Kings and Bones

by Juliette Cross

He was strikingly beautiful.

“Maybe you should be a good girl and not run off.”

“To find you.”

You are mine to protect.”

“The fact that no male saw fit that you were and are a female worth fighting for is their loss. But I’m here now.”

“And I’ll kill anyone who dares to even touch you.”

“I’ll let you know what the aggression is about soon enough, but I’m beginning to think you know.” “I don’t.” Though perhaps I had some idea. “I’ll show you when we get to my home in the Solgavia Mountains.” His look was savage, predatory. “What if I don’t want you to show me?” That was what finally cracked his expression. But his smile with a hint of fang was not disarming at all. It only catapulted my pulse faster. “It’s too late for that, Murgha.”

She couldn’t get away from me if she tried. So small. So delicate.

“Fuck my wings, Murgha.” He pressed his forehead to mine. “I almost lost you.”

“No, Murgha. It was not a mistake. It was as it should be.”

“Hear me now, Murgha. You are mine to protect. And I will kill anyone who dares to try to hurt you.”

“My loyalty is to you now.” “Above your king?” I asked, incredulous. “Above everyone and everything.”

“Relax, Murgha. I’ll take care of you.”

“You can fit in that tub? You’re awfully big.” His haughty smile returned as he walked toward me. A flush of heat crawled up my neck. I suddenly realized what he might’ve thought I meant about his large body and smaller, tight spaces. “Don’t you worry, darling.” He cupped my face, brushing his thumbs over the slant of my cheekbones, then whispered against my lips. “I’ll fit just fine.”

Darling?

“Because you are my mate.”

“Will you put me out of my misery and become my wife?”

“Being near you without having you is sheer torture. Don’t you understand that?”

By the gods, she was lovely. Achingly beautiful.

“You are fucking mine,”

“She’s my mate,” I snapped quickly. “My wife.”

“You’re mine, sweet Tessa.”