Se connecterAnother command that sense demands that I obey. But I shook my head, hair tumbling over my shoulders. My hands curled tightly around the arms of the chair. I couldn’t tell him to stop, not even if a herd of wild horses broke through the wall. Part of me was relieved that I had some will to refuse his request, even if it was entirely selfish reasons.The storm has stopped outside, and all I can hear is the crackling of the fire as it roars beside us, and my frantic breath, mingled with his. He holds my gaze, grey eyes mercurial and shifting in the light. He dips his head again, pressing his lips to my slit. I gasp, a small squeak escaping my lips. His grip intensifies on my legs, holding me in place as his mouth begins to move. It’s a strange sensation that grips me. It sparks in my core, my folds aching with need as he caresses them with his lips. I hold back my moan as the little shocks of lightning spread upwards through my body. Every place he touches, my thighs, the knees around
A smirk lifts the corner of his mouth and he looks down again, as though to hide the expression. He knows the power he has over me, and it pleases him. That’s undeniable. ‘A dangerous request, Miss Lana.’ ‘It’s a dangerous situation,’ I pause, lifting a hand to press against my chest. ‘Should I be…worried that you thought I was a whore? That…it’s your usual way to bed a woman who has been paid?’ He shakes his head quickly, grey eyes glinting as he looks up at me. ‘It’s not my usual way,’ he replies, quiet. His voice is firm, calm as he watches me face. ‘I’ll be honest with you, I don’t know what I was thinking.’ He kneels up, lifting his hands to the arms of the chair instead. Away from the skin he’s been torturing so delicately. But he’s between my knees as he leans forward, and holds his face level with mine. I edge my knees wider to accommodate his width and see a spark flicker in his eyes. ‘You wanted to kiss me?’ I can barely find the bravery to speak my hope aloud. Ca
‘I don’t know you,’ I force myself to say it aloud. I should be putting up barriers, and making space between us, but I don’t want to. I’m fascinated by the man before me. The slight curl at the tips of his dark hair. As though he’s been pushing his fingers through it, exasperated.‘I don’t know you either,’ he admits. He’s looking down, running his warm hands over the curves of one leg. Holding my leg gently between his fingers as his fingers smooth over my skin. I’ve never paid much attention to my legs before. But when he circles my ankle with his thumb, I’m holding back a moan. I’m so wet between my thighs, aching and eager to be touched. But afraid of what comes next and the whole world outside the door. ‘So let’s talk,’ he suggests, watching as his hands slid over my flesh again.I pant a breath and curl my hands around the arms of the chair, gripping it. I should tell him to stop, but I’m captivated by the sheen of firelight on his body. It’s touched with something like magic,
Two Years Ago - Lana’s POVIt takes all of my will to move forward, stepping away from the man. My cheeks are flushed and I lift my hands, wrapping my arms across my chest.‘Sir,’ I force a smile, but my heart feels as though it’s in my soggy boots.‘Miss Lana,’ he pauses where he is before dropping his hands to his sides, ‘my apologies, I hadn’t meant to intrude so easily on your personal space,’ he flexes his fingers, as though resisting the urge to reach out towards me again. But thankfully he keeps his distance. He looks around before taking action. He crosses the room, opening a pair of low cupboard doors under the bed. ‘It’s uh…’ I swallow and glance at the door. The door he so ominously locked. ‘I wanted that chance to speak with you,’ he admits as he peers into the darkness, standing up a few minutes later with a pile of blankets balanced on his arm, a candle held in his other hand. He approaches, cautious. As though afraid I’m going to run. I might. Aside from the bed and
I feel as though I’m dressed in blood. The deepest, richest gown of ruby red that shimmers as though it’s wet. My people are warriors, our emblem is a sword on a red field. I’m not a complicated person and I’m shivering. Hating myself for the strength of my emotion. For the fear and and the hurt mixed with my undying hatred of the man that I’m going to marry, Thade. It’s been nearly two years since we first met, and almost as long since I’ve seen him. The chapel is filled with all the noblemen and women from Illure, ready to watch their King make his Queen. A string quartet plays a soothing, hopeful melody that rises and falls in soft expectation. They’re waiting for me to move forward and seal my fate. I feel like I’m in a nightmare, detached from myself and everyone around me. I’m floating, waiting to wake up. He’s not the man I thought that he was. I’m stuck at the entrance, and I can see the crowd whispering back and forth. I must be shy, the innocent youngest daughter of Duke
Lana’s POV Are you okay?’ Rune waits until we're away from room seventeen. I feel dazed, as though I’ve fallen from a horse and I’m not quite sure which way is up. Did everything that I think just happen, happen? I didn’t want to look back and acknowledge that I’ve got any difficulty in walking away. But I can’t help myself. I glance over my shoulder and pick out the large grey shape of Sir Madder standing by his bedroom. He’s a stranger, and I should run. But moving away from him feels wrong. There’s so much unresolved. What if I never see him again? Our paths haven't crossed in the twenty two years I’ve lived so far, why should they again? ‘Lana?’ She pats me on the arm as we walk, squelching through the puddles. This has to be the longest night ever. ‘I’m fine,’ I shake myself and force myself to smile at her. She glances back at Tim as we reach their room, number seven. I must have mis-read the paperwork with all the raindrops making smudges. He vanishes inside with a wave. Run







