“It is all right to love two people, Emeline. Why is it that we must choose? However, I can see why Skarth has your heart. With Ulf, I cannot. But I suppose love does not make sense.”
“I do not love him.” I’m quick to refute even though I am lying to myself because I do love Ulf. I love him very much.
Alruna looks over my shoulder, alerting me that we’re no longer alone.
“I am sorry, Alruna,” Ulf says, his tone sharp as he clearly heard what I said. “I did not mean to offend you.”
I do not insult him by revoking what I said. I will bear the consequences of my words.
Alruna nods and soon leaves as it’s apparent it will take more than an apology for her to forgive.
When we’re alone, I turn around to face Ulf. I do not cower. I stare him in the eyes, waiting for him to act. The tension between us has the hair on my arms standing on end, and my heart begins to pound with excitement. This is so wrong, which is why it feels so right.
Ulf doesn’t hide his appraisal of me as he examines me from head to toe. It’s as if he has been holding back, and only now does he explode.
This is the Ulf the Bloody I know.
This is the Ulf the Bloody I love.
He advances. Grabbing the front of my throat, he walks me backward and slams my back into a tree.
Still, I don’t struggle. I allow him to manhandle me because he and Skarth are the only men I will allow to dominate me this way. His stature is huge. He lowers himself until we are a hair’s breadth away. I can taste his breath on my lips, which I lick.
“You do not love me?” he questions, his eyes alight. “I remember a time when you loved every part of me as I owned your body and soul.”
“That was a lifetime ago,” I weakly argue, as there is no fire to my words. “Besides, your ego is still vast, I see. But I have forgotten your touch.”
“You are many things, princess, but a liar you are not.”
I’m afraid to speak because I don’t know what I’ll say. So I remain quiet.
“Tell me you don’t love me, and I will leave you be.”
“I do not love you,” I reply quickly, too quickly because a slanted smirk tugs at Ulf’s sinful lips.
“And I do not believe you.” Ulf tightens his grip around my throat, daring me to struggle.
But I don’t.
“I miss the days when you were afraid of me.” He has the gall to tease me.
“It seems you’ve gone senile in your old age. I was never afraid. Bored by your theatrics, however? Indeed.”
Ulf clenches his jaw, annoyed that I am not frightened. But something in those eyes changes color, and they are soon swimming with a molten fire.
“Your tongue may be deceptive, but your body always spoke truths.”
Before I can protest, Ulf lifts the hem of my dress. I want to struggle, but this only cements his claims. So I dare him to do something, something which we both want.
His fingertips caress my leg, and where he touches, he leaves behind an inferno. I want more, but I will not beg. He doesn’t loosen his grip around my throat, which only heightens my excitement. He glides his fingers higher and higher, and each touch sends my heart into overdrive.
We never break eye contact.
Ulf touches me with a lover’s caress because he knows what I like. He taught me things I forever crave. And he knows it.
Our lips almost touch, but he doesn’t close the distance because he wants me to be the one to make that move.
But I cannot.
