I glanced at her, eyes shining with gratitude for her understanding. “Yes. It’s a new experience forbothof us,” I emphasized.
The woman’s smile lines deepened around her eyes, and she reached to wrap her arm around my shoulders. Dante growled. Actually growled when this stranger approached me and inserted himself between us. My eyes widened in horror. “Dante!”
For the first time, the woman was taken aback. It was my turn to push him aside and take control. “Please, show me what you have in mind.” I plastered a smile as big as I could manage to try to convince her that everything was fine.
She blinked twice, then nodded, her grin faltering. I shot a look over my shoulder, whispering, “You need to be house trained!” I sneered. It looked like he debated following, but I threw my hand up. “Stay!”
He listened.
Returning my focus to the woman, I peppered her with questions to hopefully push past the awkwardness we’d just endured.
We stood in our newly provided quarters, long abandoned to the effects of time. Our lodgings were closer to the heart of town,nearest the resources Dante had brazenly requested for me. The walls on either side were shared with other living quarters, but they were vacant. Dante remarked that the quiet would allow him to hear anyone who approached thanks to his animalistic senses.
“Do you plan on fighting off many assailants while we’re here?” I asked, cocking one eyebrow his way.
He placed his spoon in his empty bowl, finally having eaten a decent sized meal. The rumble of his deep laugh perforated the otherwise quiet space. “I’m sorry, Mira. It’s harder to hold the barrier between my beast instincts and human ones when I’m exhausted. I’ll apologize to that woman tomorrow.”
“Should I walk you over there on a leash? Just so she knows you’ll be under control?” That had been just the right amount of sass to give him. In an instant, he was crossing the room, boots thundering across the wooden planks. He wrapped his arm around my waist and yanked me close.
I yipped at the thrill. My hand pressed flat against his chest, the other feeling for the wooden desk behind me.
“Is that what you want?” His lips skirted along my cheek, slow and playful. Tantalizing.
My body melted into his when I released a long breath. Suddenly, I was choking on my lust for him.
“If you want me on all fours in front of you, my love, all you have to do is ask.” His mouth claimed mine, his tongue invading, tasked on a quest to steal the words that weren’t finding their way. In one smooth motion, he lifted me from the ground, sliding my backside onto the flat surface. A swift tug had my loose pants to my knees before he eased them off. I watched, mesmerized, while he maintained eye contact and removed my panties in a more gentle fashion. Then he was before me, kneeling, parting my thighs for his viewing pleasure.
Some time ago, I lost all insecurity when it came to bearing myself before him. Now, nothing flooded me except eager anticipation.
“Use your words, my love,” he teased. The light from the hearth accentuated the wicked gleam in his dark gaze. His fingers kneaded my thighs, trying to ring a response from my lips.
Finally, one came. “Good boy.”
Fruits and cheeses provided at breakfast greatly reduced my morning nausea. So much so that I insisted on joining Dante for the morning report. He didn’t argue, though I could see the concern written all over his face. He wanted me to rest and not worry about the transition. But I argued my worry would be worse not knowing all the details, and I won.
We walked through the town, heading toward the outskirts designated for our group. It was a strange feeling, walking through streets that held this many homes connected together. Argora Vale had more land, the homes spread further apart. The last time I’d walked through an area this populated, it’d been under guard as the Prince’s Coveted. Inhaling a deep breath, I savored the freedom I’d gained since then.
“There’s less people here than I anticipated,” Dante said, eyes scanning the vacant buildings with predatory alertness. Wild ivy and moss converged over the porches and doorways, residences long since emptied.
“Queen Nora did say many fled years ago, given the proximity to the border.”
Dante bristled, lowering his head as we continued walking. It only took a moment for me to catch on.
“Dante,” I breathed out his name, reaching for his hand. He flashed a grin, but I knew it was only to appease me. My heart turned leaden in my chest. I never dwelled on his past, knowing who he was at his core. That was what mattered, not his actions from a curse placed upon him. I wanted to tell him to never think about it, but easier said than done.
He ran a hand down his face. “Ironic that I’m back here, helping people establish lives instead of ruining them. These houses wouldn’t be vacant if it weren’t for me.”
“Consider this your atonement, then.” I leaned into his arm, offering a reassuring smile, though it wouldn’t alleviate his grief.
“It’ll never be enough. I keep screwing up. I still regret letting Marvoe get away after what he did to you. I didn’t think he’d completely vanish, and now you’re left waking from nightmares because I couldn’t keep you safe. Then I let those soldiers steal you back to the castle where that prince forced you to stay. Rahana buoyed us for a while, but they’re feeling the strain, and now we’re taking a handout from the castle that kidnapped you and I feel like I’m betraying you. I just keep failing,” he whispered, as if ashamed for the town itself to hear.
“Hey.” I cupped his face with both hands as he pivoted toward me. “Youareenough. Everything you’re doing is enough. You saved me, and you’re saving these people now. No one has protected me like you have, and yes I carry traumas from my past, but I’m confident in the security of my future because ofyou.” I wouldn’t dare reveal how uncomfortable I was returning to Highcrest.
He stared vacantly at me, resisting my words.
“I know you feel that it’s your burden to bear, even though it’s not. All we can do is move forward, my love. Even a time turner can’t erase the past. I’m here with you, and I love you. We are creating a better world today. Are you with me?”
“I’m with you,” he said on a shuddering exhale.
