“I’m aware.” I chew through the words.
I intended to bed her the first night of her stay. That was my plan, to go ahead and get it over with. But from the moment I plucked her from that battlement, nothing went the way I thought it would. She’s not just some mindless, base mortal. She’s more.
“Go to her.” Rivon pats me on the shoulder. “You have to at least try.”
Faraday sidles over to Fyan. “Fifty gold says Van won’t be able to put his?—”
“One more word.” I glare at him. “One more godsdamned word and I’ll pluck your talons out one at a time.”
“See what I was saying?” Faraday grins. “So sassy. This mortal has you tied all in knots, big brother.”
I’ve had enough of this, ofthem. Any more commentary on me bedding Larellin and I may be the one jumping out the window.
I stride out, my jaw going tight as soon as they start whispering among themselves. Children. No better than gossiping children.
Climbing the stairs, I try to preoccupy myself with how irritated I am with my brothers. How badly they get under my scales with their constant foolishness. I try to think about Sela, about the curse, about anything except the delectable mortal who waits for me in our bedchamber.
Steeling my spine, I push into the room fully expecting to find her in the bed. She’s not there. Water.
I turn, draw inexorably toward the bathing chamber, the doors open. When I see her, I stop, my breath catching in my chest.
She stands fully nude, her wet hair cascading down her back, almost to her lush hips and pert little ass. Creamy thighs. My mouth waters. She leans down to place the water pitcher at the edge of the bath. When I get a glimpse of a dark thatch of hair between her legs, my cock aches, my entire being focused on nothing but her.
With an erotic sigh, she sinks into the tub.
I move toward her, unable to stop myself, unable to turn away.
When I glimpse her dusky pink nipples teasing the surface of the water, my heart thunders in my ears.
And when she turns around and sees me standing there, her scream nearly punctures my eardrums.
Chapter
Thirteen
LARELLIN
He doesn’t move, his gaze raking over me as I try to cover myself.
“Go!” I scoot away from him, my back hitting the side of the tub. “Leave!” I screech.
Breathing hard, his entire body tense, he steps toward me. He’s huge, his form blocking out the door altogether. I’m trapped in here with him. “You are mine, pet. All of you. Mine.” His voice is lower, guttural, and when he blinks, I see the dragon. Slitted eyes that quickly flicker back to round.
“Vander!” I shove backwards, water sloshing from the tub, but there’s nowhere to go. “What’s wrong with you?”
He moves ever closer, his tongue darting out to wet his lips. Feral. The wild look in his eyes doesn’t abate as he leans down, his large hands gripping the wet edge of the wooden tub.
The look of him sends heat pooling low in my belly. Despite the fear, my body responds to him, to whatever mix of man and dragon he is.
“Vander, please. I-I need to bathe in privacy.”
“You would hide this from me?” He looks into the water, his gaze ravaging every inch of my exposed skin. “You woulddarekeep such treasure from me?”
His pupils go slitted again, and his tongue darts out, the tip forked. It glances off the water’s surface and back into his mouth.
He inhales deeply, nostrils flaring, eyes rolling. “I scent your need, my pet. The honey drifting from between your thighs. All of it for me.”
I press my thighs closed and ignore the tingles that spread along my skin. “Please, Vander.”
