He took stock, as well. There was a bed of pillows and furs, two lace ribbons at the head and foot, perfect for a little game of bondage. An intricately carved vanity, a mirror, and all the things a woman could desire to pamper herself. A desk made of stone, weapons lining the wall—did the vampire not fear Devyn would take them?—and a closet filled with robes of every color.
The entire enclosure reeked of the warrior.
Devyn popped his jaw in irritation. "He wanted you in here without me so that you'll smell of him when we visit the palace."
"I don't understand why we need to visit the king. I'm not going to let him decide for me.”
“Have you made a decision, then?"
"About what?" she asked, pretending to be clueless.
About me. About us. He didn't say that, however. There was another way to learn the answer he craved without sounding like a whiny, needy puss. "Visiting the king is the only way to keep McKell from coming after you." Devyn drew her into his arms. "Are you happy you came here?"
"Yes. I needed to know what it was like.”
“And?" He kissed the top of her head, desperate to have his lips on her. Anywhere on her.
"It's not like I imagined it. The way that girl was treated ... the king wanting me dead ... destroying my mother..." She shuddered.
"So ... you won't stay here?”
“No. Probably not."
Thank God. "We need to figure a few things out, then. Like what to do if the king says you belong to the warrior, I honestly thought he'd side with me because we're already bonded, already married." And yeah, he'd even thought there was a possibility the king would try and force Devyn to stay here; to keep Bride safe, he'd deemed the chance worth it. Not once had he ever thought the king would try and separate them. Until now. McKell's confidence...
"If he does, I'll just wish him into a pile of ash," she said. "And if that doesn't work?"
"I'll keep wishing until something does." She returned his embrace and rested her head in the hollow of his neck. Her breath was warm against his skin. "Devyn," she said, and there was a hesitance to her tone he'd never heard before. "My mother is dead, and there's no way to return my memories of her. I don't even know her, but right now I miss her terribly."
"I'm sorry, love. So sorry." He ran his hands up and down her spine, offering what comfort he could. "My own mother was more concerned with her lovers than her child, so while I'd willingly give you my memories, I don't think you'd want them."
"Oh, Devyn. I'm sorry." Her grip tightened around him. "You should have been fawned over. I bet you were adorable."
"Were?" he asked with mock offense.
She uttered a warm, rich chuckle. "Braggart. Macy says I'm becoming just like you.”
“And you're the better for it."
That earned him another chuckle.
He kissed her temple. "Your mother wanted you alive and happy. More than anything else, even her own life." He cupped her chin and drew back, studying her. "You can do that for her. You can give her that."
"Yes."
Tears sprang in her eyes, turning them to liquid emeralds, and her bottom lip started trembling. Those tears ... He was struck with the urge to fight the Grim Reaper himself, anything to give her
back her mother. He couldn't exist, knowing Bride was hurting. It destroyed him, more than the darkness ever had.
What was worse, he couldn't tell her how much he thought he maybe might kinda sorta love her. Not yet. Not here. She might not believe him, thinking he said the words, those three earth shattering words, simply to convince her to leave with him, which could in turn make the contrary female angry enough to stay.
He'd never said "I love you" before. Not to his parents, and not to one of his many lovers. When he finally admitted his feelings, he wasn't sure what he'd do in the face of doubt.
How did she feel about him? She trusted him, desired him, but did she love him? "You're killing me," he said. "You know that, right?"
"So the big strong warrior can't stand a woman's tears?" With a shaky grin, she wiped her eyes with the back of her wrist. "I'll make a note of it for the next time I want my way and you're acting like an ass."
"I knew you were smart, but this... recognizing how big and strong I am. Brilliant."
Grinning, she pulled away from him and trekked to the closet, where she flipped through the robes. "This is what the females wear all day?"
"Oh, yes."
"Well, come help me pick something."
Devyn happily closed the distance between them. Rather than reach around her and grab a green robe to match her eyes as he'd intended, he cupped her br**sts. "My advice? The sexier the better."
Her head fell against his shoulder, and she moaned. Her ni**les hardened, deliciously abrading his palms. "Are you doing this to cover me with your scent?"
"That's merely a bonus. I'm doing this because I can't not do it." He kissed her exposed neck as his hands delved to the waist of her pants, unzipped the clasp, and sank past her panties. "It's been too long since I last had you."
"You should wait a bit longer," she said, but she didn't push his hand away. "We should wait."
He ground his erection into her lower cheeks. "I won't tell McKell if you won't." It was difficult, but he kept some of his attention on the doorway. Any disturbance in the energy there, and he would kill whoever walked through the door.
"If his ears are as tuned as mine, he'll hear."
"Then you'll just have to be quiet this time, won't you, love?" He sank two fingers inside her, his palm rubbing her just right.
She groaned in pleasure.
"A sound. For shame. But how wet you are. So ready for me, hmm?"
"Yes," she admitted on a wispy catch of breath. "Need you. Now." Up and down her chest rose. Back and forth she writhed.
He hadn't planned on taking her here, but he couldn't stop himself from undoing his pants and allowing his erection to pop free. He ripped the material gaping at her waist—she didn't need it anymore—stripping her luscious lower body. He kicked her legs apart, and then he was inside her, all the way home.
Trembling, she cried his name. She even reached up and back, clutching his head, placing them cheek to cheek. In and out, he pounded, driving hard and fast.
"Bite me, love."
"No." A gasp, a groan of want. "You need the blood."
"You need the strength."