Chapter 12
Reyla
“You're leaving so soon?” Lord Briscalar's voice caught, and he stiffened immediately, his face smoothing. “Forgive me. Of course you may depart whenever you choose. But you just returned.”
I sat on the sofa with Farris snoring beside me while Lore stood at the window, watching rain drench the castle and distant mountains.
“We won't be gone long.” I kept my voice light. “We'll be back before you know it.”
After making the final plans, Dorion had left, stating he’d meet us partway to Irridain. Lore and I had removed our rings and placed them inside the boxes. We'd returned to our suite and called for the lord to attend us.
“At least this time, you’re taking staff,” he said with an upward tilt of his mouth, glancing toward the bedroom where Moira and Calista were packing our trunks. “But are you sure your guard can’t remain with you throughout your journey?”
It wouldn’t be safe for them. As it was, it was risky just having them escort us to our meeting spot with Dorion, then return here without us while we continued alone.
“We’ll be fine. I promise.” The last was a stretch.
I’d love to bring a full contingent with us, but what if someone recognized Talvon, Surren, or any of our guard?
The fewer people with us, the safer this plan would be.
Our guard had traveled to various areas to provide support to our people and had even ventured into other courts’ territories on one mission or another for Lore.
“I’ll protect my queen,” Lore said, striding across the room to stand in front of the fireplace, toasting his backside against the flames.
“As admirably as you do all the time.” The lord bowed. “I’ll do my best to ensure everything remains secure at Evergorne while you’re gone.”
I rose from the sofa and joined Lore at the fire. “We appreciate that.”
“You’ll be back in time for your birthday celebration, naturally,” the lord said.
Lore gave him a short nod. “We’ll do our best.”
Lord Briscalar blinked a moment before swallowing. “Very well. I’ll be ready to act with a moment’s notice when you return.” He straightened, taking on the mantle of regent again seamlessly. “Is there anything else I can do for you both before you depart?”
“Ensure the carriages are ready and that our belongings are secured to the top,” Lore said.
We'd considered flitting, but few possessed the ability to flit, and it would look odd if Lord Bastian and Lady Bliss arrived in any way but by carriage.
Calista appeared at the door to our bedroom. “We’ve finished packing your things.”
The lord grunted. “Excellent. I’ll have the trunks brought down and as soon as the vehicles are out front, I’ll see that they’re secured.”
“Thank you. We’ll depart in an hour.”
Lore frowned at my timeframe but said nothing.
I met Calista’s gaze. “Have you two finished with your own packing?”
“We’ll see to it immediately.” She and Moira left, hurrying down the hall to their rooms.
There was one more thing Lore and I needed to do before we left.
Would it work? It had to work.
Lord Briscalar paused by the open door to the hallway. “Please let me know if there’s anything else you need. Otherwise, I’ll see you in the foyer when you’re ready to depart.”
The lord stepped out into the hall and instructed a few men to enter and take our trunks.
I watched the servants bustle about, loading our belongings, my mind already racing ahead to what we needed to do.
Once everyone had left and we were alone, I turned to Lore.
“Do you need something, my precious mate?” he rasped, heat blooming in his voice.
“I want you to bite me.”
His eyebrows shot up, and his body stilled. “Excuse me?”
“During sex. Hard enough to leave marks.” Heat flooded my face, but I pressed on. “Tempest told me something about fated mates…”
Understanding dawned in his eyes, followed by that dangerous fire I adored. “And you want to see if we can forge that mythical connection.”
“Yes.”
His gaze dropped to my throat, then lower. “Anywhere in particular, love?”
“You choose. I’ll return the favor.”
“I see.” After one blink, his lips curled up on one side, and that dangerous fire I adored smoldered in his eyes.
“Foolish me for not realizing you enjoy that sort of thing.” His eyes darkened, not just with heat but with something deeper, like he still couldn’t believe I was his to touch, to bite, to burn with.
“I’m not actually sure if I do or not, but I assume I’ll find out.” I tugged him toward the bedroom. “Tempest and my brother are fated mates. She told me when fated mates bite each other during sex they can then communicate in their minds.”
“Your brother bit High Lady Tempest during sex.” He sounded stunned.
“And she bit him back. I don’t know if we need to break the skin, but we could try it different ways.”
“Wildfire,” he breathed, bringing me to a stop outside the door to our bedroom. He turned me to face him, cupping my face with his warm palms. “If it ties me to you more than I already am, there’s nothing I wouldn’t try.”
I smirked. “It’s a bit primal, but we might enjoy it.”
“Oh, we’ll enjoy it alright.” A flick of his fingers and we were naked. He tugged me into his arms and swept me off my feet. With a flit, I found myself on my back with my aroused husband looming over me with a feral look in his eyes. “Primal, you say?”
My skin prickled with need. “That could be fun too.”
“Say the word, and you can run. I promise I’ll give chase. Promise I’ll catch you.” While his hands roamed my body, he nibbled across my jawline and down my neck.
“We only have an hour,” I gasped, overheated already.
“Which is nowhere near enough time for all I want to do with you.”
“I do hate rushing, but…”
He flitted us deep into the woods. “Run, my pretty little bride,” he growled, tapping my naked ass. “Run!”
So I ran, my heart pounding, my breath catching, and anticipation singing through my veins.
Behind me, I heard his low, predatory chuckle.
He would catch me. We both knew it.
And when he did…