“I know,” I say. Even though I don’t know. None of us do. “I wish he was here, with us, though.” I’d feel better if I could see him.
“Soon. Just like soon you’ll be able to touch him.”
“Touch who?” Conri asks as he slips under the curtain drawn across the entrance.
Aurora releases me and we both straighten from our sorting. Luckily, I had been shoving most things into packs on the floor. The one in front of me I nudge with my toe, trying to subtly push it under the bed. Aurora does the same with the pack she’d been filling as I step around her, my movement distracting the wolf king.
“You, of course!” I say with all the delight I can muster, practically throwing myself into his arms and kissing him on the mouth.
Conri chuckles as I draw away. His hands settle on my hips, toward the back, where they can reach for the curve of my rear.“I do appreciate the enthusiasm. Is it this fertility ritual already taking shape?”
“Perhaps.” I look up at him through my lashes. “I am most excited to touch all of you tonight.”
“Who says we must wait for tonight?” Conri leans in, nipping at my earlobe. “What’s to stop me from just taking you now?”
“My king, the ritual isn’t ready yet.” I force a coy giggle, as though this is all a mere playful game.
“I can take you without need of siring a child now, and then again later.” He leans back, looking down at me with a smirk.
“Should I clear off the bed?” Aurora asks dryly, as if she’s seen this play out a hundred times. She probably has.
“Perhaps you should. I think I have a few spare minutes.”
Disgust at the idea of Conri pulling me onto the bed wars with pity and sorrow for all the past women he’s slept with if he thinks “a few spare minutes” is sufficient. I run my hands up his chest with a sultry smile, as if I’m deeply tempted by the idea. Conri’s eyes shine in the low candlelight of the room, like a predator about to feast.
I open my mouth, about to offer my next excuse to stall him a little bit longer. But Farkolf pulls aside the curtain, dipping his head in with a small nod.
“My king, the patrol group has returned. Evander is here to report.”
My heart skips at the news.
“Good, send him back.” Conri has yet to release me.
“There’s been a bit of a complication.” That has the wolf king’s attention. And mine. Farkolf continues, “He has another warrior bound and gagged.”
“Part of the original group sent?” Conri is now giving Farkolf his undivided attention and I’m free to step away. “Or someone else?”
“I’m not sure, my king.” Farkolf looks deeply uncomfortable. No doubt because he lacks the information Conri is looking for. “Perhaps it’d be best if?—”
Conri sighs before he can finish. The wolf king glances in my direction. “I never have a moment to indulge myself.” He grabs my chin and holds my face in place as he brings his mouth to mine. “Keep that thought, my darling. Let it simmer until you’re so hot you can’t stand it. We will dance with magic tonight and I will make you mine.”
“I am counting down the seconds,” I whisper breathlessly.
Conri strides out of the room with a nod in Farkolf’s direction; the knight follows. As the curtain falls back into place, my attention locks with Aurora’s. We both stare at each other, holding our breath and straining our ears. The men’s footsteps fade alongside their voices. Not much is said, and it’s hard to make out anything past an initial “…yes, I’ll go…” from Conri.
“What do you think?” I whisper to Aurora.
“Is Farkolf still there?” Aurora asks.
I shuffle to the curtain, pulling it aside ever so slightly. Farkolf is positioned back by the entry. I retreat into the room with a nod.
She curses under her breath. “I suppose Evander couldn’t find an excuse to make him go, too.”
What to do?I ask myself as I quickly round the bed and scoop my pack off the floor. There’s no longer time to be judicious in determining what to bring and what not. Everything remaining gets shoved into the pack. Aurora follows my lead.
“We’re going to head to the grove.”
“All right.” Aurora nods. Her implicit trust is apparent. It fills me with confidence as well as a deep sense of responsibility.
