“I do, Rose.” He shakes his head. “But if you knew the things I have done in my past, you would not look at me the same.”
“You’ve seen my scars and never judged me. You said your heart is mine, sotrust mewith it.” Gently, I touch the bracelet of frozen thorns on his wrist. “Tell me about your bargain with Caspian.”
He stiffens, then sighs. “When I return, I will try to tell you, but—”
“All I ask is you try,” I whisper. And I see my own wrists as well. My own thorn bracelets with Caspian, two thin circlets. I’ll tell him of my bargain with the Prince of Thorns then, and afterward, explain it to the other princes.
The promise seems to relax us both, and he pulls me into his embrace until I’m wrapped up in the scent of pine.
“I wonder if you shall stay with me all night,” Kel says almost wistfully. I haven’t been able to lie with him like this since our time in the Autumn Realm, when we would all make a little nest outside Farron’s room.
“I hope so,” I whisper. “I feel better now.”
He stiffens. “Were you ill?”
“A slight fever before bed, and my stomach cramped a little.” A different kind of heat rises in me. Could these symptoms also be…
Kel’s large hand slides down my side before settling on my belly as he begins to rub soft circles over the silky fabric of my nightdress. I inhale and squeeze my legs together as an intense wave of heat envelopes me.
I feel the ripple of change in Kel’s body as he senses my immediate and all-consuming arousal.
“I think I know why our mating bond took me here, tonight of all nights.” The ache in my stomach tightens, and I resist the urge to grab his hand and shove it lower.
“Isn’t Farron there to help you with your needs?” Kel asks, a rough edge to his words.
“We made love earlier, but he went to Hammergarden’s library before bed. Most likely fell asleep there,” I say, voice heady. “This is different. The bond with him is satisfied. But—”
“I cannot satisfy you in the way a mate should.”
Is this what Farron and I read about, thewilde courtship? A jolt of satisfaction ripples through me at all the places my body touches Kel’s. “It’s the mating frenzy,” I try to explain, “due to the fact we haven’t completed our bond.”
He inhales sharply. “I will not chance anything with you, Rose. Even in this dream.”
I nod. “I need to wake up.” Pressing on his chest to rise, a throbbing courses through my body. My skin grows feverish and hot, the silky fabric of my nightdress rubbing teasingly against my aching breasts.
“Yes—” Kel cuts off. His eyes darken like dye swirling in water. Is this thewilde courtshiptaking him over as well?
Before I have time to question further, he pulls me down. His lips crash over mine, and I sigh at the contact. All the discomfort evaporates into delicious pleasure.
My legs spread on either side of his hips, and his hard length grinds against my already soaking panties.
“Kel, wait,” I gasp when I break away for air. “There’s nothing I want more than this. But you don’t..”
He ignores me, his mouth trailing along my neck. “You are mine,” he growls before he bites down. I cry out at the euphoric thrill of pain and pleasure.
“I’m yours,” is all I gasp back.
He licks the tender spot before he reaches down and all I hear is a tearing sound before I realize he’s ripped my underwear completely off. There’s a quick flutter of cold air, then the hard length of his cock rubs against my entrance. Our moans mingle at the sensation.
“No, stop,” I whimper as I glide against the steel-hard length, wanting more than anything for him to move inside of me. “I could never regret being with you, but I don’t want you to regret being with me.”
It’s all I can manage through this haze, this mating frenzy. Every part of me craves him. Pure male sounds erupt from the back of his throat. I’m under his complete control. His arms wrap around me like a vise. He’s so strong. He tears my nightgown easily, parts of it sliding away to expose one of my breasts. His large, rough hand runs over the softness and squeezes. His other reaches under my dress to cup my ass.
Lapping a tongue over a nipple, he continues a wet trail up my chest, along my neck to my lips. “Mine,” he growls, deep and possessive.
“Yours,” I breathe, completely at his mercy.
He flips us until he’s hovering above me. Power ripples through him, veins bulging in his neck and arms. Light flashes in from the moon and for a moment, his eyes almost appear to glow. Right now, he reminds me more of his wolf than any fae man. Raw, animalistic with strength and desire. And every instinct in him right now is to mate with … me.
