Page 29 of Blood & Roses

“I know,” I said, breathless as I reached up to cup his face. I stroked his scarred brow, stubble on his jaw, the tapered point of an ear. “Thank you.”

He grinned, kissing me again. “You’re very welcome, Isolde. I hope to repeat the pleasure many, many more times.”

“Right now?” I asked, winning another laugh and kiss.

“As much as I wish I could, I’m going to need at least a few minutes,” he said, brushing his nose against mine as he settled us into the pillows. “Are you cold?”

“I’m fine,” I said, nuzzling into the warmth of his body. “You’re very good at this, by the way.”

“Bedding females?” he asked with a raised brow. “Or keeping you warm?”

“Both,” I conceded, running my fingers over a small scar above his nipple. He kissed my hair, as if unable to stop touching me. “Do I want to know how much practice you’ve had?”

“Probably not,” he confessed, sounding slightly sheepish. “Although being only half-elven, it’s probably not as much as you’re thinking.”

“People’s prejudices really run that deep here?” I asked, pulling back a little so I could see his face.

I shivered slightly, and he gave me an exasperated look before reaching down and pulling a blanket over us.

“They do,” he said, running a hand down my arm to warm me up as he settled back down next to me. “I was more fortunate than most half-breed bastards are in this kingdom.”

“I hate that term,” I said, frowning as I traced another scar over his shoulder. “Half-breed. My father told us to never use it, about ourselves or any others.”

“Your father was elven?” Rowan asked, tracing the tapering of my ear, somewhat blunt like his own. I nodded, and he sighed. “Then he was a better male than my father. Mine regularly threw the word around. Tristan never used it, though. I think he saw how much it bothered me growing up.”

“He sounds like a good brother,” I said, seeing the worry in Rowan’s face. Tristan still had not woken when we left, and I knew Rowan feared he might not wake at all. “I’m sure my sisters are taking care of him.”

Rowan chuckled, catching my hand and bringing my knuckles to his lips. “He’ll probably think he’s gone to the great beyond when he wakes up in a house of beautiful females.”

“Not if Calli and Sera have a say,” I said, thinking of my most fiery younger sisters. “They’re probably tormenting him as we speak.”

We were silent for a few minutes, both lost in our own thoughts, and I felt myself beginning to drift off. Food, a warm bath, and several orgasms had that effect on a body, I supposed.

Rowan blew out the candle on the little table and wrapped me a little tighter in his arms. “If anything goes wrong tomorrow, Isolde—”

“Don’t,” I said, stopping his lips with my fingers. “Don’t borrow tomorrow’s troubles.”

I could almost see him roll his eyes in the dark as he nipped at my fingers, then kissed away the small hurt. “I’m serious. If somethinghappens to me, I need you to run. To tell Tristan to run, and not look back.”

“He’s the rightful King of Elandor,” I protested, feeling Rowan tense around me. “Shouldn’t we—”

He silenced me with a kiss, and I decided it was a point not worth arguing.

“Promise me,” he murmured. “You run, and you don’t look back either.”

I swallowed, and nodded. “I promise,” I said.

I knew it was a lie.

Rowan kissed me again, pulling me atop him. I felt him harden against me, and I laughed in surprise. “Already? That was fast.”

“You inspire me, it seems,” he said, groaning as I shimmied against him, teasing his length against my center. “Cruel, wicked thing.”

I pressed a kiss against his chest, breathing in the scent of him. Reveling in the feeling of his skin against mine.

It would be difficult to leave this when I went home, and Rowan stayed to protect his brother.

“Isolde?” Rowan said, frowning at me as he cupped my face, stroking my cheek. “Where did you go just now?”