and hold her through the night. I knew the moment I stepped out of the room, my marks would flare up, searing my skin with aetheric fire. Still, Ani was right. Sheneeded to rest, and I’d lived with my pain for too long to care if it returned. ‘Sleep well, Annika, and come see me tomorrow … at a reasonable hour. Let’s not torment ourselves with a view of the sunrise.’
‘Oh no, you wanted to see me at dawn, so dawn it is. Good night, Alaric, and don’t be late.’ I nodded, closing the door.
As soon as I reached my room, a wave of pain bent me in half, but worse was the voice that reverberated in my head, clearer than ever before:‘You’re taking what’s mine, young Shen’ra? Autumn is coming, and the Barrier has faded enough for you to pass. I won’t wait forever.’
‘Get thefuckout of my head,’ I snarled, clawing at my chest where the curse marks burned on my skin. Grim understanding dawned on me, and with it, the depth of my mother’s betrayal. She hadn’t just cursed me. She’d gifted me to an undead monster, forging a connection that had built up over time, and now … now I could hear his voice in my mind.
Gods never listen to cursed men.Why did I think I would be any different?
I would have to abandon my dreams of ever being tethered to my Domina because—even if I entertained thoughts of revenge—I wouldneverlet him gain access to Annika through this perverted connection.
The Dark Mother has failed me again,I thought, and my world descended into whispers of darkness.
The soft, slow beat beneath my ear sent a shiver down my spine, and I smiled as I cuddled its reassuring rhythm. As consciousness slowly returned, memories of the previous day intruded on my peace: the freedom of wandering the forest, the argument and then the image of the olgoi erupting from the earth … When I saw Orm fall, his sword piercing the worm’s mouth, fear flooded my senses and I sprang up, screaming his name.
‘Orm!’
‘I’m here, Ani. Shh … it’s ok, you were just dreaming.’ Only then did I notice the muscular chest beneath my hands, the gentle stroking fingers easing the tight muscles of my back. ‘Deep breaths, Nivale.’ I looked around in confusion, but apart from the mystery of Orm’s presence in my bed, everything looked normal.
‘Shouldn’t you be elsewhere? In your own bed, perhaps?’ He slowly sat up, and my eyes dropped to the rugged chest I’djust been cuddling. When my gaze trailed lower, following a narrowing band of hair, I sighed with relief, seeing he at least wore silk trousers. Still, it didn’t explain why I was waking up splayed all over his chest again.
Orm noticed my wandering gaze and smiled. Then he stretched—the shameless man showcasing his muscles and letting the covers slide even lower, uncovering a sizeable bulge. ‘I should, but you were calling for me in your sleep, asking me not to die.’
‘And you couldn’t just wake me up?’
‘Oh, believe me, darling, I tried. But you pulled me onto the bed, calling me your Ursus, then went quiet after laying your head on my chest, so I stayed … I like it when you call me your bear.’
I just looked at him. His massive body took up far too much of the bed, and he wanted me to believe that I forced him to sleep with me? What a ridiculous excuse. I grabbed the pillow and smacked him upside the head with it. Orm jerked. His surprise lasted only a moment before he gave me a wounded, doe-eyed expression.
‘You like it, hmm? Then get the hell out of my bed, you overgrown bear, or learn to lie better.’ I continued my assault, and Orm roared with laughter. ‘I didn’t lie. You called me your Ursus and petted my chest. I’m considering asking Vahin to teach me how to purr.’ He laughed, ducking under the pillow I kept hitting him with.
‘Yeah, what else? I pulled you onto the bed? I would remember gaining the strength to lift a horse. Just admit it! You invited yourself, you bloody menace. Was the chaise lounge not good enough for you?’ I gasped when he ripped the pillow from my hands. The soft fabric tore, releasing a cloud of feathers into the air right before Orm flipped me onto my back, pinning my hands over my head.
‘Gods, you are a dream,’ he groaned when I fought before his body tensed and his lips descended on mine. Our little adventure in the forest had changed so much between us, the cold commander having become a passionate man.
Orm wasn’t gentle; I could taste his raw hunger when he nipped at my bottom lip, coaxing me to open my mouth, and I did.Damn, this feels so good. I’d clearly lost my mind when his tongue slid in, playing with mine.
‘Nivale,’ he moaned as our breath mingled. His hand dived into my tussled hair, crushing my lips to his.I shouldn’t be doing this, I thought, arching under him, feeling the thin fabric of my nightgown between us and my peaked nipples rubbing against his chest, creating shivers of pleasure that melted my resistance. I wanted this man. Imperfect as he was, he wasmine, and my body knew it.
Orm’s kiss intensified, sensing my eagerness and his hips pressed against me, rocking gently. My moan was filled with desperate need as I felt his erection straining against the fabric of his trousers. His other hand slid between my thighs, and I cried out at the pleasure that threatened to overwhelm my senses.
Why does everything feel so intense?Was it because we almost died yesterday, or because Alaric had reversed the spell that had caged my emotions? Did it even matter? I was falling for Orm. It was bound to happen.
Even though I knew Alaric would likely become my Anchor, it was this delicious brute that drew me like a moth to a flame. It wasn’t wise, but it felt so right … I wasn’t exactly known for making the best decisions.
‘I love the way your magic slides over my skin,’ he breathed, stretching under the caress of my power. He was eager to take it; no, he wasreachingfor it. His wild magic surged, wrapping around us beyond my control, and I responded. Just like withVahin, I wanted him, wanted this soul-deep rapport. Before I knew it, my lips had started whispering the Anchoring Oath, and only then did I realise how far I’d gone.
‘No. Please stop. Let me go,’ I panicked. Orm growled—actuallygrowled, like a feral bear—before instantly releasing my hands and backing away from me.
I saw the veins straining on his neck, fists clenching on the fabric as he fought with himself. There was magic dancing in his eyes, a dark inferno of primal power he fought to tame.
I cursed under my breath, shocked at what had just happened. The connection between us was so much deeper than I initially thought possible. As if the fates were staring me in the eyes, weaving the thread of destiny that linked us together.
And when I dared look at Orm, I saw a wild, ancient force gazing at me through the yellow glare of his eyes.
