“Oren, what is it you’re not telling me?”
“Tanith, are you… glad that you’re alive? If you had a choice, would you choose life?”
No longer hungry, I gripped the bed covers. What was he saying? “Yes, of course. Life versus death, I’d choose life every time.”
Running his fingers through his hair, Oren paused before responding, his words tumbling out of his mouth in a rush. “Well then, you need to know that when I healed you, I gave you a gift, and I’m not sure what repercussions it will have.”
“What do you mean? Will you explain and stop talking in riddles?”
“I gave you my blood.”
Dread made me first cold and then hot. What exactly did that mean? And then my mind flashed back to a conversation we’d had just over a week ago. “Does that mean I’m like you? Immortal?”
“I’m not sure,” he admitted. “Life is in the blood and you were dying. I didn’t have a choice. I did what I thought was right in the moment because, Tanith, I—I don’t want to lose you.”
And it was that admission that shook me. My jaw dropped as his amber gaze held mine, daring me to argue or look away. Oren. The Piper. This deathly attractive inhuman, my husband, had done something out of the fear of losing me. Even though I was a mere mortal, who had committed an unspeakable act by stealing from him, he wanted me.
For a full minute, we stared at each other, tension mounting as all the spoken and unspoken words between us sank in. The realization was so powerful and impactful, a frenzy washed over me. Two years ago, my life had turned upside down, forcing me to the hellish city of Dowler, with all appearances of paradise hiding a grave secret. My uncle had seized my dowery while my aunt turned a blind eye to the mistreatment I had endured within the palace. Fearing my future would hold only darkness, I’d felt forced to take drastic action, only to find myself married to a monster. Except the fables had lied about him.
Oren was the Piper, yet his flute only sang death to those who opposed him. To me, he was a misunderstood terror, hellbent on destruction because circumstances forced him to take extreme action, just like my situation had. But now, my grip on my self-control was shattering, and this was all I could take. No more holding back, no more waiting, wondering, trying to escape his allure.
I smacked the tray of food off my lap, and it clattered on the floor. Oren’s eyes widened in horror as I launched myself at him. His broad hands rested on my hips as he leaned back to study my face. “You’re not … angry?”
“Angry?” I settled myself in his lap, wrapping my arms around his neck. “You did the right thing, Oren. Never apologize for that because I want to live. I have so much to live for.”
His relief was palpable, and his protective arms tightened around me. For just the briefest moment, his eyes searched mine for confirmation before he consumed me.
When his fevered lips touched mine, a fire spread through every fiber of my body, an inferno that burned as though he were pouring his passion, his need for connection, into me. I hadn’t realized how lonely I was as my body awakened, as if this was the moment I’d come back from the dead for. A lightness filled my chest and my breathing became heady and fast, pants of desire between frenzied kisses as his fingers twisted through my hair, pulling me closer. He’d kissed me before, but today, his kisses were a hundred times more potent and powerful and intoxicating.
Weak-kneed and dizzy, I let desire burn through me as I straddled him, the hem of my gown slipping up my legs. His muscled chest brushed against my breasts, making my nipples peak and ache. Teeth pinched my lips and his hips rolled against mine, while one hand came down to test the firmness of my buttocks. A groan rolled out of my mouth, answered by one of his own. His hand slid up my thigh, under my nightdress, and my breath came faster.
Eyes closed, I gave in to his heated caresses, wanting him, needing him as desperately as I needed air to breathe. My thoughts were twisted and muddled, for something had happened, something had changed, and my lust for him had morphed into something else. Something I dared not name.
Oren’s mouth was all-consuming, and he trailed fervent kisses down my neck. My nightgown slipped down one shoulder, and he pressed gentle kisses against my bare skin, his pace slowing to a calm reverence as he held me. When he pulled back and hooked a finger under my chin, a wetness shone in his eyes, and he studied me as though I were some rare treasure he’d just unearthed.
“You,” he murmured, his face drawn, serious. “You enchant me.”
My hands rested on his chest, his racing heart pumping against my palm. Tilting my head, my gaze dragged from his eyes to his lips. Oh, heavens, if he kissed me like that again, I would not be able to resist. “How? When it is you who saved me?”
His jaw tightened. “Yes, well, the effects of that are yet to be determined.”
The thread of unease that passed through me could not quench my desire. “What is it you think will happen?”
“It is better not to speculate.” When I opened my mouth, he shook his head. “Don’t argue, Tanith, it is I who owe you the apology.”
I narrowed my eyes at him. Ever since I’d met him, he’d lectured me on the consequences of my actions. But he plunged onward, with words I did not expect. “Ever since you awakened me, I’ve been focused on the magic-thralls and their freedom because they are like me, the only family I have. Every action I’ve taken with you has been for selfish reasons. I’ve left you alone far too often, and did not take steps to ensure your safety here. I knew something lurked in the castle, but I never imagined it would be a body-snatcher.”
I wiggled in his arms, for I still straddled him and the heat of his body crept through to my core. Sliding my hands up his biceps to his shoulders, I held his gaze. “What happened is done and over. It’s in the past now. The best we can do is move forward and remain honest with each other. It is unfortunate but …” With a shrug, I trailed off.
Dipping his head, he kissed my shoulder and when he spoke, it was so softly, I almost missed it. “True, but it made me realize how important you are.”
Sucking in a deep breath, I blurted out the question before I lost my courage. “Oren, what changed between us?”
He went still. Both arms tightened around my waist.
“I made a choice,” he admitted, before facing me. “Tanith, it was you, always you, even though you woke me. I admit, I wanted you to be my bride, and yes, my power protects you, but … there are others ways. This was the easiest way to make you mine, and I protect what is mine. No one will take what is mine away, unless I will it.”
His eyes went hard, and a possessiveness laced his tone. His silken, red hair brushed against my fingers and I studied him, not sure I understood. Was it love? Possession? Something darker? And with a jolt, I recalled the hushed conversation of the priests. They wanted to take something mortal from the Piper to punish him, and if it were me … what did that mean for us?
