Francis tsked before kissing the corner of my lips. “How arrogant...”
“Francis.” I glared into his eyes.
“Let go, or I burn it, and then you will never read it, love.” He smirked, moving my hand away.
I sighed in defeat. “I will assume it’s a love letter you wrote for me, and are now too embarrassed to show it.”
“Perhaps.” He shrugged, moving to a seated position, taking me with him. “Perhaps not.”
I shook my head, curiosity eating me alive. “Will I ever get to read it?”
“Depends,” he purred; a familiar smirk decorated his face.
“Depends on what—” I started, yet he silenced me with a kiss as his lips fell upon mine.
The dried crimson crushed against mine. His teeth scraping against my lower lips, forcing a muffled moan out of me. My stomach fluttered as he licked the dried blood of my flesh, tracing a path down my neck.
“We need to get ready,” he rasped against my throat.
“Perhaps in a few minutes...” my voice turned hoarse.
“Mhm,” was all I got in reply when Francis moved lower, his mouth atop the center of my breast, his tongue toying with the sensitive spot.
A cry pushed past my lips—
A loud bang on the door froze us in place; Francis sighed, his eyes filling with a silent apology. “The sun has already set, lovebirds.” Roxanne slammed on the wood, her voice booming through the closed door. “We must be on our way.”
Francis pulled away, sighing. “We will be out in a moment,” he told the door.
“Hurry!” Roxanne shouted through the wall before her steps disappeared down the corridor.
“Sorry, love.” Francis planted a kiss on my forehead, reaching for the letter. “I will make it up to you.” He smirked, charging towards the other end of his room.
The doors to his bathing chambers closed as Francis disappeared behind them, the letter disappearing with him.
Roxanne and Simon stood outside of the stables, their horses saddled and ready when Francis and I made our way outside.
“Where is Florence and Ash?” I asked, pulling out my saddle.
“They left just now, you’ve missed them.” Roxanne glanced at the small opening in the woods—the pathway to Faris.
Claws wrapped around my throat as I nodded, setting the saddle down on Annabelle. At least I got to say my goodbyes to Florence at the ball.
“They will be fine.” Simon reached for Roxanne’s shoulder, giving it a slight squeeze. “The path to Faris is safe, and they are together,” he reassured.
“Yes,” Roxanne nodded, her throat bubbling.
“Here.” Simon met my gaze, unsheathing three daggers from his belt. “Ash worked all week to get them done. I hope you don’t mind that they took a bit of your metal to remold into arrow tips for Roxanne.”
Roxanne showed off her new tips, which sparkled golden under the moonlight, before putting them into the quiver with the rest of her arrows.
“Of course. ” I nodded at Simon. “And thank you.” I tucked one dagger into my belt, offering the other two daggers to my company.
“Those are for you, we have other weapons to fight with.” Francis took my daggers, sheathing one into my belt, another onto the belt on my boot.
“But these are Royal steel.” I argued when he knelt before me.
“They are yours.” Francis got to his feet, mounting his horse in a swift motion.
