Chapter 17 #2
“I’ll count to one hundred.” I grin. “Now you better run, my darling. Because when I catch you, you’re all mine.”
Her eyes widen, but I’ve already started counting and she knows it. Picking up her long black skirt, she dives into the hedge maze.
I make it to eighty before I give up and stroll after her.
The walls of the maze are made of blushmoons, a rose-type plant with midnight-blue flowers that grows only in my court. String lights drape across the walkways, lighting up the path as I walk down them, my hands in my pockets.
I don’t need to guess which way to go. I can smell the cherry shampoo I left for her in our bathroom. That, and the honey-sweet scent of her arousal.
“I know you’re close, Dahlia.” My voice weaves through the thorns. Following her scent, I take a left and then another. “You better start running.”
Frantic footsteps sound from nearby, and I grin.
I know exactly where she is.
Doubling back, I take a right and sprint down the path.
I know this maze like the back of my hand.
Maeve and I used to play here as children.
Sometimes we’d let Claren tag along, and he’d hide while the two of us would chase after him.
So I know exactly which turning to take to access the winding dead end she’s currently trying to back out of—
Our chests collide. I throw her over my shoulder before she can scream.
“Put me down, Tauren!” She slams her fists into my back. “Put me down or I’ll never forgive you.”
“Oh, I think you will.” I keep hold of her until we reach the pavilion in the centre of the maze.
It’s empty, thankfully. A daybed covered in blankets and pillows sits below the tall wooden structure. Lanterns swing from the beams, illuminating Dahlia’s scowl as I lower her onto the bed.
“Manhandling a lady is not how you win back her affection.” She pouts.
“Good thing you’re not a lady. You’re a dirty, bratty princess.” I crawl over her as she shudders beneath me. “You like being chased, don’t you?”
“No.” She won’t meet my gaze. I wish I had my whips here, or my ropes. I’d punish her for such a blatant lie, but I’ll make do with my tongue tonight.
Besides, if anyone here needs punishing, it’s me.
“I’m sorry for what happened in the throne room.” I push up her skirt, sliding her bloomers down her legs. “It was cruel of me and selfish. I didn’t think about how it would hurt you.” Casting aside her bloomers, I part her thighs.
Fucking heavenly.
Her chest heaves. “Keep apologising.”
“I don’t deserve your forgiveness, but I need you to know how truly sorry I am.” I drag my tongue over her hot sex. She tastes sweeter than chocolate. “I was monstrous to you, but it won’t happen again.” I lap at her hungrily. “I’ll kill myself before I make you feel that way again.”
“I can’t…” She arches her back. “I don’t forgive you.”
“You will,” I whisper against her. Pushing two fingers inside of her, I swirl my tongue over her clit.
“Tell me what you want, Dahlia. I can be sweet to you if you’d like that.
” I kiss between her hips. “Or maybe…” A dark thought weaves through my mind.
“Maybe you want me to be cruel. You liked it when I whipped you before.”
“Don’t talk about that.” She frowns.
“Would you like me to tie you up in my dungeon?” I hear her breath catch. “I can keep you there like a pet and use you as I please.”
“That’s the last thing I want.” But her cheeks are flushed, and I can feel she’s close to finishing.
Unfortunately for her, I’m nowhere near done.
Grinning, I slide my fingers out. “I know what you’d like.” Pushing up from the daybed, I help her up onto her shaking legs.
“What are you doing?” she whispers.
My hands stroke her waist before tugging on the laces of her bodice. “Undressing you, sweetheart. I don’t want my pet wearing clothes.”
Her lips pop apart, but she doesn’t stop me as I ease open her corset, the silky fabric spilling down her—
“Fuck,” I breathe. I have no words. All I can do is stare as her gown falls away to reveal a sight too divine for my demon gaze.
Lifting my hand to one of her breasts, I squeeze softly. It fits perfectly in the palm of my hand.
So fucking perfect.
“I get it. They’re too small. You don’t have to rub it in,” she snarls.
“Dahlia.” My brows draw together. “You’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Do not ever think that there is anything wrong with any part of you.”
She rolls her eyes, scoffing.
“Dahlia,” I warn. Pulling her closer to me, I lift her chin. “You are beautiful. Is that clear? These are beautiful.” My fingertips skim the delicate skin of her breasts.
