I chuckled. “Do you really think someone could sweep in and steal me away from you in three days?”
“It took less for us to get here.”
I sobered. “It did. But I told you, this is not normal for me. Is it for you?”
“No. Nothing about us is normal, my jewel.” The Dragon King pressed his lips to mine, just a chaste kiss, but it felt profound. “You're special.”
With that, Rian spun away from me, opening the door and exiting in one smooth maneuver. Seconds later, he shut it without looking back. I wasn't offended. No, I knew exactly how he felt. If it had been me leaving, I wouldn't have been able to look back either. If I had, I wouldn't have left.
The jingle of horse tack and bells came as the royal carriage shushed away across the snow, and I crumpled against the door, unable to hold myself up any longer. It was as if every dream I had came true at once.
What do you do when all your dreams come true?
I should have celebrated, and I would. But at that moment, all I could do was pray that I never woke up.
Chapter Sixteen
Three days dragged by. Every morning, I'd wake and stare out my window at the castle. As I sipped my coffee, I'd wonder if the King's first waking thoughts were for me as mine were for him, or if he was so busy, he didn't have the time for thoughts of romance. I liked to imagine him staring out his window, across the city to my little apartment, counting the hours until we were together again.
I knew it was happening fast, but I didn't care. What did that matter? They say that falling in love is the best part of a relationship, that the slower you can take it, the better. But my heart wasn't listening. It wanted to race into Rian's keeping.
It wanted to, but couldn't.
I sighed as I stared out my window on the third morning. My day off. But we hadn't been clear about that, had we?Would Rian be coming by today or does he think I meant tomorrow? And if he does show up soon, will I be ready for him?When I was with Rian, I thought of no one else. But after he left, my chest would ache. A twinge would crawl up my spine. My mind would slip back into the past.
The view of Rian's home went gray. Gray as a Ricarri's skin. I felt Rontor's hands on me again, those rough, warriorhands with unkempt nails. They had been so gentle with me. Sliding over my skin as he buckled the collar around my throat. Running through my braid to free my hair. Spreading my thighs as I knelt before him.
I gasped, lust and love shooting down my spine to harden my cock. I had already broken my promise to Rian. I said it was impossible, but I hadn't counted on Rontor's memories rising unbidden to taunt me. I saw him again, seated before me, a drink in his hand and a doting expression on his face. Me on my knees between his legs, his big cock jutting out between the flaps of his pants. Great Gods, he was incredible.
I heard him in my head,“Withdraw your wings, little one.”
And just the memory of his voice made me shudder, causing my coffee to slosh up the sides of my mug.
Then I realized that this was a good thing. An improvement. I remembered Rontor without pain. I felt lust, yes, and love, of course, but the heartache was gone. Surely, this was an improvement?
Voices carried up to me from the shop. I had left the doors of my apartment and workroom open in case Rian did show up. But that was Raef's voice, not Rian's. I sighed and set my coffee down, then eyed my cock. Just as I was contemplating a nice morning tug to exorcise Rontor's ghost, Rian came sweeping into the room.
I was half-dressed and completely unprepared for him. He was immaculate as ever, hair slicked back and clothing pressed. The King's stare fell from my face rapidly, coasting overmy exposed chest possessively. But then it caught on the bulge in my pants. His alpha delight soured.
Rian stormed forward and palmed my cock. “I've just arrived so this can't be for me.”
Gasping, I set my hands on the table behind me, leaning away from him even as my hips arched into his touch. “Rian, please.”
“Who were you thinking about?” he demanded. “Who prompted this reaction?”
I was about to lie and tell him I was thinking about him. But staring into his piercing, pale eyes, I couldn't. He yanked the truth out of me.
“Rontor,” I whispered.
Rian's hand twitched, squeezing my cock. “Who the fuck is Rontor?!”
“My old . . . lover.” I had nearly said master, but caught myself just in time.
The Dragon King released me with a growl and spun me around to face the table. With a shove, he had me sprawled across its top. My coffee mug tipped over, spilling its contents over the side, and then rolled away to fall to the rug. I trembled, my fingers curling atop the wood as Rian yanked my pants down and spread my legs.
“You made me a promise,” he said. “Do you deny it?”
“No,” I whispered. “I'm sorry. I'm still getting over him.”
