Chapter 35
JESSAMINE
“It is good to see you again,” said Haldek, standing in my old room which was connected to the stables behind the tavern. “I was afraid for you when you fled that day.”
“I know you were. I’m sorry I never explained about my family.”
“Doesn’t matter. I knew you were on the run from someone. Just didn’t know I had a royal princess cooking in my kitchen.”
He chuckled, and I laughed with him. It was a good feeling being here, seeing Haldek again. This had been my safe haven for so long.
“Thank you for this.” I lifted the folded nightgown, wool dress, and stockings in my arms. “And the boots.”
They came from the storage trunk he kept, of course. Above the tavern, Haldek had two rooms next to his which he rented to travelers on occasion. Over the years, people have left things behind. He was never one to throw anything away, saying someone would need it one day. He was right.
I actually remembered finding this gown in one of the rooms after a wraith fae couple stayed a week with us. They never returned, so the gown was washed and thrown in the trunk of found things.
“The boots may be too big, but that was all I had.”
“I’m very grateful. Even if they’re too big.”
“Well,” said Haldek, rubbing a hand that was scarred from years of butchering and cooking over hot stoves along the back of his thick neck. “Be sure to eat. I’ll have some hearty porridge for you in the morning.”
“I can’t thank you enough, Haldek.”
He blinked nervously and glanced down at Wolf sleeping soundly next to the cast iron stove that was toasting up the room.
“You’ll be safe tonight with him for company.”
“I will,” I assured him.
With a last nod, he ducked out the door, his horns barely clearing the low entrance before he closed it behind him. I turned the bolt in the lock. Wolf opened his sleepy eyes, checked on me, then closed them again.
I took a moment to survey the room that had once been my sanctuary. Haldek had cleaned it, leaning my metal tub against the far wall out of the way. He’d even made my bed, because I know I’d left it unmade.
I only ever made it on my off days. Haldek had us up and chopping vegetables and baking bread very early in the mornings. Other than that, he’d left everything in its place.
Setting the clothes on the bed, I stepped over to my desk, finding the notebook where I’d scribbled several recipes.
I picked it up and flipped through them, smiling that I had this again, excited to show it to Shearah.
As well as the stews and vegetable pies, I had several recipes for breads made with spices and herbs.
I opened the narrow closet next to my bed, finding my extra dress and winter cloak. I fingered the thick wool lapel.
“If only I’d been wearing you the day I left.”
I shivered, remembering that day I ran into the woods, nearly freezing to death. Until Wolf found me. Then Redvyr.
Sighing, I turned to the tub and lifted it from against the wall, setting it near the stove. Haldek had brought me two buckets of warm water along with the clothes. That wouldn’t fill the tub, but it was plenty enough to scrub myself clean.
“Oh, my lavender oil,” I said aloud, turning to my desk and opening the drawer.
Yes, my soaps and oils were still there. I’d made the oils myself last summer, the soaps I had bought from a wood fae traveling along the Borderlands to sell her wares. Taking a fresh-scented bar and my oils, I stripped Sorka’s dress from my body.
The water was shallow in my little tub, but it still felt divine.
I managed to scrub myself clean and wash my hair before the water cooled.
Toweling off, I dressed in the simple, white gown, which smelled of Haldek’s cleaning soap.
Everything was a reminder of safety and belonging.
I’d missed this place more than I realized.
But I missed Redvyr and the clan even more.
After combing my hair, I sat in front of the wood-burning stove to let it dry.
Petting Wolf’s head, I thought back to earlier today, to the moment I thought I would die, before seeing Redvyr racing toward Mevia from the field between the town and the river.
“He’s coming to get me, isn’t he?” I asked Wolf.
He didn’t even open his eyes, breathing deep as I petted him from his head down his spine.
Haldek hadn’t known I was coming. When I explained briefly what had happened, and that Wolf had come straight here, he’d said, “Meer-wolves aren’t normal animals. They’re far smarter than you think. His master told him to come here.”
Then he set about finding me clothes and food.
Oh, the food.
Standing, I sat on the bed and took the tray from the nightstand.
I smiled at what he’d plated for me. Two mincemeat pies, my favorite.
He made them often in the winter, using the dried fruit of summer, heavily sugared, and added spices.
There were also three slices of yellow cheese and a healthy scoop of red-berry jam. A small pot of tea sat next to a cup.
I settled in and filled my belly, reminding myself I needed to make these mincemeat pies for the clan.
Haldek had taught me his secret of taking the pies out before they were fully baked and washing the top crust in butter, then sprinkling some extra sugar on top before popping them back in the oven to bake a little longer.
They were delicious and filling, especially on cold winter nights.
I glanced outside, wondering yet again where Redvyr was.
Wolf suddenly chuffed and lifted his head. I jumped, clinking my teacup against the saucer before I hopped up and walked to the window. Wolf whined at the door. As soon as I looked out, I saw the unmistakable figure of Redvyr under the moonlight walking toward the barn.
