‘Criticisms. Not only of your reign, but you, personally.’
Matthias laughed. ‘He’s my brother, Ash. My brother. That’s what family do. Skye’ll speak her mind when she needs to, and as for my wife…’
They both snorted, and I bristled.
‘I wonder if I’ve ever once earned her respect in all the time I’ve known her.’
I twisted my fingers into the coarse wool of my dress. That’s what he believed I thought of him? Surely he knew how much I admired him? A gap hollowed in my chest. Had I ever told him how much he meant to me?
It was always too much to expect the wolf to behave for long. He opened his mouth, ignoring my wide-eyed attempts to hush him, and yawned…loudly. The voices silenced.
‘Speaking of your wife…’
‘Sorrow?’
I raised my chin and threw my shoulders back, and, clutching the damned wolf tighter than usual, left the shadows. Matthiasmoved out of his own shadow. His eyes twinkled in the amber glow of the fading oil lamps. My heart spiked as he approached.
‘Is everything all right? Do you need something?’
I stared into the corner, where I made out the barest hints of Asher’s wide smile.Why yes, Matthias. I do need something after all. I need you. Your mouth searing my skin, your body pressed against mine, your…
Only, how could I say that with the damn captain grinning like a fool? All the bravado that led me to seek him out faded.
‘I…’ My voice faltered as his brow crinkled and he stepped closer. The barest hint of his lavender reaching me. ‘I…’
‘Well.’ I jumped as Asher moved out of the gloom, slapping Matthias on the shoulder. ‘We have a really early start. I’m turning in.’ He arched a brow as he passed. ‘Good night, you two.’
I took a settling breath, raised my hand and wiggled my fingers at the captain.Oh Gods.I swallowed.Get a bloody grip, Sorrow.I turned to Matthias, his eyes concerned.
He rubbed the back of his neck, before closing the distance between us. Heaving in a breath, I opened my mouth, but found for once, my words failed me. Matthias reached out, his hand slipping down my loose braid. Green eyes met mine as he tilted that Gods-given face. I snaked my hands around his neck. His brow arched, broad hands slipped around my waist, and I squirmed against the heat his touch sparked.
‘Therewassomething,’ I said as I swept my hands down his shoulders, noting every firm dip and rise.
Matthias exhaled slowly, his nose tracing down my cheek. ‘Hmmm.’
Gods, my toes curled at the gravel in his tone.
‘What was it my wife…’
I arched my back as he laid a soft kiss to the skin beneath my ear.
‘My beautiful, breathtaking…’
His teeth scraped a torturous path down my throat, and I gasped.
‘Stunning wife would be wanting at this rather late hour?’
A whimper escaped my lips as he pressed a lingering kiss to the hollow of my neck. By Evella, I’d never be capable of speech if he kept on like this.
I ran my hand down his chest, revelling in his moan as my fingers skimmed the soft skin under his shirt. The swell of his arousal pressed into my hips as his mouth tracked a lazy path further down my chest. My fingers traced the line of his trousers slowly, slowly…
‘Oh, excuse me, your highnesses…I…I am sorry.’
We broke apart, gasping, breaths heavy as Pablo whined from the corner. A maid – the same maid I’d passed earlier, stood smirking at us.
Matthias grabbed my hand. ‘You’re excused.’ An unusual hint of annoyance tinged his tone as Matthias tugged me towards his rooms.
We barely made it around the corner before I gasped as he shoved me against the wall. Eyes hooded, chest hitching, his mouth slammed into mine. There was no room for gentleness. This was greed, hunger. Years of pain and holding back reaching a crescendo. Every missed opportunity, denied touch, all those nights we could have lain entwined among twisted sheets finally demanding our due.
