Did he know about the brew? How could he?
I took one long look at him and found myself spiraling, my eyes almost bulging out of my sockets.
He knows!
I grabbed his hand and carefully pried it off my mouth. I was shaken, but I did my best not to let it surface. The gods knew if I admitted it, this might be my last night on earth.
"I do not know what you speak of, my liege," I said calmly.
"Your arousal slled different," Drevon said with a thoughtful expression as if flashing back to that mont, eyes sowhat sparkly.
My breath fastened, and whatever I wanted to say dissolved. Fragnts of last night depleted my mind, the tingling sensation between my legs driving my body in the heat.
Get it together, Eloise!
I cleared my throat. "Again, my liege. I do not know what you’re talking about." A sweet smile curled. "Last night was completely...natural."
He leaned close, and I inclined backward instinctively, my heart thudding rapidly because of the way he looked at like he could peek into my very soul.
"But I could be wrong." He turned away, folding his arms against his broad chest and tipping his head. "That night was vague. Maybe you could recall better?"
This impossible man!
My lips twitched, and I almost snarled at him like an animal. "Maybe you have a better mory than I do, you were the one who was quite engaging," I ground out the words.
I could never look at tulips the sa way again, because of him. Tsk!
"I do recall one important detail." A sly grin tugged at his lips. "Your arousal slled just as sweet as it does now."
rciful gods!
"M-My l-liege, I’m exhausted from our journey. I need rest, can we end this discussion?"
This is as polite as I could speak, even though it felt like I was practically driving him out. I am. And the gods knew I was this close to dragging him out myself, may the consequences be damned!
Just when I thought he would push to the edge, he said. "Apologies, I wasn’t considerate about your rest."
Drevon took my hand and brought it to his lips, peering at as he placed a kiss on my ring. "I’ll see you tomorrow, little wife, sweet dreams."
~•~
I didn’t get a wink of sleep.
I stayed sitting and gaping at the entrance as if he would appear from it. But Talia walked in and halted abruptly.
"Did you not sleep?"
"How could I sleep?" I drawled. "I might not make it to Valkanor at this point."
She blinked, confused. "What are you talking about?"
"I’ve feared walking into Lycan’s domain that I didn’t once consider..." I exhaled, devastated. "The road to hell is treacherous."
I scoffed, shaking my head as I raised one knee and rested my arm on it. "A visible reaction would’ve been better. My stepmother’s response to any transgression is her discipline; it was always leading to that point."
I looked back at Talia, who stared at as if I were losing my mind.
"That’s the thing, dear Talia, you know what will happen when you’re in the wrong. Have you ever been in a situation where you prefer the dagger to cut you?"
Talia cautiously strode to the bed and sat. Her silence was unnerving to the last bit, but then she sighed like the weight of the world was upon her and stared into space.
"What to do now, she’s going crazy already."
"Should I remind you that I’m right here? And I’m not going crazy."
Talia didn’t look positive.
"I’m being serious! It’s that man driving crazy!" I rasped.
"The monarch?" She questioned.
"You’ve no idea."
In just two days, I’ve cheated and deceived him, and what was his response to this? Nothing.
I’d have preferred having my head ripped off my shoulders as well as being devoured because that, I understand. His modest cobacks were far more worriso.
"Doesn’t this bother you?" I asked desperately.
Talia rolled her eyes, like she couldn’t bear another mont with , but asked anyway. "What?"
"What the rumors say about them."
"This isn’t just about the monarch but the Lycans?"
"Both," I whispered. "Or maybe just Drevon." I gasped, placing a hand close to my lips. "I called him by his na. Why am I familiar with him?"
Talia exhaled sharply, rubbing her forehead. "You’re being difficult."
"I’m not! I’m the only one thinking this through, and you should."
"I do, but I’m more focused on staying alive. Maybe you should be worried, after all, you’re the one who’s married to a Lycan and shares a bed with one for the rest of your miserable life."
"Then my actions are justified, maybe I should really be losing my sanity."
Talia closed her eyes and muttered sothing under her breath before speaking to with constraint. "I already have a handful in trying to mask your ailnt, but your madness? I’m not sure we can deceive them, my lady. We can fool them into thinking your tantrums are just cold feet and not episodes of a near ntal breakdown."
"Ugh!" I growled, clenching my fist.
She was not helping!
I tried to rise, but everything spun suddenly, and my body lost gravity and collapsed on the bed.
"Did the world just pivot?" I asked, holding my head as a migraine punctuated my forehead.
"No, my lady."
I groaned, opening my eyes, and everything doubled by ten. Talia poked her face into my line of vision.
"You caught the cold you were trying to avoid. You’re being careless."
My all-night patrol has gotten dood. I should’ve been more careful. I push myself to sit while trying to stop my face from twisting so hard from the ache.
"I can make sothing to reduce the strain, but the rest is up to you, and my lady?"
"What?" I grumbled, just her speaking felt like my head would split in two.
"We’re humans, the only humans stepping into Lycan’s domain for the very first ti. That alone calls several things unimaginable. I suggest you get it together and try to make your sane mind last longer until you eventually lose it."
"Now you’re just being rude."
She gathered the blankets. "No, I’m being reasonable."
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