Page 96 of Brighter Than Gold

He shifted in his chair and his eyes dropped to my throat. “Do you know what I would do with you if I had you alone right now, Reyah?”

“What?” My voice had gone, my words came out only at a breath.

“First, I would clamp my teeth down on your silken neck, and hold you there, the way I held you in the woods. Until your body melted under me, until your pulse throbbed against my teeth and your hips began to grind.”

“Fuck, Callan, don’t do this to me…” I whined. He rubbed a fist against his knee, as uncomfortably aroused as I was.

“I’d make you stand and bend you over this pretty table. I wouldn’t even take that elegant dress off, I’d only hike it up enough to get to the parts of you that I needed.”

This wasn’t fair, the muscles at the apex of my thighs began to pulse with his words, and I’d grown sore from my previous exploits. Sore, but still so in need of Callan.

“Are you picturing that, Princess?”

“Yes.”

“Next I would—”

But he’d never get to finish that last thought. The door to the tearoom opened and a uniformed officer stepped through.

“Your Grace,” he said bowing to me. “Please excuse the interruption. General Briggs, I’ve come to collect you, unfortunately, your assistance is required.”

“Of course. I’ll be out in a moment.”

The man nodded and left us. Callan must have seen the worried look on my face.

“I’m sure it’s nothing. They need my approval to dig a new Gods damn latrine some days.” He rolled his eyes, thoroughly unhurried.

I stood from the table to give him permission to do the same.

“Thank you for tea, I’m sorry it’s been cut short,” he said bowing.

I held my hand out for him to kiss. He tried to hide his smile as he reached forward and took it, placing a gentle kiss on the back of my hand. I savoured the moment, seeing Callan’s smirk and feeling his soft lips on my skin. He gave my hand a subtle squeeze before rising.

“I hope it’s nothing serious, general,” I said as we headed for the door. “I’d very much like to pick up that conversation from where we were interrupted. Do not hesitate to make a request at your convenience.”

“Certainly, Your Grace. Again, my apologies.”

I watched him walk quickly down the hallway, his gait seemed to bristle and grow formal as he readopted his prickish general’s stature. I nearly scoffed.

Chapter23

Burke

The other Kings had tried to remain courteous when I informed them of Reyah’s lineage. I knew I would get an earful from them as soon as we were alone. And I’d intentionally been avoiding that.

Surprisingly, Cryton had seemed the most upset. The man I’d looked up to like a father after my own had passed when I was just a boy, seemed outraged that I’d married a woman without properly researching her heritage. He was quick to point out that I was the only King to ever have been married in secret without the prior approval of the other ruling Kings. And it had backfired spectacularly. I’d have to oversell my decision now, even though I’d come to the notion that it had been reckless and fast. I was more nervous than I should ever be at the idea of introducing my new wife to the royal families, and I whispered a prayer to the Gods that she could hold her own tonight.

I waited for her in the seating area of her quarters. When she stepped through the door, my breath was stolen from my lungs.

Reyah looked absolutely stunning. She wore a long forest green dress that cinched at her waist and cascaded over her perfect hips. The edges of the dress were adorned with a gold lace pattern that made the bold colour seem more delicate. The neckline was low and sensual, and around her neck hung several thin gold chains of varying length, some donning tiny emeralds.

“You look stunning,” I said taking her hand. Her cheeks reddened at my compliment. I brushed my fingers through the pinned-up locks of her hair, then trailed them down her exposed neck and shoulder. She leaned her head into my touch.

“I’m nervous,” she whispered.

“So am I,” I admitted.

“Why areyounervous?”

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