Nudging Wolf aside with my hip, I threw the door open. I didn’t even have time to blink before Redvyr scooped me up into his arms, lifting my feet off the floor. He kicked the door shut and turned us, pressing my back into the door, his mouth nuzzling my throat.
“By the gods, you smell so fucking good.”
“Are you hurt?” I gripped him around the shoulders, lifting a leg to wrap at his waist.
“Only my heart, love.” He skated his mouth up my throat, nipping along my jaw.
His hair was damp and he smelled of river water. “Did you fall into the river?”
“I jumped.” He angled his mouth over mine and delved his tongue inside, pressing his body to mine, pinning me against the door.
I moaned into his mouth, rubbing my sex against his hard cock which pressed between my legs. “Why would you do that?” I panted against his mouth. “You’re going to freeze.”
“Baby, I’m burning up.” Something snapped, and then his hide skirt was gone.
I moaned louder, rocking against him as he reached between us and ripped my gown up the middle. I wrapped my other leg around his hip.
“Yes,” I whispered, reaching down and taking hold of his thick cock.
He sucked in a breath between his teeth, clenching a fist in my hair, tugging my head back as I slid the head of his cock along my cunt, so slick for him already.
With a deep thrust, he seated himself deep, to the hilt. I gasped, my mouth falling open, my eyes half-lidded. His eyes glowed golden and fierce.
His cock thickened, tightening our connection as I writhed on him.
“I prayed to your god Vix to save me,” I confessed.
“It wasn’t Vix who saved you.” His voice rolled deep and dangerous. “I saved you.” He slid out halfway and then thrusted back inside me. “You are mine, Jessamine.” Then he opened his mouth and sank his fangs into my shoulder at the base of my throat.
I came instantly, my orgasm spasming as he gripped my ass, claws pricking my skin, and lifted me higher so he could thrust into me hard and deep. He growled, his mouth and chest vibrating against my skin as he fucked me fiercely.
“Yes, my love,” I cried and moaned. “Fuck me like that. Like you’ll never let me go.”
He groaned and growled louder, pumping hard one last time, his cock pulsing and spilling his seed while he sucked on the bite he’d made.
His knot formed quickly, locking us together as he continued to spend inside me.
My brain went hazy from the intense coupling and mind-spinning orgasm.
I dropped my head back to the door while he licked the bite mark, a rumbling purr vibrating in his throat.
After another moment, he lifted me, still buried inside me, and turned to sit on the bed.
My legs were still wrapped around his waist, so I rested them on the bed and pulled back to look at him.
His expression was still wild with passion, but sated. The ripped gown hung on me like a robe, my naked body pressed to his.
He stared into my eyes another moment, breathing heavily, then he asked, “Are you well?”
I laughed, my cunt squeezing around his cock. He jumped and clenched my hips where he held me.
“Stop that!” he ordered.
“Am I well?” I asked, still laughing. “You just fucked the life out of me. I’m very well.”
His mouth tilted in that delicious smile that made me want to kiss him. “I meant to ask if you were injured before…but I couldn’t stop myself.”
“Nor did you ask me if I would take your mark,” I added.
His brow pinched together in concern.
“I am very well.” I brushed my lips against his, sliding my tongue into his mouth and flicking one of his fangs.
“And I wanted your mark long ago.” I kissed him on a moan, feeling the swell of his cock again, even while his knot tethered us, unable to move.
“As a matter of fact, I was going to demand you give it to me last night when you returned from the feast.”
He fell forward, leaning his forehead to mine. “Vix’s blood, Jessamine. When I found Mishka hurt and you weren’t in our tent...”
“Is she okay?” I asked quickly.
“She is. She’s fine.”
“A small mercy,” I whispered, rocking my pelvis slowly against his, wanting to go again. “I imagine there was no mercy spared for Gael and his men.”
“None.” He rolled me beneath him onto the bed, holding his weight on his forearms. “I hope you didn’t want any for them.”
“No. Though I am sad for the Mevian people. They were led astray by him.”
“We’ll inform Goll, he’ll need to clean up that mess. He’s the king, after all.” He rocked up inside me, the knot loosening slowly.
“And what of Lord Redvyr of Vanglosa? Does he still want to marry his skald fae beneath the sacred tree?”
His eyes slipped closed on a groan as he slid his cock out to the tip, spreading my legs wider with his thick thighs and gliding back inside me. It took my breath away.
“On the first full moon of spring, my heart,” he whispered against my lips. “Right now, I’m going to fuck you slow and sweet, and not so rough like I just did.”
“I like it when you’re rough,” I admitted. “I like the beast. I love him, actually.”
His eyes warmed with affection. “I may be a beast, but I can be gentle.” Another brush of his mouth against mine. “Let me show you.”
“Show me, my lord,” I teased
He cradled the back of my head, his expression serious, grave. “I love you, Jessamine.”
Then he showed me.