Page 165 of Between Two Kings

The next few days passed in a blur.

Mating season was over, but that did not mean it was quiet underneath the mountain. Buzz about the tournament spread quickly; Tem couldn’t go more than a hundred feet in any direction without hearing someone whisper about her or Rowe, or both. Much to her surprise, the general consensus seemed to be excitement. Tem supposed she could understand that; anyone not in her position would have quite the show to watch in the coming weeks. But for Tem, this was the worst thing that could be happening. The tournament would determine who had her heart—something Tem herself did not know. And she was not ready to find out.

As if the tournament was not enough to worry about, Tem dreaded the next Sunday-night dinner. She found herself intermittently flexing her fingers, the pain from the wires still fresh in her mind. Tem had no idea whether the blood she’d given was enough to properly feed the villagers, but there had been no news from Gabriel, and hopefully that meant that, for the time being, it was.

Caspen was gone all the time now.

For some reason, Tem thought he might remain by her side now that the tournament loomed before them. They hadn’t been able to touch each other since their marriage was contested, which meant they hadn’t had sex either. Instead, Caspen was constantly out hunting, whether to keep up his strength or simply avoid his circumstances, she did not know. Perhaps it was too painful for him to be near her and not touch her. But it was painful for Tem too, and she was in no mood to be alone. By the time Saturday night came around, she was sick and tired of being lonely. Tem groped for him with her mind, pressing against his presence as soon as she found him.

Caspen.

Tem.

Come home.

I am hunting.

But I miss you.

I miss you too. But I am also hungry.

She sent him a vision of them together: his head between her legs, his mouth on her center, showing him what he could eat instead. Equal parts arousal and agony swept through Caspen. Tem knew he wouldn’t be able to touch her. But she wanted him anyway.

Come home.

His presence grew in her mind, tightening around the base of her neck. And what will you do if I come home?

Anything. Tell me.

Anything?

Yes.

I want you in our bed by the time I return.

What else?

I want you on your back with your legs open.

And then?

I want you soaking wet and ready to come. Can you do that for me, Tem?

Tem blushed so hard, it became difficult to concentrate. She could do that for him. And she would like it. So she said, Yes.

She lay on her back, just as he’d asked. She was wet already, and the moment air hit her center, she became even wetter.

Touch yourself.

Tem did so.

She dipped easily into her wetness, playing first with her clitoris before slipping her fingers deep inside. Tem concentrated on how it felt, focusing on the slick sensation, imagining Caspen was doing it instead. It was hard to believe she’d spent so many years doing this alone in her bedroom, and now she was doing it in the chambers she shared with her husband. Tem had spent so many nights in this bed, all of them with Caspen inside her. She thought about those nights, the way they’d moved seamlessly, crashing into orgasm again and again, together. Not a day had passed under the mountain when they hadn’t had sex, and Tem hated that the days were passing in the opposite way now. She needed Caspen like she needed air. She needed his body and his cock and his hands all over her. Nothing she did to herself would ever compare.

Deeper, Tem.

Tem went deeper. He was almost back; she could feel his presence growing in her mind as he got closer and closer. Just when Tem couldn’t bear it any longer, Caspen walked in.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. His shoulders were dappled with rain, dripping down his torso and tracing the ridges of his abdomen. Tem wished she could lick it off him. Just the sight of him was enough to bring her to the brink. His eyes were solid black, any trace of gold completely gone. If the circumstances were different, he would fuck her—he would fill her. But not this time. This time he crossed to the bed, grabbed his cock, and began to stroke.