Looming Threats

He’ll kill them. I realized.

If I called for help and anyone came, he would shred them.

His meaning was clear. Anyone getting between him and mating me would be in grave danger.

Including me.

He threw up my skirt and stepped next to the bed. He adjusted his footing on the dais in the chamber, so he was level with me.

The back of the pretty dress ripped in his grip. The skirts going next. Until I was bare save for the corded belt wrapping my waist.

He quicky gripped himself and aligned with me.

“I only join with you because I need an assassin to protect me from the other ones.” I snapped. Defending that I wasn’t fighting him.

Not because you don’t want to? A tiny voice in my mind asked.

I stamped down the fact that my heart was racing. That my breath was ragged. And that I already ached from his nearness.

He emanated power like a fireplace burning hot.

He wasn’t fooled.