She’s even stopped screaming—well, mostly. Every so often a delightful little squeal erupts from her perfect lips, but mainly she burrows that gorgeous face against my chest. She’s so fucking warm pressed against me, her lush curves fitting perfectly in my arms like she was crafted specifically for this purpose.
Had I known claiming a consort would feel this intoxicating, I would have found a way to do it centuries ago.
The excitement building in my chest makes me feel giddy in a way I haven’t experienced since I won the Battle of the Three Emperors in 1805—when I helped Napoleon crush those Austrian-Russo fools so magnificently. Back then, the prize was just more glorious warfare and bloodshed.
Now? Now the prize is the wild, unexplored adventure of having a consort of my very own.
After millennia of war, I’ve tasted enough blood to satisfy even my appetites. But a consort? A beautiful, warm,willingconsort who chose me, who raised her hand when I called for volunteers?
That’s something I’ve never known. Something I’ve craved without even realizing it.
Finally, the landscape below becomes familiar—the rolling green hills and dense forests of our territory, untouched by human civilization. My wings cut through the northern wind with powerful beats as I spiral us downward. It’s summer, so the land isn’t buried under snow and ice but painted in rich emerald and gold.
And there, rising from the landscape beside the glittering sapphire lake like something from a fairy tale, stands my home.
Ourhome now.
I send out the runes that deactivate our protective forcefield and swoop through the window of my bedroom with a flourish that would make any romance novel hero weep with envy.
My consort jolts as we touch down, but she doesn’t lift her head from my chest. When I look down at her, those beautiful eyes are still squeezed shut tight, like she’s afraid this will all disappear if she opens them.
Smart girl—this is definitely too good to be true. Good thing I’m exactly the kind of magnificent bastard who makes impossible dreams come true.
The fire crackles merrily in the corner. Even with my warming runes, the air gets cold when flying at those speeds, and mortal temperature regulation is so delicate. I made sure to set the fire before I left—thoughtful of me, really. I can be quite the considerate lover when properly motivated.
“We have arrived, my beautiful consort,” I announce, unable to keep the satisfaction from my voice.
Her arms remain clenched around my neck, and honestly? I’m in no hurry for her to let go. Having her lush body pressed against mine is doing absolutely incredible things to my concentration. She’s soft in all the right places, warm and alive andmine.
Suddenly her eyes pop open, and she looks around my chambers with wonder.
“Jesus Christ! This isn’t actually a dream, is it?”
Her head shakes in disbelief as she peels her arms from my neck and tries to wiggle free. I sigh dramatically—all good things must come to an end, I suppose—and set her gently on her feet. She wobbles adorably, so my tail immediately flicks out to wrap around her waist and steady her.
The little gasp she makes is absolutely delicious.
Her eyes go impossibly wide as her fingers tentatively trace along my tail, and holy shit, the sensation shoots straight through me like lightning. “Definitely not a dream,” she whispers.
I have to grit my teeth to keep from groaning. “Are you steady now, little one?”
Her gaze snaps up to mine, and the impact of those gorgeous eyes hits me like a physical blow. “Uh...” She blinks, clearly as affected as I am, then looks around the room with growing amazement. “Holy crap, are we actually in a castle?”
My tail reluctantly uncoils as she strides to the window, places her hands on the stone sill, and peers out at the view. The wonder on her face is absolutely captivating—like she’s seeing magic for the first time.
Which, I suppose, she is.
“I can’t believe this,” she whispers, head shaking slowly. Then she whips around to face me, eyes bright with excitement and disbelief. “Wait, okay, so if this isn’t a dream—and this is all incredibly detailed in ways I don’t think my subconscious could make up... I mean, I don’t know enough about castles to dream all this...”
She looks from my four-poster bed with its sumptuous crimson hangings to the ancient tapestries, the carved stone fireplace, back to the window overlooking endless forest.
“Where are we? There’s no city, no lights, just trees as far as I can see. Is this real? Or did I get knocked unconscious and stuck in some kind of experimental virtual reality?”
She actually sticks her hand out the window to test the breeze, and I’m charmed beyond words. My consort is curious and fearless and absolutely fucking delightful.
“I am called Remus,” I tell her, enjoying the way my name sounds in my own voice when I’m introducing myself to the woman who’s going to share my bed. “It is my greatest pleasure to have you here, consort. What shall I call you?”
She turns back to study me, and there’s something calculating in her expression now. “But seriously, is this actually real? Like, for-real real?”
