Page 98 of The Forbidden Dragon King
“Not even you…?”
Aurelius’ eyes darken. “Careful, Spark, or I’ll bend you over this desk and show you just how I’ll dominate you.”
“Do it.” My eyes narrow. “We’re not bonding. We’refucking, or is that forbidden too?”
I press against him, challengingly.
“Everything that I’ve done with you isforbidden. Even these courting gifts…” He gestures at the amber pitchers on the desk, and I look at them in surprise. “I couldn’t resist. You told me on the journey to the capital that you hadn’t had honey or wine before, but certainly appeared to overindulge in both. I went to the market and found the most delicious in Bael for you. I’d intended to pretend that they were from Lucius.”
“I wouldn’t have believed it.”
“What’s the point in wearing a mask now?”
I trace my finger over the closest pitcher, before sucking my finger. I moan at the sweet, floral taste.
Aurelius is watching me avidly.
My eyelashes tremble with tears. I never thought that someone would be this thoughtful.
The Golden Dragon went shopping for me…?
Aurelius looks panicked, when he notices the tears inmy eyes. “I’ll throw them away. I clearly have no idea how to pick out gifts like this. I’m a rough warrior who has spent most of my life in the academy or on campaigns and I don’t know how to?—”
“You fucking won’t throw them away.” I drag the pitchers protectively toward myself. “No one has bothered to remember small details about me before. I wasn’t important enough.”
Aurelius relaxes. “I remember everything about you, including how adorable you are when drunk.”
“I wasn’t drunk,” I protest, despite how obvious the lie is to both of us. “Merrily tipsy, perhaps.” Then I look down. “You saved me today. You keep on saving me, don’t you?”
Aurelius runs a claw along his horns, looking uncomfortable. “Have you only just noticed?”
“You’ve also been saving Daire.”
Aurelius stiffens. “His name is Kit. And doubtful. He’s too much of a brat. He’s loud and undisciplined. Oh yes, and he keeps making assassination attempts on me. Bad ones.”
“You have been saving us both,” I repeat more firmly because now I’m certain of it. Aurelius’ loss of control has let me see behind his mask, and as much as he’s scrambling to put it back in place, it’s too late. “Let us save you now.”
With a flap of his wings, Aurelius turns, caging me against the desk.
I let out a shocked breath, as he bends me backwards, pinning my hands above my head. He noses down myneck again, breathing in my scent. His silky hair brushes my cheek, as he kisses down my jaw.
“I can’t think clearly, when you’re this close to me.” Aurelius kisses the corner of my lips and then across my cheeks and nose. “Have you spoken about me between you? Both of my pets want me…? No, that’s not right. Why would you? You wouldn’t. I only dreamed that.Fantasized.I can’t think…”
Aurelius shakes his curved horns from side to side in frustration. Then his piercing gaze settles on me.
I lean up and capture his lips. “Don’t think. Just let out the primal side that all the bastards here in the Shadow Court have been caging. I’m an Omega wolf shifter. I can take it.”
“You’re my goddess.” Sparks ignite on Aurelius’ horns, and his wings beat hard enough to send his papers on the desk into flight.
My skin goosebumps with anticipation.
I’m panting.
Aurelius cups my cheek. Then he reaches to trace over my bracelet, teasing at the scarred skin beneath with a tender reverence.
“I haven’t done this before,” he murmurs against my lips. “Any of it.”
My heart leaps.
