Bewitching Rhaego (Clecanian, #8)

by Victoria Aveline

Rhaego didn’t take part in the chase often anymore, but when he did, it was known among all that he would catch whoever he chose and woe to anyone who tracked his quarry.

Their eyes locked for the span of a heartbeat, and she whimpered. The sound echoed through his skull, and his hands stilled. Fear? Is she afraid…of me? Uncertainty cut through his single-minded fever, chased by a spike of sadness.

But I would cherish you, little doe.

If her mind remained as foggy tomorrow as it had been today, she might as well walk into the luncheon wearing a big neon Don’t Be Suspicious sign.

All he wanted was to trouble himself for her. To demonstrate the lengths at which he yearned to trouble himself for her. To prove he could make her happy in all ways and instill in her a sense that he was essential to her life and her happiness. Indispensable.

but there was something insidious about insecurity sown during youth. The roots were deep. They burrowed into young spongy bone and grew alongside their host, hardening and aging until there was no distinguishing between what was natural and what was planted.

“The Goddess was unreasonably generous when she formed you.” Aurora’s skin warmed, her body swaying closer to his. He met her eyes. “It would be blasphemous to hide the fruits of her labor.”

nipples taut and sending molten heat

Aurora had absolutely no idea how to respond to that. She let out a clipped high-pitched noise that she’d meant to be nonchalant but came out one hundred percent chalant.

“It would benefit me greatly if you abstained from being so fucking beautiful.” The compliment was delivered with such severity that she could only chew on the inside of her cheek and stare.