Luxuria (Shades of Sin, #1)

by Colette Rhodes

Seriously, I was one muttered complaint about how slow my human legs moved away from whispering, ‘sorry, Monster Daddy,’ and dropping to my knees to ask for forgiveness.

Well, damn. I’d always had a weakness for arms.

I’d been promised monster fucking, and I wasn’t getting any damn monster fucking.

“When did you even give it to her?” I demanded. “You can’t give my wife gifts. I haven’t even given her gifts.” “It’s not my fault you’re a terrible husband,”

He didn’t get to have horny Ophelia. Rude kings who probably had a harem of monster side chicks didn’t get to have horny wives.

If he finished that sentence, my stupid pheromones would be all ‘ooh yes, sexy monster husband! Tell me more about how attractive you find me! Let me do the scent dance of my people!’

“Or maybe she’s planning your death?” my brother suggested, not sounding as distraught about that as I’d like.

“Oh, and we’ll discuss that smart mouth of yours later,” I told Ophelia mildly. She blinked at me. “Ah, yes. When we do all that talking we spend so much time doing. That sounds just like us.”

I was already failing in my attempts to not smell like an eager beaver. Like my beaver was literally eager.

“You two are gossipy old toads,” Allerick muttered.

Wretched she-demon.

“Are you telling me,” Allerick said slowly, carefully collecting up my drawings and setting them on the nightstand, “that you have been wet and wanting since our wedding, wife?”

“You should wear one of your dresses to dinner,” I gritted out, forcing myself to behave like a civilized being instead of the beast I felt like. “You are a rare spot of color in this realm, it seems a shame to blanket you in shadow.”

“I did, but thank you for checking on me, that’s very sweet of you.” “I’m not sweet,” I countered immediately, worried someone had overheard. Damen leaned around Ophelia with a knowing grin on his face. “You’re the sweetest, big brother.” Little shit.

“I had been wondering if that smell you’re so attracted to was in fact desire,” Damen admitted. I whipped him with a shadow. “When were you going to tell me that?” “I didn’t realize you needed so much help with the opposite sex, big brother,”

“Didn’t introduce you to his mother though, did he? Little shit.”

I love her lol

“In the meantime, I vote you bite your wife.”

“Perhaps we should go for a walk,” Ophelia said softly, patting the back of my hand. “Get some fresh air.” “Mm, he certainly needs something,” Damen chuckled, his amused expression making me contemplate gouging the eyes out of his skull.

Her smiles were genuine now, and she wasn’t afraid to tease me. It made my stomach feel… fluttery whenever she did.

“By the goddesses, sister, you look terrible.”

“Queen Ophelia will always be safe within these walls,” Levana said in a hard voice, sidling up next to me. “She is my queen, and my friend. I will keep her safe with my life.”

Gone. She was actually gone. My heart was tearing into two inside my chest, ripping brutally in different directions. My breath sawed out of me, louder and raspier than normal. Maybe I was dying. Maybe Ophelia had condemned me to death when she walked out of my life. She’d been my sunshine, and she’d taken it with her.

How could she possibly think I wouldn’t want her here? The shadow realm was her home, her kingdom. She was my everything.

“Because I didn’t tell your sister that she was the first woman I loved, the only woman I’d ever love, and I’ll die with the regret of not making my feelings for her clear when I had the chance.”

‘I love you, Ophelia. I hope you can forgive me for not telling you sooner. I have come here to bring you home, where you belong. You are my queen. The Queen of Shades.’

I would be selfish to deprive our people of your compassionate leadership. You are kind, empathetic, and loyal. You were born to be a queen, and you have already made me a better king.′

″If she’s going to spend any amount of time here, she’ll have to get used to it. I have no intention of hiding how much I desire my wife.” ″I hope you never stop,” Ophelia said gently, leaning up to kiss my jaw. “I love you, Allerick.” ″I love you, my queen.”