Chapter 25
TAUREN
Leaving my wife in the bedroom, as needy as she was, was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Harder than the throbbing mass beneath my belt, which makes every step painful against the stone floor of my meeting room. I sent a guard to bring Kennix here for two important reasons.
One, so I can hear if there’s been any progress with tonight’s patrols at Elheart’s palace.
And two, to give my starving cock enough time to relax itself so I don’t turn completely feral the second I return to my wife’s side.
I could see the way she wanted me before I left her in my bed. The heavy rise and fall of her chest. The way her lashes fanned against her blushing cheeks. She’s lucky I have morals and didn’t take her against the door like both our bodies wanted me so badly to do.
Next time she provokes me, I may not feel so kind.
“Lord Tauren?” Kennix’s voice cuts through me.
Clearing my throat, I turn to him. Leather armour hugs his arms and chest, and his hair is mussed from the ride. He must’ve just returned from the patrol.
The solemn look in his eyes tells me exactly how tonight’s trip went.
“You still haven’t found a way in, I presume?” My voice is gravelly.
“No, sire.” Kennix swallows. “The wall is completely intact. I’ve personally travelled around it twice now. It would not be possible for a demon to pass through.”
Turning away, I press my palms into the round table. “And we’re certain it’s still infused with salt. Even around the entrance?”
“Yes. I tried walking through it in shadow form and the pain was unbearable.”
I glance back at him. Sweat glistens on his forehead, and there’s a grey tinge to his skin.
He must’ve pushed himself to his limit.
“Take a break tomorrow.” I turn back to the table, scowling.
“You’re no use to Maeve if you’re collapsing from the salt exposure.
” It’s been a while since I’ve been near a salt barrier, but I still remember how oppressive it can feel.
To try and pass one is like stepping into a fire.
“Once you’re recovered, continue scouting the woods.
There must be some way she passed through. ”
“Tauren,” Kennix manages, “if I may speak freely?”
Jaw tight, I nod.
“There were discussions during the patrol tonight that perhaps Princess Dahlia was not entirely truthful about what she saw at the inn.”
My hands turn to fists against the table. “Elaborate.”
“There is of course the possibility that she was mistaken. Perhaps she just saw a human girl with features similar to yours?”
“A human girl with horns?” I scoff. Pushing away from the table, I march towards him. “My wife is not stupid. If she claims to have seen a demon with a strong resemblance to me, then that is what she saw.”
“Of course, sire.” He nods. “But, there is another possibility…”
I don’t like the nervousness in his gaze. “Go on.”
“She may be lying about Maeve being her handmaid in the hopes that we would send her to Elheart’s palace to retrieve her.”
My throat constricts. “What are you suggesting?”
“It’s not unreasonable to believe, sire.
She already escaped from here once before unsuccessfully,” Kennix continues.
“This may be a last ditch effort to have us release her to her true betrothed. He may have contacted her somehow, given her information about Maeve so she could claim to have an easy way to find her should she ever be sent to Elheart’s palace. ”
The thought feels like thorns around my heart, and my voice turns lethal. “Tell me you are not implying that my wife has been conspiring with my greatest enemy.”
“Even if she hasn’t been, I would still advise you to send her to him.”
I almost strangle him. “What?”
“Thobas and I were talking,” he starts. “If it were somehow Maeve that Dahlia saw at the inn, then our best chance of bringing her home would be to stage Dahlia escaping from here and fleeing to Elheart’s.
Then assuming we can trust her, she can find Maeve, learn how she passed through the barrier, and bring her back to us. ”
“Absolutely not—”
“And if she is lying, then there is no point in keeping a traitor to our court in your bed.”
“My wife is not a traitor.”
“That’s not how your court will view it.” His words make my shoulders stiffen. “There is already talk amongst the nobles, Tauren. Rumours are spreading through the castle that you are favouring the human princess over your sister. We must show them that your loyalties are still with us.”
My teeth grind together. Early morning light spills in through the slit windows of the chamber, lighting up the exhaustion in Kennix’s gaze. He’s been punishing himself all week next to that wall. What have I been doing for Maeve, for my people?
