FOREVER KNIGHTS: #5 Subjugation of Beasts
What is She Talking About!

At the touch of his tongue, hers responded with a dance of its own. Teasing him with honeyed sweetness. Her skin was soft and her body lush.

Lush? Oh no!

Gasping he pulled her back. “You know not what you’re doing, Dove!”

“Alazar, today is my birthday. I’m now nearly a spinster. No man in his right mind would say I’m a girl anymore. I’ve been of wedded age for years! Everyone but you knows that.”

Mouth open he searched for something to say. Before he did, she leapt to join her mouth with his again.

His hands roamed over her freely. Following the slim line of her back and down the beckoning roundness of her hips. When he regained the will to push her away a second time, he was panting.

“What has gotten into you? Where does this come from?”

“I saw a maid yesterday. I wish to know why she made all those sounds.”

Maid? Sounds? What-Oh! He groaned as understanding dawned.

“The maid? But-” He paused. “What?” He tried hard to gain his composure.

She moved to give him some space to explain.

But if she moved away his reaction to her taunting kisses would be revealed. He’d no choice but to pull her back close. Giving her another quick kiss to mask what he hid from her.

She moaned softly and melded to him.

Barely realizing he growled into her mouth he wrenched away to throw his head back. Staring Heavenward. Grip shaking on her upper arms. “What are you trying to do to me, Girl?”

“It’s what I want you to do to me, Alazareth.”

And that was his undoing. What she’d said combined with his name on her kiss-swollen lips had him unraveling.

That isn’t what she said. You heard her wrong!

“What?” He swallowed. “What is that?”

What did you say to me?

“I want to know what loving is. Before mother would have me sold off, I want someone of my choosing.”

I didn’t hear her wrong…

“I fear I’m a poor choice for that, Dove.” He cleared his throat. Choking slightly.

“Why? Are you bad at loving?”

His jaw hung slightly as he stared at her aghast.

“No...” Her eyes narrowed on him and she shook her head. “Do you not please women you bed?”

This is an awful conversation. His jaw snapped closed. Gaze cutting into her. She knows very well, she’s being insulting.

“It’s my choice is it not?” Ire brightened her vibrant eyes. “At least you must agree on that!”

Not if your choosing me!

“I suppose…” He rubbed his chin with his fingers. “It is.” He ran a hand through wild cropped blonde hair. Disheveling it, palming his forehead in confusion.

What do I say to this?

“And I’ve chosen you.”

Why!

“Why in Ardae, might I ask, would you do that?”

“Because you’re the manner of man I admire.”

One that can walk? He thought of Danbury’s chair.

“The manner of man?” His brows snapped together, unable to hide his affront.

“You are the man I admire.” She corrected sheepishly. Hands falling to study the simple laces of his tunic.

Better, at least.

“Where did you learn this?”