Chapter 47
CHAPTER FORTY-SEVEN
ROSAMUND
He’s injured because of me, because he defended me, and for some reason, he won’t let me take a look, putting distance back between us. I thought we were past that. I feel somewhat betrayed that he should brush me off like that after last night.
I’ve given him something I’ve never given anyone. Trust. Openness. I showed him my scars. And now he’s hiding from me.
Not fair.
Is this about his cock? After seeing it, touching it, feeling its weight in my hand, now he wants to play coy? It isn’t like him.
He’s such a confusing man. So fierce and protective, so secretive sometimes and so open otherwise, pushing me to reach my limits and surpass them, to see the world through different eyes. He’s so annoying, handsome, warm. So sexy.
Not an adjective I’ve ever used for a man before, not even Lord Eorl. Not even Lord Avalyn, who visited once a couple of years ago, and all the ladies fawned over him. He was admittedly handsome.
But Valen is more than that. He exudes a heat, a pull on all my senses that I can’t fight. Everything about him attracts me: his face, his body, his smell, his voice. The way he moves, stands and lies. The way he smiles.
Some people have described falling in love like a lightning strike, but in my case, it was more of a slow-burning fire. Spark by spark, flame by flame, he’s been entering my body and mind, lighting me up from the inside, making me burn.
I burn with the need to touch him and be near him, as near as possible, skin to skin, the need to become one with him and never part.
“A silver coin for your thoughts, Princess,” he says as we walk through endless meadows, the mountains a blue shadow in the distance.
“Silver? Not gold?” I whisper.
“I see the way you’re looking at me, and I’m not sure I want to know.”
I frown. “Then why ask?”
“Because I always want to check that you’re okay.”
I shake my head and keep walking beside him, refusing to acknowledge the warmth his words engender.
Nobody ever showed such care and concern for me before Valen, and I shouldn’t get used to it.
It’s not normal. Surely, most people don’t get to live with someone like him… That’s a pity, though, isn’t it?
“I’m a good listener,” he goes on. “If you wanted to share your thoughts.”
“On what?”
“Anything. I’d love to know your mind, Princess. It’s a fascinating place.”
“You’re mocking me,” I breathe.
“I’m being honest. I never thought I’d be so interested in a human.” He shoots me a sideways grin. “You keep surprising me.”
“Is that ever a good thing?” I glance around at the scraggly trees dotting the meadows and wonder where we might sit so I can convince him to let me check his injury.
“It keeps the mind young.”
“Yours rather seems like an old, dark thing,” I mutter.
“A good thing my body makes up for it, spry and vigorous, always eager to do wicked things to yours.”
My mouth twitches. “Be serious.”
“I’m always serious, Princess, when it comes to your body.”
“And to my thoughts?”
“Your thoughts, too.”
“You’re not looking so spry right now.” The way he walks… he’s limping as if he’s in pain. Which would make sense with his leg being hurt and all… but the bulge between his thighs doesn’t look right, it looks… way too large. Too round. I stop. “Valen…”
“What is it?”
“Did you hurt your cock?” I blurt out.
“What?” He turns to stare at me. “What did you just say?”
Like every damn time, I feel the hot blush seeping into my cheeks and neck. “Your cock.”
“Fuck me…” He grins. “I’d could listen to you saying that word all day. It’s better than I love you.”
“Is it?” I’m still frowning at the bulge between his legs. “Don’t worry, I’d never say that to you.”
“Oh, I’m well aware.” A shadow passes behind his golden eyes. “So what about my cock? Is it the biggest you’ve seen? The thickest? The best cock—”
“It’s the only cock I’ve ever seen, Valen!”
“Damn.” He harrumphs. “But you can still say, It’s an amazing cock, Valen, the best—”
“I will ask again, Valen. Did you injure your cock?”
He blinks. “No, why?”
“Because…” I swallow, the words hard to come by, but I’m too far gone to stop. “Because you refused to let me look at your injuries, mentioned your cock, and now… it seems… misshapen. You can’t even walk properly, or did you think I wouldn’t notice? Something is wrong.”
“Misshapen.” A laugh escapes him. Then he turns away, shoulders shaking. “Misshapen! Of course I can’t walk straight. Dammit.”
“I’m serious. Aren’t you worried?”
“Fuck.” He rubs a hand over his mouth, still laughing. “This is priceless.”
“Valen, come on! Even if you aren’t worried, I am worried.”
“About the state of my cock?”
Pressing my lips together, I do my best not to slap his chest, thinking what an ungrateful, big prick he is.
It takes him a while to stop laughing. By then, I’m past fuming and feeling uncomfortable.
“Listen,” I say. “You’re obviously fine, apologies for—”
“Fine? I’m not fine.”
I blink. “Then what…?”
He lets out a long sigh and rubs his chin. “You really want to know?”
“Why, is it a big secret?”
“It’s not a secret, Princess. Not among the dark fae, at least. I will tell you, but promise me you won’t run.”
Now I’m more confused than ever. “Why would I run?”
“Because I’m not human. And even by fae standards, I’m a freak. An abomination. Twisted magic, right?”
“Valen—”
“You know I’m a werewolf.”
I lift my hands. “Yes?”
“The changes in my body are not limited to claws, wolf ears, and a tail. There are other… less known traits that become apparent when it’s time to mate.”
“Mate? As in…”
He bares his teeth. “Have wild, savage sex.”
“And those are…”
“Knots.”
“Knots?”
“We’ll get to that.” He waves a hand. “We also can go into a rut. Have you ever seen dogs in heat, trying to mount a bitch? Or bucks trying to mount a female?”
“I… yeah.” More heat suffuses my face. My skin is practically blistering. “I have.”
“Good.”
“What does that have to do with you?”
“When a female smells just right… just like a mate…” His jaw clenches. “Then our bodies become permanently aroused, ready for a coupling. We can’t relax until we consummate that bond.”
“I’m not your mate, though,” I breathe. “I’m not even a fae.”
He nods. “It’s strange, though not unheard of, to find a compatible mate among humans. After all, our races have had babies together over the centuries. And when I first smelled you… I sort of knew.”
“You knew. About being compatible mates?”
“It’s a big deal for us werewolves. A rare occurrence. A precious one.”
“ And you never thought to tell me?” I ask softly, as I try to wrap my head around this development.
“Overlaying your delicious scent was the sour stench of fear. You were terrified of me. Didn’t want me around. You wanted me dead or gone. Or both.”
I hang my head. “I’m sorry.”
“No. Don’t apologize for what is most definitely not your fault.
It’s my people’s fault for assaulting you, harming you, putting that fear in you.
But the point is…” He sighs. “I wasn’t going to tell you.
All I wanted was to kill that fear. Smooth those jagged edges. Convince you that you can trust me.”
“Even if I never have sex with you?”
His mouth twitches. “Even so.”
“And now what?”
“I’ll suffer through it. What else can I do? Don’t you worry, Princess, I can take it.”
“And later?” I whisper. “After you’ve returned home to your people?”
“I assume the need for you will go away. Without you around, without your scent, your presence… I hope my cock gets the message and relaxes.”
“That’s it? Easy as that?”
“I have to hope it will be, Princess,” he rumbles and resumes walking. “It’s not like I have much of a fucking choice.”