“We must send her to him,” Kennix insists. “If she returns to us with Maeve, then what better way would there be to earn her trust from the demons than by bringing home their lord’s precious sister.”
I know he’s right. But the thought of sending her into that fortress unguarded feels like fire under my skin. “I cannot allow it.”
“She escaped from here before,” Kennix reminds me.
“Unsuccessfully,” I add. “And our court is not protected by a thirty-foot salt wall. That’s not to mention the forest beyond it.” Unease prickles through me at the memory of Dahlia’s bruised body under that pack of wolves. Her wedding corset and bloomers soaked with—
My lips part. “I need a rider dispatched to the night market.”
Kennix’s brow lowers. “The night market? Why?”
“If I am to send Dahlia to Elheart’s – and I am not agreeing to anything yet,” I add when Kennix’s eyes glitter with hope, “then she will be outfitted with clothes that will give her the best protection.”
“I don’t understand,” he murmurs. “How could clothes…”
“Have Girabalt at the castle by moonrise. Pay him double whatever he asks for.” Storming past Kennix, I head towards the door. “I have duties to attend to.”
Kennix throws his hands down in frustration. “Duties? What duties could possibly be more important than—”
“My wife.”
She’s still awake when I return to my bedchamber.
Her eyes are closed and her face is nestled against her bound arms, but I can tell she’s not sleeping.
There’s a little shudder in her breath as I pull the door shut behind me.
Even with the heavy curtains closed, I can see the crimson blush on her cheeks.
“Have you been grinding against my bedsheets, little monster?” Within seconds, my clothes are in a messy heap on the floor and I’m slipping into bed beside her.
“I was trying to sleep,” she whispers. There’s a sweetness in the air, but nothing more than her usual flowery scent.
“You’re not lying for once.” Stroking her hips, I nuzzle into her neck.
“You’ve been good for me, sweetheart.” I breathe against her skin.
“So good.” Reaching for her restraints, I loosen the rope until her wrists slip free.
I don’t miss her small moan as I massage them, placing a soft kiss against each wrist.
“Tauren,” she sighs when I position myself on top of her, easing her thighs apart.
“Tell me to stop and I will.” I press a line of gentle kisses against her throat, but my hands are gripping her thighs like they never want to let go.
“Tauren, please…” she moans. I want to drown in the sound. “Please just fuck me.”
My cock nudges her entrance. “You’re all mine, human.” I thrust inside of her.
Fuck, I wish I could keep her like this forever. I thrust into her again. I’d collar her to my bedchamber if she didn’t look so happy when I removed it at the wedding. Another thrust. Her smile when it hit the floor... I’d give up my palace to have that painted.
Back arching, she grips my shoulder. “Tauren… I—” Her thighs shake. Anything else she might’ve said is lost in a moan.
I capture her lips with mine, inhaling her little noises while her walls strangle my dick. I come seconds after her. Each slam of my hips fits perfectly with the rolling of hers. Like she’s made for me.
And now I have to give her away.
Breath ragged, I clutch her to my chest.
“Tauren?” she murmurs. “Is something wrong?”
I can’t meet her gaze. “I’ve spoken with my advisers.” My nose brushes her soft hair. “They believe it is in my court’s best interest for you to go to Elheart’s palace and bring back Maeve.”
Her body tenses. “You’re letting me leave?”
“I do not want to,” I grumble, “and if you no longer wish to go, I will not force you.” Kennix would have to rip her from my arms himself before that would happen. “But if it is still your wish to help my sister, then I will let you go to her.”
Dahlia breathes slowly. “I want to do it. I want to help you both. She was so kind to me. If I have the chance to help her, then I’m going to take it.”
“Very well,” I say, not feeling very well at all. “Girabalt will be here at moonrise. We will prepare for your departure then. We’ll make it seem like you ran away from me.” I tighten my grip on her. “It is the safest option for you.”
“Why is Girabalt coming?” She tilts her head. “Will he be taking me there?”
“No.” I pull back to kiss her one last time. “He’ll be making your armour.”