Bride of the Shadow King (Bride of the Shadow King, #1)

by Sylvia Mercedes

I glare at him. “Keep your tongue behind your teeth where it belongs, or I’ll remove it and give you a proper lashing.”

I laughed out loud at this comeback!

There’s courage in her eye, unexpected and defiant. She may not be a warrior; that doesn’t mean she’s weak.

So much love for this line.

Then: “Only weak men feel the need to hide such strength behind closed doors.”

Which should relieve your maidenly mind no end!” Perhaps it should. But it doesn’t. If I’m honest, I would be happier knowing I wasn’t the only novice in the room, would prefer to learn such intimacies with my partner rather than live wondering how I compared to those who came before me. It would be one thing if I too had known previous lovers. As it is, I hate feeling at such a disadvantage.

I shake my head and bury my face momentarily in my towel. Why would anyone ever want to be king? Such a hopelessly impossible role for anyone who ever sought to be a good man.

Vor is such a good man...even when it's hard.

And even without looking at her directly, I am painfully aware of Ilsevel’s lithe shape beneath that gown. I close my eyes, fighting against the fire in my gut. I am a man, after all. I cannot help the urges of my body. But I can absolutely help what I do with those urges. I will not let them control me.