Months passed.Months of him finding assassins, and those that’d hire them, to kill me.Him dispatching them, before they could get anywhere near me.One after another. Until even I’d heard of his many triumphs.His decimation of killers.He’s certainly diligent. And though he cast me prolonged side-eyed looks when he passed me in the long halls, he didn’t demand payment.But I could tell from the annoyance on his features that he was growing further and further impatient.Wanting me to make good on my word. But if he thought I’d catch him and offer it to him, he was insane.He’ll have to ask me. And even that thought chaffed my nerves.Would I? Even then? I needed him in a very practical, primal sort of way. I was a female, with little power. And not particularly beloved by the people of the Enderon realm. Whereas he, he had somehow become one of my own guards, without me even knowing, track and kill numerous assassins and other feats.Like running me down as if I were no more th

I was extremely skittish after that. Careful to avoid him at all costs. Requiring breakfast in my chambers in case he was one of the guards who now stood in the Banquet Hall.I knew Alaric would find me again.He’ll want more of what he tasted. Still, I was unprepared when that day actually came.I’d barely gotten up for morning rituals. Wrapping my hair into a loose braid over my shoulder and heading out of my chamber only to find my maid, to order breakfast.But when I stepped beyond the doorway, I was snatched nearly off my feet. He rounded and pushed me against the wall.His mouth descended with crushing force.Alaric.I knew instantly who it was. I could smell his alluring, male scent. Hear the rumbling growl in his throat that told me he’d lost all patience.“The King!” I objected. Stunned when my shoulders hit the wall.He stood several inches above me and pressed his body to mine, letting me feel the evidence of his arousal. A hard rod against my lower pelvis.Reminding me th

I wasn’t deceived by the ploy at an endearing embrace. My chest lifted as I breathed more heavily. His head dropped to the side of my neck, and he nuzzled my hair away from it to place a kiss along the sensitive skin. Kissing his way up to just behind my earlobe. I shivered at the pleasant sensation. My resentment grew with every weak feminine response of my body. He was big enough to fold nearly entirely around me. Kissing at the hollow of clavicle before delving his tongue in. I jerked like he’d stuck me with a blade. But I met the restrictive limit of my own arms trapping me against him. “Ssh…” He whispered. “Stay. Relax against me.” I told myself I didn’t want to. But I did. Finally giving in, I let my body rock back into him. My head lolling against his opposite shoulder. Giving him free access to tease at my neck and the peak of my shoulder. He slid a finger under the shoulder of my dress. Pushing it lightly from

He held my hips to him and hooked his arms under my knees as he rolled onto his back. Pulling me over him so I sat astride his head. I yelped. Afraid he’d be smothered. But he wasn’t objecting. Instead, my own body worked against me. Bringing me down further on him so he could plunge that hot tongue in and out of me in a gesture I was sure would mimic what he intended to do with his thickening cock. I was weakening. Turning into a wanton creature that wanted nothing else. Could think of nothing other than him and what he was doing to me. He’s turning me inside out. His animal behavior was causing an equally wild response in me. I was leaned over. Balanced over the dirt floor. Letting him have my center. My knees reflexively tightening along the sides of his head until I could no longer take the tightening overwhelming me. I lurched upward tossing myself backward and having to balance my hands under me, on each side of

He wasn’t about to let me go to town without him going with me. And when I sought to argue, he reminded me that someone was still out to kill me. Which persuaded me to relent. He is right about that. I summoned the carriage, and he rode astride in pace with me. The window was down as I glared at him. Making clear my annoyance at his presence. “You know who it is, don’t you?” “A rival kingdom?” “Hardly.” He snorted. “All the goods, your beloved king sends out to his people is circumvented by carriages bearing the Bartholomew coat of arms and rerouted to Malaise City. His city.” “You’re saying Bartholomew is stealing from us?” I nearly laughed aloud. “He’d never need to. My King gives him all that he desires.” “And he’d have no reason to need me dead. As it stands, he would be the regent until his children are of age to assume the throne.” “I’m no obstacle to that.” “You would be