“That’s not how it is for mantii. The word of theerezis final.”
“Well, thaterezsounds like a miserable hag.”
A shocked laugh caught in Soren’s throat. “Yes,” he coughed, “I suppose she was.”
Maeve’s frowning pout on his behalf was precious, making him want to kiss it away. Yet, he realized it was time he admitted one more truth, one that was far more important for her to understand. He couldn’t quite give up her touch, though, and held her hand to his face to keep it a little longer.
“It would have happened eventually,” he explained. “I was always reviled within the pride.”
“That’s absurd! You’re nothing but kind and hardworking and—”
“You’re sweet,” he rumbled, pressing a kiss to her palm. “But that is the way of it for those withlukan. Angry beasts.”
Her frown turned curious, her head even cocking to the side as she considered his words. “They truly shunned you because of that? But you didn’t have a say.”
No, he didn’t. But for unfortunate souls like him, their fates were sealed the moment of their birth. “Lukanare feared, considered aggressive, violent. They are killers.” He squeezed the hand he held, forcing the next words out. “I proved my nature the moment I was born. I…killed my mother.”
Maeve reared back, eyes going wide.
Soren continued through gritted teeth, going for his own jugular. “They saylukanare born in blood and always crave it. So it was for me. I’ve spent my life controlling myturuk, but it’s always there.”
“Because it’s a part of you,” she insisted. Soren’s eyes went wide in surprise, and she nodded determinedly. “I’d be angry too if I was yourturuk, being treated like that.”
“Ah,kam-kala,” he sighed, “you have it turned around. Thelukancaused their hatred.”
“I don’t believe that.”
“It is the mantii—”
“No.” Leaning forward, Maeve pressed her mouth to his in a quick, fierce kiss. Her gaze was just as ferocious as she said, “None of that was your fault, Soren.Noneof it. You were ababyand they should have loved you no matter what. Sofuck them.”
For the first time in his life, histurukheld perfectly still.
He gasped to hear her swearing so vehemently, especially on his behalf. His ears almost burned with residual shame, unused to hearing anerezand pride talked about so. Even his brothers who left with him didn’t speak so. Theerezhad been Balar’s mother, after all.
“Maeve…” He didn’t know whether to be touched or appalledor something else.
Righteousness made her fierce and even more beautiful. Hopping up, she shed her blanket and cup to climb into his lap, legs straddling him. Soren received her in shock, although his hands seemed to know what to do, arms coming around so he could secure her to him.
“I hate that they did that to you,” she said, voice heavy with rage. “You didn’t deserve that at all.” He received another hard kiss. “You deserve only good things.” More kisses. “Only good things.” Kiss kiss kiss.
Histurukwas purring before him, and words quickly fell away to more and more kisses. Soren happily followed where she led, amazed that she could even look at him, let alone touch and kiss him after his admissions.
He couldn’t quite believe what she’d said, nor even that she’d said it, but that mattered less than having her in his arms. She was a determined little thing, holding his head steady by his mane so he had to receive her affection. She demanded he pay attention to her, listen to her, and Soren was more than happy to comply.
His hands soon lifted from her flanks to curve over her backside. Fingers sinking into the plush flesh, he drew her even further into his body, needing to press every inch of her to him.
There was nothing quite like the feeling of having her against his bare chest, her heartbeat keeping time with his own. It gave him ideas, desires—like what it would be to entwine their naked bodies together. His purr grew deeper with the thought, and he savored how her exploring hands followed the sound.
She tasted sweet, especially from the cider, her kisses more forceful than usual. It was as though she meant to make him believe her through force of will, that enough affection could convince him. Soren doubted he’d ever be swayed, but then, he didn’t begrudge the effort.
Other than Balar defending him within the pride, no one had stuck up for Soren since his father had passed. He’d since learned it was easier to take it than fight, that resisting risked unleashing histuruk, and Soren knew he couldn’t bear the consequences of what it—whathemight do.
To be told the problem lay not with him but those that shunned him…it was an intoxicating idea. One he didn’t dare entertain. But Maeve was nothing if not a compilation of every dangerous thought and desire he could ever have.
She only added to them when she lifted her head but a breath to demand, “Take me to bed.”
A groan left Soren’s lips as he sifted his claws through her hair. Eventually, he used that grip to urge her back again. He nuzzled her nose with his in consolation before whispering back, “Not because of that.” The last thing he wanted was her pity, for it would taint all of her touches.
