Bonded by Thorns (Beasts of the Briar, #1)

by Elizabeth Helen

Some people call these guilty pleasure reads, but why should I feel guilt for wanting to escape to somewhere else, even for a little while?

“The Spring Prince?” I snort. “You mean the masked man in the armor? Yeah, I met him. He wrapped his hand around my throat and choked me out.” Marigold sits beside me on the bed, eyes wide. “How hard?” My eyes widen. “W-what?” She gives a devious leer. “Well, if any of the princes wanted to wrap their large hands around my throat⁠—” “Marigold!” Astrid hits her with the side of her apron. “You’re so bad.”

🤣

“You interested, Blossom? Come over here, and I’ll show you how the fae make love.” He licks his lips, gaze intense.

I think he’s actually enjoying this. But I can’t help it. “You can stop if you don’t actually like doing it.” He stills for a moment, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of my ass. “Do you like it, Rosalina?” “Yes,” I say in a breath. “Yes, I’ve never felt anything like this. I just⁠—” “Then the fucking gods will have to tear me away from your sweet pussy,” the deep voice rumbles against my inner thigh.

🔥🔥🔥

Mandaria looks at the back of her book, reading out loud: “Far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, and a prince in disguise? Sounds like a perfect read.” “Only one prince?” I give a little wink at Farron. “Sounds dull.”

Bahaha! Sounds familiar 😏…

Is she looking at me? Is that soft smile for me? I need to sit. The rest of them are sitting. I step back, but stumble over my own boots, catching my armored heel on the edge of the throne. I fall, reaching for nothing, and land with a clatter on my ass. “Ezryn!” she cries. As quick as I fell, I right myself, straightening my helmet and trying to lean against the throne as if I’d meant to do that all along.

Awww!! Hehehe, I didn’t know he would be so awkward 🥰

“Your realm is absolutely stunning,” she says to Keldarion. “I feel like I’m in some sort of winter wonderland. Like Kris Kringle’s going to come around the corner at any second.” Kel surges forward and snatches her forearm. “Who is this Kris Kringle you speak of?” Farron clears his throat. “It’s a legend from the human realm, Kel. A mysterious entity who watches children while they sleep and breaks into people’s homes at night.” “Oh. A legend.” Kel steps back. “Do not fret, Rosalina. There are no evil beings here.”

Bahahahaha

Rosalina claps her hands. “Okay, you’re next!” She grabs Farron’s shoulder. “I think I need another drink first. Or actually, I need to use the little fae’s room—” he squeaks, but he’s no match for her. She shoves him into the fray, and he’s immediately swept up by a chesty older woman.

Bahaha 🤣

Kel has chosen a dance partner. He walks past me, arm held aloft, clutching Rosalina’s hand. It’s as if the entire ballroom takes a collective breath. “What in the realms is Prince Keldarion doing with that human?” my partner sneers. Kel sweeps Rosalina in his arms and the music slows, a passionate lilt filling the air. A small smile creeps over my lips. Inside, my chest eases for the first time all night. “He’s dancing,” I murmur, “with our girl.”

Ahhhh 😍🥰🫠

after I chide Prince Keldarion of the Winter Realm for not taking a dance partner, he stares at me with that icy-blue gaze, puts his rough hand on my cheek, and says, “The only person in this room I want to dance with is you.”

Awwww!!!

“You need to find your mate, Kel,” I finally manage. “Dance with someone who you feel a spark⁠—” “It’s not a spark. It’s an eternal fire that burns from deep within my heart and reaches out to you.” Ferocity flickers in Kel’s gaze. “And every moment I am not touching you, it eats my soul inside out, tearing me apart, until merely looking at you is an anguish I would only wish upon my worst enemy.” I stare stupidly at him before I burst out laughing. “Just because I called you funny one time doesn’t mean you can make jokes like that now.” Kel’s fingers dive into my hair, and his other hand lands on my waist. He pulls me close. “Dance with me, Rose.”

❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥❤️‍🔥

And this necklace! I have no idea where Marigold got it, but⁠—” Keldarion gives a small smile. “I sent for it. It belonged to my mother.” “Oh! Oh.” My jaw drops open. “I promise I’ll give it back right after the ball! Right after this dance. And I definitely wasn’t eating truffles and then touching it. Okay, I was, but only a little⁠—”

😆

“Am I still your prisoner?” “Oh, Rosalina, you’re reading my mind now,” he murmurs. “On the contrary. You were never my prisoner, and I was always yours.” My words are a breath: “What do you mean?” The music rises and I spin under Kel’s arm. He pulls me close, then dips me low. “You are the cove in which our storm-struck ships moor. The beacon of light in the darkest night leading us home. A candle whose flame flickers against the coldest wind. You’ve given them hope.”

“Saving someone’s life does not grant them ownership of it.”

My voice breaks off in a sob, and I stare up at Kel through blurry tears. “I couldn’t find you,” I choke out. “I couldn’t find you when you’d fallen under the ice. But a light bloomed in my chest. A light that led me straight to you.” His eyes widen as he stares down at me, the breath heavy in his throat. I tangle my hands in his shirt, pushing myself closer. “I can still feel it, even now. Kel, you can send me away, but I will always find my way back to you.” “Rosalina.” His voice is as much a warning as it is an invitation as his hand reaches up to brush the side of my face. My heart opens, as vulnerable and fragile as a snowdrop. “Am I your mate?” His lips crash against mine. I lose myself, pushing everything I have back into him. His name dances upon my lips as I part them ever so slightly, savoring the sweetness of his kiss. A spark flares within me as he holds me tightly against his heart.

😭😭😭😭😭