The meaning of his words hit her all at once.
Alora squealed in horror and scrambled off the sofa, nearly collapsing onto the stone floor in her haste. Her face burned hot as he laughed.
Vile fiend.
Rune reclined against the sofa as though nothing had happened, draping his arms along the headrest. His crimson gaze swept toward his Harbingers. “If you are here, I assume the court has caught scent of my wife.”
Alora glowered. Oh, how he enjoyed that word. But then she blinked, realizing what he said.
The female nodded. “The whole court can smell her, sire. It’s so strong, it flooded the entire mountain.”
Rune tensed at that, a muscle in his jaw flexing. “Hadeon, Deimos. See that they comport themselves, and deal with it if they can’t.” His mouth curved cruelly. “I would hate to spill blood on my wedding day, though I do suppose its tradition.”
The two males bowed their heads, then without a word, vanished into the smoke.
Rune returned his attention to her. He took her arm and pulled her up onto his lap. Reaching for her face, she caught a glimpse of a black mark on his inner wrist. It wasn’t a glyph she recognized, but a twisted loop of interlocking lines, like a knot with no beginning or end.
His thumb brushed her lips. “Now, where were we?”
Gods, he was going to kiss her. She squeezed her eyes shut, her pulse pounding loudly in her ears. The ground shook beneath her, but no kiss came. She peeked through her lashes to find Rune’s glowing ones fixed on her.
“Sire,” the female called warily staring at her as she stood. “Might I suggest not toying with your bride so much. Mortals have a … delicate disposition, if you recall.” Her red eyes swept to him. “Especially when afraid.”
The sly smile faded from Rune’s face. He studied her, and she read the worry in his eyes. He quickly rose off the sofa and moved several spaces back as if now realizing how much she was shaking.
Rune expelled a breath and turned away with a short laugh as he reached for a decanter of wine on his table. “Don’t be frightened. Forgive me. The smell of your fear was intoxicating, and I got carried away.”
Alora stared at him, too stunned to speak. He could smell her fear. Was that what the others meant?
He handed her a goblet of wine. His gaze held hers and his next words were like smoke in the dark. “As for my first vow, I will never allow you any harm. From others or from me.”
Silvery magic rippled through the air and she faintly gasped.
“What spell was that?”
“That was the promise of a god, Alora. Nothing in the realms or throughout the Heavens can break it.”
Alora took in his words and for whatever reason, her fear faded away. He promised not to harm her, which was more than Eldrik ever did. And that same sheen had already rippled through the room before.
Instead of taking the goblet, Alora rose to her feet. The female demon watched her with patient curiosity, as if this truly was the first time a human had entered this far into their mountain. She wanted to ask why Rune insisted on this marriage. But her adrenaline had faded, leaving her drained.
“You must be tired,” he said, knowing, “Come lay down and rest.”
Alora shifted her weight, arms crossed tightly over her chest as she took in the massive bed. It could fit five people. Six, if they were feeling bold. And Rune was stripping off his outer cloak with the air of a man perfectly at home.
“I would like my own room,” she blurted.
Rune paused mid-motion, one brow lifting as if she had suggested they replace the throne with a bench.
“Absurd,” he said smoothly, nodding to the silk pillows. “As husband and wife, we share amaritalbed.”
Her face flushed at the thought.
“No,”Alora replied firmly, clinging to what little dignity she had left, despite the trembling of her hands. “I won’t be forced to lie with you. Not until you have bestowed upon me my rightful dowry.”
Rune’s grin curved slow and wolfish, clearly relishing her flustered state. “Forced?You wound me. But alas, pray tell, what does my bride desire?”
What could she ask for that would matter? If she was bold enough, clever enough, perhaps she could twist this into something greater.
