“Why didn’t you make me kneel and swear the oath?” I breathed, squeezing his fingers. “They would have respected me more.”
Liam tugged his left hand free and traced the mark on my forehead. “You’re my queen. I told them as much.”
“Yes, but since I’m only bound to you by marriage, not history, or blood, they might have respected me more if I kept your traditions,” I countered, wondering if it was too late to call them back so they could witness me make an oath.
“No one else will ever see you on your knees, little bird.”
A warm, wild thrill licked my veins. The sound of his voice sent my heart racing.
“But you just became a king of sorts,” I insisted.
Liam caught my hair, dragging me slowly, carefully forward. His words were gravel. “I am, cailín, and as my queen, it should have been me who bowed before you tonight.”
He pulled me onto his lap. I had to tug at the ridiculous, badass dress so that my bare legs could straddle either side of his. The material bunched, and I let out an unholy Italian curse.
“What was that?” Liam demanded roughly.
I opened my mouth to translate, but something caught the glow of the fire. This close, I could see the golden wisp of chain encircling his throat. It was the plain one, the one I wore when I didn’t feel the need to protect myself against the evil eye.
The chain I thought I’d lost for good.
“Is that my—” I leaned forward, the tip of my finger brushing against the metal.
“I never take it off.”
I jerked back. “Never?”
“It’s mine,” he growled, and gripping my thighs, he lined himself at my entrance.
And drove into me.
With a gasp, I grabbed for his shoulders. Bare flesh rippled under my touch. This devil had been wearing my necklace from the night he tore it from the bloody throat he’d cut at dinner.
His.
The claim was visceral.
Shivering with the intoxicating rush, I dug my thumbs into him and lowered myself further onto his cock. Liam reached around me, clasping me close. His face pressed against my chest, hard, strained breathing filling the spaces between us.
I rocked my pelvis, urging him deeper. Another inch slid inside. Pleasure made me clench him tight, and I had to force myself to relax and adjust to his invasion. His cock was thick and hard, and I needed it—needed it badly.
There was no cure for this want.
I could flee to the corners of the earth and never escape the craving for him. He was part of my existence at this point. His essence coursed through my veins. If I purged him out of me, I might die in the process, never surviving the exorcism.
Liam reached under the dress, cursing at the material, which only made me want to laugh.
I didn’t feel like laughing when his fingers started to massage my clit.
Panting, I ground against him. Whatever hunger fueled us was just the last vestiges of the ritual.
Pulling back, Liam caught the edge of my jaw, fingers splaying in my hair. “Don’t look away. I want to watch while I claim you.”
While in theory, I could have shut my eyes, there was no hiding from this. Liam was a monster, born from a lineage of ancient tribes. I stared at the beast who drove into me, who’s touch I accepted without protest. I glanced at the necklace. All this time…he never took it off.
He’s obsessed.
My pussy clenched at the thought.
