“I'm going to prove to you that I'm worth the risk, Shane.” Taeven winked at me, and I swear my heart stopped beating for three whole seconds.
The Falcon Lord was going to prove himself to me. Great balls of fuck.
Chapter Eight
I almost didn't leave the Falcon Lord's tent that night, but I reminded myself that this was all a ploy to get me to be valorian—something that might not happen even if I were to consent to accept a piece of his soul. Taeven could be going through all this effort and wind up creating a dud. What then? Would he stay with me until he found his valorian and then leave me for him or her? Or would he kick me out of his bed immediately? Those were the thoughts that sent me running back to my tent.
In the morning, I woke much later than usual and it left me feeling fuzzy. I stumbled to the bathhouse, past soldiers going idly about their day, and squinted in the bright light like a mole popping his head up from underground. It had been years since I'd awoke to a risen sun, and I didn't like it. I'm a baker; I dwell in darkness. At least when I first wake up.
The hot water helped. I sighed under the spray and stretched my tight shoulders. My evening with the Falcon Lord had been surprisingly enjoyable, but it had also taken its toll—especially with the stress of what he wanted hanging over me. I scrubbed up and rinsed off, feeling much more awake by the end of the shower, then stepped out of the stall, into the narrow section between the rows. Benches ran in a line between the showers, and I'd left my stuff on the one right outside the stall I used. I reached for my towel just as I heard the soft sound of a sharply inhaled breath.
I'd been alone in the bathhouse, most of the soldiers were off eating breakfast at that hour or getting geared up to train. The showers would be busy that afternoon, post training, but not in the morning. So, I hadn't expected to see anyone when I stepped out, much less the person who was there.
I turned to face the Falcon Lord. Who was staring. At my body. At my cock, in particular.
Taeven's face was flushed and his stare molten, the gold bright against the purple. It sent a thrill through me that started a physical reaction. His eyes widened as my impressive—if I do say so myself—dick became even more so. I should have covered up, but instead, I turned to face him fully, giving him the complete Shane experience. Hey, if he was going to look, he might as well get the best view possible.
“I like yours too,” I whispered, drawing his stare up to mine.
The Falcon Lord cleared his throat. “You're the first man I've met who has . . . exceeded me in that department.”
I chuckled. “It's my Lekian blood. Men from Lek are known for their big dicks. Or so my father says.”
“I have never been more relieved to be a top.” He grinned and stepped closer. “Thank you for the show.”
“Well, I've already seen all of you.” I shrugged. “I figured fair is fair. You want a back view too?” I turned and presented my rear.
Taeven made a small whimper, his stare going straight to my ass, then his fascination faded as he processed what I'd said. “When did you . . .?” His eyes lit with understanding. “Oh, I see. That night.” He gave me a horrified look. “You were admiring my body while I wasdying?”
“No!” I gaped at him as I turned back around. “Not like that. I didn't look at your nudity, not really, until you were safe. Then I couldn't help but notice, and after I left, well, I had the memory to appreciate.”
Taeven smirked and stepped even closer. “Appreciate?” He drew a fingertip down the center of my chest, dragging it through a bead of water, then lowered his gaze to my achingly hard dick.
“Yeah, as I said, I like yours too,” I whispered.
“Good.” He lifted his gaze to mine; his eyes were full of determination. “Because you'll be experiencing it far more intimately soon.”
His finger had nearly reached my cock; it paused on the tender skin just above my dark curls. I thought he was going to grab me and that erotic anticipation was the only thing that kept me from rebuking his arrogant statement. Because I wanted him to touch me there. My entire body was tense with need for it. Just a little further. But the Falcon Lord changed direction and drew his finger up to circle my bellybutton.
“Shouldn't you be drying off?” Taeven asked in a low, sensual tone. “You're so wet.”
I looked him over from head to toe as if he were as naked as I, remembering him in vivid detail. The glimpse of powerful chest I got from the V of his neckline helped; it gave me a starting point. I recalled the rippling muscles of his abs, that tight little bellybutton that I wanted to dip my tongue into, the indents at the sides of his hips, the thick slabs of muscles on his thighs, and that beautiful piece of flesh that lay between. I didn't know what he looked like hard, and I was tempted to reach beneath his tunic and untie his pants so I could find out. From the bulge there, I expected it to be magnificent.
“No,” I finally answered him and turned back toward the shower. “I need another rinse; this time withcoldwater.”
The Falcon Lord laughed his fine ass off as I turned on the cold water and hissed. There went all that relaxation, but at least it took my erection with it.
Chapter Nine
“Where are we going?” I asked for the third time.
After my second shower, Taeven had taken me back to his tent—stopping at mine along the way to stow my bath kit—to have breakfast. As soon as we were settled at the table, I'd asked how he'd known to look for me in the bathhouse. Evidently, locating me hadn't been that hard. All he'd done was send one of his knights to find me, and he had asked around. It's difficult to hide in an army camp; soldiers are trained to notice things. After that, the breakfast conversation had been easy and casual, but then Taeven had stood up and announced that we were going for a ride. That led me to where I was now, seated across from him in a carriage nicer than any I'd ever ridden in before.
And he wouldn't tell me where the fuck we were going.
“Are you always so rigid?” Taeven asked me.
“Rigid?” I stopped inspecting the view outside my window to look at him. “I'm not rigid.”
