3. Cillian
“F uck’s sake almighty,” I growl, tearing after Ivy the moment she pushes past Sloan and out the door. I pause only briefly to give Oran the shitty look he knows he deserves.
This is the precise reason I told him to keep his hands to himself this past month. Ivy isn’t ready for the truth of us. She’s not prepared for all we have planned, and I should have stood firm on my own rules rather than let myself be led astray by my cock.
Until the princess came to Namara, I had never even thought of betraying my resolve to wait for our wedding night to have her—or anyone, for that matter. Hell, I spent nearly a month with her delectable scent clinging to every corner of this castle while fighting my instincts to kiss, to rut, to claim .
After Oran pushed the issue tonight, I finally let that long buried part of me come to the surface. Now that my control has been compromised, I doubt there’s any turning back. I feel wild—feral almost—in my pursuit of my mate.
“Ivy!” I call, catching sight of her flimsy nightgown as she rounds the corner.
I must catch her before she comes across a guard, or worse, one of my night owl brothers. I swear, if he or anyone dares to lay eyes on my future wife in that sin of a nightgown, I will break bones and burn this castle to the ground.
No one will ever get to see her so exposed if I have anything to say on the matter. No one but me and my pack.
Murderous machinations aside, I’ve got a princess to console. Lengthening my strides until her luscious little body is in my sights, I’m hot on her heels once more.
I don’t call her name again or beg her to stop; instead, I wrap my arms around her middle and swing her over my shoulder.
Ivy squeals at a volume that could raise the dead, surprised by the swiftness with which I was able to grab her, no doubt. But we can’t have that now. Not when I’m determined to get her alone for a few uninterrupted moments.
“Hush, you little terror. Before you wake everyone in this gods damned castle and I’m forced to take their eyes out.” I swat her plump arse so she knows I’m serious.
I’m not sure where the urge to reprimand her in such a way sprouted from, but the subtle way she shivers and the delectable swelling of her scent make me keen to do it again. Preferably when we’re alone and I can appreciate the precious pink of her skin that’s bound to bloom from my hand.
“Cillian!”
Her tone is meant to scold me, but I can hear the tears she chokes back. Her dismay tempers the raging instincts inside of me into something tamer—something more nurturing to soothe her worried heart. She’s ashamed about what happened, though she needn’t be. Our omega was so lovely tonight and far more amenable to both of us than I ever anticipated.
Ivy doesn’t understand the reason it was so natural for her to give herself to Oran and me, but she will. Once she’s my bride and I’ve tied her to me for the rest of our days, she’ll know everything. I may be a selfish fool for keeping my secrets from her now, but I don’t give a shite when the stakes are as high as they are.
If I must conceal truths until I have some assurances, so be it.
The moment I laid eyes on the beauty in my arms, I thought I’d never be willing to let her go for anything. But it was her scent—not the generic pleasantness of an omega, but her distinct aroma of freshly baked apple cake—that awoke something wild inside my chest. It was then I knew I’d tear the world to bits to ensure her place by my side for the rest of our days.
The walk to Ivy’s chamber on the east end of the castle isn’t far from my study, and at this late hour, the chances of us running into someone else are slim. But having my intended traipse through the halls in tears, wearing nothing but this scrap of silk? I won’t have it.
When I move Ivy from over my shoulder to cradle her in my arms, she merely tucks her head against my chest rather than scowling at me for carrying her like a sack of potatoes. Were I certain of the reaction she’d have, I’d be damn tempted to purr for her. I’ve never done it before, nor am I quite sure how. But for Ivy, the desire to soothe comes naturally.
Still, I take pride in her desire for closeness after what just happened. As her betrothed and future alpha, I must do better moving forward. It’s my sworn duty to ensure she feels protected and nurtured at all times. No more of this crying and running nonsense—not because of our actions.
As we near her chamber, I slow my steps and peer around the edge of the stone archway that leads to her door. I’m unsure if a guard will be posted, but I’m prepared to pull out my best bribes and threats to ensure their discretion if so.
With a cursory glance and a confirmed clear path ahead, I take the final strides to her doorway and swiftly secure us in the privacy of her quarters.
“Care for a lie-down, Princess?” I ask, cautious of every move I make in such an intimate setting.
I wouldn’t dare to make her uncomfortable for even a second. Given what just happened, offering to climb into her bed might insinuate I want more of the same. And, gods, do I ever. But I can be patient. This is about the comfort and care my future bride requires from her alpha.
Ivy is silent for a moment, clinging tighter to me and making my pride swell.
“You would want to stay with me?” she asks.
Apprehension lingers in her silky voice, and my chest aches . I never want her to question her place in my heart. I understand my actions have caused this uncertainty, and I plan to begin to right my grievous wrongs now.
“Of course I would, darling,” I promise. “But only if you like. I just want to hold you.”
I take her gentle nod as a concession and sit on the edge of her bed before kicking off my shoes. Pulling back the covers, I settle Ivy on my chest before covering us both.
We have much to speak of: everything that just happened with Oran, our upcoming wedding, and the reasons I had to stay away. But Ivy seems content to save it for another day. I’m happy to do the same, all too pleased to have the soft curves of my betrothed pressed to my body.
To kiss her earlier was heaven. To hear how she whimpered, divine . I would die a thousand deaths if it meant feeling the press of her lips on mine even once more. But holding her? I’ve never experienced anything quite so transcendent.
This bone-deep sensation of true and unending bliss is what the fables tell of when it comes to a bond such as the one we share. Finding a scent-matched mate in an arrangement such as ours is so rare and wonderful—it could only be the work of the fate weaving fairies of lore. That they would deign to bestow me with such a gift is humbling, to say the least.
Ivy may not recognize me as such just yet, but she will. Just as she will recognize Oran and Sloan in the same way. I’m more certain now than I’ve ever been in my resolve to break away from the oppressive traditions of our station.
Settling into the silence of the night, I lose track of how long we lie in each other’s arms. With nothing but the sounds of our shared breath, her sweetened scent, and the gentle stroking of my fingers through her silken hair, I thank the gods for bringing her here to me.
“I’m sorry about tonight, Princess. But if I’m honest, I can’t regret it. Not even for a second,” I tell her, unsure if she’s even awake. “I’ll be thinking about it—about you—while you’re gone. I doubt I’ll do much else until you’re back.”
Ivy’s smile spreads slowly against my chest. It’s a soft, gentle thing that fills my heart with unending joy. To know I put it there on her perfect, plush lips? There’s nothing in the world so grand as that.
“I’ll think of you too, Prince,” she admits bashfully.
I sigh a breath of relief upon that final promise, knowing this next year without her will be the most agonizing of my life.
Her chest rises and falls upon mine, heart beating a steady rhythm as she slips into a deep sleep. I’d love to stay this way for all eternity, but it would cause a scandal if her lady’s maid—or worse, her brother—caught us like this. I’ll have to slip away once the sun rises to avoid any whispers of impropriety.
When she’s back, we’ll have plenty of time to lie tangled together for hours on end. We have to make it a year—just one year of agony for a lifetime of bliss. Ivy has already irrevocably changed me, and I can hardly wait to see how she will continue to leave her mark on my heart for the better.