She shudders as her nipples harden. Grinning, I take one into my mouth, kissing it softly.
“Tauren…” she moans.
“Hush,” I breathe against her. Somehow I find the strength to pull my lips away and return to the daybed. If I don’t stop now I’ll end up taking her here against the grass.
Relaxing against the pillows, my gaze drinks in her naked body. Aside from the thin red collar around her neck, she’s completely bare.
There’s only one thing that could make this view even better.
“Dance for me.” I lean back against the bed.
“What?” she scoffs.
“Do not use that tone with me, sweetheart,” I chide. “When I give you a command, you will obey it. Unless you’d like me to fetch my whips, of course. I have more than just that riding crop. I’d be happy to show you my collection.”
She swallows and averts her gaze. She’s so fucking pretty when she does that.
“Dance for me.” I’m close to begging.
To my surprise, she finally does what she’s told.
Lifting her slender arms, she points her foot and begins to dance.
It’s like someone is squeezing my heart.
With every step, I feel it pounding, desperate to become hers.
Her hips sway to silent music, moonlight caressing the soft curves of her figure.
It makes the already intense tightening in my hips painful.
I understand now why Sol insists on keeping his daughters hidden away in his palace.
I know men who’d kill for a sight like this. I’d murder an entire kingdom to make Dahlia mine.
“Come here,” I say when I can’t take it anymore.
She stops dancing to look over her shoulder. “Is my dancing not to your liking, my lord?” Sarcasm drips in her tone.
I arch a brow. “Final warning, my darling. Unless you want me to make your pretty arse rosy again.”
Frowning, she paces over to me. “Yes, Lord Tauren?” Her sarcasm is gone.
“That’s better.” I grin, then pat the space beside me. “Join me.”
After a beat of silence, she crawls onto the bed, sitting down with her arms folded. Ignoring her scowl, I pull her by her ankle, and she falls onto her back with a surprised squeak.
“You’re a pretty dancer.” I crawl over her, nuzzling her neck. “I want to see you dancing more.” My hand drops to her belly, sliding lower as she arches her back.
“Do I even have a choice?” she whispers.
“Sweetheart, you always have a choice.” I kiss her neck, pushing two fingers inside of her. “You can be good and I will reward you with whatever your pretty heart desires or…” my voice lowers, “you can be bad and I will punish you until you learn to be the good girl I’m training you to be.”
“Hardly a choice,” she says, holding back a moan.
I pin her wrists together with one hand, swiping my thumb over her racing pulse. “Are you choosing to be punished?”
“No.” Her bratty tone vanishes.
I grin. “There’s my sweet princess.” I reward her by teasing her clit, stroking her gently with my thumb until she cries out.
Lowering myself to her ear, I whisper, “Say you forgive me, Dahlia.” I curl my fingers around her sweet spot. “Say you forgive me and I’ll make you feel so good.”
“No,” she moans.
“Say it, my love.” I press my lips against her throat, sucking until she gasps. “Tell me you’ll at least think about it.”
“Fine.” She squirms. “I’ll… I’ll think about it.”
“And you’ll stop ignoring me.” I slide in and out of her faster, pressing on her clit. “Say it.”
“Yes. I’ll stop,” she moans. “Just keep… ah!” I kiss her deeply as she comes. My tongue captures hers, lapping up her taste. Moans dance up her throat and I swallow every one.
Fucking precious moans.
Damn the trade. I’ll find another way to rescue my sister. Tomorrow I’m marrying Dahlia, even if Elheart storms into my castle himself desperate for his princess back. The offer is no longer on the table.
Deep down, I don’t think it ever really was.
After her noises quieten, I roll onto my side, gathering her against my chest.
“I still haven’t forgiven you,” she rasps.
“I know.” I smirk. “But you’ll think about it.” That’s good enough for me.
She will forgive me eventually. Our wedding tomorrow will be so perfect, she’ll have to.
We lie in silence as her breathing slows. I glance down at her sleeping form. Heavy lashes rest on her soft cheeks.
“You’ve been mine since you kissed me at the ball, little monster,” I breathe, careful not to wake her. “And I’ll always be yours, whether you forgive me or not.”