Page 30 of Shadow Queen
He reached behind her and opened the door to the room, using the frame of his body to push her backward and inside without breaking their kiss, then swung it closed behind them. His hunger—she could feel it in him, loosely leashed. He made no effort to hide his want. There was no reserve, no mask. And she loved it.
The scent of him was intoxicating, and she breathed him in. All of him. He moved her backward, toward the bed, the hunt in his eyes and his intentions clear. She could stop him, slow him, she knew. But she didn’t want to.
He laid her back on the bed, as gently as the storm inside him would allow, then he stepped back and away. She watched him as he reached over his shoulders and pulled his shirt over his head. The muscle rippled under his skin in forced restraint, and a warmth pooled in her stomach. His need fueled hers. He kicked off his boots and unbuckled his belt, pushing his breeches down and off, and stood naked in front of her.
Norah drew her bottom lip in between her teeth. She loved his body. She’d always considered herself a somewhat modest woman, but just the look of him made her want every inch of his flesh. And she’d have him. She brought out her foot from underneath her dress and held it for him. He reached out and slipped off one shoe, then the other. Her heart beat faster.
She pushed herself up, onto her knees, and turned around, her back to him. A shiver ran up her spine as he stepped closer. He pulled her jacket from her shoulders and tossed it to the side, then set his attention on the fastenings down her gown, so many fastenings. He pushed apart the backing and pulled loose the lacing from the corset underneath. Then she turned back to face him.
The thought of inviting him back to her bed before was alwaysjustbeyond the reach of her confidence. Perhaps it was the shyness of convention, or the pervasive voice in the back of her mind telling her she couldn’t love this man, she shouldn’t want this man. But she did want him. He’d said he thought of her inviting him into her sanctuary, often. She did too. But only in the darkest corners of her mind did she let herself think of his touch, and of his body. But tonight, she wouldn’t let herself be confined to only thoughts.
Slowly, Mikael pulled the gown from her shoulders and down. They both paused for a moment, breathless. Then he pushed the fabric down farther, over her hips, sweeping her undergarments with it, and she rocked to the side as he stripped it down her legs and pulled the dress free. Her skin prickled, but not from the cold.
Mikael pushed her onto the bed, prowling over her, and drew her back into a kiss. He wrapped his arm around her and pulled her to the pillows as he drank from her lips. She could taste his want and responded with her own. He nipped along her jaw as she let her head fall back, giving him her throat. He trailed hungry kisses down her neck and bared his teeth against her shoulder. She wouldn’t have minded if he’d bitten her; she wanted to bite him.
Mikael followed the line from her shoulder to the base of her throat, letting her feel the warmth of his breath across her skin. She knew his breath, his mouth, his touch, and she needed it all. He brushed his lips over the side of her breast, and she arched her back, wanting more.
Norah pulled him up, opening her thighs, begging him to come to her, and she felt his body respond. Mikael loved with a strength, not one that overpowered her but one that fueled her, made her stronger.
He positioned himself and moved slowly. But she needed him now. She rocked forward, taking him inside her and joining them together. Deeper, then deeper still. The full length of him, until he filled her completely. The pleasure that rippled through her stole her breath.
He groaned as she moved her hips against him, bringing him almost all the way out and then sheathing him fully again. Pressure built within her core, and she quickened her pace.
Mikael gripped her waist, slowing her. Every fiber of her body protested—she needed him. She needed them to be one, not just in body, but in mind and heart. They had to be one to overcome the world against them, their own kingdoms against them, the gods against them. Mikael was hers, and no one would take him from her. He was hers, she told herself again as she gave in to her own desires. And he let her. There was no reservation with Mikael, no shame. Only freedom.
Norah pulled his hand down between her legs and guided him to touch her. She angled herself to feel him more, to take him deeper, and he gave himself to her. She let the fire build within until she thought she would burn, and then they both writhed in the inferno of their release.
As they descended, he collapsed, dropping to his elbows over her and panting. Slowly, he calmed, nuzzling into the warmth of her neck. She loved his tenderness—something so many thought he was incapable of. But she knew him.
“Mikael,” she breathed. There was no reason. She just needed his name on her tongue.
He drew up to look at her. “You’re the only one who calls me that.”
She bit her lip. “Do you not like it?”
He smiled. “When you say it, it’s the most beautiful sound in the world.”
She smiled back, and he brought his mouth to hers.
Chapter nine
NorahwoketoMikaelsitting in the chair by the window and pulling on his boots. He’d already donned his clothes. His black hair fell loose on his shoulders, a way she didn’t often see. She loved his hair, thick with a silky curl. He noticed her watching him, and he stopped and smiled.
“What are you doing awake so early?” she asked as she propped her head up on her elbow. “And where are you going?”
“I have to go find the lord commander,” he said.
Of course.
“I won’t be long, though,” he added.
She bit her smile in her teeth. “I suppose I should take a bath, anyway.”
“Vimal will draw you one and fetch you some breakfast.”
She nodded.
Mikael rose from the chair and stood beside the bed. She pulled the sheets around herself and sat up on her knees, and he pulled her close as he leaned down to kiss her. “I’ll return soon,” he said.
