Chapter 25 Raith
RAITH
Rose stood before me in the black gown she’d worn to dinner, the one with the low neckline that had tempted me until I’d been unable to resist touching her breast earlier.
Now the gown was torn in three places, a reminder she had barely made it out of Bellsover alive.
Her once-perfectly styled hair had dark locks escaping down the nape of her neck and framing her face, which was not scared, regretful, or full of guilt, as it should be.
Instead, her amber eyes seemed to dance with a new light.
“Will you teach me shadow magic next?” she asked.
“Not a chance. In fact, I’m strongly regretting teaching you anything at all.”
Her brow furrowed. “How can you say such a thing? If it weren’t for my help, you’d probably be passed out in the middle of that ruined town right now! Or worse!”
“You shouldn’t have been there at all!” I snapped, my tightly controlled rage finally boiling over.
“You’re not ready! I’ve told you that numerous times, but you never listen.
Instead, you went behind my back and taught yourself a spell I’d already told you was dangerous, then charged into the middle of a battle against opponents you were not prepared for in the slightest. It’s a miracle you made it out alive! ”
She propped her hands on her hips, refusing to back down despite my tone. “I am ready! I proved that tonight!”
I strode toward her, forcing her to take a step back, until she was pressed against the wall. “You proved you’re reckless and foolhardy. Do you even think at all before you rush into things?”
“Why can’t you simply accept that you need my help?”
“Because I don’t need it!” I pressed my hands to the wall on either side of her head and stared down at her, caging her in. “I’ve dealt with this threat on my own until now, and that’s what I will continue to do.”
She looked up at me defiantly. “Not anymore. I’m going with you from now on.”
“No, you’re not. I will not let you put yourself in harm’s way for my sake.” My anger grew hotter at the thought of one of those shadowy tendrils dragging her into the darkness. “I forbid you from doing it again.”
“You forbid it?” She glared at me and all the candles in the room flared brighter. “What makes you think I would listen to you?”
“Nothing. You obviously don’t listen to a damn thing I say.” I lowered my head until my mouth was almost touching hers. “But I can prevent you in other ways. You still have a lot to learn about magic. I could put a barrier around this entire castle to keep you inside.”
“Why?” she asked. “Why won’t you let me do this with you?”
“Because I can’t stand the thought of losing you too!”
She stared up at me in shock as the words slipped out.
I pressed her back against the wall and crushed my mouth against hers, unable to stop myself.
I kissed her hard, fueled with anger and lingering fear over what she’d done.
But as my tongue slid across hers, the anger turned into pure passion, and she wrapped her arms around my neck and kissed me back with the same intensity.
She’d been so reckless tonight, and my chest ached at the thought she would do all of that for me.
I didn’t deserve such devotion. I didn’t want it.
But no matter how much I pushed her away and tried to keep my distance, she battered at my walls until she found a way through.
Our kiss deepened, but I still couldn’t get enough.
I needed to taste more of her. My lips trailed to the spot just below her ear, eliciting a little sigh from her, before I kissed my way down her graceful neck.
She arched toward me, her fingers tightening on my shirt, while my mouth lingered just above her collarbone.
The view of her cleavage in that black dress beckoned me.
This was where I should end things before we went any further.
I was about to do just that as my mouth found its way to the spot between the top of her breasts, but her hand slid along the back of my head, holding me there.
Demanding even more, like the queen she was. After that, there was no stopping.
I ran my thumbs upon her nipples over the black fabric, feeling how hard they already were, and she let out a soft gasp.
The sound was so delicious I couldn’t help but want to hear it again and again.
I eased her dress down, freeing her left breast, and replaced the fabric with my mouth.
Another lovely gasp. I swirled my tongue around her pebbled nipple, and heard my name fall from her lips, as if she were begging.
Did she even know what she was begging for?
I claimed her other perfect breast, worshiping it like I’d done the first one, until her breathing was heavy and her fingers gripped my hair tightly.
My cock strained at my trousers, but it would have to wait.
I had a feeling this was Rose’s first time, and I wasn’t going to rush it.
Not just for her pleasure, but so I could savor every moment with her.
It had been three years since I’d been with a woman.
Three years since I’d even wanted to be with one.
When you’d waited this long, you had to make every second count.
“This dress has been tempting me all night,” I said, as I slowly spun her around. “I’ve been thinking about doing this since dinner.”
I yanked on the dress’s ties, undoing them with one sharp tug.
The gown fell open, revealing the smooth pale skin of her back and shoulders, so delicate and feminine and sensual.
She stood tall while I slowly eased the dress down along her slim waist and the wide curves of her hips.
It dropped to the floor, leaving her in nothing at all.
I spun her around and took her in, from her full breasts to the dark mound between her thighs. She gazed at me with a touch of vulnerability as she stood naked before me, but with confidence too. My bold, beautiful queen. My wife.
I’d resisted her for so long, but no more. Tonight she would be mine.