Page 108 of Wolfkissed
I could stay here all day and night, I realize, lost in her. I could coax her out of her shell, unwrap her from the bathing sheet and show her ways to find pleasure. I’d show her what a man likes, what a woman likes… the many ways in which two can be better than one.
Fuck her future husband. Fuck her family. Fuck everyone who gets in my way. I want her for myself. I want her for herself. I want… I want everything with her.
But a knock on our door jerks me out of that fantasy, and I roll to my feet in an instant, senses on high alert.
Another knock, and she sits up, the blankets up to her neck, eyes wide. I bring my finger to my lips. Let’s wait and see who is on the other side.
“My lord, my lady! Mariella sends word that hunters were seen in town. They are looking for a dark-haired girl, they say, and her captor.”
Shit.
CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR
VALERIAN
Fuck.I let my guard down, thought we’d be safe here for the night. But dawn has arrived and, with it, her murderous family.
Time to make our way out of this place.
Grabbing my pants from the floor where I dropped them last night, I pull them on and turn to find her with her back to me, reaching for the brown dress the maids brought. She’s shy again, hiding herself from me, but the joke’s on her because every side of her is beautiful.
I shouldn’t look without permission, and I shouldn’t waste time gazing at her, but tell that to my traitorous mind and body, both of whom want her.
Grabbing the knife she has been carrying, I open the door a crack and glance outside. It’s barely light, but even in this form, I see better than most men, and I see horses crowding the inn’s yard. I poke my head out and recognize one of the men sitting astride.
That’s not fucking good.
“Princess.” I turn to find her fastening the laces at her chest. I take over, pulling them and tying them up. “Shoes?”
She sits on the bed to wear them, and swearing inwardly, I crouch down to aid her. It’s a struggle not to focus on the sight ofher elegant legs and dainty feet, the feel of her soft skin as I slide her stockings on and then her shoes.
What I wouldn’t give to be by her side and look after her all my life? Every touch, every moment with her gives me joy.
Dammit, Valen, get your head on straight and get going!
“Come on.” I take her hand and haul her to her feet. “We need to make a run for it. We’ll avoid the central yard. I know another way out.”
“Wait…” Her face is a pale oval under her tangled dark hair, her brows a knot of concern. “What if there was a mistake? What if they aren’t here yet?—?”
“They are in the yard. I saw them. I recognized that fae asshole who put me in chains.”
“Lord Sinen? Oh, no…”
Without another word, I pull her along as I open the door and step outside. Here we are visible to everyone, exposed, so we need to hurry the hell up.
She’s quiet, following my lead. This show of trust in me warms my insides. All my focus is on getting her away from here and to safety.
There is a set of stairs leading to the back of the inn. It’s an escape hatch of sorts, a rarely used stairwell I only know because I’m a black sheep—well, a dark fae, which amounts to the same in a society that despises us. Having stayed here a few times, I made a point of locating all the escape routes, which is now coming in handy.
Pushing the narrow door open, I lead her down the worn, old steps. In older times, this inn used to be a smugglers’ haunt on the way to the mountains. Mariella has told me all about it. Fuck, I hope she won’t get into trouble over us.
Making a mental note to ask after her later, make sure she’s okay, I clench Rosie’s hand in mine and stop at the bottom of the staircase. I half-open the door to the street and sniff theair, searching for any scents I know, as well as listening out for familiar voices. I’ll never forget the scents and voices of my captors.
Nobody seems to be outside. Nobody that matters. I can smell dogs, cats, rats, pigeons and ravens. Random people who passed by some time ago. Faint scent traces, already fading in the morning air.
“All clear.” I open the door wide and lead Rosie outside. The street is narrow and deserted, houses rising on either side. “We have to make haste.”
We run. She follows me, keeping pace at first but quickly lagging behind. Few people can keep up with me when I put in a burst of speed, and that’s among the wolves. Somewhere behind us, I hear shouting.
