“It is,” I blurt. “But there’s something else… I—” I pause. I know he wants me, I can see the outline of his thick length straining beneath his belt. If I offer myself, he’s bound to accept no matter the price.
There’s a reason I didn’t hesitate to join him for dinner.
“I-I know you want to fuck me again,” I say. He sucks in a breath. “And I’ll let you, if you give me what I want.”
His lips curve into a smile. “You’re a demanding pet… but what is it that you want?” His fingers stroke from my collar, down between my breasts. “Tell me, sweetheart,” he purrs.
I shudder. “I want you to let me go to Elheart’s palace so I can bring your sister home.”
His fingers pause against my belly button.
“I know I can do it, Tauren. It’s been a week now and you still haven’t found her. Let me try.”
The anger in his gaze melts all my desire away. “You thought that you could give me sex in exchange for letting you risk your life in that swine’s palace?”
“I just thought?—”
“You just thought what?” he snarls. “That a fuck could ever come close to what he could put you through? That man is a pig.”
“I’m sure it wouldn’t be that bad...”
“You are mywife, Dahlia.” His fists dig into the table. “If I wanted a fuck that badly, I’d bend you over this table and give your needy cunt what it’s been begging for all week. But I won’t. Because I love you and you deserve better than me forcing myself upon you. But Elheart will not spare you that same consideration, I guarantee you that.”
My lower lip trembles. “I’m not some fragile flower.”
“Aren’t you?” he scoffs. “Then tell me,Princess, what would you do if you were in Elheart’s dining room right now and he had you like this?” He looms over me, his fists either side of my hips. “Would you be able to stop him if he decided he wanted you? Would you stand any chance at all?” He presses a searing kiss against my neck, forceful enough to push me back against the table.
“Tauren.” I push against him, but he won’t stop. His kisses turn to bites. I gasp as he sucks the skin on my neck, my shoulders, my breasts.
“Stop me,” he growls, leaving another bruise on my skin. “Show me that you could stop him.”
“P-please.” I squirm beneath him, but it’s pointless. When his hips press against my bare entrance, I gasp, “Tauren!”
“You’re weak, Dahlia.” I try to swing at him, but he pins my fists to the table. “So fucking weak that it makes me sick to think what he’d do to you.”
“Then teach me how to be strong! I can learn.”
He laughs, grinding his hips into mine until I see stars. “No amount of training could protect you against a lord. He’ll have you searched for weapons upon arrival and he’ll have guards.”
“What about magic?” My voice wobbles. “Can’t you put a protective enchantment on me or something?”
“Demon magic will not work behind a completed salt barrier, and my soldiers have found no openings. There’s nothing I can do to help.” He reaches below his belt, and I feel his cock nudge my entrance. A desperate moan shudders through me. “Last chance to try and stop me, love, or I’m taking you against this table.”
“Don’t you dare,” I cry.
“That wouldn’t stop Elheart.” The darkness in his gaze is enough to make my eyes water. When a tear escapes, Tauren tenses and he releases my trapped wrists.
I scramble back on the table, putting as much distance between us as I can.
After he clothes himself, he drags a hand through his hair. “Dahlia?—”
“It’s fine, I understand.” I sniff. “I just wanted to help, but you’re right. It was stupid of me to offer.”
“You’re not stupid.”
“Just weak then.” I scowl, suddenly very aware of my bare skin.
Tauren averts his gaze. “It is not your fault.”
