Chapter 25
Chapter Twenty-Five
Fawn
“ I f you like reading, we could show you the Royal Library,” Eiden says as we make our way along the corridor.
“Oh, I would love that. Do you think Seven would mind?”
“Not at all,” Eiden says.
Nox doesn’t offer an opinion either way.
“If it would be no trouble, I would like that very much… Was Blue okay? Where is he now?”
“He discovered the kitchens earlier. The cook has a soft spot for him already,” Eiden says with a smile. “We left him snoozing on the balcony of our suite.”
I’m glad he is settling in. This is a big change for him as well as me.
We take a right at the end of the corridor. I’m very conscious of the book I have clutched to my chest.
And so is Eiden, for he points at it and says, “Would you like me to carry that for you, Fawn?”
“No, thank you,” I say a little primly. “Persa entrusted it to me.”
Nox quirks one brow. The book would have been upside down for him when I was reading the title, and I don’t believe he had time enough to decipher it—at least, I’m praying he did not.
I sneak a glance at his profile. He is staring straight ahead and looking a little tense.
“Seven is often busy with his royal duties,” Eiden explains, redirecting my attention to him. “But I believe that Jude will accompany Nox and me on our patrol tomorrow afternoon.”
“Do you patrol often?” I ask.
“Several times a week,” Eiden explains.
I’m glad for Wolf. We are both outsiders. He is used to playing an active role in the community. He has long been the pack enforcer and therein lie his skills. We both need to make our way here, find new friends and a purpose. I already love Seven’s sisters well and meeting them has filled me with hope.
“Do you have any siblings, Eiden?”
“No,” he says, his face darkening. “No family at all.”
“Oh,” I say, feeling sad for him. He has no one, just like me. But I’m glad I met Seven’s sisters. They have done so much to mitigate Marigold’s spitefulness. “And what about you, Nox? Do you have any siblings?”
“I have a brother,” he offers. “The herd leader at Wyland, several days south of here. He has three young boys with his mate, and every one of them is wild.”
He makes no reference to them visiting nor us visiting them. Despite what happened in the Royal Woodland, I sense that a large part of Nox is still held in reserve. Maybe he loves Eiden and is worried about how this will play out. Only there is nothing about his demeanor to suggest he is jealous nor feels slighted in some way. He seems intent and watchful, but I don’t yet know what it means.
“You will find a wide selection about our culture and history,” Eiden says, distracting me. “If you’re seeking more on the subject.”
Nox quirks one brow so quickly I might have missed it had I not been sending a surreptitious glance his way.
“I mostly read storybooks,” I admit.
I hear a strange chuffing noise. Did Nox just chuckle?
“Here we are,” Eiden says brightly.
Here? I have gotten lost with all the lefts and rights. Ahead are two arched wooden doors, the wood highly polished and glistening.
“I’ll see you both later,” Nox says, voice low and rough. He bows to me and strides off.
My eyes follow him.
“Don’t mind Nox,” Eiden says, smiling. “If you like story books, there is a wide collection on the second floor. I can show you.”
Eiden opens the left library door, distracting me from Nox’s retreating form.
He steps aside, allowing me to enter first.
“Oh,” I say inadequately as we step into the huge circular room. Rows upon rows of bookcases lead outward like spokes on a wheel. The layout is repeated in open floors—I count a total of six. A staircase twists around the outer walls, linking the floors. High above, a domed glass ceiling bathes the entire room in light.
In the very center is a high podium where a man in a very formal-looking black robe sits surveying a leather-bound tome.
Taking my hand in his, Eiden leads me up the stairs to the second floor and the storybooks section. With a promise that he will not be far away, he goes to browse for himself.
Nox
I excuse myself as Eiden and Fawn head into the library. I do not frequent this part of the palace, so I try several doors before I find one that is unlocked…
Dark, dusty, and full to the brim of scrolls. I slam the door shut, put my back against it, and fumble with my belt buckle. My cock is already hot and heavy, and it takes all of a dozen strokes before I spill my seed all over the fucking floor.
Finally, I can think straight again.
Her scent is damn near killing me. I’m going to lose my fucking mind if I don’t get inside her soon.
Control is everything to me—a legacy of my parent’s drifter ways. But that book, that fucking book that Persa gave to Fawn, has tipped me over the edge.
I sensed the little doe had a naughty side lurking under her well-behaved facade. Now I have no doubts. Given that I’m friends with one of Persa’s mates, I know exactly what kind of books she reads. They are not cultural insights, that’s for sure.
Bred .
I didn’t have time to read the full title—it was upside down for me—but that one word was more than enough to get the gist.
My cock is getting hard again. I tuck myself away, chuckling as I remember the way Fawn had been reading the title with a frown, much like me, only to suddenly snap the book against her chest, her pretty cheeks turning crimson.
Such a naughty, guilty look. One I can’t wait to exploit.
Seven hasn’t done more than get her off, and that was only today.
Tonight shall be his, with Jude there.
Eiden won’t cope well with that going down mere doors away. He is like a big pup, but one can never forget his inner stag has a feral side. I will keep him in line by whatever means is necessary.
But I want my turn. I need to know that she wants me too, that I’m not seen as Eiden’s lover and nothing more.
So I will give Seven tonight; tomorrow, I’m determined to find out if she truly accepts me.