I shook my head, sadly settling back on him, and kissing him, and sighing, andkissing. “I missed you,” I heard myself relay.
He pulled the ribbon of my blouse, watching me. “Svana,” he buzzed. “I have to tell you. I’m-”
“I know,” I moaned. “Oh, you fool. I already know!”
“You… know?” he asked.
“You’re not as sly and covert as you think you are! Of course I know.”
“You’re not angry?”
“No, I’m not angry. I just need—Oh, it’s been so long, sir. Please, I just wish tofeelyou.”
Mr. Evergreen's fingers snuck beneath my dress, and I shuddered as he bunched the skirt between us. “You’re truly not mad?” he asked. “You don’t hate me forever?”
“I could never hate you,” I whined. “You’re stupid and reckless and hopelessly romantic but you’re mine. Yes. I accept your declaration. Even if you are not kneeling as custom says!”
He beamed proudly. “You are too gracious, Your Highness. I don’t deserve you but I will spend our lives trying to.”
He lowered to his knees before me and then, with hungry eyes he snuck beneath my skirt and he—he kissed me.
Cyrus pushed aside the fabric that obstructed his intention, replacing it with his mouth and tongue. He was hot against mymost private sect. Hot and wet. And….And after several long, pleasure-filled moments of just being...
“Ahahh!”I cried.
Whatever grin he donned grew against my sex; I could feel his cheeks as they moved. His hands tightened against my thighs andmineslipped from his shoulders, one meeting the burner. I shrieked and drew back my hand, but it hadn’t hurt.
Cyrus stood, taking my palm and kissing it. He pulled me off the counter and set me back onto the floor, so that he could turn off the stove. Over his shoulder, he said, “The bedroom is to your right,” and he pointed.
Igiggled.I bit my lip and then spun to sprint toward our destination but just past the doorway, I froze. Men. Two men I didn't recognize were waiting there; one propped against the wall. His arms were folded neatly and he was playfully bemused.
Mr. Evergreen appeared beside me.
“Lovely wife you’ve got, there, fella. Think I’ll taste her next,” the stranger said.
“Cyrus,” I whispered.
He’d brought his hand around the small of my waist and stepped in front of me. “If you want money, there’s gold in the bedroom,” he said. “It’s in a trunk beneath the mattress. Take it. It’s yours.”
The one who’d spoken to me smirked. He nodded to the other to check it out. “And if I want somethingmore?”He eyed my chest.
“I’ll have to kill you,” Cyrus said.
“Cyrus.” I pressed into his back.
“Brave words from an unarmed man,” the man said. He drew a sword from his waistband and then pointed it toward us. “Maybe I’ll kill you first. Maybe I’ll make you watch.”
Cyrus’s weapon was near the door and impossible to reach. I held him tighter, then yet another man came from outside. He was shaking his head.
“This horse is wild! One of you, help me!” he begged.
But I recognized him, even without the uniform.“Geralt?”I asked.
The boy went pale.
“You work for my father,” I said confused. “You’re our footman?”
“P-Princess.” Geralt looked worried at his companions.
