Page 151 of Wolfkissed
“I’m fine.”
“Are you hurt? Wait… don’t tell me you got into a fight?”
His jaw clenches. “Does it matter?”
“Don’t cause trouble here, please,” I say softly.
“So I’m the troublemaker, huh?”
I shake my head. “No. No, you’re not. That wasn’t what I meant.”
“It’s…” He trails off, his gaze narrowing on me. Following it, I look down and find bruises on my wrist. “Who did that?”
I swallow hard. “Nobody.”
“Princess…” He takes my hand, turns it this way and that. “What the hell? Who do I need to kill?”
“Nobody,” I squeak. “Lord Eorl’s grip is hard. When he danced with me last night?—”
“The fuck?” His teeth flash, fury darkening his eyes. “There is only one time and place when a man is allowed to leave bruises on you, Princess, and mark my words: that can only happen in the throes of passion, and only if you consent. If you want to be marked. If you enjoy it. If the pleasure is ten times the pain.”
I should pull my hand away, only, I don’t want to. Being close to Valen again makes me shiver pleasantly. “He didn’t realize, I’m sure.”
“I don’t like him,” he growls.
“I know.”
“Come with me.”
My breath leaves me. “Where? I can’t flee with you, I?—”
“To meet my friends. Darian and Konstam. My best friends have come to accompany me home. I’d like for you to meet them.”
My throat closes. “Valen… Don’t go yet.”
“I’m still here. Come.”
I shouldn’t be leaving the premises, especially not in the company of a man. But I’m dying of curiosity to meet these friends, more werewolves, to see if they are like Valen.
“Okay,” I whisper.
His grin scorches my mind, wiping it clean of doubt. “Follow me then, Princess.” He tugs on my hand. “Let’s go meet my favorite wolves.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO
ROSAMUND
He leads me around a small maze and through an orchard to a back gate. It’s half-open and we slip out while the lord of the manor is having lunch with his mistresses and guests.
Speaking of whom…
“You lied to me,” I accuse him.
He shoots me a look. “How?”
“You made me think I was pretty. That my scars weren’t ugly. That my future husband may desire me. May want me to know how to offer pleasure.”
“I never lie, Princess,” he says softly.
